Firing of fbi director james comey. Comey sent a letter to his former colleagues at the fbi last night saying, he is not going to dwell on the president s decision. The Justice Department is denying reports that comey recently asked for more money and manpower to investigate alleged ties between russia and the trump campaign. And the Senate Committee looking into possible ties between the campaign and russia has subpoenaed former National Security adviser michael flynn. And President Trump is now citing Job Performance as his motive. Abcs janai norman has the latest from washington. Good morning to you, janai. Reporter kenneth and diane, good morning to both of you. So, the questions still lingering, why was comey fired now . Could this be tied to the russia investigation . Some lawmakers saying the answers arent quite adding up. Less than 24 hours after firing the man leading the investigation into russian meddling, President Trump welcomed russias ambassador and foreign minister to the white house. Trump laughing with the russians in the oval office and then commenting on why he fired fbi director james comey. Because he wasnt doing a good job, very simply. He was not doing a good job. Reporter james comey writing his former fbi colleagues, quote, im not going to spend time on the decision or the way it was executed. I hope you wont either. It is done. I will be fine, although i will miss you and the mission deeply. The sudden decision less than week after the white house said the president had confidence in comey, but now a different story. The president had lost, again like i said, he had lost confidence in director comey and, frankly, he had been considering letting director comey go since the day he was elected. Reporter abc news has learned just days before he was fired, comey requested more resources from the department of justice for the russia investigation. The white house implying theres nothing left to investigate. Lets put it behind us. Lets move on. Reporter but comeys firing only raising more questions. Obviously when you have a president fire the fbi director when theres an active investigation going on, then there are questions that need to be answered. Reporter the white house pinning the sudden decision on how comey handled the clinton investigation in july of last year, but democrats say its not that investigation the president is worried about. I think its all about russia. Its not about hillary. Reporter and democrats are now insisting that a special prosecutor take over the russia investigation, even postponing all Senate Hearings yesterday to make a point. And now at least one republican is considering it. Kenneth and diane. I know, it gets a little confusing. Their names are very similar. Janai, youre not the first or the last to do that. Thanks, janai. Thats janai norman live for us in washington. Janai, thanks so much. Well, the white house apparently didnt know comey was in california when it hand delivered his dismissal letter to the fbi. Now, thats according to the Washington Post which also says the president had become agitated that comey seemed too focused on the russia probe and not on stopping leaks. The post also says Deputy Attorney general Rod Rosenstein threatened to resign in the wake of the firing as the white house seemed to cast him as the person who proposed comeys dismissal. The Justice Department has not yet commented on that claim. Congressman jason chaffetz, the republican chair of the House Oversight committee, is now calling on the Justice Departments Inspector General to investigate comeys firing, and democrats are demanding a special prosecutor, but they say theyre convinced that President Trump got rid of comey to derail the investigation into alleged collusion between russia and the trump campaign, but House Speaker paul ryan and other gop leaders are defending the president s decision. I think the president lost patience and i think people in the Justice Department lost confidence in director comey himself, and i think the president was looking at a situation where you had senior Justice Department officials losing confidence. Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell dismissed calls for a special prosecutor saying a new investigation would impede the work thats already in progress, but a handful of republicans are questioning the president s timing and demanding an explanation. And russian leader Vladimir Putin is also weighing in on the firing. In his hockey uniform before a special game, putin said comeys dismissal will have no effect on russias relationship with the united states, and he says russia has nothing to do with the whole thing. A controversial monument is coming down this morning in new orleans. The city is removing the statue of confederate president Jefferson Davis after a louisiana judge rejected a lastditch argument to leave it standing. Its one of three confederate statues slated for removal. A fourth monument was taken down last month. Now for a look at the weather. Severe storms are targeting the midwest and plains right now. You can seen on the radar the storms stretching from texas to indiana. The main threats are large hail, strong winds and flash flooding. In illinois near peoria at least one tornado touched down. Its the same area where a twister caused major damage just a few months ago. Luckily this tornado was much weaker. And the same system spawned at least two tornadoes in oklahoma. This one was spotted along a highway in chattanooga. Education secretary betsy devos did not get an especially warm greeting as she delivered the commencement speech at a historically black university. Students and some teachers at Bethunecookman University in florida loudly booed her saying she once made racially insensitive comments about historically black colleges and universities. Whenever she tried speaking, the crowd jeered and turned their backs. I am honored to become a wildcat, and its a real honor and privilege to be with you as we celebrate the Bethunecookman University class of 2017. Finally the University President warned the audience if their behavior continued, graduates would be getting their diplomas by mail. Still ahead, why the cost of mailing something could soon go up. And survival story. A hiker is found after spending days in the wilderness and the mistakes she admits to making and how she was finally found. Plus, a fired up crowd confronts a congressman. Oh, we havent even begun. Im not done with you yet. I got the mic, and im not going anywhere. How the lawmaker handled some difficult questions about the new Health Care Bill. A new jersey congressman faced nearly five hours of grilling from angry constituents in his first town hall since the Health Care Bill passed the house. Republican Tom Macarthur helped resurrect and pass that latest gop Health Care Bill, but he could barely speak for a minute at a time without the room interrupting him with boos. There was one particularly fiery moment when a Health Care Worker confronted the congressman about his wife and daughters preexisting conditions. You have been the single greatest threat to my family in the entire world. What happens if i lose my job . Health insurance as a for profit business is immoral. When i am drowning and you insist that i pay before you will save me, that is immoral, sir, completely. The congressman responded by saying he knows the overhaul is still a work in progress. Im not saying this is a perfect solution. The Current System isnt perfect either and thats what were trying to fix. The outrage in the room was hardly limited to health care. Several people had questions about russia and fbi director comeys firing. Vermonts legislature has become the first in the nation to approve a bill legalizing Recreational Marijuana. Its now in the hands of the governor who says hes not opposed to legalizing pot but wants to be sure the bill answers certain Public Safety and health questions. If he gives the okay the bill becomes law in july of next year. Other states that have legalized Recreational Marijuana did it through a voter referendum, not the legislature. Snapchat is still losing money. As growth on the app slows, its Parent Company posted a 2. 2 billion loss for the first three months of this year. A lot of that related to its ipo in march. And the Postal Service is also reporting a big loss, more than 560 million, so its hoping to raise stamp prices by at least one penny, which would bring the cost of mailing a letter to 50 cents or more. An illinois homeowner is suing the online real estate site zillow claiming its zestimate tool has repeatedly undervalued her property. It has created a, quote, tremendous roadblock to the sale of her house. The homeowner is not seeking financial compensation. Instead she wants an injunction requiring zillow to remove or modify its assessment of her property. When we come back, new details on the discovery inside a students book bag. Knives, gasoline, even shotgun shells. Hear what investigators say he was planning to do at school. And caught on camera, a crane comes crashing down. What caused this right here to happen. Tradition calls its gotcha day best day ever love you, dad i love you too, sweetie ito treat your toughy nasal allergies. Listen up. Unlike pills that dont treat congestion, clarispray covers 100 percent of your nasal allergy symptoms. Clarispray. From the makers of claritin. And let roomba from irobot help with your everyday messes. Roomba navigates your entire home. Cleaning up pet hair and debris for up to 2 hours. Which means your floors are always clean. You and roomba, from irobot. Better. Together. The toothpaste that helpstax, prevent bleeding gums. If you spit blood when you brush or floss you may have gum problems and could be on the journey to much worse. Help stop the journey of gum disease. Try new parodontax toothpaste. Its clinically proven to remove plaque, the main cause of bleeding gums. For healthy gums, and strong teeth. Leave bleeding gums behind. New parodontax toothpaste. Take a look. Thats one of five great white sharks that were seen in the water off long beach, california. Some were swimming within 50 yards of the beach. Thankfully they didnt come into any contact with humans. Time now for a look at this mornings road conditions. The map shows a huge stretch of wet weather creating messy roadways from colorado to the gulf coast and into the northeast. And if youre flying, airport delays are possible in dallas, kansas city and chicago. Well, a North Carolina teen is awaiting charges after police foiled what they say could have been a violent attack at his school. Authorities say they found knives in the students backpack. Along with those knives, they they say they also found firecrackers, gasoline, even an alleged hit list with up to a dozen names of other students on it. Its believed that the 16yearold was planning an attack for tuesday morning. North Carolina Police were tipped off by authorities in canada who say they learned of the plot from a girl in an internet chat room who saw the boy discussing the plot. Authorities in trenton, new jersey, are hoping to peacefully end a daylong standoff. Gunshots were heard overnight as a man remain barricaded at his home. The standoff started when he opened fire on u. S. Marshals who tried to serve a warrant. An innocent bystander was killed in the gunfire and three officers injured. Some residents living nearby were forced to evacuate and spent the night out of their homes. Testimony continues today in tulsa in the manslaughter trial of a white Police Officer charged in the Fatal Shooting of an unarmed black man during a traffic stop. Prosecutors say officer Betty Jo Shelby shot Terence Crutcher while he was obeying commands to raise his hands. Shelby says she thought he was reaching for a weapon and race had nothing to do with it. A hiker that vanished in the mountains of montana has been found safe and sound. She was rescued and reunited with her family after a harrowing ordeal that lasted nearly seven days. Abcs Mara Schiavocampo has more. Reporter a remarkable air rescue. A hiker in montana finally found after disappearing for almost a week. I cant believe that we were able to get out. Reporter 23yearold Madeline Connelly was visiting relatives in montana when she decided to head out for a hike with her dog mogie in Great Bear Wilderness near Glacier National park, but the experienced hiker and nature enthusiast took a wrong turn. Like the first night i realized that i was not in the right place, but i thought if i kept going, i would be on the same loop of a trail and i would just get out. Reporter when connelly didnt come home after two days, officials launched a massive operation, then wednesday the moment theyd all hoped for, connelly and her dog finally spotted, rescuers airlifting her out after almost a week in the wild. It was just like a huge mistake that i ended up being like seven days in kind of treacherous weather conditions. Reporter Mara Schiavocampo, abc news, new york. And well have more about that rescue on good morning america. And before we get to this next story, we do want to point out the guy involved is expected to recover. He rode his motorcycle straight into a truck on a road in china. Wow, it burst into flames. The rider was on fire as well until some onlookers came to help him. Again, he reportedly did not suffer any lifethreatening injuries. Unbelievable. And an investigation is under way in northern italy to find out why this crane suddenly collapsed onto a prefabricated section of a railway viaduct. Construction workers could only watch in disbelief as all that hard work came undone. Amazingly the crane operator was able to jump clear of the crane as it started to tip over. And now for a look at sports, the San Antonio Spurs can advance in the nba playoffs with a win tonight against houston. Two teams advanced last night in hockey. Highlights now from espn. Good morning, america. Hockey, game seven. A couple of game sevens to talk about. Oilers and ducks in anaheim. If you follow the ducks, you know about their struggles in game seven. I wont bother to repeat it. Second period, oilers up 10. Ryan kesler fighting for possession in front of the net. He finds Andrew Cogliano for the goal. First goal of the playoffs for cogliano. Head to the third period, tied at one. Ryan getzlaf gets the puck into the zone. Corey perry misses it wide. Nik ritchie from the circle for the goal, and thats the game winner and the series winner. Capitals never beat the penguins in the playoffs and never would be continued. Alexander ovechkin not good. Ian cole was very good right there. Very risky. And Sidney Crosby over to rust. Rust never sleeps. Braden holtby beaten. This was on washingtons home ice. Alexander ovechkin unable to get that by marcandre fleury. Hornqvist goes five hole on schmidt right there over the shoulder of holtby. As its always been, it still is. The penguins beat the capitals, 20. Also from the nba, game five eastern conference semifinals, its the celtics over the wizards, so boston up three games to two now as that series moves to washington for game six on friday. Thats it from here. Back to you. Thanks, guys. Well, up next in the pulse, a kayaker paddling for his life with an alligator in hot pursuit. And the dog that likes to hang out on the roof. And on our facebook page, the rocks surprising comments about a future run for the white house. Thats on atmfans. Com. Im phil mickelson, pro golfer. Im karen, im a teacher. My Psoriatic Arthritis caused joint pain. Just like my moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. And i was worried about joint damage. My doctor said joint pain from ra can be a sign of existing joint damage that could only get worse. He prescribed enbrel to help relieve pain and help stop further damage. Enbrel may lower your ability to fight infections. Serious, sometimes fatal, events including infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma, other cancers, nervous system and blood disorders, and allergic reactions have occurred. Tell your doctor if youve been someplace where fungal infections are common, or if youre prone to infections, have cuts or sores, have had hepatitis b, have been treated for heart failure, or if you have persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness. Dont start enbrel if you have an infection like the flu. Joint pain and damage. Can go side by side. Ask how enbrel can help relieve joint pain and help stop joint damage. Enbrel, fda approved for 18 years. Of being there for my sons winning shot. That was it for me. Thats why im quitting with nicorette. Only nicorette mini has a patented fast dissolving formula. It starts to relieve sudden cravings fast. Every great why needs a great how. [ alarm ringing ] like your alarm clock right on time. Your doublesoy whatchamacallit always there. Your parking space. [ car alarm chirps ] seriously . Girls night always there. And avocados from mexico theyre always there for you because theyre fresh all year round. Indeed, that is something worth celebrating. Avocados from mexico find fast relief behind the counter allergies with nasal congestion . With claritind. [ upbeat music ] strut past that aisle for the allergy relief that starts working in as little as 30 minutes and contains the best oral decongestant. Live claritin clear, with claritind. Time to check the pulse and it looks like the president has turned into a home wrecker of sorts. A new study shows many couples are feuding over President Trump, some even ending up in divorce court. The survey found a quarter of americans in relationships say theyve argued over politics since trump was elected. And more than 20 of americans apparently say they know a couple whose relationship has been negatively impacted by the election. You need a Strong Foundation before you start, you know, with politics, or youre going to be on opposite sides of the aisle. Maybe if you cant disagree about politics and stay married, the president did you a favor. Maybe. By giving you an excuse to call it quits. We have a couple of animal stories to start off with. Starting with a golden retriever who lives in austin, texas. His name is huckleberry and his owners say his favorite spot to hang out is on the roof. Roof he even has his own instagram account, huck the roof dog. They say huck is on the roof so often that theyve posted messages telling neighbors not to be alarmed, huckleberry, they say, is fine, and theres nothing wrong with him being up there on the roof. Loving the roof joke. I want to know how he gets up there. You know what, thats a great question. Thats the video i want to see. Not him on the roof, i want to see him climbing up the gutter or whatever it is that hes doing to get there. All right, be careful up there. And maybe we should have the music from jaws for this last story. [ playing the jaws theme ] so check this out. A guy in a kayak in alabama just enjoying himself, but look behind him. So, thats an alligator following him. The man attracted the gators attention after getting a little too close while the gator was hanging out in some reeds. The person who shot the video says the kayaker claimed he was completely calm through the whole thing. I can tell you a lot of emotions i would be feeling if i were kayaking with an alligator chasing me. Calm would not be one of them. I used to be scared on the jaws ride at disney, Parent Company of abc. Thats a fake. Its not a real shark. You know that . I was scared. The moved is not based on a true story. Its not a real shark. Youll be okay. More news coming up after this. Because there are options. Like an unjection™. Xeljanz xr. A once daily pill for adults with moderate to severe ra for whom methotrexate did not work well. Xeljanz xr can reduce pain, swelling and joint damage, even without methotrexate. Xeljanz xr can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. Serious, sometimes fatal infections, lymphoma and other cancers have happened. Dont start xeljanz xr if you have an infection. Tears in the stomach or intestines, low blood cell counts and higher liver tests and cholesterol levels have happened. Your doctor should perform blood tests before you start and while taking xeljanz xr, and monitor certain liver tests. Tell your doctor if you were in a region where fungal infections are common and if you have had tb, hepatitis b or c, or are prone to infections. Needles. Fine for some. But for you, one pill a day may provide symptom relief. Ask your doctor about xeljanz xr. An unjection™. Testinhuh . Sting is this thing on . Come on your turn where do pencils go on vacation . Pennsylvania laughter crunchy wheat frosted sweet kelloggs frosted miniwheats. Feed your inner kid and the wolf huffed like you do sometimes, grandpa . Well, when you have copd, it can be hard to breathe. It can be hard to get air out, which can make it hard to get air in. So i talked to my doctor. She said. Symbicort could help you breathe better, starting within 5 minutes. Symbicort doesnt replace a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. Symbicort helps provide significant improvement of your lung function. Symbicort is for copd, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It should not be taken more than twice a day. Symbicort contains formoterol. Medicines like formoterol increase the risk of death from asthma problems. Symbicort may increase your risk of lung infections, osteoporosis, and some eye problems. You should tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high Blood Pressure before taking it. Symbicort could mean a day with better breathing. Watch out, piggies child giggles symbicort. Breathe better starting within 5 minutes. Get symbicort free for up to one year. Visit saveonsymbicort. Com today to learn more. New Sun Protection like youve never seen or felt. Introducing coppertone whipped. It absorbs quickly. And leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth while helping to prevent sun damage. New coppertone whipped. Because protection matters. Announcer good morning, north bay. Lets get up and get going. This is abc7 mornings. May 11th, morning. I could have used another two hours. Just two hours . That would have been nice. Keep thinking its almost friday and its going to get cool. Maybe thats it. Maybe you will sleep better when its cooler and lets take a look at live doppler 7. The promise of drizzle is out there, and right now its mainly dry. From the roof camera, you can seat flags unfurled headed to the east. Starting off in the low to mid50s at 7 00. Upper 50s at the coast, and mid60s bay and inland at noon, and mid to upper 60s at 4 00, and barely still in the 60s 7 00. Going to be another cool evening. How about the commute this morning . We are off to a good start this morning. We had a high wind advisory issued for Golden Gate Bridge last night, and those wind gusts around 15 Miles Per Hour and should not be too breeze y as y make your way in from the bay. And mostly clean here on our traffic flows. A couple overnight projects still wrapping up and we will talk about those next. Amy hollyfield is live for us in san rafael this morning. Amy. Reporter hi, reggie. Heres a team of search and rescue volunteers coming in right now. They have been out looking for this man. We have a picture of him so you can keep an eye out for him, too. 71yearold robert rich. He disappeared last night and he has dementia, and he did seem disoriented last he borrowed a mans phone and called his wife and told where she was and hung up and walked off. They do have people on foot along with search dogs looking for him and they are asking for the public to keep an eye out for robert this morning. Just look for him as you go about your day. They are really hoping somehow between the volunteers and the search and rescue efforts they can get him home safely. Amy hollyfield, abc7 news. Thank you. This morning the acting director of the fbi is going to testify in front of the Senate Intelligence committee. James comey was supposed to be in that seat until the president in that seat until the president fired him this week. Less than 24 hours after firing the man leading the investigation into russian meddling, President Trump welcomed the Russian Ambassador into the white house, and commenting on why he fired james comey. He was not doing a good job. James comey wrote this, i am not going to spend time on the decision or the way it is executed and i hope you wont either. The sudden decision less than a week after the white house said they had confidence in comey. The president lost confidence in director comey and he had been considering letting director comey go since the day he was elected. Abc news learned days before he was fired comey requested more resources for the russian investigation, and the white house implying
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