5 things you need to know Friday

Native American groups to protest pipeline projects at the White House

Native Americans from across the country will march to the White House Friday to protest President Trump’s approval of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines. The march is a continuation of a year-long battle between the Standing Rock Sioux and environmentalists against the government and pipeline corporations.The “Native Nations Rise” march will demand Trump and the U.S. Congress to stop the construction of the pipelines that threaten the water supply, sacred sites and religious rights of the indigenous people.

South Korea looks forward after ousting President Park Geun-hye from office

South Korea’s Constitution Court voted Friday to oust scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye from power, making her the first democratically-elected president to be removed from office in the country’s history. Two people died in skirmishes following the vote. Park, the daughter of former South Korean president Park Chung-hee, was impeached in December on charges of receiving millions of dollars in bribes from businesses and abusing her powers in a scheme with a longtime confidante. Under the ruling, Park is immediately removed from office and is now vulnerable to criminal prosecution. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn will serve as acting president until an election is held within 60 days.

Hey, it's SXSW season!

Red-hot tech apps and up-and-coming bands descend on Austin for the SXSW Conference and Festivals, which kicks off Friday. Also taking center stage: hackers and leaks. The focus on politics will be stronger than ever at this year's show, with speakers including former Vice President Biden and CNN's Van Jones, as well as panels such as "Startup Investing During the Trump Years." Oh, and since it's Austin, there will be lots of BBQ.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

World's largest automaker expected to plead guilty over diesel emissions

Volkswagen is scheduled to appear in court Friday to plead guilty for misrepresenting the capability of vehicles with diesel engines it imported into the U.S.  The German automaker, which agreed to pay $4.3 billion in fines and penalties in January, designed software for its diesel engines that detected when a car was being tested for nitrogen oxide emissions in lab conditions. The deal — which still needs a federal judge's approval — would be among the largest criminal settlements ever extracted from an automaker by the U.S. government.

"The Vampire Diaries" stars are ready to let their characters die. Permanently.

After eight seasons and 171 episodes, The Vampire Diaries bids farewell in its series finale Friday (9 p.m. ET/PT, CW). Before the actors flee Mystic Falls for good, there’s plenty of drama afoot: The finale sees an important death and the return of former co-star Nina Dobrev. Though the actors did not reveal whose funeral they attended onscreen, reading the finale script even moved Paul Wesley, who plays Stefan Salvatore in the show, to tears.

Prefer to listen rather than read? Catch up with the 5 Things podcast.