Progressive leads in Mich. race

By OC Tribune Staff on August 4, 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

ABDUL EL-SAYED is seeking the Democratic nomination for a U.S. Senate seat for Michigan.

In a tight race with national implications, progressive candidate Abdul El– Sayed is leading in a a close election for the Democratic nomination for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

At our deadline – with 91 percent of the vote counted – El-Sayed was leading with 48.9 percent of the vote to centrist Haley Stevens with 47.1 percent. In third place is Mallory McMorrow with 3.9 percent.

The election is being closely watched as Democrats see change to flip the Senate to their side by taking an open seat. A victory by Democrats in Michigan in November could strongly advance their party’s hopes to retake the majority in the closely-divided upper chamber of Congress.

According to exit polls, El-Sayed is doing best in college towns and cities with a high percentage of young voters. Stevens is doing best among older residents and those who “strongly supported “ Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

Mike Rogers, a former Congressman, is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Blanche gets committee approval

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general advanced on Tuesday, as the Senate Judiciary Committee gave its approval on a 12-10 party line vote.

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

But his confirmation is not a sure thing, as the full Senate – where Republicans have a narrow edge – has the final say. One Republican Senator, Susan Collins of Maine, has said she would vote against Blanche, according the The New York Times .

If one more Republican senator votes against him – and assuming no Democrats switch – he won’t be confirmed.

The controversy over Blanche is over his administration of the Justice Department.

Senate Democrats argue that Blanche has meekly complied with direction from President Donald Trump, especially his approval of the “anti-weaponization” fund this might have allowed Jan. 6 rioters to receive financial compensation.

Eight dead, 15 hurt is Russia-Ukraine war

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine claimed 11 lives overnight. Another 15 people were wounded, according to United Press International.

The two nations exchanged fire. Ukraine has been focusing on striking Russia’s commercial sector, hitting logistics hub of Wildberries, Russia top online retailer.
Russia, for its part, attacked a hospital in the city of Sumy, resulting in the death of two girls and an elderly woman.

The current phase of conflict between the two nations – both once part of the Soviet Union – began in February 2022 and was widely expected to rule in a quick victory for Russia. But, with help from the U.S. and European allies, the smaller nation has been to forge a stalemate.

Weather: Typical summer weather

Our West Orange County cities will continue to get something unsurprising: typical summer weather for August. Highs in the mid-to-high 80s during the day and overnight temps in the high 60s and low 70s. Wednesday is expected to 84 during the day with a low of 68. Thursday will skip to 86 (69) with Friday the same. Saturday should war slightly to 87 (70). Skies will be cloudy each day except for Friday, when it will be mostly sunny.