Trump Mocked By Republicans; Donald Jr. Changes Story; James Harden Makes History: Patch Morning Briefing

Well, it's Monday. Seems to happen every week around this time. Hope you had a good weekend!

Trump Son, Associates Met Russian Lawyer For Clinton Info

This story has been a bit of a moving target over the weekend. It started with a Saturday report in the New York Times about the meeting. Donald Trump Jr. first said the meeting was about adoptions. Then he conceded it was about Hillary Clinton. Then the Washington Post identified his friend, a music industry figure, who set up the meeting. (Patch)

It's Probably Not Good When Your Own Party Mocks You

President Trump said this weekend that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to start a cybercrime task force between the two countries. The idea was quickly mocked as "inexplicably bizarre" and "akin to partnering with (Syrian President) Assad on a 'Chemical Weapons Unit.'" That was from Republicans Ben Sasse and Marco Rubio. By the end of the day, Trump said "it can't" happen. (Patch)

Thanks For Your Service In Vietnam, Now Leave

Jorge Valencia, who was shot in the chest as a Marine in Vietnam, has two Purple Hearts for his service. What he does not have is all the documentation he needs to get his driver's license renewed. So now, despite having lived here since he was 6 and having been wounded fighting for the country, he faces possible deportation. (Patch)

Today In Bad Airline News...

American Airlines delayed a flight from Los Angeles to Dulles over what it called a "cabin cleanliness issue." Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank, who was on the flight, called it a "smells like urine" issue. (Patch)

James Harden Makes History

The Houston Rockets guard signed a four-year contract extension worth $170 million. That's $42.5 million each year, the richest contract extension in NBA history. Or, to put in context, slightly more than your Morning Briefer takes home for helping keep you informed. (Patch)

California Is Burning
Five thousand firefighters battling 14 blazes. More than 55,000 acres have burned. Fire officials say they are anticipating thunderstorms in parts of the state as a low pressure trough brings a slight cooling trend. (Patch)

Meanwhile, Reminders Of Why Not To Fly Drones Over Wildfires
With so many wildfires burning so much acreage, California officials over the weekend reminded people not to fly drones over wildfires because, if the drones fly, they can't. (Patch) And in case you had doubts about how serious fire officials are, in Arizona, a man was arrested for doing just that. Officials say air units were grounded for hours as a result. (Patch)

A new survey has the Motor City as the top American city for business travel. Analysts looked at airport on-time rates, lodging costs, cellular coverage, traffic and emergency room performance in business travel ranking. Cleveland and Phoenix were close behind. (Patch)

Fins To The South, Fins To The North, Fins In The Middle

There were sharks spotted off Coney Island (Patch) and a man attacked by a bull shark in the Miami area — what is believed to be the first shark attack at Haulover Beach Park. (Patch). And then, off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland, a man recorded swimming with a massive whale shark. (Patch)

Bainbridge Island Active Shooter Killed

For hours, he shot, seemingly randomly, from a boat in Eagle Harbor off Bainbridge Island in Washington State. Then he emerged from the boat, naked, and pointed a rifle at officers. They shot and killed him. (Patch)

Celebrity Wow! Houses Flood Market In Nashville

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Tanya Tucker. The home where Tammy Wynette, Earl Scruggs and George Jones once lived. A home where Dolly once lived. A lot of homes connected to country music royalty are on the market. (Patch)

Amazon Prime Day's Not Till Tuesday, But...

The deals start Monday. Reading makes you smarter. But you know what will make you a genius? Reading more and paying less for it. Kindle bundles, E-books and audio books. Your search for great summer reading is over thanks to these pre-Prime deals. (Patch)

On This Day In History

1821 - The United States takes possession of Florida after buying it from Spain

1925 - The trial of John Scopes for breaking the law by teaching evolution gets underway. Many don't realize that he lost and was convicted

1938 - Around the world in 80 days? Forget that. Howard Hughes completes a 91-hour airplane flight around the world, setting a record

1978 - ABC World News Tonight premieres

1991 - Boris Yeltsin takes office as the first elected president of Russia

Born On This Day

1926 - Actor (Herman Munster portrayer) Fred Gwynne

1947 - Music great and "Alice's Restaurant" writer Arlo Guthrie

1954 - Baseball great Andre Dawson

1958 - Banjo-strumming bandleader Bela Fleck

1974 - College football coach Urban Meyer

See you back here tomorrow!

Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images