Trump impeachment hearings, 'unicorn' meteor storm: 5 things to know Thursday
Trump impeachment inquiry: Two more to testify
Two more witnesses are scheduled to testify Thursday in the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump's dealing with Ukraine. The House Intelligence Committee will hear from Fiona Hill, the former National Security Council senior director for Europe and Russia, and David Holmes, a political counselor at the U.S Embassy in Kyiv.
Hill previously told inquiry committees that National Security Adviser John Bolton was angry over efforts to arrange a White House meeting between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in exchange for political investigations.
Holmes, who overheard a phone conversation on July 26 between Trump and the U.S. ambassador Gordon Sondland, previously told lawmakers that he heard Trump ask: "'So, he's gonna do the investigation?' Sondland replied that 'he's gonna do it,'"
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'American Idol' alum Antonella Barba set for sentencing
Antonella Barba, who became a sensation on "American Idol" in 2007, is scheduled to be sentenced to federal prison Thursday after her July conviction on drug charges. Barba, now 32, made it to the top 16 of 'Idol' at age 19. But after the show, she suffered from bipolar disorder and other mental health problems, according to court records. In October 2018, authorities in Norfolk, Virginia, found nearly two pounds of the synthetic opioid fentanyl in her car. Prosecutors are seeking a prison term of between 57 and 71 months – nearly five years. Barba's attorneys are calling for a shorter sentence.
A rare but spectacular 'unicorn' meteor storm is possible
A rare celestial treat awaits stargazers late Thursday evening as a full-fledged "unicorn" meteor storm could appear in the night sky, astronomers said. Several meteors per minute are possible at the height of the storm, around 11:50 p.m. EST Thursday, according to the meteor society. The best viewing conditions for the meteor shower are probably across the western and north-central USA, where there are only patchy clouds in the forecast. There is no guarantee that such an event will unfold, but meteor scientists say there is a "good chance" to see the first Alpha Monocerotids meteor storm since 1995, when there were about 400 meteors per hour, AccuWeather reported.
About the NFL playoff picture ...
It's certainly becoming clearer by the week. Thursday night's game (Fox and NFL Network, 8:25 p.m. ET) between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans kicks off Week 12 and is huge for both teams that currently sit tied atop the AFC South. The Colts won Round 1 against the Texans in Week 7, so a victory in Houston on Thursday night would give Indy a huge edge for the division title. Also, don't forget to set your fantasy football lineup.
Colorado school district to close all schools amid illness outbreak
Beginning Thursday, a Colorado school district dealing with an "unprecedented spread of illness" will close the doors to every one of its more than 40 schools. Mesa County Valley School District 51 announced Wednesday all of its schools will be closed until after Thanksgiving break is over on Dec. 2. A statement quotes district nursing coordinator Tanya Marvin as saying a virus that is "extremely contagious and spreading quickly across our schools." Later in the statement, Marvin spoke of "a second, related virus that is affecting students." and that "the combination of the two has created an unprecedented spread of illness." The district, according to its website, serves more than 22,000 students and has 2,785 teachers and staff.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Impeachment hearings, 'unicorn' meteor storm: Things to know Thursday
