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Good Morning Portland! I dunno about you, but my body isn't ready for this warm weather yet. Today's another hot one with a high of 85, though it's going to rain all weekend. Now, let's get to the news!
Trump's nominee for Secretary of Veteran Affairs, White House Doctor Ronny Jackson, withdrew his name from consideration this morning amidst torrents of criticism from people asking, really? An unqualified doctor? Alongside allegations that he's often drunk on the job and cruel to employees.
After the case went cold for decades, the Golden State Killer has finally been caught. Joseph James DeAngelo, a former cop, allegedly commit 12 murders, 45 rapes, and over 120 burglaries from 1976 to 1986βand he was an officer during part of that time. Many credit true-crime writer Michelle McNamara with cracking the caseβ her book, I'll Be Gone In The Dark, digs into the evidence.
Trump finally acknowledged that lawyer Michael Cohen represented him when he paid $130,000 to porn actress Stormy Daniels for her silence about their alleged affair. In the same interview, Trump said Cohen "barely represented" him, a move which may undermine arguments regarding attorney-client privilege that could have protected their communications.
EPA chief Scott Pruitt is going to Capitol Hill today to get interrogated about allegations of improper spending and ethics violations. Pruitt spent $43,000 on a sound proof phone booth for his office (um, why?), gave massive pay raises for favorite employees, and demoted staffers who asked questions.
Pruitt now admits in Congressional testimony that he gave his chief of staff authority to give large raises for two of his deputies, over the objections of the White House.
He told Fox News earlier this month he "did not" approve the raises and didn't know who did it.
β Toluse Olorunnipa (@ToluseO) April 26, 2018
via GIPHY
The feds think the economy is too good right now, but a lot of workers are feeling left behind. Meanwhile, Ben Carson's HUD is trying to "reduce reliance on housing assistance," which can be translated as "kick people out of the program" if you're listening carefully.
In case you missed it, Kanye is canceled. Time to get rid of all that Kanye 2020 merch you bought ironically in 2016.
Thank you Kanye, very cool! https://t.co/vRIC87M21X
β Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2018
Ugh.
Maybe we should elect this guy instead. Waffle House hero James Shaw has raised $150,000 for victims of the shooting.
Here in Oregon, opioid overdose deaths are increasing at a staggering rate in Jackson County, with ten deaths so far in 2018.
The Oregon Health Authority has established a public health benchmark. Among its findings? Lots of gonorrhea.
And City Council Candidate Stuart Emmons may be fined $250 for an election law violation.
That's all, folks! Here's a video of podcasting legend Griffin McElroy eating a banana in the most wrong way imaginable.