THE SUPREME COURT voted 5-4 in favor of a request by the BIden Administration to allow Border Patrol agents to tear down a barrier they deem dangerous (Shutterstock).

A divided Supreme Court supported the Biden Administration on Monday on the question of whether Texas officials could block Federal officials from cutting or removing a wire-topped barrier along the Mexican border.

The Court voted 5-4 without comment in favor of a ruling favoring the Department of Homeland Security’s request to lift a lower-court decision which prohibited the Border Patrol from dealing with the wire on the wall. The DOJ argued that the barrier kept the Patrol from doing its job and was dangerous. Texas asserted the authority to “deter unlawful agency action and to respect property rights.”

Voting along with the three liberal justices were Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

Dow Jones reaches a new height

THE BULLS had a good day on Wall Street (Shutterstock)

Another landmark in stock market history was reached on Monday when the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a new peak at 39,000, a one-day leap of 138 points. The Standard & Poor 500 hit another high on Monday, reaching 4,850.43. The previous S&P high was on Friday.

Observers say that strong profits along with improving customer confidence and a cooling of inflation could continue the upward trend. If inflation is considered to be under control, the Federal Reserve may be willing to reduce interest rates, or at least stop its series of increases.

Director Norman Jewison dies at 97

Celebrated film director Norman Jewison died on Saturday at his home. He was 97. Jewison (at left) was best-known for directing films such as “In the Heat of the Night,” “Moonstruck,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”

He received seven Oscar nominations, never winning, but received a lifetime achievement honor from the Motion Picture Academy. In his career, Jewison directed films on social issues as well as comedies and musicals.

Weather: Starting to warm up

It looks like the rain is behind us in our West Orange County area, at least through the end of January. The short-term forecast is for a warming trend right into the weekend. Tuesday is expected to have morning clouds with sun in the afternoon. The daytime high should be 66 with an overnight low of 50. Wednesday will warm to 64 during the day with cloudy skies and 52 at night. Thursday should be similar at 64 (48) with morning clouds and afternoon sun. Friday will reach 72 during the day with the evening at 52. Partly cloudy skies can be expected.