5 things you need to know Thursday
Sanders and Clinton debate in Milwaukee
Fresh off the voting in New Hampshire, Bernie Sanders (winner) and Hillary Clinton (loser) take the stage Thursday for the first — and last — time before voters again head to the polls. The Democratic race has changed since their last debate: Sanders is coming off a thumping victory but needs a strong debate heading into the next contests later this month. The Democratic caucus in Nevada (Feb. 20) and the Democratic primary in South Carolina (Feb. 27) feature large numbers of minority voters, who have supported Clinton in the past. The debate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will be hosted by PBS NewsHour's Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff and broadcast on both CNN and PBS at 9 p.m. ET.
Ore. wildlife refuge protesters say they'll hand themselves in
The four remaining occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore. said they would turn themselves in Thursday morning. It came ahead of the arrest of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, the father of occupation leader Ammon Bundy, after he flew into Portland International Airport on Wednesday. He was booked into Multnomah County Jail. His sons Ammon and and Ryan Bundy and several others were arrested on Jan. 26 after occupying the refuge during a land-rights protest. One protester was killed during a traffic stop.
Kanye West debuts his new album at Madison Square Garden
Will Kanye West reinvent himself yet again? The hip-hop visionary is set to premiere his long-awaited new album, and debut his Yeezy Season 3 fashion line Thursday at a sold-out event at New York's Madison Square Garden. The performance will feature West performing The Life of Pablo in its entirety, with an appearance by Italian artist Vanessa Beecroft, and will be simulcast in theaters around the world. The new work is West's seventh studio album. Follow USA TODAY on Snapchat for live updates from the event!
Senate committee to hear testimony on Zika virus
A hearing on the Zika virus and President Obama's funding request is scheduled for Thursday before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees health issues. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will testify. Obama is seeking $1.8 billion in emergency funding from Congress to combat the Zika virus through mosquito control programs, vaccine research, education and improving health care for low-income pregnant women.
One Nation event focuses on health care
Reno, it's your turn to be heard on health care. The USA TODAY NETWORK and the Reno Gazette-Journal are teaming up Thursday for "One Nation: Healthcare," part of a nationwide event series that tackles important topics such as energy, immigration, education and jobs. The One Nation event will include national experts on insurance, health care and technology, and medical marijuana.Future events will include climate change in Palm Springs, Calif.; the economy and jobs in Detroit; and immigration in Phoenix.
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And the essentials:
Weather: While a wintry chill settles over the eastern U.S., springlike warmth will continue for much of the West.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures plunged Thursday, as oil prices fell again and investors digested remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen before Congress.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks atScandal (it's back!) and Big Bang Theory's Valentine's episode.
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