HEZBOLLAH supporters in Beirut in November 2023 (Wikipedia).

The death toll is rising in the new conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants.

At least 490 people – including 90 women and children – are believed to have been killed by Israel air strikes in Lebanon on Monday.

According to the Associated Press, the air assault has prompted the exodus of thousands of people from the south, jamming the road into the capital city of Beirut.s

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Lebanese in the area to leave. “Take this warning seriously” he said. “Please get out of harm’s way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.”

It’s reported that at least 9,000 rockets and drones have been launched at Israel by Hezbollah in support of Hamas militants.

Israel is not at war with Lebanon. But the Lebanese government has not been able to oust the Hezollah forces who have found a sanctuary in the southern part of Lebanon.

Nebraska’s important electoral vote

As a reliably red Republican state with just five electoral votes, Nebraska doesn’t usually have a big role in presidential elections. But the possibility that it might has prompted at attempt to change the way it allocates its electoral votes. In the Cornhusker State, the statewide winner gets two votes, and one vote to the winner in each of the three congressional districts.

SEAL OF NEBRASKA

In a very close election, the vote from the Omaha district – which went for Barack Obama in 2008 and Joe Biden in 2020 – could be decisive.

An effort by Republicans to change the system to “winner-take-all” appears to fall short by one vote in the one-house Nebraska legislature  as Republican State Sen. Mick McDonnell announced he would not support the change, thus depriving the GOP of a needed two-thirds majority.

Sports: A day off  for the locals

Both the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers have days off today (Monday). They will be back in action Tuesday.

The Angels will be in Chicago to take on the Chicago White Sox while the Blue Crew will be hosting the San Diego Padres, who trail the Dodgers by three games. A sweep by the home team could clinch the NL West title; a sweep by the visitors would create a tie for the lead.

Weather: The Big Chill … sort of

Perhaps life in the mid-70 isn’t exactly chilly, it’s certainly different from the hot days last week. The forecast for our West Orange County cities is for a daytime high of 80 (overnight low of 62) on Tuesday, falling to 79 (61) on Wednesday, then 77 (69) on Thursday and 76 (61) on Friday. Skies are expected to be partly cloudy Tuesday to Thursday. Friday is forecast to have morning fog and afternoon sun.