SEN. RAPHAEL WARNOCK defeated Herschel Walker in the runoff for a Georgia seat in the U.S. Senate.

Incumbent Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock has been declared the winner of the Georgia runoff election Tuesday against Republican challenger Hershel Walker.

The New York Times, Associated Press and CNN, among other news organizations have called the election for Warnock, a victory which gives Democrats a crucial 51-49 edge in the U.S. Senate.

With 97 percent of the vote in, Warnock was leading with 1,710,603 votes (50.5 percent) over Walker with 1,675,030 (49.5 percent).

Although that margin is relatively tight, votes still to be counted are from heavily Democratic areas of the Georgia. so Warnock’s lead is expected to grow.

Trump’s company guilty of tax fraud

THE TRUMP Organization was convicted Tuesday on 17 counts of tax fraud and other crimes (Shutterstock).

A Manhattan jury on Tuesday convicted the Trump Organization on 17 counts of tax fraud and other crimes.

According to The New York Times, former president Donald Trump was not personally named in the jury’s verdict, but prosecutors referred to him during the trial.

The court could impose a maximum penalty of $1.62 million.

Also in the news … Kirstie Alley, star of television’s “Cheers” and “Veronica’s Closet,” has died at the age of 71. Colon cancer has been given as the cause of death. She won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance in “Cheers.”

Sports: Angels will pick 11th in MLB draft

In the first-ever Major League Baseball draft lottery, the Los Angeles Angels will pick 11th.

The lottery involves the 18 teams that didn’t qualify for post-season play. The top 10 are thePittsburgh Pirates picking first, followed by the Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins in 10th.

The 2023 draft will be held in Seattle in July.

Weather: Some sun, some clouds

Mostly clear conditions are forecast for the West Orange County area for the next few days. According to the National Weather Service, Wednesday should be mostly sunny with a daytime high near 63 and an overnight low of 45. Thursday will be similar at 65 (46) with some night winds. Friday should be sunny at 64 (47) with night clouds and there’s a chance of showers on Saturday and Sunday.