THE JAN. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump (Shutterstock).

The founder and leader of the extreme right-wing Oath Keepers group Stewart Rhodes was convicted on Tuesday of seditious conspiracy for his role in a plot to prevent the certification of the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the offices of president and vice president.

His conviction in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol carries with it a potential sentence of 20 years in federal prison. He was acquitted of two other conspiracy charges, according to the Associated Press.

Rhodes did not enter the capitol building, but prosecutors presented evidence that he had planned for an “insurrection” that might result in “civil war.” 

Same-sex marriage bill advances

SAME SEX MARRIAGE (Shutterstock).

On a bi-partisan vote, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved legislation to require federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

According to The New York Times, the tally was 61-36, sending the bill to the House of Representatives where Democrats still hold a majority.

From there the bill would go to President Joe Biden for his signature, which he has already promised to do.

Also in the news … Georgia voters have set a new record for early voting in the Dec. 6 U.S. Senate race between Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker. Over 300,000 voters cast ballots on Monday, breaking the former one-day record of 233,000. A heavy turnout may favor the Democrat.

Sports: USA beats Iran, to face Dutch

CHRISTIAN PULISIC

Christian Pulisic’s first half goal was all the U.S. men’s national soccer team needed to defeat Iran 1-0 on Tuesday and advance to the “knockout round” (single elimination) of 16 teams in the World Cup.

With the win, the Americans has a 1-0-2 (one win, two ties, no losses) record, good for second place in Group B.

The top two teams in each group advance. The next game will be against Netherlands on Saturday.

Weather: Showers and clouds coming

The West Orange County area will get a little touch of winter weather this week with continuing cool temperatures, a lot of clouds and some rain. 

According to the National Weather Service, there will be sun early on Wednesday with a good chance of showers in the evening. The predicted high is 64 with a low of 49. Thursday should have showers in the afternoon and evening with a daytime high of 62 and an overnight low of 52. Friday will be similar except for clouds, but no showers.