AN AR-15 semi-automatic rifle was used in the killing of three Black people in Florida (Wikipedia).

The man who killed three Black people in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday had once been involuntarily committed to a mental institution for an examination.

The Associated Press is reporting on details that emerged after Ryan Palmeter, 21, fatally shot his victims in and near a Dollar General store before killing himself.

The victims have been identified as Angela Michelle Carr, 52, A.J. Lageurre, 19, and Jerrald Gallion. 29.

An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and a pistol were used in the shooting.  They had all been legally purchased. Palmeter had left a “racist” note behind.

Japan planning its own moon mission

FLAG OF JAPAN (Shutterstock).

So far, only four nations have landed spacecraft safely on the moon: the U.S., Russia (as the Soviet Union), China and now, India.

Japan is planning on joining that number. The New York Times is reporting that Japan is planning a lunar mission called SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) as well as a new X-ray telescope (XRISM) today.

The latter will be able to peer into the darker parts of the universe to help astrophysicists to learn more about the “undiscovered” cosmos.

Tropical storm Idalia aims at Florida

A NEW HURRICANE may be hitting Florida soon (Shutterstock).

The Atlantic hurricane season is underway and the next one could be named Idalia.

United Press International reports that Tropical Storm Idalia has formed in the Caribbean Sea and that meteorologists believe it will develop into a full-fledged hurricane and should hit Florida on Wednesday after slamming Cuba on Monday.

The National Hurricane Center is warning that there’s a risk that Idalia could become more powerful and be “life-threatening,” so people living in its path should make and follow a hurricane plan.

Halo bullpen fails again

The Los Angeles Angels had a chance to sweep the three-game series against the Mets in New York, but the relief corps couldn’t do its share. The Halos had a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning, but the bullpen allowed single runs in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings to give the home team a 3-2 win and  snap the Angels’ two-game winning streak.

It all wasted a strong performance by Griffin Canning, who worked seven innings, giving up five hits and one earned run. He struck out nine batters and walked one.

With the game tied 1-1, Luis Rengifo hit his 12th homer of the season, giving the Angels a too-brief 2-1 lead.

Now 63-69, the Angels are off to Philadelphia to start a series with the Phillies on Monday. Lucas Giolito (7-10) will start for LAA.

Dodgers take series in Boston

The Los Angeles Dodgers won their series in Fenway Park against the Boston Sox by taking the third game 7-4 on Sunday.

Again, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman led the Blue Wave attack. Betts his his 35th home run and went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Freeman was 3-for-5 with a run scored. James Outman also hit a homer, his 16th of the season.

The win went to Gavin Stone (1-0), who worked six innings and gave up five hits and four earned runs. Evan Phillips got his 21st save.

The Dodgers are 80-49 and lead the National League West by 12.5 games over the second place Arizona Diamondbacks.

Now, its back home to Chavez Ravine to open a series hosting those D-backs.

Weather: And now, a sunny interval

Our West Orange County area will get a brief period of sunny skies on Monday before returning to a long stretch of partly cloudy days. The forecast is for a high of 96 on Monday with an overnight low of 68.  Tuesday will begin a period of gradually cooling days with a high of 93 (67), followed by 89 (66) on Wednesday and 83 (65) on Thursday.