Republican Georgia Win; Prodigy Dies; And Monkeys: Patch Morning Briefing

There are songs about Monday, Sunday in Pleasant Valley and living for the weekend. Not much has been written about Wednesdays. Go figure. Happy summer, and here are some stories to get your day started.

Republicans Run The Table

Four special elections this season. Republicans won them all. None of that was a surprise given the districts. What was a surprise was that some of them were as close as they were. But, as they say, in politics, winning is the only thing. Including in Georgia where Karen Handel won. (Patch)

He Put His Lifetime Between The Paper's Lines

The world lost rapper Prodigy on Tuesday. As half of the group Mobb Deep, he helped define New York's hip-hop scene, using his life in the projects and beyond as material for his songs. (Patch)

Republicans Don't Do As They Said

When the Democrats put together what became known as Obamacare, they worked on it for about a year, held hearings and incorporated Republican amendments. Still, the Republicans constantly attacked them for working in secret. Now that they're in charge, the Republicans are working behind closed doors, not even sharing with colleagues on their own side of the aisle (Patch)

Sean... We Hardly Knew You

OK. That may be a little dramatic. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer returned to the White House briefing room for its first on-camera briefing in eight days. And, as he conceded, his days before the cameras may be numbered. (Patch)

White House PR Problems Not Imaginary

Most PR professionals in a USC study said they would not work for a White House where President Trump's spokespeople are perceived as liars. (Patch)

The Juice May Be Loose By The End Of The Year

Maybe. Maybe not. The Nevada Parole Board has set July 20 for a parole hearing for O.J. Simpson, currently serving 33 years (but eligible for parole after nine) for robbery and kidnapping. If the board says yes, he could be freed Oct. 1. (Patch)

Nevada's Pot Plans Hit A Roadblock

Things were moving quickly toward a July 1 deadline for recreational marijuana to be sold in Nevada. The state had a plan. And then the liquor distributors got involved. (Patch)

What You Need To Know About Agent Griner

It's been a week since Special Agent Crystal Griner was shot stopping what could have been a massacre at a practice for the Congressional Baseball Game. So who is she? Read on. (Patch)

Remember When He Used To Play Golf

More news about Tiger that has nothing to do with whether he made par. Woods announced that he is "receiving professional help to manage my medications and the ways that I deal with back pain and a sleep disorder." (Patch)

Ex-Patriot: I Was Gay, Planned Suicide

Ryan O'Callaghan played six years for the Patriots and Chiefs. He is also gay and says he kept that a secret. When his career ended, he planned to kill himself, but the Chiefs encouraged him to get counseling. (Patch)

Is There An Animal In Florida Not Attracting Attention?

You've heard about the snakes longer than minivans and alligators wandering across golf courses. What about the colony of 100 African vervet monkeys by the airport? Welcome to Florida. (Patch)

That Cop May Have Been A Teen Impostor

It's not a good day when the chief of police has to announce that seven cadets are under arrest, charged with stealing patrol cars and using them to make traffic stops. But that's the day the Los Angeles Police chief had on Tuesday. (Patch)

Meet Cindy - She's A Real Blowhard

Which may be because she is a tropical storm, the third named storm of the season. She's making her way to the Texas Gulf Coast and is expected to make landfall along Sabine Pass in east Texas Wednesday evening or early Thursday. (Patch)

On This Day In History

1788 - New Hampshire ratifies the Constitution and becomes the ninth United state.

1915 - The Supreme Court of the United States strikes down Oklahoma's grandfather clause, which had been used to deny blacks and immigrants the right to vote.

1942 - A Japanese submarine surfaces near the Columbia River off Oregon and fires 17 shells at For Stevens, one of the few attacks against the mainland United States.

1973 - The Supreme Court of the United States establishes the Miller test for determining if something can be labeled obscene and, thus, not protected under the First Amendment.

1982 - John Hinckley found not guilty by reason of insanity for trying to kill President Reagan

Born On This Day

1944 - Kinks founder Ray Davies

1951 - E Street Band member and guitarist in his own right Nils Lofgren

1953 - Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. She was assassinated while in office.

1957 - Bloom County creator Berkley Breathed

1965 - Matrix co-creator Lana Wachowski

See you back here tomorrow!

Photo by Paul Scicchitano