5 things you need to know Thursday
Michael Phelps is expected to come out of retirement
Michael Phelps is expected to come out of retirement and compete in his first meet since the 2012 Olympics on Thursday and Friday at the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa, Ariz. The move paves the way for the 22-time Olympic medalist to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, which would be Phelps' fifth Games.
Michelle Obama to make cameo on 'Parks and Recreation'
The fictional town of Pawnee is going to get in shape, courtesy of Michelle Obama. The first lady will make a cameo on the NBC comedy Parks and Recreation for the Thursday night season finale. Amy Poehler stars in the sitcom about a perky mid-level bureaucrat in the parks department in Pawnee. NBC says Obama's guest appearance on the episode "Moving Up" was filmed when the first lady was in Miami this week to promote the fourth anniversary of her "Let's Move" campaign and an effort to get kids healthy snacks, especially after school.
FDA to announce restrictions on e-cigarettes, cigars
The Food and Drug Administration is set to propose historic rules on electronic cigarettes, including a ban on their sale to minors and required warning labels. The new rules won't ban advertising on the increasingly popular products, unless they make health-related claims, nor will they ban the use of flavors such as chocolate or bubble gum, which public health officials say might attract children.
Big day for earnings
Another big day of earnings reports: General Motors, Microsoft, Time Warner Cable, Amazon.com and Verizon. Four airlines: American, JetBlue, Southwest and United Continental. Plus Starbucks and Dunkin' Brands. We also analyze the earnings season so far. See how corporate America is doing at usatoday.com/money.
Take Your Child to Work Day
It's the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Exposing girls and boys to what a parent or mentor in their lives does during the workday can help show them the value of education. The program, now in its 21st year, recommends the program for boys and girls between 8 and 18.