SUPPORTERS of former president Donald Trump rally (Shutterstock).

The trial of former president Donald Trump – the first criminal trial of a former U.S. chief of state – got underway on Monday in a New York courtroom.

Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business documents to assist in hiding his alleged efforts to keep negative stories about him during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Among those efforts, the prosecution alleges, is that what were called “legal expenses” were in fact payoffs to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and “catch and kill” operations to suppress the publishing of damaging news stories.

“This was a planned, coordinated, long-running conspiracy to influence the 2016 election,” said Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo. “It was election fraud, pure and simple.”

Trump, for his part, called the legal issues just “bookkeeping” and a “very minor thing,” blaming the court case on Democrats seeking to derail his 2024 presidential campaign.

Ban on homeless camps may survive

Should people without housing be forced to strike their tents and cease sleeping or making camps in public spaces such as parks and sidewalks?

SHOULD CITIES have the power to clear homeless encampments?

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday on a law in Grants Pass, Oregon banning such practices which was challenged in court.

Based on the questions asked by justices, observers feel that the majority of the court – six conservatives – are leaning toward upholding the law, while the three liberals seem to be opposed.

The constitutional issue is the Eighth Amendment, which bans “cruel and unusual punishment.” Challengers to the Oregon law claim denying the unhoused the use of those public places violated that prohibition.

Weather: Mostly cloudy all day

The skies in our West Orange County area this week will continue to be mostly cloudy with daytime highs in the mid-60s. Tuesday’s daytime high will be 66 with an overnight low of 55. Wednesday will be similar with 66 (56) and so will Thursday 65 (55) and Friday 66 (55).