Paris 2024 Summer Olympics has a rainy, fiery opening

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris began on Friday with a mix of rain, pomp, music and disorder.

Some precipitation soaked the ceremonies and there were travel disruptions that complicated the day by coordinated arson attacks – according to French authorities – on high speed railways.

However, there was considerable visually-stunning pageantry as Olympic teams paraded in boats along the Seine River and the grand finale brought an Olympic ring of fire via hot air balloon and vocalist Celine Dion sang from the Eiffel Tower.

The athletic competition will start on Saturday.

Harris endorsed by the Obamas

Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, received the endorsement Friday of former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.

It came in the form of a video showing Harris walking along and taking a phone call from the Obamas.

“We called to say Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,” said the former president.

Michelle added, “I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl, Kamala, I am so proud of you. This is going to be historic.”

Trump plans return to Butler, Penn.

Republican presidential nominee and former president Donald Trump announced Friday that he has plans to return to Butler, Pennsylvania – the place of an attempted assassination  – to hold a rally in honor of the man fatally shot at his first event .

The announcement was made on social media, but no date was selected.

At a summit for the Turning Point Action organization on Friday, Trump said that his second term would bring such success that attendees wouldn’t need to vote in 2028. “We’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote,” he said.

Weather: Low 80s each day

Afternoon highs will be fairly consistent right through the weekend and into the new week in our West Orange County area. Saturday will bring a high of 82 with an overnight low of 62. Sunday will cool slightly to 81 (60), but Monday (83/62) and Tuesday (82/62) slightly warmer. Partly cloudy skies will continue.