Cliffhanger: Fiscal Cliff Talks Down To The Wire
December 31, 2012
The drama over the so-called “fiscal cliff” enters its final day before the deadline on Monday, with no agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Americans will face tax increases and deep government cuts on Tuesday if no agreement is passed and signed before then.
In a prayer at the opening of Sunday’s Senate session, Chaplain Barry Black asked God to help the two parties find a compromise. “Lord, show them the right thing to do, and give them the courage to do it. And save us from self-inflicted wounds,” he said.
By the end of the day’s session, the prayer was still unanswered.
The top Senate Democrat, Majority Leader Harry Reid, said the talks would move into the crucial final hours on Monday. “There is still significant distance between the two sides, but negotiations continue. There is still time left to reach an agreement, and we intend to continue negotiations,” he said.
Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell asked Vice President Joe Biden to enter the negotiations.
The top Senate Republican was frustrated that Reid had not made a counteroffer to his proposal from late Saturday, and said Democrats have shown a lack of urgency in the talks. “The sticking point appears to be a willingness, an interest, or frankly, the courage to close the deal. I want everyone to know I am willing to get this done, but I need a dance partner,” he said.
Biden and McConnell, former Senate colleagues, have negotiated previous agreements.
President Barack Obama expressed his frustration about the impasse in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” recorded Saturday. The president blamed Republicans for the failure to forge a compromise. “I think anybody, objectively, who has looked at this would say that we have put forward not only a sensible deal, but one that has the support of the majority of the American people, including close to half of Republicans,” he said.
House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner retorted that it was the president, not House Republicans, who was unable to say yes to a deal. In a written statement, Boehner said, “Americans elected President Obama to lead, not cast blame.”
If legislation to avert the “fiscal cliff” is not passed by Congress and signed by Mr. Obama by the end of Monday, almost every American would face a substantial tax increase. Government programs, including defense, would suffer severe budget cuts, and unemployment benefits would be slashed.
Economists and officials from both parties agree that failure to reach an agreement would have a devastating effect on the U.S. economic recovery.
Pictured top: President Barack Obama delivers a statement to the press in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
[VOA]
Slight Rain Chance Today, Rain Likely By Tuesday
December 31, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- New Year’s Day: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind around 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Rain By 2013
December 30, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- New Year’s Day: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind around 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Freeze Warning Tonight
December 29, 2012
There is a freeze warning in effect for the entire area for Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Widespread freezing temperatures will impact the region with temperatures falling to 23 to 30 degrees. Freezing temperatures are expected to last for several hours and could injure pets and sensitive plants that are left exposed to the elements overnight.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 52. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- New Year’s Day: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 67. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind around 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Rain Becoming Likely
December 28, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Low around 42. Southeast wind around 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a steady temperature around 47. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
- New Year’s Day: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. South wind around 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.
- Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
FHP Plans DUI Checkpoint
December 28, 2012
The Florida Highway Patrol is planning a roadside sobriety safety checkpoint tonight in Santa Rosa County.
The checkpoint will begin about 9:30 p.m. and end at 12:30 a.m. Saturday on Highway 90 west of Avalon Boulevard. Warning devices will be placed in strategic locations leading up to the checkpoint for the safety and protection of motorist and officers. During the operation, vehicles will be stopped to check for driver impairment and other violations of Florida law.
“Sobriety checkpoints have been successful in the past and it is anticipated this operation will be a success,” the FHP said in a media release. “The Florida Highway Patrol encourages motorist not to drink and drive. Please select a designated driver if your plans include alcohol.”
Rain For Friday, Saturday
December 27, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:check
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. Calm wind.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
- Monday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- New Year’s Day: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Cold Continues
December 26, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. Calm wind.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Friday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
- New Year’s Day: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Escambia, Santa Rosa
December 25, 2012
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... SOUTHEASTERN ESCAMBIA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA... OKALOOSA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA... SANTA ROSA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA... SOUTHERN COVINGTON COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA... SOUTHEASTERN ESCAMBIA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA... EXTREME EAST CENTRAL BALDWIN COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA... * UNTIL 1030 PM CST * AT 939 PM CST...A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS OVER 60 MPH WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 8 MILES SOUTH OF EAST BREWTON TO 15 MILES NORTH OF MILTON TO 5 MILES NORTHEAST OF GONZALEZ...AND MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... PENSACOLA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT... WHITFIELD... MIDWAY... OCEAN CITY... FORT WALTON BEACH... PINE LEVEL... WOODLAWN BEACH... WHITING FIELD... TIGER POINT... THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 10 IN FLORIDA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 1 AND 67. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHWEST ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA. &&
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Escambia, Santa Rosa
December 25, 2012
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... NORTHERN ESCAMBIA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA... NORTHWESTERN SANTA ROSA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA... SOUTHERN CONECUH COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA... ESCAMBIA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA... SOUTH CENTRAL MONROE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA... * UNTIL 930 PM CST * AT 841 PM CST...A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS OVER 60 MPH WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 8 MILES SOUTH OF FRISCO CITY TO 15 MILES NORTHWEST OF BREWTON TO 12 MILES SOUTH OF ATMORE...AND MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... WHITFIELD... PINE LEVEL... JAY... FLOMATON... CENTURY... MEGARGEL... REPTON... I65 AND US 84... I65 AND CR 6... THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 65 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 59 AND 96. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA.