Best views, weather, etc. How to test them 👓 SC, Ala. sites look back Betty Ford honored
NEWS
5 Things to Know

Roger Stone trial, Latin Grammy Awards, El Paso Walmart reopening: 5 things to know Thursday

Editors
USA TODAY

Jurors start deliberating in Roger Stone trial, verdict possible

Roger Stone, a GOP operative and President Donald Trump's confidant, could face a verdict Thursday on accusations he lied to Congress about his interactions with the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential race. Stone faces seven charges: one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements and one count of witness tampering. A guilty verdict could send the longtime Republican operative to prison and will make him the sixth Trump ally to be convicted of a crime as a result of the special counsel investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. An acquittal could reinforce the president and his allies' longstanding claim that the Russia probe was a "witch hunt" meant to hurt him politically.

Prefer to listen? Check out the 5 things podcast below and subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts:

El Paso Walmart to reopen three months after mass shooting

The Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, where 22 people were killed in a mass shooting on Aug. 3 will reopen Thursday. A 21-year-old man, Patrick Crusius, has pleaded not guilty to the killings. Crusius, who is accused of using an AK-47-style rifle in the attack, allegedly told authorities after his arrest that he intended to kill as many Mexicans as possible and purportedly posted a white supremacist manifesto online before the attack. A permanent memorial for the shooting victims, to be called "The Grand Candela," is being built by Walmart outside the store. A makeshift memorial outside the store is being removed and will be cataloged and stored.

'Biggest Night in Latin Music' heads to Vegas: It's the Latin Grammy Awards!

The 20th annual Latin Grammy Awards, nicknamed "the Biggest Night in Latin Music," are set to take place Thursday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In recent years, top winners have included Luis Miguel, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, and Shakira. Alejandro Sanz tops this year's nominations with eight, including record and song of the year for "No Tengo Nada," and album of the year for "#Eldisco." Ricky Martin, who performed at the first Latin Grammys in 2000, will co-host along with Roselyn Sanchez (ABC's "Grand Hotel") and Paz Vega ("Rambo: Last Blood"). )

Vote totals double-checked in Kentucky's gubernatorial race 

The Kentucky governor’s race will take another twist early Thursday as vote totals will be recounted after Gov. Matt Bevin formally requested an official recanvass of the results. Bevin came up about 5,000 votes short in last week's race against Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear. Democrats made the gubernatorial contest a referendum on Bevin's leadership style as much as his policies, which narrowed access to abortion, approved charter schools and sought to instill a work requirement for able-bodied adults receiving Medicaid. Under Kentucky law, a recanvass is a simple review of the vote totals by each county clerk — counting absentee votes and checking printouts to make sure the numbers they transmitted to the State Board of Elections were correct. 

Starbucks is offering a buy-one-get-one free deal

A week after winter and red cups arrived at Starbucks, the coffee giant has a festive deal Thursday. From 2 to 7 p.m. there's a buy-one-get-one free offer on all handcrafted beverages, grande or larger. Holiday drinks – such as the Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte and Eggnog Latte – are included in the Happy Hour promotion, along with traditional beverages.To get this deal, which is available when ordering ahead on the app and at participating locations, you need the Starbucks app. The offer will automatically be loaded for Starbucks Rewards members.

Contributing: Associated Press

Featured Weekly Ad