Good morning. Here are some of the stories we're following today:
1. Trump Reaches 50 Percent Support Nationally for the First Time
Donald Trump has reached 50 percent support from Republicans and Republican-leaners nationally for the first time since the beginning of the NBC News|SurveyMonkey Weekly Election Tracking Poll in late December. This milestone is significant as the 2016 primary heads into its final few weeks of contests. Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island hold elections Tuesday. Read more in POLITICS.
2. Clinton and Sanders Each Say Party Unity Is the Others' Job
In back-to-back appearances during MSNBC town halls Monday night, both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders said it was incumbent on the other — and not them — to bring the party back together once primary season is over and a nominee emerges. Read more in POLITICS.
3. Audio From Prince's Plane: 'An Unresponsive Passenger'
NBC News has obtained a seven-minute clip of communications between two air-traffic controllers and the pilot of Prince's plane as it made an unscheduled stop in Moline, Illinois, six days before the star died. In the clip, an air traffic controller at the Chicago Radar Center in Aurora, Illinois, directs the pilot to the Quad Cities International Airport in Moline, Illinois, about 120 miles to the west. "What's the nature of the emergency," the Moline controller asks. The Aurora controller responds: "An unresponsive passenger." Read more in NEWS.
4. Canadian Hostage Found Beheaded in Philippines
Islamic militants in the Philippines on Monday carried out a threat to behead a Canadian tourist they had been holding for months. The execution of 68-year-old John Ridsdel was confirmed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who called it "an act of cold-blooded murder." Read more in NEWS.
5. Erin Andrews Settles Stalking Suit
"Dancing With the Stars" host and sportscaster Erin Andrews has settled her lawsuit against a Nashville, Tennessee, hotel where she was videotaped through a peephole by a stalker, her attorney said Monday. "The litigation is over," the lawyer, Randall L. Kinnard, told NBC News partner E! News. "Erin Andrews is satisfied with the settlement, and she was very courageous throughout this litigation." Read more in NEWS.
6. Can a Jury Be Called Back After the Judge Says Goodbye?
Imagine this: a jury is summoned to hear a case and reaches its verdict. The judge says, "You're free to go," and the jurors file out and prepare to head their separate ways. Can the judge call them back and ask them to deliberate all over again? Surprisingly, there's no clear answer to that question, but the Supreme Court will be asked Tuesday to come up with one. Read more in NEWS.
7. Tom Brady's Four Game Suspension Back On
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was ordered Monday to serve a four-game "Deflategate" suspension. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that the NFL has the authority to suspend Brady, overturning a lower court ruling. Read more at NEW ENGLAND CABLE NEWS.
Nightly Spotlight: What Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’ Means for the Music Business
Beyoncé released her surprise new album her way, and it can’t be streamed by all — but that’s not the only controversy surrounding the provocative record.