VOTING CENTER at central library in Austin, Texas (Shutterstock).

A  Congressional district map for Alabama that included just one Black majority district was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.

According to the Associated Press, that clears the way for more representation for Black voters in time for the 2024 election.

Similar challenges to attempts by Republican lawmakers in “red” states can now be expected across the country with possible impacts on which party controls the narrowly divided House of Representatives.

Since Black voters have historically favored Democratic candidates this decision by could influence who has the majority in the lower house in 2025.

Hollywood writers strike is over

The five-month strike by motion picture and television writers came to an end on Tuesday night as the governing boards of the Writers Guild of America and negotiating committees voted to accept a deal with the major studios.

Late night talk shows are expect to be among the first to resume. Actors are still on strike, so scripted TV shows and motion pictures will likely remain on hiatus for an undermined period of time.

Trump committed fraud says judge

DONALD TRUMP (NBC Photo).

Former president Donald Trump committed fraud by inflating the value of his property in New York state, a judge ruled on Tuesday.

The New York Times is reporting that Justice Arthur Engoron’s ruling clears the way for a trial – perhaps as soon next week – on charges brought by state Attorney General Letitia James, who is alleging that Trump has deliberately overstated the worth of his real estate holdings by $2.2 billion and is pressing for a penalty of around $250 million.

Judge Engorgon wrote that Trump’s financial statements submitted to banks “clearly contain fraudulent valuations that defendants used in business.”

Dodgers split; Angels beat Rangers

As the 2023 season winds down, the local teams won two games and lost one on Tuesday. 

In the final double-header of the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers (97-60) lost the first game and won the second in Denver.

The Colorado Rockies won the first game 4-1, but the Blue Crew dominated the second, winning 11-2. In that contest, the Dodgers banged out 18 hits, including a home run by Freddie Freeman, his 27th of the season. He drove in two runs and walked twice. He also doubled.

James Outman was 4-for-6 with two runs scored. Max Muncy was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one run driven in. 

Bo Miller (11-4) got the win, working seven innings and yielding seven hits and two earned runs. He struck out nine batters and walked none.

The Los Angeles Angels evened their series with the Texas Rangers in Anaheim at one game each with a 9-3 win Tuesday night.

Brandon Drury got the Halos off to a big start in the first inning with a three-run home run in the bottom of the  inning. He ended up with a 3-for-4 night, including three RBIs and two runs scored. Three other batters had two hits.

Reid Detmers (4-10) got the win, working seven innings and yielding four hits and one home run. He struck out seven batters and walked four as the Angels improved their record to 71-87.

The Angels will be in action on Wednesday against the Rangers with Griffin Canning (7-7) making the start.

Weather:  Rain by the weekend

It’ll be slow, but we’re headed towards a one-day shower on Saturday in our West Orange County area. The forecast for Wednesday is for partly cloudy skies and a daytime high of 81 and an overnight low of 63. Thursday will be similar with a high of 77 (63). Friday will have morning clouds and afternoon sun, with a high of 75 (33). Saturday is forecast for showers with a high of 69 (59).