These are the headlines you Need 2 Know. * **Winter Storm:** The southern half of the country is under threat of severe weather through the weekend. A major storm system has already begun dumping rain on Texas, and will spread east, raising concerns of widespread flooding. The mid-Atlantic will see heavy snow, freezing rain and ice, which has officials worried about mass power outages. Read more [here](https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/storm-to-sweep-through-southern-us-with-flooding-severe-weather-into-sunday/70006811). * **Kevin Hart:** Kevin Hart has decided to step down as host of the 2019 Oscars after Hart says the Academy asked him to apologize for years-old homophobic tweets. He initially said he “passed on” an apology. Later, when he announced he was stepping down because he didn’t want to be a “distraction,” he did apologize to the LGBTQ community. Read more [here](https://www.npr.org/2018/12/07/674447464/kevin-hart-bows-out-as-oscars-host-amid-backlash-over-past-tweets). * **Bush Laid to Rest:** President George H.W. Bush was laid to rest after several days of public mourning, culminating in a memorial ceremony at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston where Reba McEntire gave a powerful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer. He was then brought by train to his final resting place at his presidential library on the campus of Texas A&M. Read more [here](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/reba-mcentire-george-hw-bush-funeral-performance-today-2018-12-06/). * **Contested House Race:** North Carolina’s GOP leader said he’s open to a new election in a House district that’s been plagued by accusations of voter fraud. Dan McCready, the Democrat, has taken back his concession to Republican Mark Harris in the 9th district amid allegations that a GOP operative tampered with absentee ballots. Harris has so far been silent on the growing scandal. Read more [here](https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article222739205.html). * **UN Ambassador:** Heather Nauert has reportedly been chosen to replace Nikki Haley as the country’s ambassador to the UN. Nauert is the current State Department spokeswoman and a former Fox News host. President Trump is expected to announce her as his pick today. Read more [here](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-to-announce-heather-nauert-as-pick-for-un-ambassador-friday-sources-tell-fox-news). * **Market Roller Coaster:** Stocks staged a remarkable comeback in the final hour of trading Thursday after another day of steep losses. The Dow rebounded from a 780 point decline to close down 79. Fears of a recession are spreading among investors, helping to fuel the wild swings of late. Read more [here](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/05/market-sell-off-set-to-continue-as-dow-futures-get-hit.html). * **CNN Bomb Threat:** CNN’s New York offices were evacuated Thursday night when police say a man called and said five bombs had been placed in the building. The building was evacuated while Don Lemon was anchoring his 10 p.m. show; CNN went to taped programming and then Lemon went back on air from outside the building. The all-clear came just before midnight. Read more [here](https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/07/media/reliable-sources-12-06-18/index.html). * **LeBron & Melo?:** LeBron James is reportedly interested in Carmelo Anthony joining him on the Lakers. Anthony was unceremoniously removed from the Houston Rockets’ roster after just 10 games this season. James is said to think the veteran shooter still has good basketball left in him. Read more [here](https://theathletic.com/699423/2018/12/06/source-lebron-james-interested-in-carmelo-anthony-joining-the-lakers/). * **Golden Globes:** The Golden Globe nominations are out. Leading the way: Vice, the upcoming Dick Cheney biopic, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace, the true-crime series. Lady Gaga got a nod for her turn in A Star Is Born, while the well-reviewed Widows and Atlanta were both snubbed. The show airs on Jan. 6 and will be hosted by Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg. Read more [here](https://www.cheddar.com/videos/vice-and-the-assassination-of-gianni-versace-lead-golden-globe-nominations). * **#SpotifyWrapped:** Spotify’s personalized end-of-year wrap is out, and people have feelings about it. The streaming platform shows users the top songs they listened to throughout 2018. Some say they’re embarrassed by their tastes of just a few months ago, while others say it’s a perfect reflection of their moods at certain points during the year. See the tweets [here](https://twitter.com/search?q=%232018wrapped&src=typd). * **Baby, It’s Cold Outside:** Gayle King is not a fan of banning ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ and made her opinion known during a segment on CBS This Morning. The co-anchor believes “we’re losing our sense of humor nowadays.” The song has been banned by numerous radio stations because of lyrics deemed inappropriate by some amid the #MeToo movement. Read more [here](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/gayle-king-defends-baby-cold-outside-christmas-classic-continues-get-pulled-radio-stations-180330879.html). Cheddar's Hena Doba gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need 2 Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).

Share:
More In Politics
Why U.S. Oil Production Won't Ramp Up Overnight
President Biden announced a ban on Russian oil and natural gas imports to the U.S. in response to its invasion of Ukraine, a move he warned could lead to an even greater surge in gas prices. The ban is prompting a conversation about the current oil production levels in the U.S. and whether or not the industry can ramp up production to soften the blow to American families at the gas pump. Clark Williams-Derry, Energy Finance Analyst with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, breaks down the state of the U.S. oil industry and how the ban might impact production levels here at home.
What Biden's Ban on Russian Oil Imports Could Mean for Growing Energy Costs
As Russia intensifies its war on Ukraine, President Biden announced a ban on oil imported from the aggressor nation. Critics of Russia have said this would be the best way to force Putin to pull back, but curbs on Russian oil exports are expected to send already skyrocketing oil and gas prices even higher, further impacting consumers, businesses, financial markets, and the global economy. Leslie Beyer, CEO of the Energy Workforce and Technology Council, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss. "It's certainly going to increase pricing, but it is the right thing to do," she said. "The industry itself has already pulled out of the significant portion of its operations in Russia."
Problem Gambling Concerns With Sports Betting On The Rise
Sports Betting in the U.S. is booming. According to industry experts, we could see another boom this year as more states move towards statewide legalization of sports wagering. While this comes as huge news for fans, there are some very real concerns as to whether or not sports betting potentially poses a threat to public health. Senior Clinician at the Caron Treatment Centers, Eric Webber, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
White House Gender Policy Council Marks One-Year Anniversary
The Biden administration has made gender policy a core part of how it governs. The president established the first Gender Policy Council. It's on the same level as the National Security Council, Domestic Policy Council and National Economic Council, putting the interests of women and other underserved groups at the table for the most important policy discussions. Cheddar News sat down with Jennifer Klein, executive director and co-chair of the White House Gender Policy Council, to discuss the council's work and its significance during Women's History Month.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Advocates For Climate-Smart Practices
The United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack joins None of the Above to discuss the newly emerging conflict in Europe, what it means for agriculture in the states, dairy and meat consumption, and how the department is planning to promote climate-smart agriculture.
Refugees In Ukraine Flee Amid Russian Invasion
Tens of thousands of people have fled Ukraine in attempts to escape the Russian Invasion. According to the U.N. neighboring countries like Poland, Hungary, and even Romania have seen half a million refugees. While the hospitality is being welcomed by many, it also highlights the mistreatment of migrants and refugees from the Middle East and Africa. Professor of Philosophy and Director of Politics at Northeastern University Serena Parekh, joined Cheddar, to discuss more.
U.S. and E.U. Announce Sanctions On Russia
As Russia unleashed war in the country of Ukraine, global leaders have started inflicting punishment on Vladimir Putin's regime via commercial and financial penalties. According to President Joe Biden Putin's aggression is "a flagrant violation of international law and it demands a firm response from the international community".However, the main question is will these sanctions actually work. Partner at Jenner & Block LLP, Rachel Alpert, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Load More