Community Corner

Patch Morning Briefing: Ethics Experts Bash Trump's Plan; A Change To Instagram; Volkswagen Execs Charged

Plus: A schedule of Thursday's confirmation hearings, a major sports milestone and more.

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Good morning, Patchers. Here's what you need to know this Thursday morning.

TOP ETHICS OFFICIALS NOT IMPRESSED WITH TRUMP'S BUSINESS PLAN

Ethics experts, including the head of the Office of Government Ethics, denounced President-elect Donald Trump's plan to retain his stake in his business and hand over control of it to his adult children. Walter Shaub, the head of the Office of Government Ethics, told reporters Wednesday evening that the plan was "meaningless from a conflicts of interest perspective." Trump revealed how he would handle his business while in the White House at a testy Wednesday press conference. (USA Today)

HOW A SENSATIONAL, UNVERIFIED DOSSIER BECAME A CRISIS FOR DONALD TRUMP

And speaking of that Trump press conference, here's a good look at how the now-infamous dossier of allegations against Donald Trump went from a piece of opposition research to the topic du jour at Trump's gathering with reporters yesterday. (New York Times)

VOLKSWAGEN EXECUTIVES CHARGED IN EMISSIONS-CHEATING SCANDAL

Lost in the shuffle of Trump-mania on Wednesday: The U.S. government announced charges against six Volkswagen executives for their role in an emissions-cheating scandal. One was arrested Wednesday at the Fort Lauderdale airport, and the other five are believed to be in Germany. The company also pleaded guilty to three criminal felony counts. (The New York Times)

HEARINGS CONTINUE FOR TRUMP NOMINEES

Three of Trump's Cabinet picks will begin their confirmation hearings today on Capitol Hill. On tap: Ben Carson (Housing and urban Development), Mike Pompeo (CIA director) and retired Gen. James Mattis (Defense secretary). Here's a rundown of what happened Wednesday with Jeff Sessions, Rex Tillerson and more. (CNN)

QUICK HITS

'Golden Showers' Burger Takes on Salacious Donald Trump Report (Patch)

Check Out the 10 Safest and Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S. (Patch)

Where's Sasha? Internet Wants To Know Obama Daughter's Whereabouts During Speech (Patch)

Why a Pet Tiger Is Never, Ever, Ever a Good Idea (Patch)

DYLANN ROOF FORMALLY SENTENCED TO DEATH

“The hate that you possess is beyond human comprehension,” the brother of one of the nine people Roof killed at an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina, last summer told Roof at the conclusion of his federal death penalty trial. (The New York Times)

INSTAGRAM WILL SERVE ADS IN 'STORIES'

Instagram is going to be dropping ads into some of your "Stories," that new feature that lets you upload snapshots of your life that only last for 24 hours. Sound familiar? (Adweek)

CNN RESPONDS TO TRUMP'S 'FAKE NEWS' ACCUSATIONS

Going back to the Trump press conference for a minute: Here's CNN's response to Trump pointing his finger at reporter Jim Acosta and declaring, "You're fake news." Trump and his team are "using Buzzfeed's decision to deflect from CNN's reporting, which has been matched by the other major news organizations," CNN says. (CNN)

NHL'S ALEX OVECHKIN GETS 1,000 POINTS

He's only the sixth active player to achieve that milestone. It cemented his place as one of the game's most dominant players. (ESPN)

AND NOW, AN ELEPHANT PLAYING IN THE SNOW

We'll leave you with this. Happy Thursday!

Image via Gage Skidmore, Flickr, used under Creative Commons


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