DONALD TRUMP (Shutterstock).

Combining a soft, reflective opening with more partisan  political language, former president Donald Biden accepted the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in a 90-minute speech on Thursday night in Milwaukee.

“We rise together or we fall apart,” said Trump, calling for unity,” Tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States.”A bandage was covering part of his right ear, where a would-be assassin’s bullet struck him several days ago. “I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” he said. “I standing before you in this arena only [by] the grace of almighty God.”

He shifted to attacking the Biden administration on immigration, inflation, the economy and other issues.

Among speakers preceding Trump’s acceptance speech was former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan, who called Trump “my hero, that gladiator,” and tore off his tank top.

Biden ready to end campaign?

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN (White House).

A wide variety of news organizations are reporting that contrary to President Joe Biden’s insistence he won’t drop out of the 2024 presidential race, he’s approaching the conclusion that he may need to stand aside and let someone else – Vice President Kamala Harris seems to be the front-runner – be the Democratic candidate.

People said to be “close to the president” are quoted anonymously as saying that “reality is beginning to set in.” An increasing number of Democratic office-holders are calling on him to step down as his party’s standard-bearer after his poor performance debating former president Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.

Polls are showing that Harris would run more strongly against Trump and especially improve Democratic chances in “swing states” such as Michigan, Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Comedian Bob Newhart, 94

One of America’s most-enduring comedians, Bob Newhart, has died at the age of 94. He became famous for his standup act which featured him speaking on an imaginary telephone, and graduated to motion pictures and two long-running television  shows: “The Bob Newhart” show and “Newhart.

Weather: A warm-enough weekend

That almost-hot weather that was predicted for the West Orange County area will finally arrive this weekend. The forecast is for a daytime high on Friday of 89 with an overnight low of 66.  A slow cooling trend begins on Saturday with highs dropping to 87 and on Sunday to 85. By Monday it’s down to 84. Partly cloudy skies will be above all those days.