A SHUTDOWN of the federal government stopped … for now (Shutterstock photo).

A partial government shutdown was ended on Tuesday when President Donald Trump signed a roughly $1.2 trillion appropriations bill, setting the stage for a debate in Congress over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

According to the Associated Press, the bill passed the House of Representatives by a 217-214 vote.
“This bill is a great victory for the American people,” said Trump.

Tuesday’s action provides money to run the federal government through Sept. 30, funding for HLS for only two weeks, while Congress wrangles over the proposed changes in the controversial practices of Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Democrats in Congress want – among other things – those agents to cease wearing masks, to wear visible identification and to wear body cameras when conducting their immigration enforcement activities.

Trump’s approval at 41 percent

The average of public opinion polls taken by a variety of public research firms shows President Donald Trump’s approval rating at 41 percent and 55 percent disapproving.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP (Shutterstock).

The New York Times’ compilation showed that Trump’s popularity dipped into negative territory when major tariffs were announced in the spring. He had begun his term with a 52 percent approval.

Nearly all the poll sites showed the president’s popularity “upside down,” but there was some wide disparity.

The You Gov poll conducted for The Economist showed Trump’s performance in the White House disapproved by a margin of 20 percent (57 percent to 37 percent), compared to Insider Advantage, which showed the president with 50 percent approval and 49 percent disapproval.

New CEO for Disney is announced

A new chief executive for the Walt Disney Co. was announced on Tuesday, according to United Press International.

SLEEPING BEAUTY’S CASTLE in Disneyland in Anaheim.

The top leader of the huge corporation that includes Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim, will be Josh D’Amaro, currently chair of the company’s “experiences” division, which includes amusement parks. He will replace Bob Iger, who is retiring.

D’Amaro will take over as chief executive officer on March 18.

“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” said Iger.

“I am immensely grateful to the board for entrusting me with leading a company that means so much to me and millions around the world,” D’Amaro said in a statement.

Weather: Cooling trend on the way

The warm days in our West Orange County cities will continue on Wednesday with a daytime high to 89 and an overnight low of 58 under sunny skies. Then there will be a sharp drop in temperatures starting on Thursday, which will be 72 (58) with cloudy skies. Friday will be similar at 72 (53) with morning clouds and afternoon sun. Saturday is expected to be almost identical at 72 (52) and mostly sunny.

Great Thoughts

“No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear.”
– C.S. Lewis

“Each man has secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.”
– Henry Longsworth Longfellow

“A best friend is the only one that walks into your life when the world has walked out.”
– Shanon I. Adler