5 things you need to know Thursday
Bundle up, East Coast
Along the East Coast, a violent "bomb cyclone" — basically a winter hurricane complete with ice and snow — is expected to intensify off New England Thursday and could generate blizzard conditions from Connecticut to Maine. The storm has already dumped rare ice and snow in the South from Florida to North Carolina, blasting some areas with their heaviest snowfall in nearly three decades. In Boston, where forecasters predicted 10 to 16 inches of snow, public schools will be closed Thursday, and in Virginia and Georgia, states of emergency were declared through Friday. The storm caps a week of brutal cold across the nation that has left at least 16 people dead.
Election officials to pick winner in pivotal Virginia race
Virginia election officials on Thursday are expected to pick the winner in a race that could tilt the balance of power in the state. The Board of Elections said last week it would randomly draw the name of the winner in the Newport News-based 94th District race between Democrat Shelly Simonds and Republican Del. David Yancey. Simonds has asked a court to reconsider its decision to accept a contested ballot that caused a tie in the vote, but a three-judge panel on Wednesday refused. The winner will decide whether Republicans keep control of the state House of Delegates.
One week in, Iran protests uncertain
The strength of the deadly protests in Iran appeared uncertain Thursday, marking a week since the demonstrations that have left at least 21 people dead and more than 400 arrested began. It wasn’t immediately clear if the drop in reports of new demonstrations on Thursday meant the protests are subsiding or that the Iranian government’s blocking of social media apps has stopped protesters from offering new images of rallies. State TV broadcast footage of pro-government demonstrations Wednesday in a move apparently aimed at trying to restore calm. The protests started in Mashhad — Iran’s second-largest city — before spreading to other cities as Iranians expressed anger over alleged government corruption and discontent with the country’s clerical rulers.
McDonald's hopes customers buck up to new Dollar Menu
It's been six years since McDonald's ditched its popular Dollar Menu. On Thursday, the Golden Arches brings it back — in the hope you'll be willing to buy other items for more than a buck. Called the $1-$2-$3 Dollar Menu, the new plan includes a wider variety of items covering the three different price points. For example, a single-patty cheeseburger and a sausage burrito are $1, but customers can pick up a 2-piece Buttermilk Crispy Tenders and some small McCafé beverages for $2 or a Classic Chicken Sandwich for $3.
Get a peek at America's best shot at figure skating gold in Pyeongchang
Are you feeling the Olympic spirit yet? While the Pyeongchang games are a little more than a month away, the U.S. national figure skating championships continues Thursday with the men's competition getting underway. Figure skating may not be for everyone, but if there's one reason to watch its 18-year-old Nathan Chen. Barring injury, Chen is a once-in-a-generation talent and is arguably the United States' best chance to take gold in the upcoming Olympic games. As for who else could join him in South Korea, well, that's still to be decided.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Prefer to listen? Check out the 5 things podcast below and subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts: