TENNESSEE State Capitol in Nashville (Wikipedia).

Well, that was quick.

The second of two Black representatives removed from their seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives is coming back to his post.

Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, both Democrats, had been expelled last week for their part in a noisy protest in favor of stricter gun laws in the state. But Tennessee law allows expelled lawmakers to regain their seats if approved by county commissions in their district.

Jones was reinstated on Monday and Pearson on Wednesday. They were expelled when a third protestor – a white woman – was not, leading to some complaints that the actions were racially motivated.

New rules could spark e-car sales

ELECTRIC CAR SALES should get a boost from new EPA rules (Shutterstock).

Under plans outlined by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, two-thirds of new passenger cars and one-fourth of all heavy trucks sold in the U.S. must be all-electric by 2032.

Such a policy could jump-start the market for electric car sales, which now represent just 5.8 percent of new cars sold, according to The New York Times. 

The new regulations are an effort to combat climate change caused by planet-warming emissions.

Although these EPA rules are considered historic, they still fall sort of California’s regulations, which ban the sale of new non-electric cars after 2035.

Sports: Angels beat Nationals

The Los Angeles Angels moved to within a half-game of the American League West lead with a 3-2 win Wednesday over the Washington Nationals in Anaheim.

Griffin Canning, making his first start since 2021, made an impressive return, pitching five innings and yielding two earned runs. He struck out five and walked none.

Hunter Renfroe continued to hit well, going 2-for-3 with a double, a single and a walk. He’s batting .295. The Angels (7-5) will face the Nats again on Thursday with Patrick Sandoval (1-0) getting the start.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (6-6) are in San Francisco to play the Giants (5-6).

In NHL play, the regular season will come to a close on Friday when the Anaheim Ducks host the Los Angeles Kings.

Weather: Clouds in your eyes …

And in our skies. The forecast for the West Orange County area right through the middle or next week calls for clouds, clouds and more clouds. Thursday should be mostly cloudy with a daytime high of 64 and with an overnight low 53. Friday is expected to be partly cloudy, a condition continuing roughly through Wednesday, April 19. Daytime highs will be 67 on Friday, 71 on Saturday and 72 on Sunday.

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