SIGN AT THE BORDER

In a quick reversal, a controversial Texas law that would allow state and local law enforcement to arrest and deport migrants is back on hold shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court gave approval to the legislation on Tuesday.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth District, based in New Orleans, made its ruling and scheduled a hearing for Wednesday morning. The U.S. Justice Department is calling the Texas law unconstitutional on the grounds that only the federal government has power over immigration.

The Mexican government announced Tuesday that it would refuse to “take back” anyone deported under state law and rejects state or local enforcement efforts.

It’s unclear how much local agencies have prepared or are planning to engage in enforcement and whether state police, the Texas National Guard or Texas State Guard would have a role.

In 2010, Arizona passed a similar law that required migrants to carry immigration documents, but it suffered reverses in the courts and at the ballot box.

Moreno wins GOP Ohio senate primary

Bernie Moreno, former president Donald Trump’s preferred candidate, won the Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Sherrod Brown.

Moreno was thought to be vulnerable as he was accused of taking out a personals ad for gay men. Moreno denied such an action, and his campaign produced a letter from a campaign intern who admitted to a “prank.”

With 80 percent of the votes counted, Moreno was polling 49.8 percent of the vote among three candidates.  

Brown is the lone Democrat to hold a major office in Ohio. In the U.S. Senate, his party holds a narrow edge.

Israeli will press ground attack

Despite criticism from the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that a ground assault in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip would proceed.

HAMAS vs. Israel (Shutterstock).

He acknowledged that there was a disagreement with the U.S., but that moving into Rafah was the only way to eliminate Hamas militants who began the current conflict by raiding into Israel and seizing hostages.

Israel’s reaction has been to send troops and armored vehicles into Gaza along with air strikes.

An estimated 31,000 Palestinian civilians have died in the conflict, claim Gaza health officials.

Weather: Things are cooling off

Our West Orange County area will remain spring-like weather with a gradual cooling trend. Wednesday will have a daytime high of 72 and an overnight low of 53 under partly cloudy skies. Thursday will be similar at 72(51) with morning clouds and afternoon sun. Saturday will see a high of 70 degrees with a low of 54 with partly cloudy skies. On Sunday there will be morning showers with a high of 65 and a low of 50.