5 things you need to know Thursday
1. New York Auto Show: It's cars, cars, cars in the Big Apple
It's New York's turn to shine on the auto show circuit, with more than 60 new vehicles to reveal to the media before the New York Auto Show opens its doors to the public on Friday. Cars getting buzz already? A sporty new concept Honda Civic; the updated Hyundai Tucson; Lexus' RX luxury crossover SUV; a new Chevy Malibu ... and, of course, the return of the Lincoln Continental. Media access started Wednesday and continues Thursday. The show runs through April 12.
2. New Jersey Sen. Menendez scheduled to appear in court
Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez is expected to appear in a Newark courtroom on Thursday following his indictment on corruption charges. Federal prosecutors charged him and wealthy donor Salomon Melgen on Wednesday with participating in a long-running bribery scheme. A 68-page indictment outlines 14 criminal counts against Menendez, 61, including eight counts of bribery. Melgen, a 61-year-old West Palm Beach, Fla., ophthalmologist, faces 13 counts. Menendez has vowed to fight the charges.
3. Iran nuke talks extended to Thursday
The United States and five other world powers are negotiating with Iran on an agreement that limits Iran's nuclear program to peaceful purposes and ensures it does not develop nuclear weapons. Those talks will continue Thursday, after being extended twice past Tuesday's deadline. Marie Harf, spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said Wednesday that progress is being made but a "political understanding" had not been reached. The talks have proceeded under a six-month agreement signed in November 2013 that has been extended several times already and is now due to expire June 30.
4. Deal on Indiana 'religious freedom' law expected
Indiana Republican leaders are set to announce a deal Thursday morning that alters the state's controversial "religious freedom" law to ensure it does not discriminate against gay and lesbian customers of Indiana businesses. The proposal — which grants new protections for LGBT customers, employees and tenants — is set for a 9 a.m. ET rollout at the Statehouse and a 9:30 a.m. committee hearing. The measure could put to rest some of the harsher criticisms that Indiana Republicans have suffered through in the past week. But it is unlikely to make either liberal or conservative activists happy.
5. Mom of children found in Detroit freezer set to appear in court
The mother of two children found in a deep freezer in a Detroit apartment is expected to appear in court Thursday on murder charges. Mitchelle Blair was already facing child abuse charges. On Wednesday, prosecutors announced she was also being charged with two counts each of felony murder, first-degree premeditated murder and torture in the deaths of her children Stoni Ann Blair and Stephen Gage Berry. They were found last week at their apartment by a crew carrying out an eviction. Blair is being held on a $1 million bond.
Bonus: Celebs go head-to-head on Spike TV's 'Lip Sync Battle'
Lip Sync Battle starts Thursday night with hosts LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen. The show was thought up by Stephen Merchant, Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, who participated in one of the first Jimmy Fallon lip sync battles on Late Night in 2013. (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson shared a short teaser for his appearance on the new show on Instagram, and the Internet ate it up.) The show airs at 10 p.m. ET on Spike TV.
And, the essentials:
Weather: More thunderstorms will rattle the central U.S. on Thursday, while most of the East Coast and Southeast will be mild to warm.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures were lower Thursday.
TV Tonight: Can't decide what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at The Big Bang Theory, Grey's Anatomy and Elementary.
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