Good morning and happy Friday eve! Here’s all the news you need to know this morning:
1. Matt Lauer has apologized over sexual misconduct claims. The disgraced former NBC host was fired after allegations surfaced of numerous sexual harassment claims. Lauer issued a statement Thursday morning expressing “sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused.” (The New York Times)
2. The University of Chicago is remembering a nearly forgotten African American scholar. The school is bringing Dr. Georgiana Simpson’s story back to the spotlight. Simpson was the first Black woman to receive a doctorate degree at the university in 1919 and one of the first to receive a PhD in the US. (CBS Chicago)
3. Jaden Smith answered a few questions during a Reddit AMA and, of course, he answered them will typical Jaden flare. The famous teen responded to one question with “How Can Questions Be Real If Our Eyes Aren’t Real.” (Reddit)
4. A recently resurfaced interview between Bette Midler and Barbara Walters shows Midler accusing TV personality Geraldo Rivera of assault. Midler claims Rivera and a producer from his show shoved her into a bathroom and forced her to do drugs before groping her. Rivera also recently apologized for defending Matt Lauer. Fox News has since issued a statement condeming Rivera’s tweets and are addressing the matter with the TV host. (Jezebel)
5. The hero who deactivated Donald Trump’s Twitter account has come forward. Bahtiyar Duysak says he received a report about Trump’s account while working as a contractor and set the wheels in motion to deactivate it, but he never thought it would actually be deleted. Duysak claims that the whole thing was a “mistake.” (NPR)
6. Prince’s estate has opened an online pop-up shop, so now fans can purchase some cool merch to remember the late icon. The pop-up includes items themed after the singer’s albums. (The Fader)
7. SZA is shocked and over the moon about her recent Grammy nominations. The singer took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the nomination and the journey to releasing Ctrl. (Instagram)
