5 things you need to know Wednesday
1. Violence flares up again in Ferguson
Protesters torched a police car in Ferguson in a second night of unrest Tuesday, hours after Missouri's governor sent hundreds more National Guard troops to restore order in the riot-torn city. Tensions rose after darkness fell, a day after a grand jury's decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson for shooting unarmed black teenager Michael Brown sparked violent protests. St Louis police chief Jon Belmar said 44 people were arrested Tuesday night at a news conference Wednesday. He said it was "generally a much better night," than Monday.
2. 'Dancing With the Stars' crowns Season 19 champ
It all came down to the final three celebs, foxtrotting their way to the finish line for the Dancing With the Stars mirrorball trophy Tuesday night. And who wound up with bragging rights as Season 19 winner? Season-long frontrunner Alfonso Riberio 's cha cha/ Argentine tango with pro partner Witney Carson sizzled. Bruno raved. Carrie Ann described him as "a glitter ball". When he was announced as the winner, Alfonso said: "I cannot believe this! I've wanted this forever!" with tears running down his face.
3. Time for the presidential turkey pardon
There are some unusual guests staying at the historic Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C.: two 50-pound Ohio turkeys. One lucky bird will serve as the National Thanksgiving Turkey and will be pardoned by President Obama on Wednesday. The other will serve as an alternate — but both will avoid the platter this year. "It's kind of like Miss Universe, you know," Gary Cooper, chairman of the National Turkey Federation and owner of Cooper Farms where the turkeys were raised, told Paste BN Network. "We've got the winner and the first runner-up." Wondering where the turkey pardon tradition comes from? Paste BN Network explains.
4. Winter storm targets East Coast for Thanksgiving Eve
A storm will bring driving rain and heavy snow to the East Coast on Wednesday, stressing out the millions of people headed home for Thanksgiving by air or car on one of the busiest travel days of the year. A separate, much weaker storm will bring about an inch of snow to portions of the north-central U.S., leading to travel problems there. In anticipation of the eastern storm, nearly every big U.S. airline moved to waive rebooking fees to cities in the storm's path.
5. 'Bosses' sequel is Horrible and Horribler
Horrible Bosses 2 out-stupids Dumb and Dumber To (* out of four; rated R; opens Wednesday nationwide). This ill-conceived sequel to 2011's entertaining Horrible Bosses is base, moronic, insulting and vulgar. It's also cringingly unfunny. In the first film, three likable regular Joes (Jason Bateman, Charlie Dayand, Jason Sudeikis) conspire to take murderous revenge on their bosses from hell. But here the same trio are inept, bumbling and far less amiable as they plot a kidnapping.
And the essentials:
Weather: The busiest travel day of the year will feature a big, messy storm along the East Coast and a weaker one in the upper Midwest.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures made slight gains Wednesday.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at the Making of Peter Pan and Two and a Half Men.
If you missed Tuesday's news, we've got you covered here.
You can also get the day's top news each weekday in your inbox. Subscribe.
Need a break? Try playing some games.
You can also subscribe to get the day's top news each weekday in your inbox or find us on the Yo! app: justyo.co/usatoday.