Patch Morning Briefing: Chemical Attack In Syria; O'Reilly Abandoned; Tent City Jail Closing

Happy Wednesday, everyone... Week is almost, well, we don't want to jinx it. Here's a few things we think that you should know as you get your day started.

Chemical Attack In Syria, Trump Blames Obama

A chemical attack on a rebel-held Syrian town killed scores of people including 11 children. President Trump responded by attacking his predecessor — laying blame on President Obama — and not mentioning Russia. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stood in stark contrast to his boss, imploring Russia to do something. (Patch).

Advertisers Start To Abandon O'Reilly

After a New York Times report that Fox has paid out about $13 million in settlements to five women who have accused Bill O'Reilly of sexual harassment and verbal abuse, at least 20 companies have pulled their ads from his show. (Patch).

Notorious Arizona Tent City Prison Ordered Close

A tent city prison outside of Phoenix that first opened in 1993 and quickly gained a notorious reputation — Amnesty International condemned conditions in 1997 — has been ordered closed by the new sheriff who took office earlier this year. (Patch).

North Korea Launches Missile? No Comment, Says State Dept.

When word came out that North Korea had launched a missile into the Sea of Japan, many expected to hear condemnations from the Trump Administration. Instead they got a "no comment" from the State Department, leading some to wonder if it was a joke. (Patch).

News Minute

Space Probe Cassini Will Go Out With A Bang

Twenty years after it left Earth and nearly 13 years after it started orbiting Saturn, the space probe Cassini is running out of gas. Before it does, NASA has some big plans — it will have the spacecraft pass through the gap between the planet and its famous rings 22 times before it plummets to the surface. (Patch)

Michigan Capital Defies Trump, Declaring Itself 'Sanctuary'

President Trump may enjoy telling anyone who will listen about how he won Michigan, but the love may not be holding. In stark defiance, the state's capital, Lansing, has declared itself a "Sanctuary City." (Patch).

Bertha's Years-Long Journey Under Seattle Nears End

If you think traffic in Seattle is bad, imagine you're Bertha, who has spent the better part of the past four years traveling 2 miles. Bertha is the tunnel-digging machine paving the way for a new four-lane highway under the city. On Tuesday, she finally broke through her final wall. Watch the video of the moment. (Patch).

Celebrate Easter, But Spare the Bunny

There's no question that bunnies, chicks, and ducks are cute... but they are not great pets. Despite that, people give them to kids for Easter who quickly grow tired of them and abandon them. Not always, but enough that humane societies are concerned. (Patch).

NJ Professor Offers Picks For Baseball

The season just started and this guy wants the season to end already? Not really. But a professor in NJ who successfully picked eight of last year's 10 teams to make the playoffs is back with this year's predictions. (Patch).

Tony Romo, who spent his entire 15-year NFL career in Dallas, is hanging up his spikes and headed to the broadcast booth. While an occasionally elite quarterback during his early career, the injuries took their toll. Last year, rookie Dak Prescott showed that the time had come for Romo to say goodbye. (Patch).

On This Day History

1621 - The Mayflower sets sail.

1792 - President Washington vetoes a bill; the first time that has ever happened.

1951 - Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed.

1999 - Two Libyans charged with bombing Pan Am 103, killing 259 people, are handed over for trial in the Netherlands.

2010 - Twenty-nine coal miners are killed in the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster. The CEO of the company that owned the mine was eventually convicted of conspiring to violate mine safety laws.

Celebrity Births

1856 - Civil rights icon and presidential adviser Booker T. Washington.

1900 - Spencer Tracy, actor who was nominated for nine Oscars, winning two.

1933 - Frank Gorshin who played the Riddler on Batman.

1944 - Representative Peter King (R-NY).

1973 - Producer, singer and wearer of hats Pharrell Williams

Well, there you have it. Good luck today, and see you back here tomorrow.

Photo NASA