J.D. VANCE and Donald Trump were certified as winners of the 2024 presidential election (Shutterstock).

It’s official. Donald Trump will be the 47th President of the United States as a joint session of Congress on Monday officially certified the tally of the Electoral College results, according to the Associated Press.

The routine nature of the ceremony, presided over by Vice President Kamala Harris, was in contrast to the Jan. 6, 2021 certification delayed by rioting supporters of then-President Trump who believed the election was subject to widespread fraud.

“Democracy must be upheld by the people,” said Harris, who was the Democratic presidential candidate defeated by Trump.

Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will be sworn in on Jan. 20.

Giuliani held in contempt

RUDY GUILIANI (Shutterstock).

Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and attorney for Donald Trump, was held in contempt by a federal judge on Monday for his failure to comply with an order to give $11 million to Georgia poll workers he falsely accused of working to steal the 2020 presidential election.

According to The New York Times, Giuliani, 80, has failed to turn over that amount as a “down payment” on the $148 million judgment awarded to the poll workers.

His assets include a Palm Beach condo (valued at $3.5 million) and a 10-room apartment in Manhattan.

Sports: Football Final Four, finally

The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff is now down to four semi-finalists.

On Thursday, Notre Dame (13-1) – ranked seventh in the nation – will face sixth-ranked Penn State (13-2) in the Orange Bowl.

On Friday, Ohio State (12-2 and ranked eighth) will play Texas (13-2 and ranked fifth) in the Cotton Bowl.

None of the conference champions have advanced this far, nor any of the top four ranked teams.

Weather: Sunny in January

With much of the rest of the nation shivering in the face of a freezing winter storm, our West Orange County cities can bask in January sunshine. The forecast calls for sunny skies three of the next four days.Tuesday should have sun with a daytime high of 69 with an overnight low of 50. Wednesday will rise to 70 (44) with partly cloudy skies, then on Thursday slightly to 69 (48) with a return of sun. Friday is expected to cool to 66 (46) but the sunshine should stay.