10 Things to Know for Friday

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Friday:

1. OBAMA CALLS FOR SPENDING SURGE

His pitch in this year's budget comes with the added oomph of an improving economy and big recent declines in federal deficits.

2. SENATE OKS KEYSTONE PIPELINE

The vote, though, is short of the threshold needed to override Obama's promised veto.

3. GAS EXPLOSION WRECKS MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN MEXICO CITY

Mothers carrying infants flee the powerful blast, which kills at least two and wounds dozens.

4. RISK OF DYING IN VEHICLE CRASH FALLS

Improved car and truck designs and safety technology have a lot to do with the reduced danger, experts say.

5. ROMNEY, WEIGHING 2016 RUN, FACES HURDLES IN MONEY CHASE

Several past major fundraisers and donors in key states have defected to former Gov. Jeb Bush.

6. WHO'S BEING ENCOURAGED TO BREAST-FEED

Breast-feeding is thought to help protect children against a number of health ills — but it's much less common among U.S. black women than in whites and others.

7. POLL: BIG GAP BETWEEN WHAT SCIENTISTS, PUBLIC THINK

The survey finds, for instance, that U.S. scientists are far less worried about genetically modified foods than the general public.

8. WHY DOCTORS ARE 'FIRING' PATIENTS

Some physicians are refusing to treat children whose parents won't get them vaccinated, a situation highlighted by the measles outbreak in California.

9. ROD MCKUEN DIES AT 81

The poet and songwriter was an astonishingly successful and prolific force in popular culture in the 1960s and '70s.

10. WHICH SUPER BOWL MATCHUP MIGHT BE PIVOTAL

Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski will be pitted Sunday against Seattle's Kam Chancellor, one of the few safeties capable of stopping him.