These are the headlines you Need 2 Know. * **Romaine Lettuce Warning:** Americans and Canadians are being warned to avoid eating romaine lettuce — any brand — after a total of 50 people in the two countries contracted E. coli. The CDC is telling Americans to throw out romaine lettuce, whether it’s a head of romaine or included in a salad mix, and has also told restaurants to stop serving it. There have been 32 victims in 11 states here, and 18 victims in Canada. Of the U.S. victims, 13 were hospitalized and one had kidney failure but no one has died. Read the warning [here](https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-11-18/index.html). * **Trump Backs Saudis:** In a lengthy statement that aides say he dictated himself, President Trump reconfirmed the U.S. alliance with Saudi Arabia in the wake of that country’s assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, essentially brushing off the CIA’s determination that the crown prince ordered the hit. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle responded to the statement with shock. Read more [here](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-defends-saudia-arabias-denial-about-the-planning-of-khashoggis-death/2018/11/20/b64d2cc6-eceb-11e8-9236-bb94154151d2_story.html?utm_term=.18dbabc50ff4). * **House Dems:** Rep. Martha Fudge of Ohio threw her support behind Nancy Pelosi for speaker in the new Congress in a surprise move, after Pelosi announced she would resurrect a subcommittee on elections and name Fudge the chair. Fudge was the only representative to publicly consider challenging Pelosi for the gavel, and her decision will make it far likelier that Pelosi once again becomes speaker of the House come January. Read more [here](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/417744-fudge-endorses-nancy-pelosi-in-surprise-move). * **Trump Bombshell:** President Trump reportedly instructed the White House lawyer earlier this year to prosecute Hillary Clinton and former FBI Director James Comey, two of his political rivals. The lawyer, Don McGahn, told the president he didn’t have the power and that Trump risked impeachment if he followed through. Read more [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/20/us/politics/president-trump-justice-department.html). * **Michigan State:** The former president of Michigan State University has been charged for allegedly lying to police during an investigation of the school’s handling of sex abuse accusations against disgraced doctor Larry Nassar. Lou Anna Simon is facing two felony and two misdemeanor counts. Read more [here](https://www.npr.org/2018/11/20/669845087/michigan-state-university-ex-president-charged-with-lying-in-larry-nassar-case). * **Zuckerberg Interview:** Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sat down for a rare TV interview in an attempt to push back on media coverage of the swirling controversies at his company. Appearing nervous but defiant, Zuckerberg resisted calls for him to step down as chairman and said he hopes Sheryl Sandberg, his embattled deputy, will stay in her job for “decades more.” Read more [here](https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/20/tech/mark-zuckerberg-interview/index.html). * **Angry Uncle Bot:** A new A.I. chat bot will help you prepare for Thanksgiving by imitating your political opposite with a “five-step method to help people have difficult conversations.” Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure for the digital age. Read more [here](https://www.cheddar.com/videos/angry-uncle-bot-will-make-your-thanksgiving-less-tense). * **Spotted:** First son Barron Trump headed to Florida with his parents for Thanksgiving. It’s the first time he’s been spotted in public since August. See the [photo](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6411457/Barrons-Trumps-youngest-child-spotted-time-AUGUST-heads-Mar-Lago.html). * **Sexy Photo Backlash:** Sarah Michelle Gellar is getting heat on social media after posting sexy photos from 2007, with the caption: “I’m just going to pin these up all over my house as a reminder not to overeat on Thursday.” In the photos from a Maxim photo shoot, the actress is seen in lingerie. She later apologized to those who accused her of fat shaming. Read more [here](https://people.com/health/sarah-michelle-gellar-sparks-debate-with-lingerie-photo-post-about-not-overeating-on-thanksgiving/). * **Turkey Pardon:** President Trump presided over the time-honored tradition of the pre-Thanksgiving turkey pardon. This year, two birds, Peas and Carrots, were granted clemency. Watch [here](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/president-trump-pardons-a-turkey-at-the-white-house-as-annual-tradition-live-updates-today-2018-11-20/). Cheddar's Hena Doba gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need 2 Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).

Share:
More In Politics
All Hands Celebrates Black History Month
All Hands celebrates Black History Month by highlighting achievements in inclusivity and paying homage to those who have fought for equal rights. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) joins Cheddar News to discuss voter suppression; Damali Peterman, CEO of Breakthrough ADR, elaborates on the biggest barriers for Black professionals; Andre Perry, senior fellow of Brookings Institution, dives into student loans and the racial wealth divide; and lastly, BET CEO Scott Mills discusses the company's initiatives for 2022.
Black History Being Made On Capitol Hill
All month long Cheddar News is celebrating Black History Month. In our nation’s capital, Black history is being made right now. cheddar's own Arielle Hixon puts the spotlight on three lawmakers making that happen, Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).
Rep. Maxine Waters on Voter Suppression, SCOTUS During Black History Month
Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif. 43rd District) joined Cheddar News to talk about the current political climate in America, including efforts to roll back voting rights in multiple states in light of Black History Month. "Why do we have to deal with those who still believe that somehow this country only belongs to the whites of the country and that somehow they have to do everything that they can to undermine our voting and do voters suppression to keep us from being influential and at the table by which to solve problems?" she asked. Waters chided "two Democrats" who she said were stymying attempts to rectify the issue and also spoke on President Biden’s promise to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court.
Interest Rates Remain Unchanged Though Hikes Loom
Wall Street saw another volatile day after the Federal Reserve left rates unchanged for now, with plans to raise rates in March at its next meeting in order to ease inflation. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed has not made decisions on the size of rate increases, adding that the Fed is not trying to get inflation below two-percent. Ken Johnson, CFA and Investment Strategy Analyst explains why Powell thinks that high inflation is a significant threat to the labor market.
Factorial Energy Raises $200 Million to Accelerate Commercialization of Its Solid-State Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Solid-state battery maker Factorial Energy recently raised $200 million in a Series D round led by Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis. Factorial says the funding will be used to accelerate commercial production and deployment of its solid-state battery technology, which the company says is safer, and offers up to 50% more driving range than current lithium-ion technology. Factorial also has joint development agreements (announced in late 2021) with Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Hyundai, three of the top 10 global automotive manufacturers, to commercialize its batteries. Factorial CEO Siyu Huang joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Load More