5 things you need to know Thursday
1. How will you spend your tax refund?
Only 3% of Americans expecting tax refunds this year will spend the money on vacation or a shopping spree. Most people plan to use the money to improve their personal finances, a new survey conducted for Bankrate.com reveals. About a third (34%) say they'll use it to pay down debt, and another third (33%) say they'll save or invest the money. Twenty-six percent say they'll spend the extra cash on necessities such as food and utility bills.
2. Kate Middleton visits the set of 'Downton Abbey'
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, is a fan of Downton Abbey and on Thursday, the former Kate Middleton paid a visit to the show's London set. Downton is in the filming of its sixth season. Visits to British TV and movie sets have become regular royal engagements in recent years as royals seek to connect with ordinary pop-culture consumers. Kate watched filming downstairs in the servants' quarters, and a second take of the scene via a monitor, then joined the cast and writers and producers in the Servants Hall for an official photograph. She'll also attend a reception to meet staffers at the historic studios, before unveiling the inevitable royal plaque to commemorate the visit.
3. Survey: Many think texting and driving is dangerous — and some say they can't stop
A majority of Americans agree that texting while driving is dangerous, but some are doing it anyway, according to a new survey provided exclusively to Paste BN Network. Overall, 87% of respondents agreed that it is dangerous to text or check e-mail while driving, though 18% said they cannot "resist the urge" to use their phones behind the wheel, according to the survey by the University of Southern California Annenberg Center for the Digital Future and Bovitz Inc. Responses also varied by age, with 45% of Millennials agreeing that cell phones should banned while driving, compared to 62% of respondents 55 and older.
4. Shots fired at Ferguson police
Two police officers were shot outside the Ferguson Police Department early Thursday, according to acting Ferguson police chief Lt. Col. Al Eickhoff. On Wednesday, Ferguson officials announced Police Chief Thomas Jackson, whose department received scathing criticism from the Justice Department for racially biased policing, will resign March 19.
5. Will Ferrell is about to own spring training
It's probably a stunt to promote something, but it should be funny, nonetheless. Comedian Will Ferrell will have a helicopter shuttle him to all of the Cactus League games on Thursday where he will rotate through all nine field positions for various teams. The Cactus League is the spring training circuit for 15 MLB teams that takes place every year in Arizona. Ferrell has made appearances in actual baseball games before, most memorably as Rojo Johnson, who incited a beer-soaked fake brawl in a game.
And, the essentials:
Weather: The rain-soaked South will see another soggy day Thursday, while some rain and snow pelts the Rockies.
Stocks: Asian stocks advanced; stock futures saw slight gains.
TV Tonight: Can't decide what to watch? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Grey's Anatomy, Dateline and Blacklist.
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