U.S. SUPREME COURT

U.S. Supreme Court justices are being urged by lawyers for former president Donald Trump “to put a quick and decisive end” to attempts in some states to keep him from the 2024 presidential ballot.

A variety of groups and officials have sought action to bar Trump on the grounds that he worked to overturn the results of the 2020 election. So far, such a disqualification is in place in Maine and Colorado.

The specific case regards a ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that Trump is not eligible for the presidency on the grounds that he committed “insurrection” in his actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob.

The justices will formally hear arguments on Feb. 8, and the court’s ruling could have a major impact of the campaign, especially as the crucial Super Tuesday collection of primaries is on March 5.

Congress passes spending bill

CONGRESS passed legislation Thursday to head off a partial government shutdown (Shutterstock).

Both houses of Congress passed legislation Thursday that will head off a partial government shutdown. It now goes to President Joe Biden who is expected to sign it.

In the House of Representatives, the vote was 314-108 with most of the “yes” votes coming from Democrats. In the Senate, the margin was wider at 77-18.

But that’s not the end of the story. There’s another deadline in six weeks on a half-dozen bills totaling $1.66 trillion in spending.

Far-right Republicans in the House resisted Thursday’s action, but Speaker of the House Mike Johnson boosted the deal on the grounds that a government shutdown would be held against Republicans on election day.

Weather: Get out your raincoat

Our West Orange County area is expected to become the wet Orange County this weekend, with rain forecast from Saturday through Monday.

RAIN IS ON THE WAY (Shutterstock)..

Friday is expected to be cloudy with a daytime high of and an overnight low of 54.

Showers will begin on Saturday with temps expected to be 62 (53). Sunday will be somewhat similar with showers and 61 (56). The forecast upgrades the precipitation to rain on Monday and temps of 62 (53).