With the July 4 holiday behind us, it's now 27 days until D-day, with the "D" standing for default, which the Obama Administration assures us the federal government will do on its debts unless Congress increases the nation's $14.3 debt ceiling before then.

Where do things stand? Pretty much where they did before the holiday, except now there's even less time.

There was a 0.8 percent increase in orders for manufactured goods in May from April, the Census Bureau just reported, as a 36.5 percent boost in demand for commercial aircraft and aircraft parts led the way.

There were also more modest increases in orders for machinery (0.4 percent), computers and electronic products (1.2 percent) and electrical equipment (3 percent).

Emma Talley has her tee times for the first two rounds of the U.S. Women's Open - and the Caldwell County golf phenom could be getting some face time on Golf Channel this week. Talley, who was scheduled to fly to Colorado Springs, Colo., on Monday and play practice rounds Tuesday and Wednesday, is set to tee off at 9:06 a.m. CDT in the first round of the tournament on Thursday.

A Lexington archaeologist has received a grant from the National Geographic Society to advance his search for a "lost city" in Honduras. Christopher Begley, an associate professor of anthropology at Transylvania University and director of the Exploration Foundation, will use the research grant and 3-D technology to examine ancient artifacts in the Honduran rainforest, near the Mosquito Coast. The area is the rumored location of a lost city from ancient times.

He may only have graduated from kindergarten, but Harrison Owens is already being commended by the head of state. Harrison, 5½, came home last week to find a letter in the mailbox from Gov. Steve Beshear. The letter arrived in response to a letter Harrison sent in April. Harrison had told the governor he planned to hold lemonade stands to raise funds to place seat belts on school buses. The Stamping Ground Elementary School student said it was not safe to ride in vehicles without seat belts.

What's going on with the talks in Washington between Republicans and Democrats over the budget, the debt and the federal debt ceiling? As deadlines approach — the White House wants a deal by July 22 to avoid a potential government shutdown on Aug. 2 — we'll keep an eye on the latest headlines. Here are some of today's (and as often happens on stories like this, there are conflicting reports):

-- Reuters — "Analysis: Debt Deal Not That Far Out Of Reach."

Good morning.

If you're just catching up on things after enjoying a long weekend, here's a quick recap of stories we've already posted about and other headlines:

-- " 'Go To Work!' Minnesotans Vent As State Government Shutdown Continues."

Will lower premiums for health insurance to cover people with pre-existing conditions make the policies more attractive? We're about to find out.

Experts agreed that high prices for the coverage created under the health care overhaul were partly to blame for anemic enrollment in the plans, which reached just 21,454 after several months. Hundreds of thousands of people had been expected to sign on.

Stephen Wunker is the Managing Director of New Markets Advisors

Congressional Republicans keep insisting that deep cuts to government spending will help boost growth, and create jobs, in the short term. But that claim doesn't make a lot of sense. Most economists think that federal spending on public works and aid to the states kept the recession from being much worse.

In Minnesota, where the state government has been shut down since Friday while the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled legislature remain at odds over how to fill a $5 billion budget gap, some lawmakers got an earful on Monday as they marched in July 4th parades.