You're more than halfway through this short working week, and you've got Central Western Daily cadet journalist Alexandra King here to get you through the morning and into the rest of the day with today's Orange Express.

Remember, if you have a news tip or anything you would like to share with us, email alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au.

Let's get the ball rolling with today's weather ...

Once again, Orange is set to have a low of 2 degrees with a touch of frost this morning before the sun comes out and warms up the day to a balmy 13. But you better make the most of the sunshine, as it looks like we'll be getting rain on and off from tomorrow until next week.

Around the region, Bathurst is warming up with a top temperature of 16 degrees with some fog clearing to sunshine.

And those lucky enough to be in Dubbo will experience slightly warmer conditions of 19 degrees and sunshine.

7.15am: It's Dave Franco's birthday today! Brother of James Franco, Dave is still a star in his own right, with roles in 21 Jump Street and TV show Scrubs on his list. Dave turns 29 today.

Happy birthday to anyone blowing out the candles today, as it seems you're in good company.

The 41st US president George Bush Senior celebrates his 90th birthday today, and if Jewish Holocaust victim and author Anne Frank was still alive, she would turn 85. American wrestler Henry James turns 43, and quirky funnyman Richard Ayoade, best known for his role in British TV series The IT Crowd, turns 36. What a guy!

Orange High School student Mitchell King is celebrating his 18th birthday today - congratulations Mitch!

If you know someone who is celebrating their birthday tomorrow, send their name and age to nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.com.au so we can all help them celebrate!

7.30am: Let's take a look at what's making news around Orange today...

POLICE have appealed for information from the public after a break, enter and steal offence at a bakery in Orange last month.

Shortly after 2pm on Sunday, May 18, a woman entered a bakery on Peisley Street and climbed the stairs to the office area.

The woman walked to a safe, which was not locked, and took a quantity of cash.

Meanwhile...

UNCERTAINTY surrounding how much university students will pay and how long it will take to clear any loans has forced Charles Sturt University to offer a $2 million contingency fund.

CSU acting deputy vice-chancellor Professor Toni Downes said the government was yet to finalise deregulation of university fees and increased HELP interest rates, and the contingency fund would increase certainty for students enrolling for the coming year.

7.45am: Now let's go back to 2003 and see what people were up to back then...

CENTRAL Western Daily photographers Jude Keogh, Olivia Sargent and Steve Gosch were busy this time 11 years ago.

They were flat out attending the many parties and events going on across Orange.

8am: It's Hug A Climate Scientist Day today!

So find your nearest hard-working climate scientist and give them a big squeeze. And if you can't find one, any scientist will do. I'm sure they'd appreciate it.

8.05am: Police will prepare a report for the Coroner after an incident at a mining site in the state’s west overnight.

About 11.15pm (Wednesday 11 June 2014), emergency services were called to a mine site on Louth Road at Cobar after reports of an injured worker at the location.

Officers have been a told a 26-year-old man was working at the site, attempting to dislodge debris from a pipe when he became trapped.

8.15am: Now let's check what's making news around the country...

Treasurer Joe Hockey has lashed out at critics of his first budget, saying claims his policies are ''unfair'' are reminiscent of ''class warfare'' from the 1970s.

In a spirited speech at the Sydney Institute, Mr Hockey on Wednesday night said the view that his budget would exacerbate inequality was unfounded and criticism of his budget strategy was ''political in nature''.

Meanwhile...

The Salvation Army has attacked the federal government and its independent report on the Manus Island violence, maintaining the innocence of a worker accused of delivering the final blow to Reza Barati's skull.

During the second day of a Senate inquiry into the Manus Island attack in February, the Salvation Army claimed the Papua New Guinea police had not yet contacted them, despite running the investigation into Mr Barati's death.

8.25am: At 5pm yesterday afternoon, a man driving a stolen Toyota Landcruiser crashed in to a powerpole on McLauchlan Street, near Caroline Street.By the time police had arrived, the man had fled the scene. No charges have been laid, and police are making further enquiries.

8.35am: Let's have a look at what's happening in the world of sport...

Looking to make amends after a 39-point loss in round two, the Orange Tigers will travel to Bathurst’s George Park on Saturday looking to make a statement against Central West AFL competition leaders the Bushrangers.

And, for the most part, it’ll hinge on the game plan cracked by coach Nathan Pearce. 

Ahead of the second genuine CWAFL blockbuster of the 2014 season, black and golds skipper Tim Barry believes simplicity will be the key to turning around what was a disappointing 15.12 (102) to 9.9 (63) loss to the Bushies back in April.

Meanwhile, in national sport...

The new-look Blues right edge were introduced to the team’s attacking structures minus Jarryd Hayne after the NSW fullback sat out of the side’s first training session in Coffs Harbour on Wednesday night.

Only Hayne was an observer for the first NSW hit-out, nursing a thigh strain, as the session focused on making the new centre/wing combination of Josh Dugan and Will Hopoate settle into the team. 

8.53am: Time to have your say...

REGIONAL libraries may be forced to reduce their opening hours, limit the amount of special events they stage and cut back on staff if additional funding is not secured, says Central West Libraries committee chair Janelle Culverson.

Cabonne councillor Culverson said libraries in Orange, Cabonne, Blayney, Forbes and Cowra were all distributing petitions pushing for increased funding.

It's hoped the local signatures would be added to the 30,000 which have already been collected throughout NSW.

The petitions are asking the Legislative Assembly to increase recurrent public library funding to councils from the current $26.5 million to $30 million per annum from 2014/2015 and indexed from the following year.

9am: And that ends today's Orange Express.

Thanks for sticking with me this morning, and have a great day.