It’s a very newsy Tuesday…

Weather: Beauty, eh? Doesn’t get much better than this – sunny skies and warm temperatures, with highs near 80 and nighttime lows in the lower 60s. Temps will inch up a bit day by day for the rest of the week.

Shut ’em down. To no one’s surprise, Republicans in the House of Representatives and Democrats in the Senate dug in their heels, so no continuing resolution was passed and the government’s spending authority ended, resulting in a partial shutdown of the federal government. Essential services such as the military and air-traffic controllers will stay in operation, but other agencies will close to various levels. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has offered to set up a conference committee with the Senate, but Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) is standing pat.

Bachus calls it a day. Rep. Spencer Bachus, who has represented Alabama’s Sixth District for more than two decades, will retire at the end of his current term. His announcement early Monday morning came as a surprise and shock to most state GOP luminaries, and sent the speculation machine into overdrive as possible candidates to fill the open seat line up. Among the possible candidates is State Sen. Scott Beason (R-Gardendale), who ran against Bachus in the 2012 primary; he told The North Jefferson News he was surprised by the move, and hasn’t made up his mind what he will do. Bachus’ other main opponent from 2012, Hayden’s David Standridge, told The North Jefferson News Monday night that he isn’t planning to enter the race. Standridge was the Blount County Commission president and probate judge when he ran; he since has been elected to the state legislature in a special election.

Beltline news? Gov. Robert Bentley will hold a press conference in Gardendale Tuesday in which he will make “a major transportation project announcement,” in the words of a statement released by his office. No clue as to exactly what the announcement will be about, but there’s a good chance it will concern the Northern Beltline project, which is being readied for construction of the first segment between Alabama Highways 75 and 79 in the Pinson and Palmerdale areas. The presser is at 2 p.m. at the Gardendale Public Library.

Sports: The tie is broken. The Tampa Bay Rays won their way into the American League Wild Card game, thanks to a 5-2 victory over the Texas Rangers. David Price pitched a complete game seven-hitter. The Rays head to Cleveland Wednesday night. Tonight, the National League Wild Card game has Cincinnati at Pittsburgh; first pitch is 7:07 p.m. (TBS)… Football: Easy Breesy. Drew Brees threw four touchdown passes and New Orleans gained 413 yards through the air, as the Saints stay unbeaten with a 38-17 win over Miami (3-1) on Monday Night Football. Tight end Jimmy Graham caught two of the scoring passes.