OJ Simpson's Parole • Linkin Park Singer Dies • Trump Team Weighs Pardons: Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! It's finally Friday, and what a week it's been. Here's what you need to know as you get ready for the weekend.

OJ Gets Parole

Former football star and one-time murder suspect O.J. Simpson will be released from prison as early as October of this year after a parole board decided to grant his early release. Simpson was not imprisoned for the infamous double murder of which he was acquitted but for kidnapping and robbery in Las Vegas in 2007.

“I’ve never lived a criminal life," he said at the hearing. "I’m a pretty straight shooter.” (Patch)

Linkin Park Singer Chester Bennington Found Dead

The Los Angeles coroner's office is investigating the death of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington as a suicide. Bennington was found dead in his home on Thursday. TMZ reported that the singer and father of six children hanged himself following a lifelong struggle with depression. (Patch)

Can The President Pardon Himself?

President Trump's legal team is preparing a full-throated defense of the White House in response to the Russia investigation, and lawyers are examining the full extent of the commander in chief's pardon powers, according to the Washington Post. Citing advisers to the president, the report found that the Trump team is considering the possibility that he could pardon members of his family or even himself if criminal charges arise. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Movies Out This Weekend: 'Dunkirk,' 'Girls Trip,' 'Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets' (Patch)

Fraudster Used Stolen Masterpieces To Spur Scheme (Patch)

5 Rare Baby Skunks On The Mend At Owl’s Nest (Patch)

Waltham's Steve The Missing Tortoise To Be Reunited With Family 3 Years Later (Patch)

Man Sets 'Witch’s’ Home Afire In ‘Rescue’ Attempt: Deputies

A Holiday, Florida, man stands accused of setting fire to a woman’s home to rescue his daughter. The "hostage" wasn’t there, deputies say. (Patch)

Just One Minute Of Running A Day Linked To Improved Bone Health In Women

"We would suggest adding a few running steps to the walk, a bit like you might if you were running to catch a bus," the researchers said. (University of Exeter)

5 Things To Know About Glioblastoma, John McCain's Brain Cancer

Experts say the tumor discovered in the senator's brain comes from an aggressive, fast-growing form of cancer. (Patch)

Wrath of Hurricane Andrew Still Felt 25 Years Later

Bryan Norcross remained on the air for 23 straight hours during Andrew and helped countless South Floridians make sense of the unimaginable. (Patch)

Massive Sand Dune Devouring Lake Michigan Home: Watch

The winds that created Lake Michigan’s famous coastal sand dunes are devouring cottages in a prime tourist area. (Patch)

Racial Slur Spray-Painted On Tamalpais High School In Mill Valley

The graffiti included the last name of a locally known African-American adult along with profanity and a racial slur. (Patch)

This Day In History

1925 — Tennessee teacher John T. Scopes found guilty and charged $100 for lecturing about evolution

1949 — U.S. Senate ratifies agreement establishing NATO, which exists to this day

Famous Birthdays

1899 — Ernest Hemingway, American author famous for his concise, simple writing style

1946 — Ken Starr, an American judge, solicitor general and independent counsel in the investigation that led to the impeachment of President Clinton

Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for iHeartMedia