LAHAINA fire damage from the Maui fires (U.S. Coast Guard photo/WIkipedia).

The death toll from the Maui wildfires has reached 53 and the historic town on Lahaina has burned down.

According to the Associated Press, over 1,000 structures were destroyed by flames whipped by Hurricane Dora. 

“Lahaina, with a few rare exceptions, has been burned down,” said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green. Some fires are still burning.

The death toll could continue to rise as the devastated area is searched. According to The New York Times, this is the “largest national disaster” in the recorded history of the island chain.

State and local officials are urging people unaffected by the disaster to open their homes to displaced people and families.

President Joe Biden declared a disaster in Hawaii, freeing up federal aid that includes temporary housing and low-cost loans to property losses by the uninsured.

Campaign ’24 opens in Iowa

MIKE PENCE, former vice president (Wikipedia).

The presidential campaign year traditionally kicks off in Iowa the summer before the election year. Former vice president Mike  Pence attracted the biggest audience at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday.

United Press International reports that Pence, despite some heckling from supporters of former president Donald Trump, drew considerable applause for his call for a “return to civility.”

He defended his decision to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election on Jan. 6, 2021, citing the requirements of Article II of the U.S. Constitution. Trump claimed he was the actual winner, the victim of massive voter fraud.

High court blocks opioid settlement

U.S. SUPREME COURT building in Washington, D.C.

A $6 billion settlement by the Sackler family that used to control Purdue Pharma – the maker of OxyContin – was temporarily blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The agreement would protect the family from future lawsuits.

Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy because of legal action that accused the company of recklessly promoting the use of the highly addictive drug that fired an opioid crisis across the nation, according to USA Today.

Sports: Dodgers beat Colorado Rockies

The Los Angeles Dodgers rallied with runs in the seventh and eighth innings to defeat the Colorado Rockies 2-1 on Monday night.

With the win, the team is 68-46 and leads the NL West by 6.5 games

Weather: Warming trend coming

Things will heat up just a bit in our West Orange County area in the coming week. Friday’s daytime high should reach 80 with an overnight low of 66. There should be morning clouds and afternoon sun. Partly cloudy conditions should be in place for nearly a week. Saturday through Monday should have a daytime high of 81 with the lows at 65 to 66.