Talking Points: Smithsonian cuts, new bird flu in China, and a lucky dog

Is the Smithsonian closing its museums to make ends meet?

The museums won’t close entirely but budget-driven cutbacks in the number of exhibit guards means the Smithsonian Institution will start rolling closures of some galleries and will likely postpone or cancel some exhibits for 2014 and 2015. Separately, the National Archives already has reduced its operating hours at sites in Washington and suburban Maryland. While the memorials on the National Mall will remain open 24 hours a day, the ranger stations may not be manned after 10 p.m. Currently rangers are on duty until about 11:30 p.m. to interact with visitors who come to see the memorials at night.