Nevada caucuses, Wilder-Fury II, iconic photo's anniversary: 5 things to know this weekend

Editors, USA TODAY
·5 min read

Next up in the 2020 race: Nevada

Nevada has 36 delegates up for grabs Saturday when state Democrats gather at precincts to caucus. The Silver State’s third-in-the-nation nominating contest was, like Iowa’s, planned as an app-based process. But after Iowa's results debacle, Nevada has switched to a "caucus calculator." The Associated Press still has not called a winner in Iowa. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders ended the day in a near tie in state delegates, according to the Iowa Democratic Party. In New Hampshire, Sanders edged Buttigieg in a close finish.

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One of America's most iconic photos is from 75 years ago this Sunday

On Feb. 23, 1945, Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal snapped one of the most iconic pictures in American history as Marines hoisted an American flag on top of Iwo Jima's Mount Suribachi. Rosenthal's picture lives on, 75 years later. A stronghold for Japanese forces, Iwo Jima played an important role in facilitating air travel above the vast Pacific Ocean and represented a stepping stone for Allied fighters. Taking the island opened the door for potential attacks on mainland Japan. The battle waged on for 36 days and was one of the bloodiest encounters in Marine history: more than 6,000 U.S. service members died according to the National WWII Museum. Out of about 20,000 Japanese troops, only about 200 survived the battle, according to the museum.

U.S. Marines of the 28th Regiment, 5th Division, raise the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, on Feb. 23, 1945. Strategically located only 660 miles from Tokyo, the Pacific island became the site of one of the bloodiest, most famous battles of World War II against Japan.
U.S. Marines of the 28th Regiment, 5th Division, raise the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, on Feb. 23, 1945. Strategically located only 660 miles from Tokyo, the Pacific island became the site of one of the bloodiest, most famous battles of World War II against Japan.

Will Yosemite's famous 'firefall' be a bust?

The famed "firefall" phenomenon at California's Yosemite National Park is expected to make its yearly appearance this weekend, but a lack of rain and water could spoil the spectacle. In mid-February each year, a little before sunset, the sun hits the Horsetail waterfall at just the right angle to create an illusion that looks like lava or fire flowing off the side of the cliff. This year, according to AccuWeather, the firefall will be best from Friday to Sunday, but there's a problem: It hasn't rained enough to get the falls flowing. That may keep away the estimated 2,000 photographers and other spectators who usually turn out to see the spectacle, the National Park Service says.

Miracle on Ice still resonates 40 years later

Feb. 22, 1980. USA 4, USSR 3. Saturday marks four decades since perhaps the greatest sports result in the history of this country. A team made up of a bunch of college kids beat the Soviet Union, the best hockey team in the world, at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. Two days later, the U.S. beat Finland for the gold medal. Tourism is a $1.2 billion industry in the region, and state officials are pumping tens of millions into construction projects to make sure Lake Placid remains prominent on the winter sports map. Most members of the U.S. hockey team will celebrate in Las Vegas on Saturday with the NHL's Golden Knights, the Associated Press reports.

Wilder-Fury rematch could be one for the ages

In what is arguably boxing's biggest heavyweight bout in decades, Tyson Fury (29-0-1, 20 knockouts) and Deontay Wilder (42-0-1, 41 knockouts) will face off in a rematch in Las Vegas Saturday night, just 14 months after they fought to a draw in a dramatic fight in Los Angeles. During their public last appearance Friday, Wilder weighed 231 pounds for his 11th defense of his WBC title. That's the heaviest of his career and 18 1/2 pounds more than their first fight. Fury, meanwhile, tipped the scales at 273 pounds, just 3 pounds short of his heaviest ever and 16 1/2 pounds more than their first matchup. In an interview with USA TODAY Sports, boxing Hall of Famer and former heavyweight champ George Foreman called Wilder-Fury II the third best rematch in heavyweight boxing history, also saying, "This is pure boxing peaking, heavyweight history." The fight will be available on pay-per-view $79.99 and if it sells well, both fighters could make around $40 million.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nevada caucuses, Wilder-Fury rematch: 5 things to know this weekend