5 things you need to know Friday

Maria Butina to be sentenced in Russian infiltration case
Maria Butina, a Russian national who pleaded guilty in December to conspiring to act as an agent for the Kremlin without registering in the United States, is scheduled to be sentenced Friday in federal district court. A red-haired gun-rights activist who actively sought publicity, Butina, 30, made headlines last July when she was charged with participating in a years-long effort to infiltrate political groups, including the National Rifle Association. Prosecutors are alleging that while Butina was not a spy, her actions were designed to spot Americans who could be valuable to the Russian government. They've asked a judge to sentence her to 18 months in prison and order her deportation.

Trump to address NRA convention, again
For the third straight year, President Donald Trump on Friday will deliver the keynote address at the National Rifle Association's annual convention, which runs through Sunday in Indianapolis. In 2018, Trump gave a campaign-rally like speech in which he vowed to continue to champion gun rights. "Your Second Amendment rights are under siege, but they will never, ever be under siege as long as I'm your president," he said. Friday's visit will be Trump's first to the state since South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg – whom Trump recently referred to as "the mayor of Indiana" – became a contender in the Democratic race to unseat the president.

Rounds 2 and 3 of NFL draft come after an action-packed Round 1
Round 1 of the 2019 NFL draft is in the books. There were some surprising selections, and others that weren't a surprise at all. Sure, there are still six rounds, 222 picks and two more days left in this year's draft, but we've already analyzed the most intriguing picks, most questionable selections, grades, and winners and losers through Round 1. Rounds 2 and 3 take place Friday night (starting at 7 p.m. ET) in Nashville, with a number of quality prospects still available.

Attorneys for Robert Kraft set to challenge sex video
Attorneys for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft on Friday will try to convince a Florida judge to throw out videos that police say show Kraft twice paying for sex at a Florida massage parlor. The 77-year-old Kraft and 25 other men were charged in February with soliciting prostitution after allegedly being caught on camera at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, arrest records showed. Kraft has pleaded not guilty but released a statement apologizing to Patriot fans and others. On Friday, Kraft's lawyers will try to persuade a judge that police violated his rights when they secretly installed video cameras at the spa.

It has finally arrived: "Avengers: Endgame" blasts into theaters
When we last left our heroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the end of 2018’s "Avengers: Infinity War," the cosmic villain Thanos defeated the Avengers, secured all six Infinity Stones and wiped out half of the universe’s living beings with one snap of his fingers. When "Avengers: Endgame" opens wide in the U.S. on Friday, fans will see the original Avengers, including Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), join forces with newer heroes like Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) to take on Thanos (voiced by Josh Brolin) again in the culminating chapter of 22 Marvel films. USA TODAY critic Brian Truitt compared "Endgame" to a greatest-hits package from your favorite band, while also calling it "a singular, sprawling and hugely satisfying tale." Other first reactions from those who saw the film at Monday’s premiere were demonstratively positive. If you need a refresher before going to the theater, here’s everything you need to know.

Bonus: Don't get twisted, but it's National Pretzel Day!

It’s a Friday so that’s reason enough to celebrate. But today also is National Pretzel Day. We've rounded up the deals and freebies on the twisted treats to save you some dough. Big brands with promotions include Auntie Anne’s, Wetzel’s Pretzels and Pretzelmaker.