Trump's Raucous Campaign Rally • Navy Commander Fired • Beware Of Fake Polls: Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! It's Wednesday, and we're about halfway through the week. Here's what you need to know to start your day.

President Trump Held A Raucous And Free-Wheeling Campaign Rally

Political observers may be feeling whiplash Wednesday morning from the sharp U-turn in President Trump's rhetoric the previous night. After delivering a subdued and measured speech on the future of American policy in Afghanistan on Monday, Trump returned to the campaign trail Tuesday night in Phoenix. He attacked the press, suggested that he'll pardon the controversial former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, inaccurately quoted his own statements about the Charlottesville violence and proposed shutting down the government in order to pay for a border wall. (Patch)

Navy Commander To Be Relieved Of Duty After Second Deadly Accident In 3 Months

Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, the U.S. Navy commander of the 7th Fleet, will be relieved from duty after a recent major accident killed several sailors and left others injured. Three collisions have transpired involving the 7th Fleet since January, and two of these accidents occurred within the last three months. Most recently, the U.S.S. John S. McCain collided with a merchant vessel, leaving 10 sailors missing. Navy divers have found some remains of sailors killed when the ships crashed into each other. (Fox News)

Beware Of Fake Polls

Readers and journalists alike should be on the lookout for fake polls as online tools make the technology for conducting randomized surveys more widely accessible. As FiveThirtyEight reports, newcomers to the practice of polling may be unreliable, even when their information is presented just like any other reputable pollster. One recent poll, reporter Harry Enten found, reported that Kid Rock was leading in the Michigan Senate race, but a little digging suggests this poll may not be entirely reliable. And some new entrants to the polling game may not even be trying to obtain accurate results. (FiveThirtyEight)

Quick Hits

The Village Voice As We Knew Her Is Dead — For Real This Time (Patch)

Kyrie Irving Traded To Boston Celtics: Reports (Patch)

Thomas Meehan, Tony-Winning Writer of 'Annie,' Dies At 88 (Patch)

Chelsea Clinton: 'Everyone Leave Barron Trump Alone' (Patch)

National Parks Lifetime Senior Pass: Here's How To Get Yours Before Prices Increase

There's less than a week left to buy your lifetime senior pass before prices go up dramatically. (Patch)

Missouri Execution Halted With Just Hours Remaining

Gov. Eric Greitens issued a stay of execution Tuesday for Marcellus Williams, who was convicted of killing Lisha Gayle in University City. (Patch)

How Mic.com Exploited Social Justice For Clicks

The site aimed at millennials recently cut a large chunk of its reporting staff. (The Outline)

Great White Shark Chomps Seal At Cape Cod Beach: Video

A great white shark chomped on a seal just feet from swimmers at Nauset Beach on Cape Cod Monday. (Patch)

Senate's Most Powerful Leader Doubts Trump Can Salvage Presidency: NYT

The president's public feud with the Senate majority leader has left Mitch McConnell fuming behind the scenes, the Times reports. (Patch)

Priest Once 'Despicable' KKK Member, Burned Crosses

A Catholic priest in Fairfax City has temporarily stepped down after admitting he was a member of the KKK, calling his actions "despicable." (Patch)

This Day In History

1973 — The hostage situation in Sweden that inspired the term "Stockholm Syndrome" takes place after a botched bank robbery takes a turn for the worse

1990 — Armenia breaks away from the collapsing Soviet Union and declares its independence

Famous Birthdays

1754 — King Louis XVI, the last king of France who was guillotined during the French revolution

1949 — Shelley Long, the Emmy Award-winning actress best known for her role as Diane in the TV sitcom "Cheers"

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Fulton/U.S. Navy via Getty Images