Felony Charges Against Trump Now Up to 37

Indictments won’t disqualify

The Justice Department’s indictment of former president Donald Trump has now reached 37 felony counts.

According to the Associated Press, the allegations against Trump include improperly storing “sensitive documents” on national security including showing off a Defense Department “plan of attack.”

The prosecution is also alleging that Trump refused to return the documents that were stored at his estate in Florida and let visitors see some of them.

“Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States and they must be enforced,” said Jack Smith, a Justice Department special counsel.

The indictment, or a conviction would not disqualify Trump from continuing his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, according to The New York Times, but it would be unusual.

Ukraine counter-offensive underway?

“Fierce fighting” is reported as Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive against Russian invaders appears to have begun.

CNN is reporting that there are conflicting claims made about which

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side – if either of them – has gained any advantage.

The two areas that appear to be contested are around the eastern city of Bakhmut and – in the south – the city of Kherson. That’s a key spot on the road to the land bridge to Crimea, seized illegally by Russia in 2014. Both sides seems to hampered by the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam, which led to widespread flooding which restricts the movement of men and troops. Some observers suggest this early action are just probes to try to find the enemy’s weak spot, or to deceive the other commander about your true intentions.

Winds could push smoke off

The wildfires that are raging across Canada have doused the American Atlantic coast with thick smoke are considered to be mostly still “out of control” but prevailing winds are expected to blow much of the smoke away from the East Coast by the weekend.

CBS News reports that the Canadian Interangency Forest Fire Centre is listing 232 fires as “out of control” and 112 “under control.” Another 82 are described as “being held.”

“Held” means a fire is not under control, but it’s not expanding.

Rain may be on its way

Continuing drought and the recent warmer-thanusual temperatures are blamed for the crisis.

An estimated 75 million American are experiencing “dansgerous” conditions which could affect those suffering from asthma and other respiratory ailments.

There’s a possibility of rain for our West Orange County area this weekend. Saturday is predicted to have morning clouds and afternoon sun with a daytime high of 71 and an overnight low of 61. But Sunday should be cloudy all day with a 24 % chance of rain and a high of 68 (61). Monday will be cooler at 65 (58) and a 23% chance of rain.

The outlook is better for Tuesday with a forecast of mostly sunny skies and a high of 70 (59) on Wednesday.