5 things you need to know Thursday
1. It's time to geek out (some more) over 'Star Wars'
Feel that? That's the force being with you, Star Wars megafans. Thursday kicks off a big Star Wars Celebration, complete with all types of previews. Movie producers will share some new footage from the next film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which is Episode VII if anyone is keeping count. There will also be a peek at a new Star Wars video game — Star Wars: Battlefront — the first of its kind after Electronic Arts and Disney announced a multiyear game deal back in 2013. The big unveils will happen in Anaheim, Calif., and Paste BN Life will be sharing all the action.
2. The Bible could become Tennessee's official state book
Despite questions of constitutionality, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted 55-38 to make the Bible the official state book. Thursday, the state Senate will discuss the topic. A spokesman for Gov. Bill Haslam said the governor didn't think the bill was very respectful. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey said he thought the bill "belittled" the Bible, views shared by many House members who spoke Tuesday.
3. Virginia Tech: 8 years after Cho's rampage
Eight years ago Thursday, Seung Hui Cho worked his way through Virginia Tech's Norris Hall, methodically shooting students and faculty members in what would be the worst mass school shooting in U.S. history. Before he turned the gun on himself, Cho would kill 32 people and injure nearly 20 more. As Cho approached Room 211, Air Force ROTC Cadet Matthew La Porte used a large, heavy desk to barricade the door, in an effort to stop the shooter. La Porte, 20, would die trying to defend his classmates. Nearly eight years after his sacrifice, La Porte was posthumously honored April 9 with the Airman's Medal for his "exemplary courage and heroism" in Blacksburg, Va. In the years since the rampage, some survivors have emerged as advocates for gun control and improved campus security.
4. House to vote on repealing estate tax
The federal estate tax inspires a lot of heated political rhetoric for a tax that very few people actually pay. The House is scheduled to vote Thursday on a bill to repeal the estate tax. The federal tax on estates has been around in various forms since 1916. Republicans have long called for repealing it; they refer to it as the "death tax." They claim it prevents small business owners and family farmers from passing businesses on to their heirs. Democrats say repealing the tax is a giveaway to the rich, since the only families that pay it have many millions in assets. The bill has little chance of becoming law. Senate Democrats appear to have enough votes to block it and President Obama wants to increase the estate tax, not eliminate it. The White House threatened to veto the bill.
5. 100 influential people are about to become more influential
Bradley Cooper and Kanye West have landed on this year's Time 100 list, and each is featured on one of five Time magazine covers. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Misty Copeland, and Jorge Ramos also have their own covers. Each person is profiled by another high-profile person. In 2013 Jodie Foster wrote about Jennifer Lawrence. In 2014, President Obama wrote about Pope Francis.
Bonus: Happy National High Five Day! (Yes, it's a thing)
Up high, down low, in the middle, too slow. Celebrate your new favorite holiday by sending hand love to all your friends! Just now like this:
And, the essentials:
Weather: Severe storms will lash the central U.S. on Thursday while more rain drenches the Southeast and snow falls in the Rockies.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures were lower Thursday.
TV Tonight: Can't decide what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Bones, PBS on Jascha Heifetz and Backstrom.
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