Patch Morning Briefing: Alan Thicke Dies, Manatee Swims with Gator, Polar Vortex Arrives

YOUR MORNING BRIEFING

Good morning, Patchers.

Here's a look at some of what you need to know today.

HE WAS CANADIAN AND DIED PLAYING HOCKEY

Alan Thicke, who defined the role of the '80s dad in "Growing Pains," died unexpectedly Tuesday after suffering a heart attack while playing hockey with his 19-year-old son, Carter. In addition to his acting — he recently did a guest turn on NBC's "This is Us" — he was a composer, having written theme songs for several shows including "Diff'rent Strokes." Thicke, a Canadian, loved hockey. One of his sons — Robin, the singer — told the LA Times that the last thing his dad did was compliment Carter on a nice shot. Click here to read an account of his life by Patch's Paige Austin.

MISSED SIGNALS, SLOW RESPONSES AND, OF COURSE, THE WATERGATE

The New York Times devotes a tremendous amount of real estate to the allegations that not only were the Russians responsible for campaign-related computer hacks, but they ultimately helped Donald Trump. The story — which you can read by clicking here — details missed signals that might have been able to stop the attack. Particularly glaring was the DNC computer staffer who didn't do all he could after being warned by the FBI because he wasn't sure the agent was really an agent.

THE MOST UPLIFTING HEARTBREAKING STORY YOU WILL READ

I'm not going to waste your time. Click here right now and read this story by Patch's J.R. Lind. It's about Santa, a dying boy and a last wish. Grab a tissue.

QUICK CLICKS

• WWE Superstar Enters a Different Ring - The Houston Mayor's Race
• Man Honored for Decades of Helping Homeless Teens
• A Manatee and an Alligator Walk into a Bar (Swim Next to Each Other, Actually)

THIS MAN'S GOOD DAY DID NOT LAST LONG

Patch's Scott Anderson has the story of a man whose day went south real quick. It started out with him winning big at a casino and (spoiler alert) ends with him being robbed. Click here for the story.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL

Really. Not being playful. If you live in much of the continental United States, bundle up. The Washington Post does a deep dive on the cold weather gripping the nation. And it includes lots of phrases like "the coldest," "the most frigid" and "intense blast of arctic air." The paper says, "Record-cold highs are possible — if not likely — in Maine, the Boston metro area, New York City and the D.C. metro area on Friday." It also has a good explainer on what a "polar vortex" is. Click here to read the story.

TRUMP REPORTED INTERIOR PICK DOESN'T THINK CLIMATE CHANGE A HOAX BUT...

Representative Ryan Zinke, a Republican from Montana, who was just re-elected for the first time, believes the climate is changing; he's just not sure the extent fossil fuels are to blame. Several outlets are reporting he's the pick to be secretary of the interior, which would put him in charge of roughly one one-fifth of all the land in the United States, including national parks and wildlife refuges. As Politico reports in a story you can read by clicking here, Zinke has opposed efforts "to transfer land and other GOP measures to hand over millions of acres of public land from the U.S. Forest Service to the state."

APPLE'S AIRPODS FINALLY AVAILABLE... SORT OF

USA Today reports that months after the new fancy earbuds from Apple were supposed to be available, they are. But there's a catch. The paper reports that while they went on sale on Tuesday, within hours, they were listed on the company's website as shipping in four to six weeks — well, after the holidays. So you might want to make other plans. The story can be found by clicking here.

HAPPENING WEDNESDAY

• Trump Meets with CEOs from the Tech Industry
• Fourth Anniversary of Sandy Hook Massacre
• Last Chance to See the Supermoon (for now)

Photo Toglenn via Wikimedia Commons