NEWS OF THE DAY
_1 Student loan ruling: Students defrauded by for-profit colleges scored an important victory on Tuesday, when a court cleared the way for an Obama-era policy that will make it easier for them to get their student loans forgiven. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos had said the regulation, known as borrower defense, made discharging loans too easy and was unfair to taxpayers. The rule was due to take effect in July 2017, but DeVos froze it until she issued a new policy in its place. But U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss ruled last month that DeVos’ delay was unlawful. On Tuesday, he denied a request by an organization representing for-profit colleges in California, to further postpone the rule, thus paving the way for borrower defense to enter into force.
_2 Brothel kingpin dies: Dennis Hof, the flamboyant Nevada pimp and Republican nominee who was expected to win a seat in the Nevada state Assembly next month, has died at his Love Branch Brothel, just outside Pahrump. Hof ’s death was announced by Nye County Commission Chairman John Koenig, who said Hof “went to sleep last night and didn’t wake up this morning.” Hof, 72, who garnered national attention by unseating a threeterm incumbent during a June primary, was the likely favorite to win the rural district that is overwhelmingly Republican. An election official said ballots have already been printed and mailed to voters but signs will be posted at polling places notifying voters that the candidate has died.
_3 Mattis status: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said that President Trump gave him a vote of confidence after Trump earlier suggested that Mattis might soon leave the Pentagon. “He said, ‘I’m with you 100 percent,’ ” Mattis said Trump told him in a phone call Monday from a U.S. Air Force plane carrying the Pentagon chief to Asia. Mattis’ future was thrown into question by Trump’s interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday in which the president speculated Mattis might depart and might be a Democrat. _4 “Horseface” tweet: President Trump on Tuesday referred to the pornographic film actress Stephanie Clifford as “Horseface” in a Twitter post, as he gloated about a recent court ruling in his favor. He wrote: “Federal Judge throws out Stormy Danials lawsuit versus Trump. Trump is entitled to full legal fees.” @FoxNews Great, now I can go after Horseface and her 3rd rate lawyer in the Great State of Texas. She will confirm the letter she signed! She knows nothing about me, a total con!” Trump was referring to a federal judge’s decision to dismiss a defamation suit filed by Clifford, who is known professionally as Stormy Daniels. The judge also ordered Clifford to pay the president’s related legal fees. Trump’s use of the term “horseface” was jarring, even though he has used similar disparaging language to describe women who challenge him. Clifford’s attorney, Michael Avenatti, fired back on Twitter, calling Trump a “disgusting misogynist and an embarrassment to the United States.”