Health Care; Trump Tapes; Cosby; Asking For Russian Meddling: Patch Morning Briefing

It's Friday. Another week done. The Fourth of July is around the corner. The question is: Will you still have your health insurance?

Special Health Care Section

In 142 Pages, Senate Republicans Try To Change Your World

It was negotiated in secret. It cuts hundreds of millions of dollars from Medicaid, which provides insurance for one in five Americans. That money would then be redirected into tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent in the country. And it creates a loophole allowing companies to deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions. (Patch)

Capitol Police Manage To Lose A Lot Of Goodwill

Last week they were the heroes of the moment, stopping what could have easily been a massacre as Republicans practiced for the Congressional Baseball Game. On Thursday, heroes? Not so much. As people in wheelchairs protested outside the office of Sen. Mitch McConnell, they were dragged from their wheelchairs. (Patch)

You Can't Make Everyone Happy

Here's the problem — or one of the problems — facing Senate Republican leaders. Four conservative Republicans say they won't support the bill as is because it doesn't go far enough. But ... make changes to placate them, and the leadership risks losing moderates like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. (Patch)

And In Other News

Former Soldier Reminds Us People Can Be Good

His name is David Eubank. He is 56 years old. He is a former soldier and Special Forces commander. He was in Iraq as an aid worker. He was with U.S. forces while they were in a firefight with ISIS forces. Trapped in the middle: a young girl whose family had been killed by ISIS. He rescues her. It's on video. (Patch)

41 Days To Say... Just Kidding

In May, after firing FBI Director James Comey, President Trump tweeted an apparent threat against him that seemed to raise the questions there may have been tapes made of their Oval Office conversations. It became a series of cliffhangers as Trump and the White House teased whether there were or weren't recordings. Forty-one days later, the president fessed up — there are no tapes. (Patch)

This Colorado Congressman Hopes For Russian Meddling

Rep. Mike Coffman will be meeting with Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergei Kisylak on Friday. He's hoping for help finding a Littleton, Colorado, police officer who went missing while climbing Russia's tallest peak. (Patch)

Well, He Is Kind Of An Expert

Just days after Bill Cosby escaped from under the only criminal sex-assault charges that ever stuck to him in court (out of dozens of accusations), his publicist announced that his boss will now embark on a U.S. speaking tour so that he might teach other men out there how to do what he has done. (Patch)

Bad Day For the LAPD

Chief Charlie Beck arrested an officer accused of having sex with a teen allegedly involved in the theft of patrol cars. The officer, a 10-year veteran, adds to a scandal that has seen six cadets accused of stealing patrol cars, impersonating officers and leading police on a wild chase through the city. (Patch)

California Bans State Travel To Texas

The issue is a newly passed law in the Lone Star State that restricts adoptions for gay couples and those who are not Christian. California Attorney General Xavier Beccera says his state will not tolerate discrimination. (Patch)

Miami Beach Will Be Climate Change School For Mayors

The United States Conference of Mayors will be in Miami Beach this weekend. Mayor Philip Levine plans to give his colleagues a front-row lesson on the dangers of climate change, showing them the steps his city has had to take to combat rising sea levels. (Patch)

Why Was Alex Brodigan Murdered

Four people planned to rob Brodigan, police said. One of those four was also prepared to shoot him, if necessary. It was just says after Brodigan saw his daughter born. (Patch)

Good Day For Tesla

After years of battling Arizona, a big win for Tesla after a judge agreed the company didn't have to worry about a state law preventing manufacturers from selling their own cars, competing with dealers. Since Tesla has no dealers, the company can sell its cars directly. (Patch)

Meanwhile, In Michigan The Fight Goes On

Tesla still can't sell its cars in Michigan. So it is taking some extraordinary steps. (Patch).

On This Day In History

1611 - Explorer Henry Hudson, his son, and seven members of his crew are set adrift by mutineers and never heard from again

1860 - The Government Printing Office is established

1868 - Christopher Latham Sholes receives patent for the "Type-Writer"

1894 - The International Olympic Committee is formed

1926 - The first Scholastic Aptitude Test is administered by The College Board

1972 - President Nixon records himself talking with Chief of Staff Bob Haldeman discussing using the CIA to obstruct the FBI's probe into Watergate.

Born On This Day

1894 - Sexologist Alfred Kinsey

1912 - British codebreaker Alan Turing

1925 - Former owner of the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens Art Modell

1948 - Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas

1964 - Director Joss Whedon

Have a great weekend and see you back here on Monday!

Photo of missing Littleton police officer Steve Beare courtesy of Colorado Police Foundation