The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump touts primary results | Vermont nominates first transgender gubernatorial nominee | Parkland, Fla.’s first day of school | Trump-Amazon feud could reignite | Senate returns from brief recess | Stranded parrot swears at rescue crew

View in Browser   LATEST WITH THE MIDTERMS Short Trump: ‘Yeeeah buddy’   This morning, President Trump celebrated the results of last night’s primaries. He tweeted: “Great Republican election results last night. So far we have the team we want. 8 for 9 in Special Elections. Red Wave!” Keep in mind: Yesterday was just a primary night; no Democrats faced any Republicans this week. http://bit.ly/2Mp34pz   Tuesdays are for primaries Via The Hill’s Lisa Hagen and Max Greenwood, “Democrats rode a wave of firsts on Tuesday, becoming in Vermont the first major party to nominate an openly transgender person for governor, while potentially picking the first African-American Democrat to serve in the House from Connecticut.”  http://bit.ly/2vLpPdN   THE TAKEAWAYS The establishment flexes its muscle Democrats make history 'Ironstache' wins, but faces complicated path in race for Speaker Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) seat http://bit.ly/2BoYHXB Will abuse allegations rock Rep. Keith Ellison’s (D-Minn.) bid for AG in November? 'Medicare for all' winning among Democrats  Context and details for each: http://bit.ly/2vLpPdN   ALSO LAST NIGHT — JEFF COLYER QUIT Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a controversial immigration hard-liner whom President Trump endorsed, defeated incumbent Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer. What happened last night: Colyer conceded after the too close to call race last week. http://bit.ly/2BdHsrZ   It’s Wednesday — welcome back, senators and staffers!   I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com, @CateMartel and on Facebook.   HAPPENING TODAY Now let’s see those pearly whites, Brett Kavanaugh Via CNN’s Lauren Fox, red-state Democratic Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.) and Joe Donnelly (Ind.) are meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh today. Why meetings like this are important: “No Democratic votes are required to confirm Kavanaugh after a rules change last year, but that is only if Majority Leader Mitch McConnell can hold his entire Republican conference together, a tall order with some independent-minded members.” https://cnn.it/2BaCGeX   First day of school for Parkland, Fla. students Via The Associated Press’s Kelli Kennedy, today is the first day of school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. http://bit.ly/2BdKQmH     Any changes?: Yes, students are returning to “$6.5 million spent on security enhancements, including 18 safety monitors, new classroom locks and upgraded video surveillance.”    What the first day of school looked like: “All the students wore lanyards with IDs around their necks as they walked past a heavy police presence. Volunteers greeted them with German shepherds, and a helicopter hovered overhead as a throng of media watched from across the street.”    Photos and description of the first day of classes: http://bit.ly/2BdKQmH   IN OTHER NEWS Late this morning — even birthdays aren't safe from politics President Trump wished Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) a happy birthday. He tweeted: “Happy Birthday to the leader of the Democrat Party, Maxine Waters!” http://bit.ly/2MSGnaA   WHY I’M DOUBTING WHETHER THE BIRTHDAY WISH WAS GENUINE During an interview on MSNBC, Water said, “My biggest birthday wish would be that we're able to get a leader of this country who represents us — who has the respect of all of our allies.” http://bit.ly/2nHEl1U   New report — drug overdoses hit a new high Via The New York Times’s Margot Sanger-Katz, a record 72,300 Americans died last year because of a drug overdose. Some context: That is a 10 percent increase.  Details and graph: https://nyti.ms/2vMgMcO   The Republican midterm strategy — enough bones have been thrown to the base Via The Hill’s Alexander Bolton, Senate Republicans have decided to work on legislation that appeals to independent and swing voters before the midterms, instead of appealing to the conservative base of the party. Is this normal?: No, this is a pretty unique strategy. “McConnell’s game plan contrasts with the election-year rhetoric and tweets of President Trump, who has highlighted divisive issues such as immigration.” http://bit.ly/2BaGBbF     Op-ed from former Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.): http://bit.ly/2MjNZX2   That feud was fun, let’s do it again sometime Via The Hill’s Jordan Fabian, in the coming weeks, the Trump administration is expected to release a report about reforming the U.S. Postal Service. Keep in mind: “Trump earlier this year assembled a task force to recommend fixes for the Postal Service’s fiscal woes soon after he accused the online retail giant of abusing its relationship with the USPS.” What to expect: http://bit.ly/2wgdPRh   NOTABLE TWEETS I would have guessed that an entire trailer of ramen noodles would be worth around $50 tbh © Twitter       ON TAP The Senate is in. The House is out. President Trump is at the White House with a light schedule, and Vice President Pence is campaigning in Iowa.   11:30 a.m. EDT: President Trump receives an intelligence briefing.    12:15 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence arrives in Des Moines, Iowa.   1 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence campaigns for congressional candidate David Young in Ankeny, Iowa.   5:30 p.m. EDT: The Senate holds a procedural vote on a judicial nomination. The Senate’s full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2w6Ohpw     6:20 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence gets back to Washington, D.C.   No longer happening tomorrow: Former Vice President Joe Biden is no longer attending an Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association event because of an illness. Details: http://bit.ly/2KUv9jG   WHAT TO WATCH 2:45 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence delivers remarks about the Trump administration’s tax cuts. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2BdrdLt   NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF... Today is National Lemon Meringue Pie Day.   Ahh hahaha *pauses for deep breath* hahahah Via The Telegraph, “a stranded parrot ... verbally abused a crew of firefighters who had came to rescue it from a roof.” Wait, what?: “The fire crew quickly sent a volunteer up a ladder with a bowl of food and a fluffy white towel to rescue the bird ... but, [Jessie the parrot] soon launched a foul-mouthed tirade against the fire crew, telling the fighter fighters to “f*** off”.” The bird apparently kept swearing at the crew. Full story — amazing: http://bit.ly/2nEiyIf   I just thought you should know where I’m getting my future dog You can adopt dogs who have failed government service training for being too “nice.” Details — *click*: http://bit.ly/2MiLFQm   And because you read this far, here are two dogs who are THE MOST excited to see each other: http://bit.ly/2B9FzMS   To view past editions of The Hill's 12:30 Report, CLICK HERE. 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