Former President Donald Trump denounced the civil fraud case over his business practices as a politically motivated “scam” as he arrived defiantly for a trial in the lawsuit, which could cost him control of Trump Tower and other prized properties. “This is a continuation of the single greatest witch hunt of all time,” he said as he made a voluntary trip to a New York court for a trial that has high stakes for him. “It’s a scam. It’s a sham,” the Republican said, reiterating claims that New York Attorney General Letitia James’ suit is a politically motivated attempt to thwart his return to the White House.

A 7 year old child is fighting for his life after he was pulled from Lake Suzanne in Monsey, early Shabbos afternoon. Monsey Scoop is reporting, that two children were playing near the lake, when one child fell in and was unable to swim to safety. The other child ran to get assistance. Rockland Hatzolah, Chaverim Of Rockland, Monsey Fire Department, and other emergency personnel rushed to the scene and managed to pull the child out of the lake. Unfortunately, the child was underwater for quite sometime. He was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Over Yom Tov, he was transferred to Westchester County Medical Center. Please say Tehillim for Eliezer Ben Chaya Hinda.

Forecasts are reinforcing the potential for heavy rain centered around the NYC area from Friday into Saturday morning. A flood watch is in effect through 6 a.m. Shabbos for the entire tri-state, with rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour expected at times. Throughout the region, at very least 2-4 inches can be expected, while some areas can expect to see between 5-8 inches before the storms move on. Periods of heavy rain and even thunder are possible as the morning commute continues, but it will be even more widespread throughout the afternoon and evening. Flooding is possible for much of a tri-state area as a result of the heavy rain, which is coming as the ground is already water-logged due to the remnants of Ophelia that drenched the region.