Patch Morning Briefing: Latest Dem Inauguration Boycotts; Huge Gator; More Hearings For Trump Cabinet Picks

Good morning, Patchers. Welcome back from a long weekend. Here's what you need to know to start your Mon- er, Tuesday.

CONFIRMATION HEARINGS CONTINUE

After some time off, confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's picks to run government agencies will pick back up Tuesday. On today's schedule: Betsy DeVos (education secretary) and Ryan Zinke (interior secretary). (NPR)

LIST OF INAUGURATION BOYCOTTS GROWS

Who will be the latest Democrat lawmaker to boycott Trump's inauguration? Here's a list of who have pledged to do so so far. It did not include any senators as of Monday night. (CNN)

The president-elect met Monday with the son of the iconic civil rights hero and posed for pictures with him in the lobby of Trump Tower. But he refused to answer questions about the tenor or content of their meeting. Trump is under fire for picking a fight with Rep. John Lewis, who marched alongside Dr. King, during the historic holiday weekend. (The New York Times)

MLK III invited Trump to visit his father's memorial in DC today. Instead Trump team proposed Trump tower meeting https://t.co/AorNqydOdN
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) January 16, 2017

INAUGURATION SCALPERS FACING TOUGH TIMES

If you've been looking for tickets to the inauguration, you're in luck. If you're trying to sell them, though...

QUICK HITS

Buy Milk in 2003? You May Get $70 Settlement (Patch)

Charges Announced in Tamir Rice Shooting (Patch)

John Lewis Is A 'Racist Pig,' Gwinnett Commissioner Writes (Patch)

TRUMP CABINET PICK INTRODUCED BILL TO HELP DONOR

Speaking of Cabinet picks: Trump's choice for head of the Environmental Protection Agency reportedly introduced a bill to help Zimmer Biomet, a medical device company that he had invested in, while he was a U.S. congressman. It's yet another headache in the conflict-of-interest department for the president-elect. (CNN)

PLAGIARIZING TRUMP SECURITY SPOKESWOMAN OUT

Monica Crowley, who was picked by Trump to be a top spokeswoman at the National Security Council, said she won't take that job after reports showed that she had plagiarized portions of her book and Columbia University dissertation. (The Washington Post)

HUGE GATOR SEEN PROWLING IN FLORIDA

In case you were planning on visiting the Sunshine State in the future, check out this video of a massive (seriously) gator prowling a wildlife sanctuary in the state. (The Weather Channel)

NOOOOOPE

ORLANDO NIGHTCLUB SHOOTER'S WIDOW ARRESTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES

Police have arrested the widow of the gunman who slew 49 people in an Orlando nightclub in June. She had told police that she was unaware of her husband's plans to carry out the slaughter. She was arrested for obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting. (Patch)

SPICY FOOD MAY HELP YOU LIVE LONGER

I guess us mild-eaters will have to accept a shorter lifespan. (New York Daily News)

ON THE WHAT NOW?

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

Gene Cernan, the last astronaut to walk on the moon, died Monday. (Space.com)

Image via the White House