1. Spicer: 'Make No Mistake,' the Border Wall Will Be Built
Fox News Insider: White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer reiterated today that the U.S.-Mexico border wall is going to be built.
Todd Gillman of the Dallas Morning News asked whether the wall is still an "urgent" priority for President Trump, noting the lack of funding in the latest $1.07 trillion federal spending package.
"What is the timetable and deadline that he has in mind?" he asked.
"Make no mistake, the wall is going to be built," Spicer answered, adding that funding for the wall will be a "major priority" in October, the start of the 2018 fiscal year.
Spicer said "there's a lot that can be done" with the $1.52 billion in the latest spending package for border security and to prepare for the construction of the wall.
"I know the president wants it done as quick as possible," said Spicer, adding that bids have been submitted by companies as part of the "planning phase."
2. At 1,665 Pages, the GOP Spending Bill is Longer Than Obama’s Stimulus
CNSNews.com: The new federal spending bill proposed in the Republican-controlled Congress to fund the government through the end of September--which is now posted on the House Rules Committee website--is 1,665 pages long and includes an average of approximately 210 words per page.
That makes this bill approximately 350,000 words long—or about twice as long as the stimulus law (the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act”) that President Barack Obama signed less than a month after his inauguration in 2009.
On the House floor this past Friday, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D.-Md.) said that House Speaker Paul Ryan had told him that members would have 72 hours to read this new spending bill and that a vote would be held Thursday.
To read all 1,665 pages of the bill over three full days, a member of Congress—or a citizen—would need to read 555 pages per day.
3. Vikings Exercise 2018 Option on LB Antony Barr, Decline on QB Teddy Bridgewater
KSTP: The Vikings informed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on Monday that they will decline his 2018 contract option, a source confirms to KSTP Sports.
Bridgewater's option was worth eight-figures, and with Bridgewater's health still a question mark, the Vikings couldn't be locked in to guaranteed money. If Bridgewater stays on the Physically Unable to Perform list all season, his contract rolls over to 2018.
A source indicates that Bridgewater continues to work hard at Winter Park, rehabbing his devastating knee injury from August 2016.
As for linebacker Anthony Barr, the Vikings have exercised the 2018 option on his deal. It'll be worth just over $12 million.
4. Following public feud, Delmonico withdraws name from consideration for Fourth Precinct command post
Star Tribune: The former police union president said that it was a difficult decision, but that he no longer wanted to be a "distraction."
Minneapolis police Lt. John Delmonico, whose appointment last month to lead the Fourth Precinct provoked a public outcry and turned into a clash between the city's mayor and police chief, withdrew his name from consideration on Monday.
The sudden announcement came days after Mayor Betsy Hodges, in an unprecedented move, publicly overruled Chief Janeé Harteau's decision to appoint him, saying that the one-time police union head was the wrong fit for the job.
When reached by phone on Monday, Delmonico said that while he was disappointed by the outcome, he would "continue to do the good things that the North Side does every day and that it has for the last eight months."
"I really believe that I became the unnecessary distraction to everything, to the police department, to work on the North Side, to community relations," he said. "That's what I felt I became and by removing me from the equation, that distraction is gone and we can continue to do things on the North Side."
In a departmentwide e-mail yesterday, Harteau said she is unwavering in her support of Delmonico, whom she again credited with helping lower violent crime in his eight-month tenure as night supervisor.
"Although I'm disappointed, I fully support and understand how John arrived at this decision," Harteau wrote. "John's decision is both selfless and what he believes is best for the officers and residents of the Fourth Precinct.
5. Sun Country adds a Jimmy John's sub, with delivery before takeoff
Star Tribune: Jimmy John's "freaky fast" sandwiches are going airborne with Sun Country Airlines.
The Eagan-based carrier began offering one of the sub shop's bestsellers — the Turkey Tom sandwich — aboard flights Monday. It's the latest of several menu updates for the airline as it seeks to improve its onboard food and beverage program.
The sandwiches are "Mini Jimmys," a size usually only available on the company's catering menu. A typical Jimmy John's sub is 8 inches. Mini Jimmys are 4.