PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN speaking to the DNC on Monday night.

President Joe Biden was the center of attention on Monday night at the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Speakers after speaker – including First Lady Jill Biden – heaped praise on the incumbent, who stepped aside to rescue the Democrats’ chances to defeat Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Finally, Biden gave a sometimes-emotional speech in which he recalled his own accomplishments, slammed Trump and spoke glowingly of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Commenting on his decision to end his candidacy, he said, “I love my job but I love my county more.” Quoting from a song, he said, “America, I gave my best to you.”

Before, during and after his remarks, the crowd interrupted with chants of “Thank you, Joe!”

Israel accepts cease-fire deal

HAMAS vs. Israel (Shutterstock).

After months of mediation and negotiation, Israel has accepted a cease-fire and hostage exchange agreement, said U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Monday.

He’s urging Hamas to do the same and end the months-long warfare that has taken 1,800 Israeli lives and caused 40,000 Palestinian civilian deaths and many more injuries and people rendered homeless.

“The next important step is for Hamas to say ‘yes’”.

Sports:  Angels fall to Royals, 5-3

Continuing another all-too-common August skid, the Los Angeles Angels lost 5-3 to the Kansas City Royals on the road on Monday.

Three late runs – one of them on a home run Zach Neto (his 18th of the year) weren’t enough as the Angels fell behind 3-0 and 5-2. The Orange County team could only manage six hits, two by Logan O’Hoppe.

Starter Carson Fulmer (0-4) lasted just four innings after being touched for five hits and three runs – two of them earned. He struck out four batters but walked three.

The Angels are now 53-72 and alone in fourth and last place in the American League West after suffering their sixth loss in seven games.

Sports: Dodgers blank the Mariners

A scoreless deadlock was broken in the seventh inning by two home runs – one by Gavin Lux and another by Max Mundy – as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the visiting Seattle Mariners 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Gavin Stone (11-5) worked seven innings, striking out 10 and walking two. With the win, the Blue Crew is 72-52 and leading the NL West by three games.

The loss by the M’s (64-62) dropped them five games back in the AL West race behind the Houston Astros.

Weather: Hotter, and then not

Our West Orange County area will continue to be toasty on Tuesday before a decline into cooler weather later in the week. Tuesday’s forecast is for a daytime high of 89 with an overnight low of 66. Wednesday should see a drop to 85 (62), followed by a return to the 70s on Thursday with 78 (64) and Friday (78/62). Skies will be partly cloudy.