RUDY GIULIANI must pay $148 million to two people he defamed by accusing them of election fraud (Shutterstock).

A $148 million judgment has been awarded in a defamation lawsuit against Rudolph Giuliani for his role is spreading falsehoods about alleged election fraud by two former Georgia election workers.

Plaintiffs are Wandrea Moss and Ruby Freeman, whom the former New York City mayor falsely accused of ballot fraud. The jury made a $75 million award in punitive damages and another $36 million each in other damages.

The damages were based in part on the harassment and threats aimed at the women in the wake ofGiuliani’s accusations.

Giuliani said he would appeal and predicted the amount of the award will make it easier for it to be changed. While conceding that his accusations were false, he placed part of the blame on a website that showed the women counting ballots

He had been sued by a former attorney for non-payment of legal bills, and he – and former president Donald Trump – are facing charges in Georgia of trying to “subvert” the 2020 presidential election won by Joe Biden.

Israeli troops kill 3 hostages

Israeli troops in the middle of combat with Hamas troops in northern Gaza accidentally shot and killed three Israeli hostages on Friday.

They “mistakenly identified” them as a threat and fatally wounded them. The three men had been abducted from kibbutzim in October.

In related news, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan declined to discuss a schedule for Israel to end its ground and air campaign in Gaza. The Israeli government is maintaining that its offensive could last for months.

Also, Israel announced Friday it would be opening another border crossing into the Gaza Strip for the moving of humanitarian aid.

Homeless count rises by 12%

A single-night count of homeless persons in January 2023 has shown a 12 percent increase from a similar count in January 2022.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s study indicates a count of 653,100 people were unsheltered at that time, about 20 people out of every 10,000 people. It’s the highest number since the counts began in 2007.

Sports: Chargers fire coach Brandon Staley

BRANDON STALEY

After an historic loss Thursday to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Los Angeles Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley, along with general manager Tom Telesco on Friday. Two other coaches were released as well.

The Chargers are 5-9 and out of the playoff hunt. With Justin Herbert out for the season with a finger injury, the team lost 63-21 to the Raiders. Staley finishes his career with the Bolts with a 24-25 win loss record.

Giff Smith, outside linebackers coach, has been named interim head coach and JoJo Wooden will be interim general manager.

Weather: Clouds and rain on the way

Keep your umbrellas handy as rain is forecast for our West Orange County area in a few days. Saturday will be partly cloudy with a daytime high of 79 and an overnight low of 49. Sunday should be 78 (54) and partly cloudy. Monday will make a sharp turn towards cloudy weather and cooler temperatures at 71(57) and showers.