Trump Frees A Prisoner; NYPD Helps The Deaf; Joanie Dies: Patch Morning Briefing

It's Monday. We know how you feel. Here's some top stories and good reads to help get you ready for the day.

North Korea Detains Third American

An American professor became the third American to be detained by the North Korean government. Tony Kim, who had spent the past month teaching accounting at a university in Pyongyang, was detained trying to leave the country. (Patch).

Trump Congratulates Wounded Soldier, Awards Him Purple Heart

In a surprise visit to Walter Reed Medical Center, the president awarded a Purple Heart to Sgt. 1st Class Alvaro Barrientos. Barrientos had been wounded recently in Afghanistan. (Patch).

Pelosi: 'Of Course' Democrats Can Oppose Abortion

Appearing on "Meet the Press," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said "of course" Democrats can oppose abortion. She was speaking in relation to Democrat Health Mello, who is running for mayor in Omaha. (Patch).

NYPD Starts Program To Improve Dealings With Deaf

The program to give deaf citizens access to on-call sign language interpreters when they deal with police was launched this month, nearly seven years after advocates began pressing the NYPD to improve how it deals with with the hearing- disabled. (Patch).

Trump Administration Secures Release of American Held In Egypt

Aya Hijazi, an American aid worker held in Egypt for three years is now home. The Trump administration secured the release of Hijazi during the recent visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. (Patch).

University Launches Curriculum Focused On Service Dogs And Health Care

The program at Pace University is inspired by and based on the work of Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan, a decorated veteran whose battle with PTSD and the help he received from a service dog he chronicled in a book. (Patch).

Joanie Dies: Erin Moran Was 56.

She had reached the height of fame in the 1970s as Joanie Cunningham on "Happy Days." She died over the weekend of a possible overdose in a trailer park in Indiana. (Patch).

American Airlines: You Can't Threaten Passengers

The airline promptly suspended an employee who was caught on video threatening a passenger. "Hit me, hit me," he can be heard telling a passenger. This followed his altercation with a mom in which he took her stroller. (Patch).

Three Maryland OD Deaths Linked To Elephant Tranquilizer

It's hundreds of times more powerful than heroin. It's a synthetic opioid being used by addicts. People are dying. (Patch).

Food Company Takes Mulligan On Hash Browns

McCain Foods USA Inc. is recalling hash browns sold under several different names because of golf ball contamination. Yep. golf balls. Apparently, they were in the potato fields. (Patch).

Mom Didn't Think She Was Saving The Planet. But She Was

"My mother didn't profess to be saving the planet for 40 years — just her space, her money and her self-respect." The story of one mom offers lessons for today. (Patch).

Woman Loves Her Degree So Much She's Marrying It

Angie Hamouie lives in Houston and just got her medical degree, so she's having a "graduwedding" ceremony. The goal, she says, "is to make people pause to think why we don't celebrate graduations as big as weddings, even though they represent so much." (Patch).

On This Day In History

1704 - The first newspaper in Colonial America, The Boston News-Letter, is published.

1800 - The Library of Congress is established.

1916 - The Easter Uprising in Ireland begins.

1967 - Russian Vladimir Komarov becomes first person to die in space mission when his parachute fails to open during descent to Earth.

1980 - Eight U.S. servicemen die in failed attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran.

Born On This Day

1934 - Actress Shirley Maclaine

1942 - Former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and singer Barbara Streisand

1964 - Comedian Cedric the Entertainer

1982 - Singer Kelly Clarkson

Good luck today. See you back here tomorrow.

Luis Carlos Montalvan and Tuesday/ Patch file