5 things you need to know Wednesday
Happy birthday, bull! Upward stock market turns 7
The current bull market in stocks celebrates its seventh birthday Wednesday, a long lifespan only two other bulls have enjoyed. The bull — defined as a period of rising stock prices — was born on March 9, 2009, three months before the official end of the Great Recession. Its gains were fueled first by the bounce off the S&P's 2009 cratering and later by the Federal Reserve’s easy-money policies. While almost all investors have benefited from the bull, it's been spectacular for those who had invested in these 10 stocks.
Trump holds lead in GOP race, while Clinton struggles to dominate
With his victories Tuesday night, Donald Trump continues to solidify his lead in the Republican primaries. Trump won big in Michigan, Mississippi and Hawaii Tuesday, while Ted Cruz scored a decisive victory in Idaho. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton won Mississippi in the Democratic primary, but Bernie Sanders stole the spotlight with a stunning upset in Michigan. So what does this all mean? Read our analysis and takeaways to find out.
NFL's free-agent frenzy to begin
Wednesday brings a milestone moment for NFL teams looking to retool their roster: Pending free agents can sign with teams beginning at 4 p.m. ET. For the top players, free agency brings a chance to land a mega deal. As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, quarterbacks in this year's free-agent crop include Denver's Brock Osweiler, former Redskin Robert Griffin III and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Add the troubled Johnny Manziel to the list if he's released by the Browns.
Biden meets with Netanyahu amid renewed tensions
As part of a week-long visit to the Middle East, Vice President Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, just a day after the Israeli leader “surprised” the White House by canceling his trip to Washington this month. The renewed tension between the two leaders comes as the U.S. and Israel renegotiate a 10-year security agreement. This isn’t the first skipped meeting between the two — Obama refused to meet with Netanyahu a year ago when the Israeli leader came to Washington to voice his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal at a joint meeting of Congress.
Nancy Reagan lies in repose for public viewing
Mourners can pay their respects to former first lady Nancy Reagan on Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. She will lie in repose Wednesday and Thursday. Reagan, who was married to President Ronald Reagan, died of congestive heart failure Sunday at her Los Angeles home. She was 94. The funeral, set for Friday, will not be open to the public.
Bonus item:
The hosts of Paste BN's Dad Rock podcast continue their epic road trip Wednesday in Nashville as they make their way to Austin for the South By Southwest festival. Follow their journey via Twitter, Facebook and at dadrock.usatoday.com.
On the go? Listen to the audio version of 5 things in the player below:
And the essentials:
Weather: Another day of near-record heat is likely for the eastern U.S. Wednesday while heavy rain soaks the lower Mississippi Valley and another storm rolls into the Northwest.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures were higher Wednesday.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at the American Crime finale, The Carmichael Show, and CSI: Cyber.
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Contributing: The Associated Press