5 Things to Know This Morning

— -- Your look at the five biggest and most buzz-worthy stories of the morning.

1. Captain in South Korea Ferry Tragedy Sentenced to 36 Years in Prison

The captain of the South Korean ferry that sank in April, killing 304 people, was sentenced in South Korean district court today to 36 years in prison, with the ferry’s chief engineer receiving a 30-year sentence.

Prosecutors had sought the death penalty for 68-year-old captain Lee Joon-Seok and three other main crew members for neglecting responsibility to rescue passengers, many of whom were high school students on a field trip. The 15 crew staffers were the first ones to escape when the Sewol ferry started to sink.

The Gwangju District Court in southern South Korea acquitted Lee on murder charges but said he was professionally negligent and abandoned passengers. The court also sentenced the chief engineer for homicide after he neglected two injured staff members during the escape.

2. Thanking Veterans Today

Businesses are thanking veterans today, Veterans Day 2014, with deals and freebies for everything from wings to drinks and desserts.

Before you try to redeem these deals, it's a good idea to call ahead and note limitations and restrictions. Some of these deals are reserved for those who have served in the American military and their families, while other promotions are open to everyone.

3. After Ebola Recovery, Doctor Set to Leave Hospital

An emergency room doctor who was the first Ebola patient in the nation's biggest city was scheduled to be released from a hospital after beating the virus.

With Dr. Craig Spencer's recovery, there are no Ebola patients currently under treatment in the U.S. But officials continue to monitor hundreds of people.

Spencer is expected to speak, but not take questions, as he leaves Bellevue Hospital Tuesday. He was declared free of the virus after rigorous testing, the city Health Department said in a statement Monday.

Mayor Bill de Blasio called Spencer "a real hero."

4. Double Plane Crash Survivor Austin Hatch Fulfills a Basketball Dream

It was just a simple free throw in a 43-point blowout. One point.

But when University of Michigan basketball player Austin Hatch sunk his free throw Monday against Wayne State, the crowd exploded and Hatch’s teammates congratulated him.

One point? No, this meant so much more. Hatch jogged to head coach John Beilein and hugged him, a transcendent moment for a player who’s endured years of sadness and hardship.

5. ‘Dancing With the Stars’ 2014: Actress Lea Thompson Hangs Up Her Dancing Shoes

Actress Lea Thompson surprised the audience when she was voted off “Dancing With the Stars” just one week shy of the semifinals.

Thompson, 53, said she was proud of what she has accomplished on the show, and she hugged her pro partner, Artem Chigvintsev, when she learned she was going home.

“I just feel really great … I feel strong and I’m anxious to get back to my day job on ‘Switched at Birth,’” she said, referring to the ABC Family series.