Get the USA TODAY app Flying spiders explained Start the day smarter ☀️ Honor all requests?
NEWS
5 Things to Know

Trump impeachment, Democratic presidential debate, Lakers-Bucks: 5 things to know Thursday

Editors
USA TODAY

Congress to reconvene amid impeachment uncertainty

A day after voting along mostly party lines to impeach President Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, lawmakers are set to return to the Capitol Thursday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced some uncertainty to the future timeline of the impeachment process and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, apparently, will deliver his own remarks about the process. Speaking at a press conference following the House's vote on Wednesday evening, Pelosi seemed to suggest managers would not be named until Senate Republicans agreed to a "fair" process – which could result in a delay in the transmission of articles of impeachment to the Senate. Meanwhile, McConnell tweeted Wednesday night that he will speak about the House Democrats' "precedent-breaking impeachment of the President of the United States" at 9:30 Thursday morning.

Prefer to listen? Check out the 5 things podcast below and subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts: 

Sixth Democratic debate with seven qualified candidates

The 2020 Democratic presidential field has narrowed to 15 candidates, and the number debating in Los Angeles on Thursday has been trimmed to seven. Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Tom Steyer, Amy Klobuchar and Andrew Yang will take the stage at Loyola Marymount University a day after the House impeached President Donald Trump in a historic vote. The Democratic National Committee required that by Dec. 12 each candidate have at least 4% support in four polls nationally or the four early states (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina), or 6% in two early-state polls, and contributions from at least 200,000 individual donors with at least 800 from 20 different states.  

Lowest paid workers aren't receiving salary increases, but others are

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. workers who make under $30,000 received no pay increase the past 12 months, a new Bankrate survey released on Thursday finds. By contrast, 55% of those making $50,000 or more received a raise and 49% of all U.S. workers got a boost in salary, up from 38% the prior year and the most since 2016.So what are the reasons behind these findings? For starters, low unemployment and a tight labor market are paying off for most workers as "unique talents, skills and certifications" are commanding a "premium in the workplace," said Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride. 

It's a season of change for Miss America

The Miss America 2020 main competition will air as a two-hour live special on NBC Thursday night at 8 ET. (Preliminary rounds were held earlier this week.) Judges include actress Lauren Ash, "Queer Eye" culture expert Karamo Brown and musician Kelly Rowland. Kit Hoover and Mario Lopez of "Access Hollywood" will host. The show this year is being held at the Mohegan Sun casino and resort in Uncasville, Connecticut, a switch from its longtime home in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It's also the first time the competition is being held during the holiday season instead of its former September timeslot.

The NBA's best face off in a star-studded showdown

The NBA's Christmas Day showcase is still days away, but basketball fans get an early present Thiursday when the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks face off in a showdown of teams tied for the league's best record.  Both teams enter off losses — the Bucks' 18-game win streak was snapped Monday; the Lakers' 14-game road win streak ended Tuesday. But with reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the Bucks against LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers, the star-studded matchup has the potential to be a ratings boon for a league in need of one.

Featured Weekly Ad