The shooting at a congressional baseball practice reminds us of something we too often forget: We are one country, and we’re all in this together. Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
1. Congressional shooting
The FBI’s criminal probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election is increasingly touching on the multiple roles of senior White House adviser Jared Kushner. That doesn’t necessarily mean Trump’s son-in-law is suspected of wrongdoing, but the FBI is interested in roles and relationships that fell under his purview during the campaign and transition. That includes the campaign’s data analytics operation, which Kushner headed up, and his relationships with Russian figures and ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn.
2. President Trump
Having a hard time keeping up with all of the players in this ever-expanding drama? Don’t worry, we’ve created a who’s who for you.
3. London fire
The block on President Trump’s second executive order banning some travel from six Muslim-majority countries will stay in place, a federal appeals court ruled. The court used Trump’s own campaign language and statements to determine the ban’s “primary purpose is religious,” and thus unconstitutional. In response, the White House says it’s taking the case all the way to the top – to the Supreme Court.
4. Fed rate hike
5. Fried potatoes study
The House-passed GOP health care bill would leave 23 million fewer Americans insured, says the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. That’s actually a slight improvement on the original Republican bill to replace Obamacare. The bill also would reduce deficits by $119 billion, and it would lower premiums for some people. At any rate, the CBO report on the bill could become another headache for its supporters – and another reason for the Senate to pretty much ignore the House bill and write its own.
The aftermath of Monday’s attack in Manchester has become increasingly complex. Investigators now think the bomber probably had ISIS training in Syria before the attack. The revelation comes as intelligence sharing between the US and the UK resumed after a temporary halt following a series of high-profile leaks. Also new this morning: British intelligence services are handling 500 active investigations into terror plots involving 3,000 people, a government minister told the BBC. But he also said most of these people are the type to “boast a lot to each other but never actually do anything.”
TODAY’S QUOTE
“If anybody is wondering how bad the opioid epidemic has become, this case is a frightening example.”
Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, after two drug counselors overdosed on opioids at an addiction facility in Pennsylvania
Breakfast Browse
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Woman tells car thief, “I’m not dealing with this sort of crap today!”
If you have a Graco car seat in your ride, you may want to take a look at it. Graco is recalling more than 25,000 car seats.
They say it never rains in Southern California. Well apparently it does, because weather woes have slowed work on LA’s new NFL stadium, which was supposed to host Super Bowl LV, so that big game’s headed to Tampa.
A boy at a hospital in Rome got a double shot of good – a visit from the first lady of the US and word that doctors have found him a heart donor.
Thanks, mom
She took notes for him at every class because he couldn’t. So when he graduated with an MBA, she got one, too.
Cosmic cash
A total solar eclipse will glide across the US in August, and being the capitalists that we are, Americans are finding ways to cash in.
Melania Trump is the first Catholic FLOTUS since Jackie Kennedy
And finally …
A Google Home device makes nice with an Amazon Echo unit, which, while cute, probably signals the start of some kind of robot uprising. (Click to view)
Where’s Dad?!?!!