5 things to know Wednesday

Editors | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Raw: Sen. Cruz reads "Green Eggs and Ham" Tea party conservative Sen. Ted Cruz delivered an old-style filibuster over President Barack Obama's health care law into early Wednesday morning. He touched on many topics and even recited Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham." (Sept. 25)

Ted Cruz seizes the Senate floor

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has vowed to speak on the Senate floor "until I am no longer able to stand" in opposition to President Obama's health care law. He has filled the time in a largely empty chamber, criticizing the law, talking about the Revolutionary War, the Washington ruling class and even linking his Cuban-born father who worked as a cook to a recitation of Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham. He is still talking as of early Wednesday.

Cruz has already surpassed the late Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., who filibustered the 1964 Civil Rights Act for 14 hours and 13 minutes. Cruz now has bragging rights among the Tea Party favorites, eclipsing Sen. Rand Paul's 12 hour, 52 minute talkathon over the Obama administration's drone policy (established in March). He also can say he's held court the longest among Texans: State Sen. Wendy Davis, a Democrat, talked for more than 11 hours to protest a bill that curbed abortion rights.

Cold case: Skeletal remains found in buried car in S.D.



Investigators found skeletal remains inside an old Studebaker believed to be tied to the 1971 disappearance of two 17-year-old girls, authorities in South Dakota said. Crews lifted the rusted, mangled hulk from an embankment in Brule Creek near Elk Point, which isn't far from the South Dakota town of Vermillion where Cheryl Miller and Pamella Jackson were from. Miller and Jackson were last seen May 29, 1971, driving a beige 1960 Studebaker Lark on their way to a party.

Closing arguments in Michael Jackson case

Attorneys for AEG Live LLC will present their closing argument Wednesday in the negligence case filed by Michael Jackson's mother over his death. A lawyer for Michael Jackson's family on Tuesday portrayed the concert promoter and Jackson's doctor as mercenaries who sacrificed the pop star's life in a quest to boost their own fortunes.

Kurt Cobain's childhood home in Wash. for sale

This month marks the 20th anniversary of Nirvana's final studio album, and fans aren't just able to buy a new "super deluxe" box set to celebrate the occasion. They can also buy the childhood home of late frontman Kurt Cobain, complete with his mattress.

Mom selling Kurt Cobain's childhood home This month marks the 20th anniversary of Nirvana's final studio album, and fans aren't just able to buy a new "super deluxe" box set to celebrate the occasion. They can also buy the childhood home of late frontman Kurt Cobain. (Sept. 25)

Pakistan quake death toll continues to rise

A Pakistani official says the death toll from a major quake that struck the country's southwest has risen past 200.

Contributing: Associated Press