Thursday Scoop: Cool It, Collins

Welcome to the Morning Scoop for August 9, 2018. The Democratic Party in New York was probably hoping that Republican Collins would just take a step back and let them have the seat in the House, but no such luck for them. Like everything else in the midterms this year, this isn’t going down without a fight. 

We’re not going down without a fight either. Tell everyone you know that registration is now open CMN’s Music Journalism course. It is perfect for anyone who has always dreamed of being a music critic; spots are filling up fast! Get all the details here.

Rep. Chris Collins Will Not Step Down After Being Charged With Fraud

Holler for that dollar, Chris. (image: Wikimedia Commons)

Representative Chris Collins (R-NY) faced federal prosecutors yesterday for thirteen charges of securities fraud, wires fraud, and false statements, according to CNN.  The charges allegedly stem from an insider trading scheme with an Australian pharmaceutical company.

“The charges that have been levied against me are meritless and I will mount a vigorous defense in court to clear my name,” Collins told reporters in Buffalo.

The GOP representative has remained confident, so much so that he intends to run for re-election in November to represent his district in upstate New York. The bid will be challenging for Collins after the National Republican Congressional Committee distanced itself from him, calling the charges “serious.”

New NCAA College Basketball Rule to Allow Undrafted Players to Return to School

The NCAA just announced a rule change that will allow college basketball players to return to school if they are not selected in the NBA draft.

According to the new rule, players who participate in the NBA combine are able to return if they notify their university’s athletic director by 5 p.m. the Monday after the NBA draft.

Previously, players could only maintain eligibility if they withdrew from the draft within 10 days of the NBA combine. In addition to that rule change, the NCAA introduced alterations to other college basketball bylaws impacting players, coaches, and staff.

Details were shared in a media release by the NCAA; check them out in Tamia Heard’s report here. 

US Imposes New Sanctions on Russia for Nerve Agent Attack in England

The Trump administration announced yesterday that it would impose strict new sanctions against Russia as a punishment for its use of a nerve agent in the attempted murder of British citizen and ex-Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter.

The Washington Post reports, “Trump, who has resisted congressional insistence on additional sanctions on Russia for election interference and other activities, appeared to have had little choice in the matter, however. Under a 1991 law, he was required to act once the administration determined Russian responsibility for a chemical or biological weapons attack.”

Russia, who was informed of the measures yesterday afternoon, has denied responsibility for the attack.

Today in a Tweet: It’s National Book Lovers Day!

Bookworms rejoice! Celebrate this glorious day with Twitter — especially if you’re using the free wi-fi at your local public library. 

Last But Not Least: Brock Turner Loses Appeal to Overturn Conviction

Convicted rapist and former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner lost his appeal to overturn his sexual assault case, according to The Mercury. Back in 2015, Turner victimized an unconscious woman outside a fraternity party, and was sentenced to only six months in prison. After only serving half his sentence, Turner appealed his conviction, arguing that the court did not have enough evidence to conclude that actual penetration had occurred. The appeal has been denied, and Turner remains on the registered sex offender list.

This post-Phish Morning Scoop was made possible by Natalia Kolenko, Tamia Heard, and the CMN Staff. After a long summer of seeing the most talented band, real life must resume for one of us. The best part is, we got to say hi to Suzy Greenberg at the end of it.