5 things you need to know Friday
1. 'Mockingjay' spreads its wings – and it's best flight yet
The young adult action blockbuster lights up screens across the country Friday as the "Girl on Fire" herself, Jennifer Lawrence, and the gang return in "Mockingjay Part 1." Bringing the political undertones of the first films front and center, the flick continues exactly where the second left off. Paste BN movie critic Claudia Puig (@claudiapuig) calls it the best in the series so far, giving it three and a half stars.
2. Texas school board votes on changes to facts, questions raised in textbooks
Was slavery not a key contributor to the Civil War? Some scholars say Texas schoolbooks are asking this and call for change to these, at times, false claims. After pushback, the state school board will vote Friday on whether to alter the standards set by the state four years ago. It's the first time since 2002 the board will vote on the books, and if approved by the state school board, these textbooks could trickle out to the rest of the country.
3. Obama follows up immigration announcement with trip to Las Vegas
Following Thursday night's immigration announcement from the White House's East Room, the president will visit Del Sol High School in Las Vegas – Nevada has a large number of undocumented immigrants. Last year, he made a similar announcement at the same high school.
4. Bill Cosby performs stateside as the allegations of sexual assault continue
As the allegations against the comedian continue to come to light, several television and streaming networks have foregone Bill Cosby — NBC, TV Land and Netflix, to name a few. On Friday, however, Cosby will take the stage in Melbourne, Fla., as part of his stand-up tour. It will be one of the first performances since his career has taken a downward spiral. He has not publicly addressed the claims.
5. NHL fans shout out as freezing temps and snow batter New York
The game on ice has been frozen out of play. The Buffalo Sabres were scheduled to take on the New York Rangers on Friday evening, but it has since been canceled as the forecast calls for unprecedented amounts of snowfall. Much of northern and western New York will be hit by heavy snow through Friday, with an additional 2 to 3 feet possible. A make-up game has yet to be announced.
And, the essentials:
Weather: Friday will end a busy weather week with more wild weather, including thunderstorms in the South, snow in the Great Lakes and a big storm in the West.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures ticked higher.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch this weekend? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Cats, the AMAs and The Simpsons
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