5 things you need to know Wednesday
Congress tackles absurdly long airport security lines
The House Homeland Security committee will hold a hearing Wednesday to try and come up with legislation that can address the increasingly long lines facing travelers at airport security checkpoints. The waits — up to 3 hours in some cases — at major airports across the country in recent months are expected to grow during the busy summer travel season. TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger has dismissed the agency's top security officer and the agency plans to post up-to-the-minute wait times and test an automated bin-moving system designed to get travelers through checkpoints faster.
Feds join efforts to bolster trust in police
FBI Director James Comey is expected to participate in a conference on race and law enforcement Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala., as the list of local police chiefs recently ousted due to conduct issues grows. Since Ferguson, Mo., exploded in civil unrest following the fatal police shooting of a black teenager nearly two years ago, chiefs have exited with increasing regularity, from San Francisco to Baltimore and Chicago. In some cities, including Cincinnati and Salt Lake City, changes were prompted not by a shooting or other questionable use of force, but by internal clashes involving personnel.
Cavs try to find that unbeaten feelin'
Where did their mojo go? LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers need to figure that out fast as they face the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday with their NBA Eastern Conference final series tied at two games apiece. The Cavs went 10-0 to start the playoffs, sweeping Detroit and Atlanta before winning the first two against Toronto by a combined 50 points. Then the law of averages — or something — kicked in, with the Raptors taking the next two including a 105-99 win Monday. The Cavs at least get to play Game 5 in Cleveland (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
You could be compensated for GM's overstated mpg
If you own or lease a 2016 model crossover vehicle, chances are your window sticker overstates your car’s fuel economy by 1-2 miles per gallon. General Motors is estimating that about 135,000 drivers of Chevrolet Traverses, GMC Acadias and Buick Enclaves have been affected by the sticker issue. As a result of the error, the automaker is offering a protection plan for high-mileage customers, or debit cards worth between $450 and $900. The amount on the debit cards will depend on the terms of your lease and/or whether your vehicle is front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Letters detailing the reimbursement go in the mail starting Wednesday.
Scripps National Spelling Bee begins
P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E: Kids from across the USA will test their spelling mettle as the oral rounds of the Scripps National Spelling Bee get underway outside Washington, D.C., Wednesday. Now in its 89th year, the bee never fails to deliver drama as spellers adventure to the far corners of the English language. This year's contestants can expect a more difficult word list, which has been tweaked after the last two years ended in ties. The bee will be televised live on ESPN3 and the champion — or champions — will be determined in the finals Thursday. Here are seven things you probably didn't know about the bee.
Bonus: Grab a glass for National Wine Day
It's the best Wednesday of the year. We endorse wine consumption from any vessel — glass, goblet, canteen, top hat — you do you. Check out some out-of-the-(wine) box products on the market.
And the essentials:
Weather: Severe thunderstorms will rattle the central U.S. on Wednesday while a summer preview spreads across the East.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures were higher Wednesday as oil prices rose.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Heartbeat, the Nashville series finale and Wayward Pines .
Be inspired: A 54-year-old custodian graduates with an engineering degree.
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