NEW YORK CITY subway (Shutterstock).

The government shutdown had led to the cancellation of almost $29 billion in projects allocated to various Congressional district, but the vast majority of money withheld was intended for districts represented by Democrats.

That’s the conclusion of a study by The New York Times which is that $27.24 billion was cut from Democratic districts but only $738.7 million from Republican districts.

The money was intended for infrastructure projects, including a tunnel under the Hudson River and the 2nd Avenue subway in New York City.

Another was in Chicago for mass-transit projects and in California for a hydrogen energy project in the Bay Area.
The White House has stated that such cuts were for “wasteful projects” or “in conflict with the president’s priorities.”

“Drug vessel” struck by U.S. forces

A fifth strike on an alleged drug-running ship was carried out in Tuesday by the U.S. military.

United Press International is reporting that – on the order of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth – a “kinetic strike” was carried against the craft traveling “Along a designated terrorist organization” route.

Six males were reported killed in the attack, bringing the total of people killed in strikes on the boats to 27. The Trump Administration has declared suspected narcotics-trading ships to be allied to “Designated Terrorist Organizations.”

The attacks have been carried out in international waters near Venezuela.

Another shutdown deal fails

For the eighth time, the U.S. Senate was unable to agree on a deal for a “continuing resolution” that would have ended the shutdown of the federal government.

FIRINGS are already underway (Shutterstock).

USA Today is reporting that the White House has begun another round of laying off thousands more federal employees.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was using the shutdown to trim shape the federal budget, which is normally the responsibility of Congress.

“We’re being able do things what we were unable to do before,” he said. “So we’re closing up programs that are Democrat programs that we wanted to close up.”

Weather: Getting back to warm

With Tuesday’s rain behind us, West Orange County residents can look forward to a warming trend and more sun. Wednesday should have partly cloudy skies with a daytime high of 69 and an overnight low of 53. Thursday and Friday will have highs of 74 snd 78 (lows of 55 snd 58) with sunny skies. Saturday will be mostly sunny with temps of 78 (59).

Great Thoughts

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is full of of the overcoming of it.”
– Helen Keller

“Failure is delay, but not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead-end street.”
– Walter Arthur Ward.

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”
– Dalai Lama