Good morning. Here are some of the stories we're following today:
1. Oregon Sheriff Cheered as He Tells Armed Group 'Go Home'
An Oregon sheriff has strengthened his demand for a group of armed anti-government activists to end their occupation of federal land, telling them: "You don’t get to come here from elsewhere and tell us how we’re going to live our lives." Read more in NEWS.
2. Rescuers Race to Free Miners Stuck 900 Feet Underground
Emergency crews were working overnight to free 17 miners trapped in an elevator more than 70 stories below ground in upstate New York, officials said early Thursday. The workers were trapped in an elevator 900 feet down an access shaft. Read more in NEWS.
3. University Fires Professor Who Doubted Sandy Hook
A Florida professor who has publicly doubted whether the 2012 massacre of children in Newtown, Connecticut, really happened was fired this week. The case has raised questions about free speech and academic freedom, and whether Tracy crossed the line from saying something unpopular to doing actual harm. Read more in NEWS.
4. Martin O'Malley: Cruz Is More 'Unqualified' Than Donald Trump
O’Malley dedicated a significant portion of a speech at a Nevada event on Wednesday to knocking Ted Cruz. “I’d like to say that Donald Trump is the most outrageous and unqualified person ever to run for president. But really, that's not fair to Ted Cruz,” he said. Read more in POLITICS.
5. 'Military Readiness' in S. Korea After North's Nuke Test
World powers were working Thursday to craft a response to North Korea's announcement of a hydrogen bomb test amid efforts to verify the claim. North Korea said Wednesday that it had successfully tested an H-bomb, setting off alarm bells over the country's nuclear capabilities and waves of condemnation around the world. Read more in NEWS.
6. Trooper in Sandra Bland Traffic Stop Indicted and Fired
A Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland after a contentious traffic stop last summer was fired Wednesday after being charged with perjury for allegedly lying about his confrontation with the black woman who died three days later in jail. Read more in NEWS.
7. $675M Powerball Rollover Prize Is Largest in U.S. History
There were no jackpot-winning Powerball tickets sold in Wednesday's monster $500 million drawing, a lottery spokesperson said early Thursday. That means the jackpot will roll over to an estimated $675 million — the largest lottery prize in U.S. history, according to Texas Lottery spokesperson Kelly Cripe. Read more in NEWS.
Nightly Spotlight: See Prince George on His First Day of Nursery
The third in line to the British throne started nursery while his mom and dad shared some adorable pics of the young prince bundled up with a light blue backpack.