Hot Mic: Bite-Size News Brief

A quick update on the future of Hot Mic, and details on where to find more great reporting and journalism.

A chemical plant just outside Houston is in danger of exploding. The State Department has announced that it will force Russia to close three diplomatic locations in the United States. Links: • Here’s what’s going on with that dangerously flooded chemical plant near Houston • State Department forces closure of Russian diplomatic hubs in U.S. in retaliatory move

Defense Secretary James Mattis made it clear that transgender military members who are still serving won’t be affected by Trump’s ban...at least for now. Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren is joining Fox News as a contributor. Links: • Defense Secretary Mattis says transgender military members will continue to serve, for now • Pro-Trump commentator Tomi Lahren joins Fox News

North Korea launched a ballistic missile early Tuesday morning local time that flew over Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean. With Trump’s decision on DACA looming, immigrant rights groups are making a last-ditch appeal to the president: They say deporting immigrants is bad for the economy. Links: • North Korea launches missile over Japan • Study: If Trump suspends DACA, more than 1,400 people a day could lose the ability to work

At least 35 people have left their government jobs or advisory roles since President Trump’s response to Charlottesville. The ACLU is suing Trump over his decision to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military. Links: • Nearly 3 dozen have abandoned White House roles over Trump’s Charlottesville response • ACLU sues Trump over transgender military ban

The first pardon of Trump’s presidency went to former sheriff Joe Arpaio. A far-right rally in San Francisco was shut down by thousands of anti-racist protesters. Links: • Trump pardons former sheriff Joe Arpaio • Thousands in San Francisco shut down yet another far-right rally

Hurricane Harvey, the first major hurricane the U.S. has seen in 12 years, is expected to hit southeast Texas tonight. Amazon announced that some of the best selling grocery items at Whole Foods Market will have their prices lowered.

President Donald Trump hinted at his rally in Phoenix that he’s going to pardon a former anti-immigration sheriff Joe Arpaio. A GoFundMe campaign is trying to raise enough money to ban Trump from Twitter. Links: • At Phoenix rally, Trump hints at his intentions to pardon Joe Arpaio, goes after media • Valerie Plame Wilson is attempting to buy Twitter so she can ban Trump

President Trump laid out his military strategy for the war in Afghanistan. Nearly 10% of Americans say it’s “acceptable” to have neo-Nazi or white supremacist views. Links: • Trump won’t withdraw troops from Afghanistan, but offers no details on time frame, additional troops • 9% of Americans say it’s acceptable to hold “neo-Nazi or white supremacist views,” according to poll