SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET: 

AND AGAIN – FROM COLLEGE FIX:   Three thousand protesters, one campus street and student paper website painted black, and one “emotionally charged” meeting later, officials at Drake University have concluded that four of five racist notes discovered in residence halls were hoaxes perpetrated by the same student.  A freshman has admitted to writing one note and receiving “at least” one other, but Drake officials said she faces criminal charges for four of them.  Drake spokesman Jarad Bernstein noted the student also faces discipline via the Drake Code of Student Conduct “up to and including expulsion,” according to the Des Moines Register.  The fifth incident involves freshman Keith Walker who has refused to cooperate with law enforcement and has denied interview requests. He did take to social media, however, to say he left school on November 9 for “mental health reasons” but would return. He also wrote that if he was white, he’d have been accommodated with a room at “the Holiday Inn” near the university.  There are, of course, real incidents of bigotry, but the number of proved hoaxes is disturbingly high.

EVEN SANTA ISN'T SAFE FROM PC – FROM FOX:   A substitute teacher filling in in a New Jersey classroom reportedly informed a group of first graders on Thursday that what they thought they knew about  Santa Claus wasn’t true, and St. Nick wasn't real.  The holiday disclosure occurred at Cedar Hill School, Montville schools spokeswoman Susan Marinello told Patch, and reportedly prompted the school’s principal to notify parents via a letter about what had happened.  “I am sending this letter so that you are aware of the situation, and if the conversation comes up at home over the next few days you can take appropriate steps to maintain the childhood innocence of the holiday season,” Principal Michael Raj wrote to parents, according to Patch.  He reportedly told them that upon learning what transpired, he quickly addressed the matter with the unidentified substitute “regarding her poor judgment in making this proclamation.”  In the letter, Raj, himself a parent, recognized the “sensitive nature” of the topic, The Associated Press reported.  Montville Schools Superintendent Rene Rovtar was “disheartened” by what took place in the classroom, according to a statement obtained by Patch.  “The childhood wonder associated with all holidays and traditions is something I personally hold near and dear in my own heart,” Rovtar said.  Delighted to see, for a change, school officials acting with sensitivity and respect for families.

WEDDING NEWS – FROM FOX:   One happy couple tied the knot in a ceremony that reflected both their passions and love story, saying “I do” in a Harry Potter themed wedding at a California Costco, the site of their first date.  On Nov. 29, Margot Schein and Julian Parris said “I do” at a Costco in the Mission Valley neighborhood of San Diego, Fox 47 reports. The lovebirds got hitched on the date of their three-year anniversary, after first connecting on dating app OkCupid, as per Today.  “We have so much in common, but Costco is the first thing,” the bride told the outlet.   At least they're frugal, and that's a good thing.

December 1, 2018