THE TOTAL solar eclipse as viewed from Dallas, Texas (Wikipedia).

Southern Californians didn’t see it, but a large swath of North America was fascinated by the total solar eclipse that moved diagonally cross the continent Monday from El Paso to Nova Scotia.

A solar eclipse is when the moon’s position – from an Earthbound viewpoint – moves in front of the sun, blocking the latter for a few minutes.

An estimated 200 million people were in the path of the eclipse, which started in Mexico and crossed 14 states before exiting the stage near Newfoundland, Canada.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America is 21 years from now, say astronomers.

Trump: Don’t push “pro-life” this fall

ABORTION laws in question (Shutterstock).

Former president Donald Trump stirred up some controversy within the Republican Party on Monday when – in a video – he urged members of his party not to emphasize “pro-life” concerns this fall, for fear of losing the election for president and Congress.

“We cannot let our Country suffer any further damage by losing Elections on an issue that should always have been decided by the States, and now will be!” he said in the video on Trump Social.

Mike Pence, who served as Trump’s vice president, termed Trump’s apparent lack of support for a national ban on abortion as “a slap in the face.”

Huskies hustle to a second NCAA hoops title

UCONN won it again on Monday.

The UConn Huskies made history on Monday by winning a second consecutive NCAA Men’s Basketball Division 1 championship, defeating Purdue 75-60 in Glendale, Arizona.

It was the first time in 17 years that any team accomplished that feat.

The Huskies (37-5) pulled away in the second half to beat the Boilermakers (34-5) despite a 37-point performance by Purdue’s 7-7 center Zach Edey, the AP national player of the year.

Guard Tristen Newton led the winning team with 20 points. 

Weather: Sunny but not for long

Our West Orange County area will enjoy sunny skies for the next two days, but clouds and cooler weather will follow later in the week. Tuesday is forecast to be sunny with a daytime high of 81 and an overnight low of 53. Wednesday will be a bit cooler at 79 (54) but still sunny. Partly cloudy conditions will set in on Thursday with a high of 79 (55). Friday should see morning clouds and afternoon sun with temps of 69 (56).