5 things you need to know Wednesday

Ex-Massey Energy CEO to be sentenced

Former Massey Energy executive Don Blankenship faces up to a year in prison and a fine of $250,000 in connection with the deadliest U.S. mine disaster in four decades when he is sentenced Wednesday in Charleston, W.Va. Blankenship was convicted in December of conspiring to violate mining safety standards.   His sentencing comes a day after the sixth anniversary of the underground explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine, which claimed the lives of 29 workers.

Congress puts spotlight on security at airports, train stations

Concerns over transportation security in the wake of the deadly Brussels attacks will again be a hot topic on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Transportation Security Administration chief Peter Neffenger will testify at a Senate hearing, one day after Senate Democrats outlined a plan to tighten airport security as part of a pending aviation bill. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Tuesday endorsed a proposal by Rep. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., that would nearly double the number of armed TSA teams that patrol airports, train stations and other transportation hubs.

Fed minutes could shed light on future rate hikes

Minutes of the Federal Reserve's March meeting, to be released Wednesday, should shed light on policymakers' thinking on what's in store for interest rates. Last month, the Fed stood pat on rates as expected, but also indicated that future hikes will be more gradual than many anticipated despite an improving labor market and other signs of growth. Fed Chair Janet Yellen said last week that the Fed’s rate moves are not based only on the U.S. economy, but on global uncertainties. Market watchers will be gleaning the minutes for more clarity.

Execution set for 'Vampire' killer in Texas

Pablo Lucio Vasquez, convicted of killing a 12-year-old boy and drinking his blood, is expected to die by lethal injection Wednesday. Vasquez told police he was drunk and high when he cut David Cardenas’ throat with a knife in 1998. He also told police that voices ordered him to make the kill. Courts rejected arguments last month suggesting Vasquez was mentally ill. If Vasquez is executed, it will be the sixth in Texas and the 11th nationwide this year.

J.K. Rowling's chair goes to auction

The very chair J.K. Rowling sat in while writing the first two Harry Potter novelswill go to auction Wednesday in New York. As if Rowling’s signature doesn’t do the chair enough justice, the acclaimed author also painted “I wrote Harry Potter while sitting on this chair” on it. Rowling, the author of seven books about a boy wizard in a magical world, received the chair with a set of four free mismatched dining room chairs while living in government-subsidized housing in 1995. The oak chair is expected to fetch at least $65,000, according to the auctioneer’s website.

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And the essentials:

Weather: The nation's stormiest weather Wednesday will be near the Great Lakes and in the Northeast while most of the West and South enjoys mild, dry weather.

Stocks: Global markets inched up Wednesday.

TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at American Idol, Modern Family and Black-ish.

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