5 things you need to know Thursday
1. There's a 28% chance your city road is not OK
Damaged big-city roads cost motorists as much as $1,000 a year in added maintenance, according to a report obtained by Paste BN and are being used to urge Congress to approve a new highway bill to replace the one expiring July 31. More than one-fourth (28%) of urban interstates, freeways and arterial routes with at least two lanes were paved in "poor" condition in 2013, according to the report from TRIP, a non-profit transportation research group funded by industry groups such as construction businesses and unions.
2. Senate holds first hearing on nuclear deal with Iran
The Senate starts reviewing the Iran nuclear accord Thursday with Republicans, who hold the majority in the Senate, saying the deal doesn't provide ironclad guarantees that Iran won't build a nuclear weapon secretly. President Obama is using the White House to make his pitch to the American people in support of the deal, while opponents will spend $20 million to $40 million on ads blasting the agreement. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Citizens for a Nuclear Free Iran, United Against a Nuclear Iran and the Republican Jewish Coalition are among the opposing groups. A few supporters — including liberal Jewish group J Street — have raised $2 million to promote the deal.
3. NASA to announce planet-hunting discoveries
NASA's hunt for Earth-like planets continues as scientists are expected to reveal new discoveries Thursday from the Kepler Space Telescope. In January, scientists discovered planet Kepler-438b — similar to Earth in size and the amount of energy it receives from its star. The unmanned craft has confirmed 1,028 planets and 4,651 potential planets since its launch in 2009.
4. Trump to tour part of Texas-Mexico border
Donald Trump will stop at the Mexican border Thursday, a place the Republican candidate says is fueling his presidential bid. Trump's comments that Mexico is sending "criminals" and "rapists" across the border drew condemnation from Republicans and Democrats alike. Republican candidate Jeb Bush said earlier in July that everybody wants to protect the borders, "but to make these extraordinarily ugly kind of comments is not reflective of the Republican Party. Trump is wrong on this." Trump will stop in Laredo, Texas, to meet and tour the area with law enforcement.
5. NFL Hall of Fame winner faces domestic battery charges in court
Former NFL player and Hall of Famer Warren Sapp faces three charges of domestic battery in a Las Vegas court Thursday. Police arrested Sapp in June after his girlfriend reported that he bit her middle finger, threw her on the ground and stepped on her head in April. Sapp — a former defensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders — earlier pleaded guilty for a February arrest on charges of solicitation and assault. He faces up to 18 months in jail if convicted of the battery misdemeanors.
And, the essentials:
Weather: Hot, dry conditions are expected in the central U.S. and hot, humid, and stormy weather in the Southeast.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures were higher Thursday, after Greek lawmakers approved the reforms needed to secure another bailout.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Beauty and the Beast, Mistresses and Rookie Blue.
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