Trump Dismisses Sally Yates' 'Old News'; Florida Wildfires; Penn State Cover-up: Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! It's Tuesday, and there's a lot of news to cover. So let's get to it.

Sally Yates Warned The White House That Michael Flynn Could Be Compromised

The White House will continue to face questions this week about its ties to Russia after former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates testified that she warned of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn's potential for blackmail by the Russians. It would be another 18 days before Flynn was dismissed, after the Washington Post reported on Yates' actions. President Trump later responded to the testimony by calling Yates' remarks "old news." But don't be surprised if this old news continues to be a matter of intense debate. (Patch)

Florida Fires

With more than 125 active wildfires burning across Florida, including one that spanned more than 2,200 acres in Pasco County, state officials are pleading with residents and visitors to remain cautious. “Florida is in the middle of its worst wildfire season in years – with no end in sight,” Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Adam Putnam said in a statement. (Patch)

Penn State Frat House Death: Fast Drinking, Slow Death, Frantic Cover-up In Grand Jury Timeline

In an in-depth report, Patch's Kara Seymour lays out the events that led to the death of Timothy Piazza, a pledge at Penn State's Beta Theta Pi fraternity, as described in grand jury testimony. The grand jury concluded Piazza’s death was "not simply an unfortunate accident, but was the direct result of encouraged reckless conduct that demonstrated a reckless disregard for human life." Authorities say brothers engaged in a cover-up of the events that led to Piazza's death. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Did Giant Rabbit Die In Freezer After United Flight? Owners Want Independent Probe (Patch)

Dog Owner Has Tearful Reunion With Stolen Pooches: VIDEO (Patch)

Body Farm World’s 1st To Study Corpse Decay In Cold Climates (Patch)

California Wildflowers In All Their Splendor: VIDEO (Patch)

FBI Director James Comey’s Testimony On Huma Abedin Forwarding Emails Was Inaccurate

"The FBI hasn’t decided how to correct the director’s false claim that she forwarded thousands of Clinton emails to the laptop computer of her husband, former Congressman Anthony Weiner." (ProPublica)

Trump's Revised Travel Order Faces Test In Appeals Court

An appeals court in Virginia will hear arguments from the DOJ to lift a temporary injunction granted to block part of the travel order. (Patch)

Tribune Media Sold To Sinclair Broadcast Group For $3.9B

The sale, which still needs FCC approval, would create one of the biggest broadcast groups in the country. (Patch)

Proposed Bill Would Allow Texas Adoption Agencies To Ban Gays, Muslims, Jews, Interfaith Couples

The "Freedom to Serve Children Act" would enable private, state-funded agencies to restrict adoptions they object to on religious grounds. (Patch)

Young Girl Broke Free Of Gator's Jaws During Attack

A 10-year-old girl used a tip she learned at Gatorland to break an alligator’s hold on her leg Saturday. (Patch)

Shocking Video of Anti-Muslim Hatred In Reston Trader Joe's

"I wish they didn't let you into the country," the woman says in the video, which has sparked a fierce debate on Twitter. (Patch)

New Hampshire Driver Used Cheese Wrapper To Fake Registration Sticker: Police

Live free or die. (Patch)

Energy Drinks Could Trigger Serious Heart Condition, Study Finds

"The potential cardiovascular risk of energy drinks continues to emerge as an important public health issue," the lead researcher said. (Patch)

This Day In History

1955 — West Germany joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, known as NATO.

Famous Birthdays

1934 — Alan Bennett, a British playwright and novelist known for his famous play-turned-movie "The History Boys"

1949 — Billy Joel, American musician and songwriter

Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images News/Getty Images