5 things you need to know Friday

Friday the 13th 2017: Part I

Friday is going to be a tough day for those suffering from triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13) or paraskavedekatriaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th) because it's the first of two Friday the 13ths that will fall in 2017. Experts aren't sure when Friday and the number 13 became linked in the way we think of them today, but it could have something do with the Judas Iscariot — the disciple who betrayed Jesus — being the 13th guest at the Last Supper or the belief that Jesus was crucified on a Friday. It's also unclear what any of that has to do with a hockey-mask-wearing maniac who has a serious grudge against camp counselors. In any case, relax and enjoy these 13gif-tastic tips.

Report to shed light on Chicago police practices 

The Justice Department is expected to announce the findings in its civil rights investigation of the Chicago Police Department Friday. The government ordered the probe in December 2015 following the court-ordered release of video that showed the fatal shooting by a white police officer of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Chicago was one of 25 "pattern-or-practice" investigations of police departments by the Justice Department during the Obama Administration. On Thursday, Baltimore and the Justice Department announced a consent decree requiring the city to enact police reforms aimed at restoring trust between the police and the African-American community.

Five troops to receive upgraded medals for heroism

The Navy will upgrade medals for four Marines and one sailor at a ceremony scheduled for Friday. Concern that standards for valor had changed since the Sept. 11 terror attacks prompted the Pentagon last year to review whether more than 1,000 already-honored service members were entitled to greater glory. One of Friday's honorees is active-duty Marine Sgt. Michael Mendoza, honored after insurgents attacked his platoon in Iraq’s Anbar province in 2004. For his "extraordinary heroism," his Silver Star will be upgraded to the Navy Cross. Four troops who have left their services will receive upgrades to Silver Star medals.

Move to repeal Obamacare heads to the House  

House leaders are expected to give final approval Friday to a budget that would shield the coming bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act — better known as Obamacare — from a Democratic filibuster in the Senate. Stripping Democrats of their ability to endlessly delay that bill is crucial for Republicans, who have just a 52-48 edge in the Senate, where the budget passed early Thursday by a near party-line 51-48 vote. Republicans say the 2010 health care law is broken and must be repealed and replaced with something better, although just what that replacement plan will look like has not yet been revealed by congressional leaders.

‘Winter Storm Jupiter’ set to bring crippling weather conditions

Residents from the central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic are preparing for a potentially dangerous winter storm Friday that could make travel impossible and cut power to hundreds of thousands of people. Big cities — including Kansas City, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. — will likely be hit with significant icing, snow and sleet , the National Weather Service said. The icy forecast has even affected ticket prices for Sunday’s Steelers-Chiefs NFL playoff game, with the median listing ticket price falling a whopping 43%.

And the essentials:

Weather: Expect heavy ice from the Great Plains to the Midwest Friday, as well as showers in the South and arctic air centered over the Great Lakes.

Stocks: Global stock markets were mixed on Friday.

TV Tonight:  Wondering what to watch this weekend? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at A Series of Unfortunate Events, TheSimpsons and Homeland. 

Be inspired: This surfing dog is helping veterans and children.

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Contributing: The Associated Press