Patch Morning Briefing: Patriots Win; Immigration Ban Stalls; And Fighting Insomnia

Good morning, and thanks for joining us! Here's what you need to know to start your week.

PATRIOTS CELEBRATE HISTORIC VICTORY

All of New England is celebrating today after a stunning Super Bowl victory. The first three quarters of the game left the Patriots 25 points behind, but they made an unprecedented comeback and defeated the Atlanta Falcons in overtime. Super Bowl LI was the first to be won in overtime, and it marks a record-breaking fifth win for the team led by quarterback Tom Brady, coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft. The final score was 34-28.

(Patch)

BETSY DEVOS GOES BEFORE SENATE

Vice President Mike Pence will cast the tie-breaking 101st vote this week to confirm Betsy DeVos as secretary of Education, if all goes according to plan. Pence confirmed Sunday that he intends to vote for the nominee — a vote she'll desperately need. Right now, the Senate appears evenly split 50-50 on her appointment. She's already lost the votes of two Republicans, so if she loses one more without picking up any Democrats, she's toast.

(The Guardian)

THE IMMIGRATION BAN IS STALLED — FOR NOW

Immigrants who were prevented from entering the United States by President Trump's executive order a little over a week ago are now coming to the country unimpeded. Judge James L. Robart struck the controversial order down and halted its implementation, but the government will continue to appeal the decision. Citizens from Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen, in the meantime, will have the opportunity to immigrate here — assuming they meet all the typical requirements for entry.

(Patch)

QUICK HITS

Race Gaps In SAT Math Scores Are As Big As Ever (Brookings)

TV Networks Hiking Ad Rates For Shows Trump Watches (Politico)

35 Years Later, Sister In Durst Case Is Still Looking For Answers (New York Times)

Lady Gaga's Halftime Show Drones Have A Bright Future (Wired)

SUPER BOWL ADS GET POLITICAL

Be prepared for several rounds of debate this week about whether Super Bowl ads have gotten "too political." Even in the wind up to the game, Fox rejected an ad from 84 Lumber for its use of a border wall — interpreted as a shot at the Trump administration. The network aired a shorter version of the ad, instructing viewers to watch the full commercial on the company's site, which promptly crashed from the traffic.

(Rolling Stone)

NEW YORKERS CAME TOGETHER TO GET RID NAZI GRAFFITI

A group of New Yorkers discovered Nazi graffiti inside a subway car this weekend, so they collectively used tissues and hand sanitizer to clean it off.

TRUMP DRAWS AN UNEASY COMPARISON

The second and third parts to Trump's pre-Super Bowl interview with Bill O'Reilly will air Monday and Tuesday night. In the first installment, the president appeared to back off his claim that millions voted illegally in the election, urging instead the voter registrations need upgrading. And in response to a question about why he respected Vladimir Putin, a "killer," Trump said, "What, you think our country is so innocent?"

(Patch)

HAPPY RONALD REAGAN DAY, CALIFORNIANS!

February 6 is Ronald Reagan Day in California, where the former president served as governor. President's Day is just two weeks away, and it's not clear why Reagan couldn't have just shared that holiday with Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?

Absolutely nothing, the experts say. (Wall Street Journal)

PHONING HOME FROM PRISON IS EXPENSIVE

And regulators have decided not to make it any easier. (Washington Post)

WHAT IS PROBABILITY ANYWAY?

In case last night's game has you puzzled. (University of Texas)