Luke Skywalker
Super Moderator
{vb:raw ozzmodz_postquote}:
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones attempts to leap over Alabama Crimson Tide defensive backs Geno Smith, Nick Perry and Eddie Jackson in the first quarter of the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.(Photo: Crystal LoGiudice, USA TODAY Sports)
1. Preseason college football rankings<span style="color: Red;">*</span>released in Amway Coaches Poll
Preseason rankings for the top 25 college football teams will be announced Thursday in the Amway Coaches Poll. Defending champion Ohio State will be loaded again, as will other top contenders TCU, Baylor, Oregon and Alabama. The poll includes the votes of 64 coaches and will update each week during the season. Listen to the USA TODAY Sports @TheFootballFour<span style="color: Red;">*</span>podcast to learn which teams might make the playoffs.
2. Police officer likely to be arraigned on murder charge
University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing, who was indicted Wednesday on a murder charge in the shooting death of an unarmed motorist, is likely<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to be arraigned Thursday. Tensing, 25, shot and killed Samuel DuBose, 43, during a traffic stop July 19. Tensing, 25, could face<span style="color: Red;">*</span>15 years to life in prison if convicted and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>has been fired from his job. Tensing's lawyer, Stewart Mathews, called the murder charge "absolutely unwarranted." The officer's body camera captured video of the shooting, which was released Wednesday. DuBose can be heard saying, "I didn't do nothing," shortly before Tensing shot him.
Ray Tensing, 25, a University of Cincinnati police officer, was arrested on murder charges July 29, 2015, in connection with the death of Samuel DuBose during a traffic stop.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Hamilton County (Ohio) Sheriff's Office)
3. GDP expected to rise in second quarter, thanks to consumers
The U.S. GDP is expected to<span style="color: Red;">*</span>rise 2.5% in Thursday’s second-quarter report, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg. After harsh weather and slow West Coast ports slackened growth early in 2015, an increase in consumer spending and the housing market probably bolstered growth. Business spending is still down. The Department of Commerce will release the report and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>revise GDP growth data over the past three years — which may reveal slightly faster expansion overall.
Construction workers build a home in Ashburn, Va., on Nov. 20, 2014<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS, AFP/Getty Images)
4. Jenner’s Olympic torch could fetch $20,000 at auction
The 1984 Summer Olympic torch Bruce Jenner carried will go to auction Thursday, where it could fetch $20,000 or more. This item is the first Jenner-related memorabilia to sell since Caitlyn Jenner — formerly Bruce — revealed her female identity in June. She has since appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair, received the ESPY's<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Arthur Ashe Courage Award<span style="color: Red;">*</span>and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>started her<span style="color: Red;">*</span>show on E!, I am Cait.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Jenner, who won gold for the decathlon at the 1976 Olympics, ran with the brass-and-leather torch through Lake Tahoe, Nev. The torch "originated as a piece of sports history, then evolved as a piece of entertainment history through the Kardashian legacy and [is] becoming a cultural phenomenon through the transition to Caitlyn," said seller and Los Angeles philanthropist Bob Lorsch.
American decathlete Bruce Jenner poses with the Olympic torch he carried through Lake Tahoe, Nev., in 1984. The 24-inch torch, featuring a brass finish and wood handle, will be offered by Heritage Auctions on July 30, 2015, at its Platinum Night Sports Auction in Chicago. It is the first significant piece of Jenner memorabilia to go to auction since the winner of the 1976 Olympic Decathlon Gold Medal became Caitlyn Jenner.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: AP)
5. Medicare, Medicaid mark 50 years as benchmarks of American health care
Medicaid and Medicare, two landmark health insurance programs for Americans, were signed into law 50 years ago Thursday. Since then,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the legislation has faced criticism and compliments. Medicare serves those 65 and above. This week, Medicare<span style="color: Red;">*</span>announced “jaw-dropping” reductions<span style="color: Red;">*</span>in deaths, hospitalizations and costs. Many people remain in the dark about the details of what it will — and won't — provide. Medicaid serves primarily low-income Americans.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>More than 70 million Americans benefit from the program, and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>many were added through the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Affordable Care Act. Nineteen states have <span style="color: Red;">*</span>refused to extend benefits to the poorest of the poor,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>according to a USA TODAY special report.
President Johnson signs legislation creating Medicare and Medicaid on July 30, 1965. Next to him is former president Harry Truman, who endorsed universal health care.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: AP)
Bonus:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>'Angry Birds 2' launches into flight Thursday
It’s about time the space-roaming, storm-trooping, go-karting Angry Birds ventured into a true sequel, Angry Birds 2. Rovio — the Birds creator — confirmed it will release<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the new game Thursday.
And<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the essentials:
Weather:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Late July heat will continue unabated for much of the country Thursday, though a few<span style="color: Red;">*</span>showers might help ease the worst of it.
Stocks: U.S.stock futures were lower Thursday, after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged.
TV Tonight:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Wondering<span style="color: Red;">*</span>what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at The Astronaut Wives Club, AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Steve Martin, and Review.
If you missed Wednesday's news, we've<span style="color: Red;">*</span>got you covered here.
Need a break? Try<span style="color: Red;">*</span>playing some of our games.
You can subscribe<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to get the day's top news each weekday in your inbox or find us on the Yo! app:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>justyo.co/usatoday.
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed