Five things you need to know Thursday
The biggest and most buzzworthy news to start your morning.
NASCAR's Jason Leffler dead after dirt track crash
Jason Leffler, a versatile driver who won championships in open-wheel divisions and attempted at least one full season in each of NASCAR's three national series, died Wednesday night after a crash in a 410 sprint car race at Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey.
Severe storms
Severe weather has been rolling through the Midwest on its way to slamming the Mid-Atlantic today. In addition to tornadoes, lightning and large hail, meteorologists are warning about the possibility of a derecho, which is a storm of strong straight-line winds spanning at least 240 miles.
U.S. Open
The U.S. Open begins today at the Merion Golf Club in suburban Philadelphia, where Tiger Woods is the overwhelming favorite. The real question is whether dad-of-the-year Phil Mickelson will make it back from his daughter's eighth-grade graduation in San Diego on Wednesday night for his 7:11 a.m. tee time Thursday. Mickelson plans to attend the graduation and then fly overnight in his private jet (with a bed).
NSA leaker: I'll 'stay and fight' in Hong Kong
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden says he will leave his fate in the hands of the courts of Hong Kong rather than flee the city to avoid possible extradition, a Hong Kong newspaper is reporting.
Blackhawks take Game 1 in 3OT classic
The Chicago Blackhawks' impressive depth was even more valuable Wednesday when role player Andrew Shaw scored on a tip-in with 7:52 left to give Chicago a 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins in the fifth-longest Stanley Cup Final game in NHL history. The classic game ended at the stroke of midnight.