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.)
The Current White House Physician Will Become the Veterans Affairs Secretary
President Trump announced on Twitter that Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, who’s been the White House doctor since 2006, will replace David J. Shulkin as Veterans Affairs Secretary.
Shulkin was the fourth cabinet member that either moved to a new job or was fired by Trump.
….In the interim, Hon. Robert Wilkie of DOD will serve as Acting Secretary. I am thankful for Dr. David Shulkin’s service to our country and to our GREAT VETERANS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2018
Dr. Jackson is a naval officer who “has no real experience running a large bureaucracy,” according to The New York Times. The department that he’ll oversee is the federal government’s second largest.
The nomination still has to be approved by the Senate.
Oklahoma’s Senate Approved Tax Increases to Give Teachers Better Pay
A momentous $447 million revenue package passed the Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday. HB1010XX is the state’s first tax increase since 1990, and will result in “the biggest teacher pay raise in Oklahoma history,” according to Mayor-elect David Holt.
The Associated Press reported the bill’s passage intended to avert a statewide teacher walkout scheduled for next week; however, the Oklahoma Education Association said teachers still plan to walkout.
“There is still work to do to get this legislature to invest more in our classrooms,” said the union’s president, Alicia Priest. “That work will continue Monday when educators descend on the Capitol.”
Priest still praised the bill, though, calling it “truly historic.”
“This historic investment of half a billion dollars will benefit a generation of Oklahoma students and will be felt in every community across this state,” she said.
Maryland Federal Judge Denies President Trump’s Attempt To Challenge a Lawsuit That Says He Violated the U.S. Constitution
After Trump attempted to dismiss a lawsuit against him that alleged he violated the Foreign and Domestic Emoluments clauses of the Constitution, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday that the suit could proceed.
The clause forbids federal officials from accepting “emoluments,” or gifts/payments, from individual states and foreign governments. Trump, according to the lawsuit, is doing exactly this because his businesses, like the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., continue to make money and collect payments from foreign governments and their representatives.
The attorneys general of the District of Columbia and Maryland now have standing to pursue the lawsuit thanks to U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte.
“The thrust of Messitte’s decision is that the states successfully showed they have been injured by the advantages that Trump’s businesses — most importantly, his DC hotel — gained over the states and their interests (like other hotels that receive taxpayer money) through his continued business stake in the Trump Organization while he serves as president of the United States,” Vox reported.
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh celebrated the ruling in a tweet, adding that they’re ready to move forward.
We won the first round! Our case moves forward! Thanks to my colleague @AGKarlRacine and co-counsel @CREWcrew https://t.co/YsoA3uHdQa
— Brian Frosh (@BrianFrosh) March 28, 2018
What to look out for…
…the rise of yet another Spongebob meme. Say goodbye to the “Krusty Krab vs. Chum Bucket,” and hello to the “Tired Spongebob.” It even comes from the same episode as the “Angry Patrick” meme.