5 things you need to know Thursday
'The Rumble in the Jungle' hits its 40-year anniversary
It was a fight so epic it had to have a name. Muhammad Ali gave it one, and then gave boxing one of its most memorable moments when he stopped the fearsome George Foreman to recapture the heavyweight title in the African nation of Zaire, now The Democratic Republic of Congo. It was the Rumble in the Jungle, and it's still a big part of the Ali lore today. Forty years have passed since the two men met just before dawn on Oct. 30, 1974, to earn $5 million put up by dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, but time has done nothing to diminish its place in boxing history.
Quarantined nurse Kaci Hickox could pursue legal action against Maine
After days of isolation upon her return from Sierra Leone on Monday, Kaci Hickox is determined to fight for her freedom against the state that is trying to keep her isolated from the public. "If the restrictions placed on me by the state of Maine are not lifted by Thursday morning," she told NBC's Today, "I will go to court to fight for my freedom." This marks just another series of battles over a state's rights to quarantine citizens that may pose a threat.
LeBron James makes his return as Cavs' native son
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. James has re-entered the building — er, the court. The reigning king of basketball will make his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers official when they take on the New York Knicks on Thursday night. In true homecoming fashion, more than 20,000 fans will pack Cleveland's Quickens Arena, some paying more than $1,000 per ticket, to welcome James back home where he began his basketball career. Speaking of welcoming, James just added a daughter to his family fan base.
Jodi Arias murder trial continues; defense team seeks life in prison sentence
The sentencing retrial of Jodi Arias resumes on Thursday as defense attorneys begin to present mitigating evidence they hope will persuade the jury to bring back a sentence of life in prison, instead of the death penalty. A jury already convicted Arias of murder in 2013 but was unable to reach a unanimous decision on the life or death sentence, prompting the sentencing retrial.
Say hello to everyone's favorite Kitty
Los Angeles hosts the first annual Hello Kitty Con 2014 starting Thursday in a celebration devoted to the toy icon. L.A.'s little Tokyo neighborhood will be the base for the special festival featuring tattoos, toy collectors and art inspired by Hello Kitty herself. Just remember: she's a British girl, not an actual cat.
Weather: Chilly temperatures willoverspread much of the central and eastern U.S. Thursday while more rain drenches the Northwest.
Stocks:Stock futures were mixed after the Fed announced the end of its quantitative easing program, Wednesday, and ahead of the government's release of its third-quarter gross domestic product figures, Thursday.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Bones, Mom and Elementary.
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Contributing: The Associated Press