Patch Morning Briefing: Health Bill Delayed; Gorsuch's Filibuster; JCC Threats Arrest

Good morning! Friday is here, we hope you've enjoyed the week — it's been a busy one. Here's what you need to know going into the weekend.

Turns Out, There Was A Plan B

Republicans in the House of Representatives will vote on the American Health Care Act today — at least, that's the plan. They also said they would vote on the bill Thursday, but then announced a delay; White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was so confident the vote would happen, he wouldn't even entertain the possibility that the house wouldn't vote. "There's Plan A and Plan A," he said. Well, it looks like we're on to Plan B. (Patch)

Democrats Plan A Filibuster

Meanwhile, in the Senate, Democrats are planning to filibuster Judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination for the Supreme Court. While his hearings have been relatively uneventful, Democrats oppose putting a conservative on the highest court in the country and are still bitter about the treatment of President Obama's pick, Merrick Garland. What does this all mean? Probably the end of the filibuster for Supreme Court justices. (New York Times)

Israeli Police Arrest Suspect Linked To JCC Threats Across North America

Police in Israel are holding an unnamed teen with dual Israeli-American citizenship in custody in connection with a series of bomb threats made to Jewish Community Centers across North America. Attorney General Jeff Sessions confirmed these reports in a statement, saying the arrest was the culmination of a large-scale investigation spanning multiple continents into hate crimes against Jewish communities across the United States. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Movies Out This Weekend: 'Life,' 'CHIPS,' 'Power Rangers' And More (Patch)

Lower-Income Republicans Say Government Should Ensure Health Care (Patch)

Sex Toy Ban Repeal: Attorneys Move Forward With Lawsuit (Patch)

Energy Secretary Rick Perry: Texas A&M Rigged Election For Gay Student (Patch)

News Minute

382 Years And A Civil Rights Violation Later, First US Public School Names Headmaster 'Of Color'

It took 382 years, allegations of racially charged incidents that made national news and a Civil Rights Act violation, but the nation's first public school finally has a "person of color" in charge. (Patch)

Park Slope Organic Juice Shop Owner Thinks Trump Hacked His Website

The owner of Stoop Juice says he recently got three calls from a man who sounded exactly like Trump. Days later, his website was hacked. (Patch)

Warmer Weather Is On Its Way

Atlanta Girl In Rome Grabs The Pope's Headgear

Scott Westrick, father of Atlanta girl who stole pope's hat, says it all happened too fast and his daughter does what she wants. (Patch)

Only 17 Percent Of Voters Support American Health Care Act

Seventeen percent of American voters approve of the American Health Care Act, which the House intends to vote on Friday, and 56 percent disapprove of it, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll published Thursday. This may be troubling news to the lawmakers intent on voting for the legislation being pushed by both Speaker Paul Ryan and President Trump. (Patch)

Today In History

1989 — The Exxon Valdez spills around 240,000 barrels of unrefined oil into Alaska's Prince William Sound

Famous Birthdays

1909 — Clyde Barrow, of the crime duo Bonnie and Clyde, famous for their criminal activity during the Great Depression

1962 — Star Jones, American journalist and television personality

Photo credit: bvi4092