Patch Morning Briefing: Trump's Big Day; El Chapo's Extradition; Obama Moves Out

Good morning, Patchers! Inauguration Day is finally upon us, and we've got everything you need to know about that, plus the non-inauguration stuff, too.

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INAUGURATION EVE SURPRISE

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, former head of Mexico’s ruthless Sinaloa Cartel and for many years the most-wanted drug kingpin on Earth, was extradited from Mexico to the U.S. Thursday. He will be be arraigned in Brooklyn federal court today. (Patch)

IT BEGINS

Weeks of breathless coverage all lead up to this: Donald Trump will be sworn in today as the next president of the United States, beginning what promises to be a unique presidential era. Here's everything you need to know, from the timing of his speech to the weather forecast in Washington, D.C. (Patch)

DEPLORABLE INDEED

Police in Washington, D.C., reportedly used pepper spray against protesters demonstrating outside the pro-Trump "DeploraBall" event Thursday night, with "police in riot gear" blocking entrance to the dinner after reports of fires, foul language and more. (NBC)

Took this from the front door of #DeploraBall . Officer told me to get inside "they're throwing everything" pic.twitter.com/E7vcjXyU2M
— issie lapowsky (@issielapowsky) January 20, 2017

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MUST READ

Neo-Nazi Blogger Outed In New York As Upper East Sider With Jewish Wife (Patch)

Famed Investigative Reporter Wayne Barrett Dies at 71 (Patch)

Why Pets Can't (And Shouldn't) Go Where Service Animals Do (Patch)

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MOVING DAY

Amid the political chaos of a presidential transition, there's the necessary banality of packing up and moving out. Peek inside the eerily blank-walled White House on the night before the big day, fascinating in its emptiness. (Washington Post)

This wall in West Wing used to have Obama photos until earlier today. Oval Office can be seen down hallway. pic.twitter.com/3rcwifZDLy
— David Nakamura (@DavidNakamura) January 19, 2017

UP IN FLAMES

A high-rise tower in the heart of Tehran was engulfed in flames Thursday, reportedly killing dozens of firefighters and trapping civilians. The photos are astounding and chilling. (The Atlantic)

ICYMI

Trump's new press secretary, Sean Spicer, gave his first briefing the day before the president-elect's inauguration. You can watch the replay here. (Patch)

NAMAST-IPA

"Beer yoga" might be the big buzz word of the week, but yogis in Portland are centering their chi, taking a swig and rolling their eyes. That's because the buzzy concept crawling across every other Facebook feed is old news in PDX. (The Oregonian)

AND NOW...

Here's two dinosaurs who are really, really in love. We hope it puts a big, toothy grin on your face this Friday morning.

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Top photo by Gage Skidmore, Flickr/Creative Commons