Good morning. Here are some of the stories we're following this morning:
1. Trump Strong in Early States as Clinton, Sanders Battle: Poll
With just four days to go until the Iowa caucuses, Donald Trump has pulled ahead of Ted Cruz with a seven-point lead among likely Iowa GOP caucus-goers, while Hillary Clinton remains just three points in front of Bernie Sanders on the Democratic side, according to a trio of new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist polls. Read more in POLITICS.
2. FBI Arrests New Oregon Occupation Leader, 2 Others
The FBI arrested three more people who occupied the Oregon federal wildlife refuge. One of the trio arrested Wednesday was 43-year-old Jason S. Patrick, who The Oregonian newspaper reported had assumed the role of leader for the remaining protesters after the original ringleaders were detained on a highway the previous day. Read more in NEWS.
3. Widow of Disgraced Illinois Cop Joe Gliniewicz Indicted
The wife of Joe Gliniewicz, the crooked Illinois cop who killed himself last year, was indicted Wednesday on charges of embezzling from a police charity and money laundering. Melodie A. Gliniewicz, 51, could face as long as seven years in prison if she's convicted of the four counts of disbursing charitable funds for personal benefit and two counts of money. Read more in NEWS.
4. ‘No Pill for Lead’: Flint Mom Fights for Baby’s Future
"My youngest daughter is almost two," says Tiana Lankford. "She's been drinking that water her whole life." Read more in NEWS.
5. Police Arrest Five Associates Following California Jail Escape
Authorities have arrested five people believed to have links to three dangerous inmates who escaped from a Southern California jail last week, authorities announced Wednesday, as a manhunt continued with no sighting of the fugitives. Read more in NEWS.
6. Ferguson Reaches Tentative Deal With Justice Department
The consent decree requires more training for police officers, policy changes to decrease use of force, and a more robust system for citizens to make complaints against officers. It also requires that the mostly-white police force do more to recruit minorities. Read more in NEWS.
7. Teen Plotted ISIS Attack Using Exploding Kangaroo: Reports
A teenager discussed packing a kangaroo with explosives, painting it with the ISIS symbol and setting it loose on police, according to local media reports citing prosecutors. Sevdet Besim, 19, is accused of plotting a terror attack in Melbourne on Anzac Day — an annual public commemoration of Australia’s war dead. Read more in NEWS.
8. New Animation Shows El Chapo's Escape From Prison
Maybe El Chapo should have talked to Disney instead of Sean Penn. A new animated video, released by the Mexican attorney general's office, recreates what Joaquín Guzmán's escape may have looked like. Read more in NEWS.