Patch Morning Briefing: AL Governor Resigns; San Bernardino Shooting; Disagreement On Syria

Good morning! It's Tuesday, as you probably guessed. Hopefully your week is off to a good start — here's your daily serving of news to begin the day.

Alabama Governor Is Out

The Yellowhammer State's Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey is stepping up to become governor after former Gov. Robert Bentley resigned Monday night. Bentley struck a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to misusing of campaign funds in connection with a sex scandal that has dogged the embattled politician. The lid blew off the story last year when leaked audio recordings seemed to catch the governor speaking salaciously and candidly with his alleged mistress. (Patch)

San Bernardino School Shooting Rattles Community

Once again, the nation's attention is turned toward San Bernardino, California, under tragic circumstances. In an apparent murder-suicide, a man showed up to a school where his wife worked and killed her, one of her students and himself, according to police. Another student was seriously injured in the attack. (Patch)

Next Steps For Syria Remain Unclear

The Trump administration, after receiving a relatively favorable reaction to its choice to launch airstrikes against a Syrian airfield, is conflicted about its next steps. While the White House is signalling that President Assad cannot remain in power, there is no clear proposal yet on how to proceed. President Trump himself has made no direct comments about his plans for Syria or how his foreign policy more broadly has shifted in light of recent events. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Chance The Rapper Or Garry McCarthy: Who Should Run For Chicago Mayor? (Patch)

United Airline's Image Takes Online Beating From Memes, Comments (Patch)

Ford's New Hybrid Police Car A Mean, Green Pursuit Machine (Patch)

Dog Attacks On Postal Workers See An Increase In 2016 (Patch)

Texas Leads 15-State Coalition Defending Trump's Proposed Travel Ban From Muslim Nations

Even while federal courts have twice said Donald Trump's ban on foreign travel originating from Muslim-majority countries is unconstitutional, Texas is on board with it — filing on Monday an amicus brief supporting the measure. (Patch)

In Case You Need A Break From The News...

2017 Income Tax Deadline: Form To File For Extension

Tax Day is April 18. Do you need more time to file your taxes? Here's what to do if you need an extension. (Patch)

Watchdog Groups Sue For Release Of White House, Mar-a-Lago Visitor Logs

The information was routinely released under President Obama, but the Trump administration hasn't committed to that precedent. (Patch)

Federal Judge Strikes Down Controversial Texas Voter ID Law

Voting rules were enacted in 2011 with the intent of discriminating against black and Hispanic voters, a federal judge ruled. (Patch)

Full Pink Moon, Lyrids Meteors, Jupiter, Saturn Shine In April

Will the moon be pink? What does the April full moon have to do with Easter? Plus, questions about Jupiter, Saturn and Lyrids meteor shower. (Patch)

Navient's Student Loans: Officials Press Lawsuits Over 'Predatory' Practices

As American student debt reaches a cumulative $1.4 trillion, outpacing both credit card and automobile debt, more older Americans find themselves burdened with student loans than ever before. Navient, which holds the greatest share of student loans in the country, faces multiple government lawsuits for deceptive and predatory lending practices that have led to an increasingly debt-burdened society. (Patch)

This Day In History

1968 — President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, a monumental win for the civil rights movement

Famous Birthdays

1932 — Joel Gray, American actor, singer and dancer best known for his role in Cabaret

1979 — Nazanin Afshin-Jam, an Iranian-Canadian speaker, activist and former Miss World Canada

Photo credit: Associated Press/Christopher Weber