News from the note…
A round up of the day’s news that might be of interest to you.
Consider this an OPEN THREAD, folks. Chat about any of the stories listed, share links to stories that caught your eye today, and generally have a good time discussing whatever you want.
Inside the room: White House flare-up over McCain leak
From Axios
At yesterday’s meeting of the White House communications team — in the wake of a leak from the prior meeting of a callous remark about John McCain’s brain cancer — a visibly upset and furious Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told the group: “I am sure this conversation is going to leak, too. And that’s just disgusting,” according to a source in the room.
Sanders’ prediction came true. What follows below is a leak from that very intense meeting yesterday, according to five sources in the room. The broad outlines of this meeting were first reported by ABC News.
Former Trump aide working with Russian company to lift US sanctions: report
From The Hill
A former aide to President Trump‘s campaign and transition team is helping a Russian company owned by a sanctioned oligarch strike a deal to lift penalties against the firm, CNN reports.
The aide, Bryan Lanza, is reportedly lobbying on behalf of former British energy minister Lord Gregory Barker, the chairman of EN+ Group, an energy and aluminum firm controlled by Oleg Deripaska.
Trump: ‘I do’ have confidence in Pruitt
From Politico
President Donald Trump said Friday he continues to have confidence in embattled EPA chief Scott Pruitt.
“Yes, I do,” Trump replied when asked if he has confidence in Pruitt today, according to a pool report. They were meeting at the White House with auto executives about fuel economy requirements.
Pruitt is facing a dozen active investigations into various allegations of lavish spending and ethical lapses.
Ex-CIA contractor pleads guilty to stealing classified data
From Politico
A former CIA contractor on Friday pleaded guilty for stealing classified information and then lying about it to investigators, the Justice Department said.
According to prosecutors, Reynaldo B. Regis spent a decade conducting unauthorized searches in classified CIA databases, then copying secret information into personal notebooks that he took home. Regis was assigned to the CIA from August 2006 and November 2016.
‘Tricked by the devil.’ They backed Trump. Now, his foreign labor cuts may ruin them.
Eddie Devine voted for President Donald Trump because he thought he would be good for American business. Now, he says, the Trump administration’s restrictions on seasonal foreign labor may put him out of business.
“I feel like I’ve been tricked by the devil,” said Devine, owner of Harrodsburg-based Devine Creations Landscaping. “I feel so stupid.”
Devine says it has been years since he could find enough dependable, drug-free American workers for his $12-an-hour jobs mowing and tending landscapes for cemeteries, shopping centers and apartment complexes across Central Kentucky.
A Sunday Bonus Note from the “Who Can Blame Him?” file
Black bear devours 2 dozen cupcakes left in baker’s car
From AP
The smell of two dozen cupcakes in a baker’s car was too much for a black bear in New Jersey.
The bruin smashed a window and left only smeared icing and a paw print behind.
Christine Allen tells The Record the bear ate every single chocolate, vanilla and strawberry cupcake that she had made for a large order. Awaken by the dog barking and a “crunch sound,” her husband spotted the bear early Thursday.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Feel share a memory of your mother (or a woman who was like a mother to you) in the comment section.
