5 things you need to know Wednesday
The Trump train rolls on
After the third win in a row for Donald Trump in the Nevada GOP caucuses, the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination is moving into the 11 states slated to vote March 1 on Super Tuesday. Marco Rubio had a small lead over Ted Cruz in the race to be the runner-up to Trump. Whoever ultimately wins the battle to become the Trump alternative is going to have a tough time beating the brash billionaire. Entrance polls showed Trump won nearly every demographic group and by adding a win in a Western state to earlier wins in New England and the Deep South, he has shown he has broad regional appeal.
Summit looks at ways to combat Islamic State recruitment
The Obama administration is meeting Wednesday to brainstorm ways to counter the Islamic State's propaganda and recruitment of Westerners to become terrorists. The meeting at the Justice Department involves government officials as well as representatives from advertising, social media and Silicon Valley. The summit reflects the government's ongoing concerns about disaffected young adults being persuaded by slick online messaging to join the terror group’s cause in Syria or commit acts of violence closer to home.
SpaceX to attempt rocket landing at sea
SpaceX on Wednesday will attempt to launch a European communications satellite from Cape Canaveral. At the same time, the firm will attempt a first: successfully landing its Falcon 9 rocket booster on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean. It will be SpaceX's fourth try at a landing, with one success on land last December. Landing at sea is harder, and SpaceX says it doesn't expect to succeed this time. SpaceX hopes eventually to use its boosters multiple times, reducing costs. SpaceX will livestream the launch, set for 6:46 p.m. ET.
Gallery to feature House of Cards' presidential portrait
A portrait of President Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey’s character in House of Cards) will be displayed at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery starting Wednesday as a part of the show’s new season premiering on Netflix March 4. Spacey appeared in character alongside his presidential motorcade for the unveiling of the portrait. Though unusual, it's not the first time a portrait of a TV character has hung at the gallery: fake TV pundit Stephen Colbert convinced the museum to hang his portrait close to the “America’s Presidents" exhibit in 2008.
Brit Awards to air Wednesday
Several American music artists will jump the pond to perform at The Brit Awards Wednesday in London. This year’s headline performers will include Coldplay, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd and Jess Glynne, just to name a few. The annual pop music awards show will also feature a tribute to London-native David Bowie, who died from liver cancer last month. The ceremony will air at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Fuse immediately following its live broadcast in Britain.
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And the essentials:
Weather: Most of the weather action Wednesday will be in the eastern third of the nation, where a mix of snow, rain and severe weather is forecast.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures were lower Wednesday.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at American Idol, The Human Face of Big Data and American Crime.
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