The early report for the topics and people that are trending on
Yahoo and across the web for Monday, March 19, 2012.
Research by Search editor Margaret Guzman
STAND-OUT SPIKES
- Walking Dead: A new character gets introduced in the season finale.
- Atlanta Pollen Count: It's -- ah-chooo -- record-high. Beware the "oak, pine, mulberry, sycamore, sweet gum and birch."
- Mike Daisey: The off-Broadway performer received a standing ovation in his finale for "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs," despite the in-depth retraction that ran on "This American Life," which exposed Daisey conflating rumors and facts about working conditions in factory supply chains for Apple.
NEWS
- Toulouse: A motorcycle gunman opened fire Monday in front of a Jewish school in the French city, killing a rabbi, his two sons, and one other child.
- Meghan McCain: The pundit and daughter of Senator John McCain appears, clothed, in Playboy magazine's April issue and sounds off about the elections, her pitch of NJ governor Chris Christie as a veep nominee, her support of same-sex marriage, and her love of men.
- Kony: "Invisible Children" filmmaker Jason Russell, who created the viral "Kony 2012" video, was suffering from "extreme exhaustion and dehydration" when he was detained by police last week in San Diego, his wife said in a statement.
- Langston Hughes Poetry: A Virginia high school English teacher is under investigation for allegedly asking the only black student in the class to read a poem in a "blacker" manner.
- Manohar Aich: India's first Mr. Universe turns 100.
- Tonga: In mourning over death of King George Tupou V.
- Puerto Rico: Mitt Romney snagged that territory. Related searches: Resultados Primarias 2, Puerto Rico statehood.
SCIENCE
- San Juan Capistrano: The annual celebration marks the migration of cliff swallows from their winter home in Goya, Argentina, to San Juan Capistrano. The small birds typically can be seen locally in October, when they start their migration back to Argentina.
BUSINESS & SHOPPING
- AAPL: The company's finally releasing its cash hoard in the form of quarterly dividends of about $2.65 a share, in a decision made under CEO Tim Cook.
SPORTS
- Kendall Marshall: The University of North Carolina point guard fractured his right wrist during the Sunday win against Creighton in the NCAA tournament. The Tarheel will monitor his condition to see if he can play Friday's Sweet 16 game against Ohio.
- Derek Fisher: The point guard confirmed Sunday that he reached a buyout agreement with the Houston Rockets.
- Alex Smith: The 49ers free agent finished up a 5.5-hour meet with the Miami Dolphins, in search of quarterback.
- Bristol Motor Speedway: Bristol power rankings here.
- NCAA: Maddening, no? Related searches: NCAA Bracket, NCAA Brackets, NIT Bracket
• Georgetown 63 - 66 North Carolina State
• Michigan State 65 - 61 Saint Louis
• North Carolina 87 - 73 Creighton
• Florida 84 - 50 Norfolk State
• South Florida 56 - 62 Ohio
• Xavier 70 - 58 Lehigh
• Kansas 63 - 60 Purdue
• Florida State 56 - 62 Cincinnati
ENTERTAINMENT
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Walking Dead Finale Michonne: The season ended Sunday with the surprise introduction of a hooded, sword-wielding character who keeps two zombies in chains. Comic fans would probably recognize the character as the heroine Michonne, who will be played by actress Dania Gurira. Related searches: Walking Dead Michonne, The Walking Dead Finale, The Walking Dead Michonne, Walking Dead Finale, Michonne, Michonne Walking Dead. Also http://www.amctv.com/shows/talking-dead (fan live show). Read more about and actress .
- Gallagher: The comedian is out of his coma.
- Hunger Games: The movie, based on the young-adult fantasy series that involves 12-18 year olds hunting each other down for political repression and televised entertainment, opens this Friday. Check out the exclusive trailer.
- 21 Jump Street: The favorably reviewed comedy starring Jonas Hill and Channing Tatum -- with cameo from original TV star Johnny Depp -- topped the weekend box office with its $35 million debut.
- Prometheus: Director Ridley Scott released the sci-fi flick's 3D trailer at WonderCon 2012. The June 8 flick stars Guy Pearce, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, and Idris Elba.
Other buzzy premieres
- Frozen Planet: A team of photographers and scientists spent four years braving brutal conditions for Discovery's new series, "Frozen Planet, which premiered Sunday night.
- Dancing With The Stars: Monday kicks off season 14 featuring light/lead-footed Donald Driver, Gavin DeGraw, Gladys Knight, Jack Warner, Jaleel White, Martina Navratilova, Melissa Gilbert and Sherri Shepherd.
- Punk'D Returns: The show returns March 29 with celeb hosts Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Hayden Panettiere and "Punk'd" alum Dax Shepard.
FUTURECASTING :tracking upcoming buzz
- Vernal Equinox (Mar 20)
- Birthdays: Carl Reiner (90 on March 20), Rosie O'Donnell (50 on March 21), William Shatner (81 on March 22).
- Ron Paul appears on "The Tonight Show" Tuesday
- Illinois primary (March 20)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND THE WEB
What's popular on Yahoo!, Twitter, Google Trends, CNN, BBC, Hollywood Reporter, and other outlets.
Yahoo! News Most Popular
• Census documenting Great Depression to be released
• 4 Republican justices control fate of health law
• 'Don't Re-Nig,' the racist anti-Obama bumper sticker, appears real
• Neighborhood Watchman Who Allegedly Shot Trayvon Martin Wanted to Be a Cop
• Obama should fire advisers over gas prices: Romney
• U.S. man convicted in 'enormous' tax scam that involved hundreds of Canadians
• Many willing to cut Afghan shooting suspect slack
• For a century, underground railroad ran south
• Witness: Occupy protesters beaten during arrests
• Money, career woes plagued Afghan killings suspect
Twitter Trends (USA)
• #CANDANGUEANDO
• #TwitterHasTaughtMe
• Gaga Has A Legendary Laugh
• #WaysToGetDumped
• Chase Utley
• Miley Flawless Cyrus
• Rob Parker
• Papua New Guinea
• Zeca Camargo
• Madoff
CNN Most Read
• Ribbit! Frog species found in New York City has a croak of its own
• Romney handily wins Puerto Rico's GOP primary
• Why shouldn't a president be a good politician?
• Arizona cities buried in rare snowstorm as much of U.S. enjoys balmy weather
• 4 killed in shooting at French Jewish school
• Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, gives first public address