Two U.S. warplanes shot down

By OC Tribune Staff on April 4, 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

TWO A-10 WARTHOGS in formation (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch)

Two American warplanes were shot down on Friday, according to the Associated Press. In one instance, the plane is believed to be an A-10 ground attack aircraft. The lone pilot ejected and was rescued. In the second case, an F-15E Strike Eagle with a crew of two was hit. One airman was rescued and the second is being sought.

The shoot-downs came was President Donald Trump addressed the nation and assured Americans that the U.S. has “beaten and completely decimated Iran” and vowed that American military was “going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast.”

Meanwhile attacks from both sides continued. Explosions were reported in the Iranian capital of Tehran, and Iranian rockets are said to strike a desalination plant and oil refinery in Kuwait.

Also on Friday, Trump is asking Congress to increase defense spending to $1.5 trillion, according to The New York Times.

Employment surged in March

A total of 178,000 new jobs were added to payrolls across the country in March, United Press International reports.

MORE JOBS added in March 2026 (Shutterstock).

That’s an increase from February with 133,000 jobs added, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate remained at 4.3 percent. however.

That increase, however, is more than double the 67,000 jobs added in March 2025.

While it’s the biggest job increase of Trump’s second term, it’s less than those of the Biden administration, which saw an average of 345,000 a month.

However, that increase came as the national economy rebounded from the COVID-19 epidemic.

South Carolina stuns UConn, to play UCLA

South Carolina snapped UConn’s 54-game winning streak on Friday night in the semifinals of NCAA Final Four women’s basketball tournament in Phoenix.

The Gamecocks prevailed 62-48 and will face UCLA in the title game. according to USA Today. The Bruins defeated Texas 51-44.

The game ended with an altercation between South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and UConn coach Geno Auriemma.

The controversy could stem from the calling of fouls. UConn was whistled for 17 fouls while USC was tagged with eight.

The Gamecocks hit 18-for-22 from the free throw line, while the Huskies were 4-for-6.

Weather:Warmer, then cooler

Our weekend in the West Orange County area should be warmer, but the new week should be cooler. The forecast for Saturday is for partly cloudy conditions with a daytime high of 85 with an overnight low of 56. Sunday will cool a bit to 80 (58) and partly cloudy. Monday will be similar but down to 75 (57). Mostly sunny conditions are expected on Tuesday at 74 (57).