5 things you need to know Friday
Corrections and clarifications: An earlier version of this story misstated Serena Williams' Grand Slam record attempt. It has since been corrected.
Rising death tolls on 9/11 anniversary
As the nation marks the 14th anniversary of terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the death and injury toll is still rising. Nearly 21,000 people have filed eligibility claims, up more than 4,000 from this time last year. Survivors will hold an observance Friday for those who died at the newly dedicated Flight 93 National Memorial Visitor Center in Shanksville, Pa. — a 4,000-square-foot permanent exhibit and a Wall of Names. Events are also planned at the site of the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon Memorial. The National Archives released photographs of President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Cabinet members responding in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Emails from the George W. Bush Presidential Library also reflect the horror of White House officials amid the attacks of 9/11. One line read, "Today is Pearl Harbor."
FAA contractor sentenced for fire that canceled thousands of flights
A former Federal Aviation Administration contractor faces a decade in prison and millions of dollars in fines when he is sentenced Friday for setting fire to the Chicago-area air-traffic control facility last September. More than 11,000 flights were delayed when Brian Howard slashed key telecommunications cables, doused them in gasoline and then started a fire to make a quick repair impossible, according to court filings. The event cost airlines an estimated $350 million. Howard pleaded guilty in May and prosecutors recommended a sentence of 13 years in prison and fine of $4.5 million.
U.S. Open semifinals set to play after rain delay
The U.S. Open postponed both women’s semifinal matches to Friday — including world No. 1 Serena Williams’ match. Williams is two matches from completing tennis’ Grand Slam – winning all four majors in one year – which hasn’t been done in tennis since Steffi Graf in 1988. Williams will play Roberta Vinci and the other match will pit Simona Halep against Flavia Pennetta. The men’s semifinal will play in the early evening with Novak Djokovic against Marin Cilic and Roger Federer against Stan Wawrinka.
Fallon will joke with Trump on ‘The Tonight Show’
Donald Trump joins Jimmy Fallon on NBC’s The Tonight Show on Friday, along with actor Terrence Howard and musician Pharrell Williams. NBC said Trump will talk mostly about his 2016 presidential campaign. When he launched his White House bid, Trump’s relationship with NBC fouled. He once hosted The Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice, and partnered with the network for the Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants. NBC severed ties after Trump’s controversial remarks about Mexican immigrants.
Sacramento honors hometown heroes who thwarted French train attack
Celebrated by the French government and recognized on national television, now it is Sacramento's turn to honor its hometown heroes. Anthony Sadler, Spencer Stone and Alek Skarlatos, three friends who thwarted a terrorist attack on a Paris-bound train while on vacation in Europe, will be honored in a parade along Sacramento's Capital Mall Friday. Marching bands, members of the Sacramento Kings and representatives of the French Consulate are expected to be on hand for the festivities.
And, the essentials:
Weather: The West will continue its hot, dry pattern Friday while afternoon storms pelt the Plains.
Stocks: Global markets lacked enthusiasm Friday.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch this weekend? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Think it Up, Miss America Pageant and Doll & Em.
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