TORNADO in Oklahoma in 1999 (Wikipedia).

A  powerful tornado devastated a swath along the Mississippi River on Friday, killing at least 25 people, injuring others and knocking down many buildings.

According to the Associated Press, other twisters worked damage as well. Trees and power lines were knocked down, and – in some cases – tumbled into a tangle of branches and cable. High winds forced the evacuation of a hospital, smashed windows and knocked the steeple off a Baptist chinch.

A state of emergency was declared in Mississippi and President Joe Biden promised federal help. The affected areas included Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama.

Is Russian drive “stalling”?

RUSSIA AND Ukraine are still at war (Shutterstock).

The attack by Russian forces on the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut is grinding to a halt, according to analysis from the British Ministry of Defense.

United Press International is reporting that the report suggests that the invaders are shifting their troops to other sectors, although Ukrainian sources insist that the Russians continue to press their attacks on Bakhmut, with heavy casualties on both sides.

Also in the news  … Former president Donald Trump held his first public rally of the 2024 presidential campaign in Waco, Texas and told members of the audience that the threat of prosecution was aimed at his supporters. “They’re not coming after me, they’re coming after you,” he said, according to USA Today.

Sports: Clippers fall to Pelicans

The Los Angeles Clippers fell behind early and stayed there en route to a 131-110 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans at home on Saturday night. With the loss, the Clips are 39-36 and remain in fifth place in the NBA Western Conference, tied with the Golden State Warriors.

Russell Westbrook led the team with 14 points, followed by Eric Gordon with 13. LAC is next in action on Monday hosting the Chicago Bulls.

Also on Saturday night, the Anaheim Ducks lost 6-3 to the St. Louis Blues to fall to 23-40-10. They are seventh in the NHL Pacific Division.  They’ll host the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center on Monday.

Weather: Sunny, mostly sunny, then …

Just when you thought that rainy day feeling was over, here comes, well, some rain. The forecast for the West Orange County area for Sunday is for sunny skies with a daytime high of 66 and an overnight low of 42. Monday should have partly sunny conditions with a high of 71 (low of 49), followed by mostly sunny skies on Tuesday (67/49). On Wednesday, the rains are expected to return with a high of 60 and a low of 47.