These are the must-read stories for Thursday.
Headlines
Trump Considers Ordering Ground Troops Into Iran
House Republicans emerged from a briefing on the Iran War concerned that President Trump is likely to order ground troops into Iran and that the administration isn’t providing enough details about the plan. Source
A federal court of appeals handed the Trump administration a massive win when it handed down a ruling upholding the administration’s illegal alien detention policy. See Details
Iran responded to President Trump’s 15-point plan to end the war with its own list of demands. See Details
Politics
The state of Florida warned the NFL that the league’s Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head-coaching vacancies, violates the state’s anti-discrimination laws. Find out More
480 TSA quit after missing two paychecks as the shutdown fight over the Department of Homeland Security drags on with no end in sight. Link
Trump administration Federal Housing Finance Administration head Bill Pulte filed two new criminal referrals against New York Attorney General Letitia James for insurance fraud. Read More
U.S. News
Texas Oil Refinery explosion leads to a shelter-in-place order for the residents of Port Arthur as black smoke fills the sky. Find out More
17 states hit record-high temperatures as heat wave extends on the heels of a snowy winter. See Details
The Army raised the enlistment age to 42 amid growing fears among leadership of missing recruiting goals. See Details
New York City school spends $350,000 on 1984-style digital hall pass that tracks students’ movements, including bathroom trips. Link
Business
Stock futures dip as investors weigh the costs of the Iran War. See Details
The Powerball jackpot rose to $147 million. Winning the jackpot carries a cash award of $66 million. Find out More
World News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says U.S. security guarantees as part of a peace deal to end the war with Russia are dependent on Ukraine withdrawing from the Donbas region. See Details
Polls show a majority of Americans oppose the war in Iran as President Trump seeks a quick victory to avoid a prolonged conflict. Link
Entertainment
‘Bachelorette’ contestant was the driver of the car that paralyzed former Congressman Madison Cawthorne. See Details
Stars Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver will depart ABC’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ The ABC primetime hospital drama is currently in its 22nd season. Link
Sports
The NFL revealed that defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will open their season with a rare Wednesday night game. The champs’ traditional Thursday night opener was pushed back by one day because the league is playing a game in Australia that day. Find out More
NBA owners voted to move forward with exploring the addition of expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle. An expansion team in Seattle would see the return of the Super Sonics, who became the Oklahoma City Thunder when the franchise moved following the 2007-2008 season. Source
Off the Wall
A quadrouple amputee cornhole player arrested on murder charges following a fatal shooting had arm impressions taken by police in lieu of fingerprints. Find out More
