These are the headlines you Need 2 Know. * **Florence Just One Day Away:** Evacuations in both Carolinas and Virginia are fully underway as the Category 4 hurricane is expected to make landfall late Thursday night. While officials prepare for the worst, over a million residents were ordered to evacuate. As of Wednesday morning, Florence has sustained winds of 130 mph, but forecasters have predicted the storm may strengthen to a Category 5 and cause catastrophic flooding. Track the storm [here](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?cone). * **The Fight for Syria's Final ISIS Territory:** ISIS has lost 99 percent of the area it once controlled in Iraq and Syria, and members of an American-backed coalition said Tuesday they are attempting to reclaim Hajin, Syria with military force. But Security analysts said that even after a potential defeat in Hajin, ISIS, with its online network and thousands of global fighters, will remain a powerful entity. Read more [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/11/world/middleeast/isis-syria.html). * **Iran Nuclear Program Remains Strong:** The country's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said on Tuesday that he hopes the deal between Tehran and world powers survives, but if not, its nuclear program will be in a stronger position than ever. Iran’s economy has suffered since the U.S. withdrew from the landmark agreement and imposed new sanctions. Western nations have been concerned about Iran’s nuclear program for decades, but Salehi insists that it is, and always has been, for peaceful purposes. Read more [here](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/09/11/iran-nuclear-chief-says-atomic-program-remains-strong-ever/1264974002/). * **Elizabeth Smart Kidnapper to be Released from Prison:** Wanda Eileen Barzee abducted Elizabeth Smart from her Salt Lake City bedroom at knifepoint in 2002 with the help of her husband and held her captive for nine months. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole has announced that Barzee will be released from prison on September 19, five years early. Smart calls the board’s decision “incomprehensible.” Read more [here](https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/11/us/wanda-barzee-elizabeth-smart-kidnapping/index.html). * **Sponsor a Spacecraft?:** NASA is reportedly trying to sell the naming rights to its spacecraft and rockets to raise some extra cash. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said the space agency has interest from corporate sponsors but doesn’t yet know if a deal is possible. As space exploration becomes more private, new companies free from government bureaucracy can often launch rockets more cheaply than NASA. Read the story [here](https://futurism.com/corporate-sponsors-nasa/). * **#AppleEvent:** Apple is expected to announce three new iPhones Wednesday at its event at 10 am PT/1 pm ET in the Steve Jobs Theater at the company’s Cupertino, Calif., headquarters. A larger, redesigned Apple Watch will reportedly be unveiled along with a wireless AirPower charging pad. Follow along at [Cheddar](https://twitter.com/lisahopeking/status/1039624093081907200). * **College Football Rakes in Millions:** Universities continue to make millions from football teams led by amateur student-athletes. Texas A&M recently topped the rankings as the NCAA’s most valuable team in terms of revenue, surpassing $148 million per year during the 2014-2016 seasons. Though Texas A&M football received $119 million in contributions, the team also averages $41 million annually from ticket sales. The University of Texas, Michigan, Alabama, and Ohio State round out the top five. See the full list [here](https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/09/11/college-footballs-most-valuable-teams/#13eea95d6c64). * **Cynthia Nixon is Progressive, Just Like Her Bagel Order:** Although she may be trailing opponent Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Cynthia Nixon told Cheddar Tuesday that “the polls across the board are just not capturing the progressive moment we’re in.” Will this wave be enough to carry Nixon over the incumbent to victory in Thursday’s New York gubernatorial primary? Nixon hopes that voters will stick by her, just as she is sticking by her favorite cinnamon raisin bagel and lox order. Watch the interview on [Cheddar](https://cheddar.com/videos/cynthia-nixon-not-worried-about-being-down-in-polls). * **Sally Field's New Memoir Reveals Tragic Details:** In her new memoir, “In Pieces,” the actress revealed that she was sexually abused repeatedly by her stepfather until she was 14. In the book, out next week, Field also writes of an abortion she had in Tijuana and describes her relationship with the late Burt Reynolds as “confusing and complicated… and hurtful.” Even after laboring on the book for about six years, Field said she was still not confident she wanted the text to be published. Read the full story [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/11/books/sally-field-burt-reynolds-in-pieces-memoir.html). * **Alex, I'll Take Fun With Facial Hair For $200, Please:** “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek debuted a full silver beard on the premiere of his show’s 35th season. Will this be a permanent new look for the vaunted host? See pictures on [Cheddar](https://twitter.com/CheddarBigNews/status/1039566744891912192). * **Feeling Glum? Take a Microvacation:** Last year, over half of Americans didn’t use all of their vacation days, but researchers said this needs to change. Working too much has been linked to heart problems, mental health issues, and a decrease in quality of work. Microvacations, breaks that only require one day off, allow workers to stay sane without the stress and planning of a full vacation. Read more [here](https://curiosity.com/topics/to-stay-sane-at-work-try-taking-microvacations-curiosity/?utm_source=cheddar&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=microvacations). Cheddar's Jill Wagner gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need 2 Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).

Share:
More In Science
3D Printed, D2C Prosthetics; Future of Human-Robot Collaboration
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Founder of Unlimited Tomorrow breaks down how he is creating completely 3D printed prosthetics to make them more affordable, customizable, and accessible; Chief Technology Officer of Zebra Technologies explains what the future of collaboration between robots and humans may look like; A look at Curiosity Stream's 'Mystery of the Roman Skulls.'
The Promise of 'Treg' Cells In ALS Treatments
Each year about 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS. This is such an important conversation. A disease that can weaken a patient's muscles and impact physical function. However, one research company says that could all change soon. Coya Therapeutics has developed a way to isolate a patient problematic T-cells in order to help ultimately slow the decline of not just ALS, but potentially Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases as well. Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Coya Therapeutics, Dr. Howard Berman, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Hydrogen Expected to Play Important Part in Achieving Net-Zero Future
In the fight against climate change, much of the conversation revolves around reducing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide or methane - and attempting to raise oxygen levels. But there's another gas - hydrogen - that could play a big role in the fight for the climate. Marco Alvera, CEO of Italian energy infrastructure company Snam and author of the book, 'The Hydrogen Revolution,' joined Cheddar Climate to explain the role hydrogen plays in helping achieve a net-zero future.
Walmart, Kroger Raise At-Home COVID-19 Test Prices
Americans looking to purchase at-home COVID-19 tests will now have to shell out a bit more money after an agreement expired between the White House and companies to sell the tests at cost. The price of Abbot's BinaxNow test kit from October to December was $14 apiece; on Tuesday, Walmart's website listed the test for $19.88, and Kroger listed the tests for $23.99. Carbon Health Regional Clinical Director Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss the impact higher prices will have as the nation experiences another surge in cases.
Kids Head Back To School As Omicron Surges In NYC
As millions of kids go back to school, districts across the country are determined to keep class in person, despite a surge in COVID cases. In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has vowed to keep the nation's largest school system open amid Omicron, citing the disastrous effect of remote learning on students. Oswald Feliz, NYC council member who sits on the health and education committee, joined Cheddar to discuss the city's plan to combat the recent surge and keep kids in school.
How Schools Are Preparing For Omicron
Schools across the country are determined to keep class in session, despite the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant. While many parents prefer in-person learning, they also worry whether the current public health guidelines will be enough to protect their kids. Erin Richards, national education reporter for USA Today, joined Cheddar to discuss how are schools are preparing for the surge to avoid another round of remote learning.
HP on New Products at CES 2022, Challenge of Reaching Carbon Net Zero by 2040
With the annual CES convention underway amid COVID, HP unveiled rolled out a number of new products virtually this year, including new gaming PCs and 4K display monitors. But as industries look toward a greener future, HP is working with the climate crisis in mind. James McCall, chief sustainability officer at HP, joined Cheddar's Kristen Scholer to discuss the company's climate goals, which includes reducing its carbon footprint to net-zero by 2040. He admitted that reaching the ambitious goal will be difficult because much of the company's emissions totals come from third parties. "A large part of our footprint is outside of HP's direct control. A lot of it comes either from our incoming supply chain, the materials, our manufacturing process, or about 30 to 40 percent of it comes from our consumer-use base," McCall told Cheddar.
Pfizer, BioNTech to Develop mRNA Shingles Vaccine
Pfizer and BioNTech are working to develop an mRNA-based shingles vaccine following the success of the COVID-19 shot. This latest collaboration will mark the third time the pharmaceutical companies have worked together on a vaccine.
Researchers Travel to "Doomsday" Thwaites Glacier to Test Ocean Temperature
The potential collapse of the Thwaites glacier in Antarctica has been deemed a potential "doomsday event" — researchers and scientists say its melting and collapse could raise global sea levels by at least two feet, enough to destroy coastal communities around the world. One team of scientists is traveling to the Thwaites glacier to drill below in order to gauge current ocean temperatures and attempt to model possible outcomes. David Holland, professor at NYU and Principal Investigator for the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration, joins Cheddar Climate to discuss the glacier's potential collapse, his team's research plan, and more.
Schools Prepare to Reopen Despite Rising Covid Cases
As winter break wraps up and COVID-19 cases hit record levels, the majority of school districts are returning to in-person classes. While some public schools in large cities have shifted to remote learning for the beginning of the year, the schools that are reopening campuses are determined to avoid the academic, social, and logistical challenges that come with a virtual classroom. Cheddar News is joined by Keith Powers, NYC Council Member, to discuss.
Load More