MIKE PENCE, former vice president (Shutterstock).

Former vice president Mike Pence officially entered the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination on Monday.

United Press International reported that Pence, 64, filed his intention to run for president with the Federal Election Commission.

Pence was a central figure in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol building. Former president Donald Trump insisted – incorrectly – that Pence had the authority to prevent the certification of Joe Biden’s election to the presidency.

Some rioters, angry at Pence, erected a makeshift gallows on the capitol grounds before they were dispersed by police.

Pence was governor of Indiana before becoming vice president in 2017.

Gannett workers out on strike

Hundreds of journalists at the nation’s largest newspaper chain walked out on strike on Monday in a protest against cutbacks.

According to the Associated Press, the News Guild – which represents employees at news organizations across the U.S. – organized the one- or two-day walkout in reaction to severe reductions in staff and because of unhappiness with Mike Reed, the CEO of Gannett.

Since Reed took over as part of a merger with GateHouse Media, the company had moved into the black but has laid off 47 percent of its workforce overall; 90 percent at some newspapers.

Also in the news … What would be the first religious school fully-funded by taxpayers was approved Monday in Oklahoma City. A legal battle over its constitutionality is expected.

Sports: Angels, Dodgers have a day off

Both our LA-OC area big league baseball teams had Monday off. The Los Angeles Dodgers (35-25) will be in Cincinnati on Tuesday to play the Reds (27-33).

The Los Angeles Angels (31-30) are at home and will open a series hosting the Chicago Cubs (26-32).

Weather: Partly cloudy, etc. etc.

Like partly cloudy skies? You’ll enjoy the weather in our West Orange County area for the next several days. The forecast calls for those conditions though Thursday, turning to mostly cloudy on Friday. 

Tuesday is expected to have a daytime high of 70 with an overnight low of 59. Wednesday will be 71 (57) and Thursday 72 (59).  Sunny days? Maybe on Wednesday, June 14.