Morning Briefing: Trump Picks Carson, Oakland Fire Latest, Fake News Turns Violent

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Dr. Ben Carson, a Republican primary season opponent who became one of his chief defenders on the campaign trail, to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Carson, who is the first African-American selected to serve in Trump's Cabinet, has no experience in the world of housing or management.

“We have talked at length about my urban renewal agenda and our message of economic revival, very much including our inner cities," Trump said in a statement. "Ben shares my optimism about the future of our country and is part of ensuring that this is a Presidency representing all Americans. He is a tough competitor and never gives up.”

Top Stories

Donald Trump Picks Ben Carson to Head Housing, Urban Policy: "President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Ben Carson to oversee the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the transition team announced Monday. Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who challenged Trump during the Republican primary, became an early endorser of Trump after ending his own presidential bid." (Patch)

Oakland Warehouse Fire: 33 Killed; IDs to Be Released; Recovery Efforts Continue: "A fire that ripped through a warehouse in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood, where an unlicensed electronic music concert was underway Friday night, has left 33 people dead, and that number is expected to rise as authorities still have more than 60 percent of the building left to search." (Patch)

Army Blocks Drilling of Dakota Access Oil Pipeline: "The Army Corps of Engineers said Sunday that the current route for the Dakota Access Pipeline, which would allow the pipeline to go under a section of the Missouri River that was opposed by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and consequently by thousands of protesters who lent their voice to oppose the route, will be denied." (Patch)

Man Opens Fire in Restaurant Targeted by Anti-Clinton "PizzaGate" Fake News Conspiracy: "A man who said he was investigating a conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton running a child sex ring out of a pizza place fired an assault rifle inside the Washington, D.C., restaurant on Sunday injuring no one, police and news reports said." (CBS News)

From the Twitterverse

And it's not just fake news we have to worry about:

Today's numbers

• Hawaii could see 6 inches of snow and 55 mph winds on Monday.
• A set of five vintage Thomas Edison bulbs sold for $30,000 at auction.
• Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Pearl Harbor just more than 75 years after Japan's attack in 1941.
• The 226-page Plum Book will be released on Monday — a 9,000-jobs-listing book for people wanting to work in Trump's Washington.

Quote of the Day

Retired Gen. David Petraeus, who is a finalist for the secretary of state nomination, on whether or not he voted for Donald Trump:

"I don’t vote, so that’s an easy answer."

Allen McDuffee is a politics and policy reporter, investigative journalist, blogger and podcast host. He has written for The Atlantic, Wired and The Washington Post. Follow him on Twitter: @AllenMcDuffee

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Commons