Federal firings are underway

By OC Tribune Staff on October 11, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

FIRINGS are already underway (Shutterstock).

The firing of what could be thousands of federal employees as a consequence of the shutdown of the federal government has begun.

The Associated Press is reporting thatthe White House budget office said Friday that “mass firings” of federal workers is underway.

Critics are saying it’s an effort to pressure Democratic legislators to yield on the deadlock.

The departments of Education, Treasury, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services will be the first for “reductions in force,” as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, according to the AP.

The government showdown comes from an impasse in the U.S. Senate over tax credits for people covered for medical services under the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare.”

Republicans want the tax credit removed; Democrats want it to remain.

Stocks drop on tariff announcement

Stocks took a nose-dive on Friday over a declaration by President Donald Tramp to slap a 100 percent tariff on imports from China.

NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE (Flickr/Modesto Del Rio).

The benchmark Standard and Poor ‘s500 fell 2.71 percent from 8,750 to 6,560. Trump’s threat came in response to China imposing new curbs on the exporting of “rare earth” minerals used in high-tech manufacturing.

Trump also said that the tariff would be in response to what he said was an increase in goods manufactured in China being sold in the U.S.

According to The New York Times , it was the first time in two months that the S&P 500 had fallen more than one percent.
U.S. oil prices dropped over 4 percent on Friday to under $59 a barrel.

Nine story buildings near transit

A bill that will allow the construction of buildings up to nine stories high if located near transit stops was signed into law Friday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the bill will affect eight counties. The intent is to increase the supply of housing, especially near access to mass transit where residents could ride to work or shopping without needing a car.

“All Californians deserve an affordable place to live — close to jobs, schools, and opportunity. Housing near transit means shorter commutes, lower costs, and more time with family. When we invest in housing, we’re investing in people — their chance to build a future, raise a family, and be part of a community,” Newsom said in a statement.

Some critics call it a power-grab by Sacramento and complain that it’s another example of the state government overriding local zoning laws.

Showers on the way?

Tired of all this dry weather? The forecast for our West Orange County cities is for some showers on Tuesday with a daytime high of 67 and 57 overnight. But until then you get your usual forecast of partly cloudy skies. Saturday should have a daytime high of 76 with an overnight low of 58. Sunday will be similar at 77 (60). Monday will see a drop in the thermometer Monday to 71 during the day and 60 overnight.