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Out of the loop today? We've got what you missed.(Photo: Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Images)
Rep. Schock is leaving his 'Downton'-inspired office amid scandal
Pardon the pun, but really, we're not totally Schocked. For weeks, there have been reports that Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., made some questionable decisions about spending — on everything from airplane flights to his Downton Abbey-inspired office decor. After weeks of embarrassing revelation after embarrassing revelation, Schock said today he's resigning. (Some of those revelations, if you missed them: The Washington Post reported on his bold Downton decor in February; USA TODAY then raised questions about a prior remodel and his use of private aircraft for official travel. Politico, which first reported his resignation today, wrote on lavish campaign expenses and questionable reimbursements. The Chicago Sun-Times tracked improper payments for campaign events, including a Bears game). The next obvious question: Does this mean he's off the list of most eligible bachelors in politics?
Schock Horror, Shocknado, Schock It Off, Schock Through the Heart, Schock Full O'Nuts, Schock Yo Self Fool. That's all of them I think.
— Dan Stewart (@thatdanstewart) March 17, 2015
What else in #TheShortList:
• Rookie NFL player retires over safety issues
• Geomagnetic storm puts on a show
• Another fraternity in trouble
• Microsoft tries to beat Apple at its own game
A promising rookie retires out of concern for head injuries. Is this a wake-up call for the NFL?
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland is 24 and walking away from his dream job. After finishing an outstanding rookie season, Borland said he's retiring because he decided the risks of playing football outweigh the benefits. Concerned about the long-term effects of potential concussions and head injuries, Borland said, "I just honestly want to do what's best for my health." The surprising move could be a tipping point for the NFL as it deals with the long-term impact of player health in a violent sport. The league is still negotiating the settlement of a lawsuit worth hundreds of millions of dollars brought by thousands of former players over concussion injuries. USA TODAY's Mark Whicker writes that "an enlightened league would wonder if it should start listening to its players more and its broadcast 'partners' less." But USA TODAY's Chris Chase thinks Borland will be the exception, not the rule. "As long as football exists," he writes, "there will always be people willing to play. It's a monumental moment for Borland, but barely a blip for a league that has 1,000 Chris Borlands who would love a chance to don an NFL jersey."
A severe solar storm is hitting the Earth right now
A solar storm so severe it could light up skies as far south as the Mid-Atlantic states tonight already put on quite a show early this morning. The geomagnetic storm is producing gorgeous auroras over Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana and other northern-tier states. It's the strongest storm so far in this solar cycle, which occurs about every 11 years, Spaceweather.com says. The electric power grid, and the power to homes and businesses, can be disrupted by solar storms like this, NOAA said, though there have been no reports yet today. This storm ranks as a G4 on the five-point scale. Share your pictures with us here or tweet @USATODAYWeather.
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Penn State suspends frat for secret Facebook pages of naked women
Another scandal for another fraternity. Last week, it was Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Oklahoma, which was booted off campus for a racist chant. This week, a Penn State frat has been suspended as police investigate allegations members used secret Facebook pages to post nude photos of sleeping, passed-out women. A former member of the university's chapter of Kappa Delta Rho tipped off the police, according to the State College Police Department's affidavit of probable cause. According to the affidavit, the pages included evidence of hazing, photos of unsuspecting women who were "passed out and nude or in other sexual or embarrassing positions" and drug sales that included marijuana, edibles, concentrates, ADD medication and some cocaine. Joseph Rosenberg, the fraternity's national executive director, said the organization will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies. Once the investigation is complete, it will make a decision on the future of its Penn State chapter.
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Penn State University's Kappa Delta Rho chapter has been suspended. Police are now involved after Facebook pages were found showing pictures of women.
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