BOTH PARTIES had good news (Shutterstock).

Both Democrats and Republicans had reasons to cheer the results from elections across the nation on Tuesday.

Republicans defended their narrow edge in the House of Representative with two victories for vacant seats in Florida, but margins were closer in the solidly-red districts than in the 2024 election.

The most publicized struggle was in Wisconsin where Democrats were able to retain a majoirty on the state Supreme Court.

According to the Associated Press, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford defeated Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, allowing liberals to retain their 4-3 majority on the state’s high court. The race had national implications because court may reject the districting attangement under which a state that usually votes Democratic has just two Congressional seats out of eight.

Billionare Elon Musk campaigned heavily for Schimel, claiming at one point that Tuesday’s vote it was the most importan election in Amercan history. President Donald Trump also backed Schimel.

Also at issue is the validity of an century-old Wisconsin low that outlaws abortion.

Booker makes speech history

Sen. Corey Booker (D-New York) set a new record Tuesday for the longest speech in U.S. Senate history, orating for 25 hours and five minutes.

SENATE WING of U.S. Capitol building (Shutterstock).

Criticizing President Donald Trump nd his administration for its alleged “lawlessness,” Booker said he was seeking to give voice to many Democrats looking for someone to speak out strongly against the changes brought by Trump and supporter Elon Musk.

Accordingto NBC News, after his long address, Booker said, “There’s a lot of people out there asking Democrats to do more and to take risks and do things differently.

“This seemed like the right thing to do. And from what my staff is telling me, a lot of people watched.”

Actor Val Kilmer dead at 65

Val Kilmer, the film actor who portrayed a wide variety of famous people – real and fictional – has died at age of 65.

The New York Times reported that Kilmer had died of pneumonia.

Kilmer achieved stardom in the 1991 film “The Doors,” playing Jim Morrison.

He was less acclaimed when he took on the role of the caped crusader in “Batman Forever.”
Morrison’s portrayal of “Doc” Holliday in “Tombstone” was widely acclaimed by movie critics.

Weather: A warming trend

The windy, chilly days of the first part of the week are expected to give way to sunnier and warmer times in our West Orange County cities. The forecast for Wednesday calls for a daytime high of 67 with an overnight low of 49 under sunny skies. Thursday may cool a bit to 65 (47) but when warm to 68(49) with sunshine again. Satutrday will reacj 73 (50) with mostly sunny conditions.