5 things you need to know Tuesday
Stay up to date on election night returns
Everyone’s vote counts, but some count more than others. More than 100 million ballots will be distilled into the 538 Electoral College votes. The first candidate to 270 wins. With the results in most states seemingly predetermined, the race comes down to a handful of swing states, and most analysts agree Republican Donald Trump needs more of those than Democratic rival Hillary Clinton does. Both candidates will host victory parties in New York; Clinton on the West Side and Trump in a Hilton hotel on the East Side, two blocks from Trump Tower. We compiled a guide to help you make sense of what's happening as polls close on election night. And, if you have election fatigue like the rest of us, here are some cute puppy videos to ease the pain.
High drama for legal marijuana movement
Election Day brings a watershed moment for marijuana in the U.S. as nine states vote on relaxing laws governing medical or recreational marijuana use. Five states — Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada — are considering legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana. Nearly 60 million Americans live in the five states, so if all the referendums pass, the legal cannabis landscape would expand three-fold. Four other states — Arkansas, Florida, Montana and North Dakota — are asking voters whether to permit medical use. Four states have already legalized recreational marijuana, and 25 permit medical use.
Jury deliberations start in hot car death trial
Jury deliberations begin Tuesday in a toddler's hot car death trial in Georgia. During final arguments, prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed on one thing: When Justin Ross Harris arrived at work more than two years ago and locked his car, his toddler son was left in the backseat and suffered a slow, agonizing death. Now jurors must decide why. Harris’ defense attorney argued Monday that his client was “clueless” and forgetful. The prosecutor claims the Cobb County, Ga., father researched hot car deaths and killed his child to escape his family commitments as he sank deeper into a double life of affairs with women he met online.
Des Moines says goodbye to slain police officer Justin Martin
Des Moines says farewell Tuesday to one of the officers killed in separate barrages of gunfire that rocked the state of Iowa last week. Justin Martin, 24, is laid to rest in Rockwell City, Iowa, after he and Sgt. Anthony “Tony” Beminio, 38, were fatally gunned down about 2 miles apart from each other. Authorities — who described the killings as a "cowardly" ambush — arrested Scott Michael Greeneof Urbandale, 46, and charged him with two counts of first-degree murder. More than 1,500 law enforcement officers from across the country attended Beminio's funeral services on Monday.
Voters to decide fate of proposed sports stadiums
The sports world will have also eyes on Election Day as the San Diego Chargers and Texas Rangers want to build new stadiums for themselves, and somehow make fans of rival teams pick up a huge part of the tab. The San Diego ballot initiative seeks to increase the city’s hotel room tax rate to 16.5% from 12.5%, with the proceeds helping fund a new $1.8 billion NFL stadium and convention center in an attempt to keep the Chargers from leaving. In Arlington, Texas, the Rangers will hope voters approve a referendum to finance a $1 billion retractable-roof stadium to replace their current home. It's not an unusual request in today's sports climate: Five of the six newest NFL stadiums rely on local hotel tax revenue to pay for part of the costs. Another $1.5 billion NFL stadium — in Atlanta — opens next year with help from $200 million in bonds backed by hotel taxes.
And the essentials:
Weather: Election Day will see mostly tranquil weather on both East and West coasts while some rain and thunderstorms soak portions of the South and Midwest.
Stocks: Global stock markets were mostly higher Tuesday, as the world looked to the U.S. presidential election.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at election night coverage and Simon & Simon.
Be inspired: Baby possum and zookeeper develop a bromance like no other.
Most popular: See our top stories in one nightly digest on Facebook Messenger.
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Contributing: Associated Press
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