Here's a roundup of news trending across the nation and world today.
What to know now:
1. Tillerson on North Korea: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said a pre-emptive military strike against North Korea would not be off the table if the country continues to build its nuclear weapons program. Tillerson, who is visiting South Korea, said that, "all of the options are on the table" when it comes to defending South Korea and others against aggression from North Korea.
2. Governor pulls case: Murder case reassigned: Florida Gov. Rick Scott transferred a case out of the hands of a state attorney who says she does not support the death penalty. The case of Markeith Loyd, who has been charged in the shooting death of an Orlando police officer, was transferred out of the office of State Attorney Aramis Ayala after Ayala said she did not believe the death penalty served as a useful deterrent to crime. "I have given this issue extensive, painstaking thought and consideration," Ayala said at a news conference Thursday. "What has become abundantly clear through this process is that while I do have discretion to pursue death sentences, I have determined that doing so is not in the best interests of this community or in the best interests of justice." Florida law allows the governor to reassign cases for "good and sufficient" reasons.
3. Erin Go Bragh: It's St. Patrick's Day, a day to celebrate the Irish, whether you are one by blood or because you happen to like to wear green. You'll have a better than average chance of stumbling upon a celebration of the feast day for the patron saint of the Emerald Isle, as it is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States. So, who was Patrick and what did he do? Click here to find out a wee bit more about the man.
4. SNL going really live: Coming next month, NBC's "Saturday Night Live" will do something it's never done before. For the first time in its 42-year history, the show will air live across every U.S. time zone. The shows on April 15, May 6, May 13 and May 20 will air at 11:30 p.m. Eastern; 10:30 p.m. Central; 9:30 p.m. Mountain and 8:30 p.m. Pacific, with no taped delay. Host for those shows will be Jimmy Fallon, Chris Pine, Melissa McCarthy and Dwayne Johnson, respectively.
5. Madness continues: Most of those expected to survive the first round of the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament – or March Madness did so Thursday. Only favorites Minnesota and Maryland lost in the first round. A full slate of games will take place on Friday, with Kansas, North Carolina, Duke and Louisville playing. Games will be shown on several networks beginning at 12:15 p.m. ET.
And one more
Prince William and Duchess Kate will be visiting Paris on Friday, their first official visit there. The trip will mark the first time Prince William has visited the city as an official representative of the royal family since his mother was killed in a car accident there in 1997.
In case you missed it
Snow is pretty.
