Patch Morning Briefing: Sessions Recuses; Noor Salman's Release Blocked; Pence's Emails

Good morning! Yes, it's really Friday. Here's what you need to know before the weekend starts.

Jeff Sessions Is Recused

Attorney General Sessions will recuse himself from any future federal investigations related to the Trump campaign. The announcement came Thursday after it was revealed that, contrary to his Senate testimony, the former senator met with the Russian ambassador during the presidential campaign. While recusal will satisfy some of Sessions' Republican critics, many Democrats have called on the attorney general to resign and for criminal probes into his possible perjury. (Patch)

Release Of Orlando Nightclub Shooter's Wife Blocked

Just one day after a federal magistrate agreed to set bond at $500,000 for Noor Salman, the wife of Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen, prosecutors have obtained a stay on her release. Salman, 31, stands accused of helping Mateen find potential targets. (Patch)

Vice President Pence Used Private Email For State Business

Vice President Pence used a private AOL email address to conduct state business while he was governor of Indiana, according to a report from IndyStar. Pence was highly critical of Hillary Clinton during the presidential campaign for her use of a private email account when she was secretary of State. (Patch)

Quick Hits

The Case Of The Missing Health Care Bill (Patch)

Voter Registration Fraud Alleged in Miami (Patch)

NYC Catholic Church Seeks $100 Million Loan To Pay Sex Abuse Victims (Patch)

Casey Anthony May Have Accidentally Killed Caylee: Judge (Patch)

Rogue Raccoon Runs In Road, Driver Dodges, Pummels Power Poles (Patch)

News Minute

Running For The American Dream

Long Island's diverse group of undocumented immigrants are filled with fear over an uncertain future. (Patch)

GOP's Big Gamble To Pass A Health Care Law

The secrecy around House Republicans' draft of a health care bill may be strategic. If they keep it quiet and prevent debate on the bill before it's introduced, they may be able to prevent fractures within their own party. (Wall Street Journal)

Two New Secretaries Confirmed

Ben Carson, now secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Rick Perry, now secretary of the Interior, are officially presiding over their agencies after being confirmed by the Senate. (Patch)

Deadly Bird Flu Rises In China

A very dangerous form of bird flu, with a high mortality rate and apparent resistance to some forms of treatment, is on the rise in China. World Health Organization officials don't believe it is likely to become an epidemic at this point, but they are monitoring the situation. As of yet, the flu doesn't appear to be transmissible from human to human; instead, people are picking it up from birds in poultry markets. (Vox)

New Ways Forward On Nuclear Fusion

Ultra-short laser pulses might have potential to induce nuclear fusion, an elusive and long-desired theoretical "endless supply of clean energy." (Rice University)

This day In History

1969 — In a test of its lunar module, NASA launched the Apollo 9

Famous Birthdays

1847 — Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone

1959 — Ira Glass, host of "This American Life"

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore