KAMALA HARRIS and Tim Walz are now the official nominees of Democratic Party for president and vice president (Shutterstock).

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris urged her party – and the nation – to find “a new way forward” in her acceptance speech Thursday night at United Center in Chicago.

In her remarks, she told her personal story and slammed the Republican nominee, former president Donald Trump.

“Our nation with this election has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past,” Harris said. “A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.”

On the final day of the Democratic National Convention, Democrats gave a prime speaking spot to former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a Republican who has been an outspoken critic of Trump.

“Whatever policies we disagree on pale in comparison with those fundamental matters of principle. Of decency. Of fidelity to this nation. To my fellow Republicans: If you still pledge allegiance to those principles, I suspect you belong here, too,” he said.”

Taliban tightens “virtue” laws

THE TALIBAN has new rules on the conduct and appearance of women in public (Wikipedia/UN).

A new set of laws issues by the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan restricts women in the use of their voices in public or going out in public without a face covering.

Supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada said on the Wednesday that the new rules, so-called “vice and virtue” regulations, will prohibit women from singing, reciting or reading aloud in public.

They must veil their bodies in public in order to “avoid temptation and tempting others.”

Also banned is the playing of music and the publication of images of living beings.

Same old August agony for Halos

The Los Angeles Angels continue to head in the wrong direction as the season heads into crunch time. 

The Halos fell behind 5-0 in the second inning on Thursday night and a three-run ninth inning rally wasn’t enough to defeat the Blue Jays in Toronto.

That 5-3 defeat was the team’s eighth loss in 10 games and dropped them all alone into last place in the AL West, a game back of the Oakland A’s.

The one bright spot for the Orange County team (54-74) was a three-run home run by DH Niko Kavadas. It was his first major league hit.

There was a bright spot for General Manager Perry Minasian, who has had his contract locked in though 2026.

Weather: Starting to warm up again.

Thursday was cooler but a warming trend is right around the corner for our West Orange County cities.  Friday will rise slightly to a daytime high of 78 (63 overnight low), and then a bit on Saturday to 79 (62). Sunday will climb to 82 (63), all under partly cloudy skies. Sun is expected to return return on Monday with a high of 84 (64).