Good morning. Here are some of the stories we’re following today:
1. Jordan wants proof of life for ISIS hostage
Jordan has said it will release a female prisoner that ISIS wants back, but only if the terror network provides proof that Jordanian captive, a pilot named Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh, is still alive. Meanwhile, the swap would also include the release of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto, who has been heard on purported ISIS videos talking about the deal. Jordan said Friday it was "working around the clock" to free al-Kaseasbeh. Read more in NEWS.
2. ‘Suge’ Knight turns himself in after fatal hit-and-run
Hip-hop mogul Marion "Suge" Knight turned himself in to authorities after police say he was involved in a hit-and-run Thursday afternoon that killed one person and injured another. Knight, who's no stranger to law enforcement, had been out on $500,000 bail after allegedly stealing a paparazzo's camera last fall. Witnesses to Thursday's violence in Compton, California, claim the ex-rap impresario ran over the men multiple times. Los Angeles County detectives say the incident happened a short time after a shoot for the new NWA biopic, "Straight Outta Compton." Read more in NEWS.
3. Prisoner swapped for Bergdahl tried to contact Taliban
A prisoner exchange last year involving five Taliban militants for American soldier Bowe Bergdahl was already considered controversial. Now, at least one of the militants has "attempted to reestablish contacts" with the Taliban in Afghanistan, U.S. officials told NBC News on Thursday. There was no indication the former prisoner, being held in Qatar, made contact with the Taliban. "We're closely monitoring the situation and see no potential threat" from the attempted communication, a senior U.S. official said. Read more in NEWS.
4. What happened to the Marshall Islands castaway?
Salvadoran fisherman Jose Alvarenga grabbed worldwide headlines a year ago when he was found washed up on a remote Pacific atoll after 13 months lost at sea. His incredible tale seemed to be backed up by doctors who examined him. But since leaving the spotlight, there has remained plenty of drama in Alvarenga's life, including a lawsuit with a former attorney. Read more in INVESTIGATIONS.
5. Prosecutors lay out case against Aaron Hernandez
The former New England Patriots tight end was in court Thursday for the murder trial of Odin Lloyd, a semi-pro football player fatally shot in 2013. In an opening statement in Fall River, Massachusetts, Hernandez watched while a prosecutor showed jurors a freeze-frame from home surveillance video, showing Hernandez holding what the prosecutor said was a Glock pistol. Michael Fee, the defense lawyer, said Hernandez had no motive to kill Lloyd. "The investigation was sloppy and unprofessional," Fee said. "What about the facts that showed Aaron's innocence?" Read more in NEWS.
6. Super Bowl XLIX: Why you should be excited
With "Deflate-gate" on the back burner, are you ready for the big game — or at least the commercials? When the top-seeded New England Patriots take on the returning Super Bowl champs, the Seattle Seahawks, on Sunday, there's sure to be plenty of spectacle in the high-stakes game. Even if you're not rooting for either team, there are dozens of reasons to stay tuned — 49 to be exact. Pregame festivities start at noon ET on NBC, and kick off begins at 6:30 p.m. ET Follow the latest at NBC SPORTS.
... What's trending today?
Eddie Murphy just dropped a new reggae single this week, but he's getting just as much buzz for another bombshell: He'll return to the "Saturday Night Live" stage for a 40th anniversary show. The comedian, actor and SNL alum broke the news in a phone interview with News One Now. "It just never worked out where the timing was right for me to do it," Murphy said, explaining his absence since 1984. "They're having a 40th anniversary. ... I'm going to that. And that will be the first time I've been back since I left." The SNL special is set to air 8 p.m. ET Feb. 15 on NBC.