Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.
But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)
Follow-Up Emails Show Previously Undisclosed Link Between Trump Jr. and Russians After Their Trump Tower Meeting
CNN reports that the publicist who arranged Donald Trump Jr.’s 2016 meeting with the Russians sent more emails to a Russian and a member of President Trump’s team later in the summer. Publicist Rob Goldstone sent out emails that were discovered by congressional investigators, but the messages were never sent directly to Trump Jr.
While Trump Jr. has claimed that the meeting focused on Russian adoption once it was clear that the Russian lawyer he met had no information on Hillary Clinton, a new email shows that Goldstone encouraged then senior aide Dan Scavino to create a page for the elder Trump on a Russian social networking site. The suggestion was reportedly pitched by Goldstone at the end of the Trump Tower meeting as a “cute marketing idea.”
The emails from the publicist, Rob Goldstone, were discovered by congressional investigators and raised at Wednesday’s classified hearing with Trump Jr., who said he could not recall the interactions, several sources said.
— David Wright (@DavidWright_CNN) December 7, 2017
A Republican Rep. Will Resign After Sexual Harassment Claims
Following the news that the House Ethics Committee would investigate sexual harassment claims made against him, Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks will resign from Congress on Jan. 31, CNN says. Franks admitted that he discussed “fertility issues and surrogacy” with two female staffers and made employees feel uncomfortable, but said he never “physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff.”
“In the midst of this current cultural and media climate, I am deeply convinced I would be unable to complete a fair House Ethics investigation before distorted and sensationalized versions of this story would put me, my family, my staff and my noble colleagues in the House of Representatives through hyperbolized public excoriation,” he said in a statement.
While Franks’ resignation shortly follows those of Reps. Al Franken and John Conyers, he is the first Republican in recent months to announce his stepping down.
BREAKING: House Ethics Committee says it is investigating whether Arizona GOP Rep. Trent Franks engaged in sexual harassment.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 7, 2017
Krispy Kreme Flavor Comes in a New Beer
Nothing says “guilty pleasure” like a Krispy Kreme donut, and now that sinful delight will be paired with another potential vice: beer. Delish reports that two Florida breweries have partnered to produce a Russian imperial stout brewed with Krispy Kreme donuts. This is a combo I never knew I needed, but it sounds cool! Breweries Hidden Springs and Arkane Aleworks brewed one batch with two dozen glazed donuts and another with two dozen cream-filled ones. The goal was to create a “roasty, chocolatey” flavor in the beer, which will be available via draft and bottles at Hidden Springs in January.
What to look out for…
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been looking forward to a Friday night binge of Season 2 of The Crown all week. The historical drama returns to Netflix with the new season today, and given the royals’ recent exciting news, I could definitely go for even more exploration of this iconic family. If you need me, I’ll be watching the show in my bed until Monday morning.