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5 Things to Know This Morning

5 Things to Know This Morning: Obama's Action on Hold

ByABC News
February 17, 2015, 5:17 AM
President Barack Obama speaks about immigration Nov. 21, 2014, at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas.
President Barack Obama speaks about immigration Nov. 21, 2014, at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas.
Carolyn Kaster / AP Photo

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

1. Federal Judge in Texas Blocks President Obama's Executive Action on Immigration

A federal judge in Texas has blocked President Obama's executive action on immigration, giving Texas and 25 other states time to pursue a lawsuit that aims to permanently stop the orders.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen’s decision comes after a hearing in Brownsville, Texas in January and puts on hold Obama’s order, which could protect millions of immigrants who are here illegally from being deported.

Hanen wrote in a memorandum accompanying his order that the lawsuit should go forward and that without a preliminary injunction the states will "suffer irreparable harm in this case."

2. 'American Sniper' Trial: Accused Shooter Told Cops He Knew It Was Wrong

Accused “American Sniper” killer Eddie Ray Routh was shown saying he had killed two men and that he knew it was wrong in a recording of the police interrogation aired in court Monday afternoon.

The nearly hour-long tape showed Texas Ranger Danny Briley interrogating Routh on the evening of Feb. 2, 2013, shortly after he allegedly shot and killed former Navy Seal Chris Kyle and Kyle’s friend Chad Littlefield.

"I knew if I didn't take his soul, he was going take mine next,” Routh said to the police interrogator on the recording. “I'm just tired of playing chess with my life.”

3. At Least 18 Dead by Electrocution in Haiti Carnival Accident

At least 18 people on a packed Carnival float in the Haitian capital were killed Tuesday when they were electrocuted by a power line.

The accident occurred as thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Port-au-Prince for the raucous annual celebration. People at the scene said someone on the float used a pole or stick to move a power line so the float could pass under it.

Some of the victims were instantly electrocuted in a flash of sparks, according to witnesses. Others managed to jump off, causing panic in the crowd.

4. 'It's My Party' Singer-Songwriter Lesley Gore Dies at 68

Singer-songwriter Lesley Gore, who topped the charts in 1963 at age 16 with her epic song of teenage angst, "It's My Party," and followed it up with the hits "Judy's Turn to Cry," and the feminist anthem "You Don't Own Me," died Monday. She was 68.

Gore, a nonsmoker, died of lung cancer at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, according to her partner of 33 years, Lois Sasson.

"She was a wonderful human being — caring, giving, a great feminist, great woman, great human being, great humanitarian," Sasson, a jewelry designer, told The Associated Press.

5. Oscars 2015: See the Nominees in Roles Before They Were Stars

Every actor has to start somewhere.

Michael Keaton was acting long before "Batman" and "Birdman," and the same goes for Bradley Cooper. Before "Silver Linings Playbook" and "American Sniper," Cooper was just the jerk from "Wedding Crashers."

Watch some of your favorite 2015 Oscar nominees in early roles before they were household names.