10 things you need to know today: July 25, 2015

Louisiana shooter had history of radical views, Clinton sent classified info from personal email, and more

Lafayette memorial
(Image credit: Brynn Anderson/Associated Press)

1. Louisiana shooter had history of radical views and mental illness, officials say

John Russell Houser, who killed 2 and wounded 9 in a Lafayette, Louisiana movie theater shooting Thursday night, had a fraught relationship with his family, and expressed his far-right political views on online message boards. Houser was reportedly treated for an unspecified mental illness, and praised everyone from Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh to Adolf Hitler in online forums. Court documents show his wife sought a temporary protective order against him in 2008 over his "extreme erratic behavior" and "ominous as well as disturbing statements."

2. Report: Clinton sent emails with classified info from personal account

Hillary Clinton sent at least four emails that contained classified information from her personal account while she was secretary of state, a government review has discovered. In a letter to Congress, the inspector general of the intelligence community concluded that emails containing "secret" information, the second-highest level of classification, had been sent from Clinton's personal address. The inspector general has since referred the case to the counterintelligence division of the FBI.

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The Wall Street Journal

3. Officials: U.S. to release Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard

The White House is making preparations to release Jonathan Pollard, an Israeli spy serving a life term in prison for espionage, according to U.S. officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. Israel has long demanded Pollard's release, to no avail; there is wide speculation that the Obama administration is capitulating now in a bid to appease Israel following the recent completion of the landmark Iranian nuclear accord, which has angered the Israeli government.

The Wall Street Journal

4. Ted Cruz slams Mitch McConnell on Senate floor

In a Senate floor speech Friday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) accused Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) of lying in May about a deal to revive the controversial Export-Import Bank. "What we saw today was an absolute demonstration that not only what he told every Republican senator, but what he told the press over and over again was a simple lie," said Cruz, who, like most Senate Republicans, opposes the bank. McConnell took procedural steps Friday to allow a vote on the bank.

Politico The New York Times

5. Obama: 'Africa is on the move'

President Obama encouraged entrepreneurs gathered in Kenya on Saturday to start projects that stimulate Africa's economy. "Africa is on the move," he said at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Entrepreneurship is "the spark of prosperity. It helps people stand up for their rights and push back against corruption." Obama announced several lending initiatives geared especially toward women and young people. He is the first sitting president to visit Kenya, his father's home country.

The Washington Post

6. Chrysler recalls 1.4 million vehicles after hack

Fiat Chrysler recalled 1.4 million vehicles Friday, days after learning that two technology researchers had wirelessly hacked a Jeep Cherokee and gained control of the engine, breaks, and steering. It's the first recall of its kind. "This was a wake-up call for automakers," Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst with Autotrader.com, told The New York Times. "I will bet emergency meetings are being called at many auto companies."

The New York Times

7. American Airlines announces industry record quarterly profit

American Airlines reported Friday a record $1.9 billion in earnings for its second quarter. It's believed to be an industry record. Net income is up, but revenue overall is down. The company's stock is still down 5 percent. American Airlines was in bankruptcy just 18 months ago.

Quartz

8. Historically black Spelman College ends Bill Cosby professorship

The historically black Spelman College ended its endowed professorship with Bill Cosby on Friday after new details of his deposition in a sexual assault lawsuit were made public earlier this week. The $20 million donation from Cosby and his wife, Camille, in 1988 was the largest donation to a historically black college or university. Spelman indefinitely suspended the professorship in December after rape accusations against Cosby resurfaced.

USA Today The Associated Press

9. Hulk Hogan apologizes for racist rant: 'This is not who I am'

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan apologized for racist comments he made, which were leaked Friday and were reportedly recorded in connection to Hogan's ongoing lawsuit with Gawker Media. "Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it," Hogan said. "This is not who I am." World Wrestling Entertainment announced Friday that Hogan's contract had been terminated.

People

10. Gawker might change its name, become '20 percent nicer'

Following the publication and retraction of a controversial post — which led to the resignation of Executive Editor Tommy Craggs and Editor-in-Chief Max Read — Gawker Media CEO Nick Denton reportedly told employees Thursday the site needs to be "20 percent nicer." Denton is also said to be considering changing the website's name during its rebranding. A new site is to launch Monday. Denton is also reportedly offering staffers full severance pay if they are unhappy with the new direction.

Capital New York

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Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.