• Actor and comedian Carlos Alazraqui joins us in the Los Angeles Bureau at 11am ET / 8am PT for “Coffee With Carlos”

• Far-reaching immigration legislation offering the prize of U.S. citizenship to millions is swiftly gaining ground in the Senate following agreement between Republicans and Democrats on dramatic steps aimed at securing the border with Mexico.

• U.S. stock futures are roughly 0.5% higher this morning as investors catch their breath after a market plunge that followed Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke’s remarks Wednesday that the central bank may start winding down its stimulus policies later this year.

• President Obama is holding his first meeting with a privacy and civil liberties board today as he seeks to make good on his pledge to have a public discussion about secretive government surveillance programs.

• Official autopsy results are expected today for “Sopranos” star James Gandolfini, who died of an apparent heart attack while vacationing in Italy. Doctors analyzed samples from his body and will provide a final report later in the day.

• It was a Heat repeat last night. They beat the Spurs 95 to 88 to keep the NBA title in Miami. King James (and his headband crown) led the way with 37 points.