Trump Probe's New Special Counsel; More Flynn Leaks; No Visas For Gay Chechens: Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! A lot has happened this week, and it's not over yet. Here's what you should know to stay up to date.

Special Counsel Will Head Probe Into Trump-Russia Ties

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller will lead the embattled investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence efforts to influence the 2016 election, a topic that has dominated news coverage for weeks on end. Mueller is widely respected across the political spectrum, and the Justice Department clearly hopes this will quell fears that the firing of James Comey would hinder or bias the investigation. President Trump released a statement saying he hopes the matter is resolved quickly. (Patch)

WATCH: News Minute

Trump Transition Team Knew Michael Flynn Was Under Investigation

Even as special counsel is appointed, pressure for more information about former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn is likely to grow after the New York Times reported the Trump transition team knew he was under investigation when Flynn was hired. Sally Yates testified that she warned the White House that Flynn might be compromised just days into Trump's young presidency, but it still took more than two weeks before he was fired. (New York Times)

Gay People Are Being Persecuted In Chechnya, But The U.S. Won't Offer Visas

American officials are refusing to offer gay Chechens visas despite recent reports of the region's spate of anti-LGBT violence and killings, the Russia LGBT Network has said. State Department officials said they do not comment on the issuance of particular visas. The brutal attacks in the region have sparked an outcry among human rights activists, but the victims apparently have few protections in Chechnya. (BuzzFeed)

Quick Hits

Atheism May Be More Common Than We Think, Study Finds (Patch)

2-Foot Iguana Found in Miami Toilet (Patch)

After 'Date From Hell,' Austin Man Sues Woman For Texting (Patch)

How Many Avocado Toasts Does It Take To Buy A Home In Seattle? (Patch)

Dow Jones Drops 370 Points

Wary investors begin trading today after the market experienced its largest drop in nearly a year; the Dow Jones lost 370 points. "This is clearly Washington-driven," Michael Shaoul, chairman and CEO of Marketfield Asset Management, told CNBC. "It's a lot like 1998-99, when the market had to deal with the [Monica] Lewinsky scandal." (CNBC)

Porn Plays At Union Station As Shocked Passersby Try To Turn It Off

Things got really, really awkward at Union Station in D.C. after porn started playing on a public monitor and continued for several minutes as passersby could only watch in horror. (Patch)

Dutch King Reveals He Led A Double Life — As An Airline Pilot

The headline on this one really says it all. (Sky News)

New Hampshire State Rep Who Started 'The Red Pill' Reddit Site Resigns

He came under fire in April for founding the Reddit community site nearly a decade ago that promoted men’s rights and “sexual strategy.” (Patch)

If The News Stresses You Out, Remember To Take Some Time To Relax

This Day In History

1969 — The space shuttle Apollo 10, a so-called "dress rehearsal" for the moon landing, is launched

Famous Birthdays

1955 — Chow Yun-fat, a Hong Kong actor and filmmaker known for his roles in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Pirates of the Caribbean"

1970 — Tina Fey, an actor, writer and producer known for her work on "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock"

Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images News/Getty Images