These are the headlines you Need 2 Know. * **Syria:** Four American service members are among the dead in an ISIS suicide bombing in Syria, weeks after President Trump declared victory over the terrorist group and announced the withdrawal of troops in that country. The blast, which targeted a restaurant popular with American troops, killed 19 people in total. Hours after the attack, Vice President Pence declared that ISIS had, in fact, been defeated. Read more [here](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46892118). * **Shutdown: Day 27:** House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has asked President Trump to delay the State of the Union address, scheduled for Jan. 29, until the government reopens, or do it in writing instead. She cited “security concerns” over Secret Service staffing. The Dept. of Homeland Security says it would be able to handle it, and the White House is said to be mulling whether the GOP-controlled Senate could invite Trump to deliver the address instead. Read more [here](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-officials-discuss-whether-mcconnell-can-invite-trump-for-state-of-the-union-address/). * **California Storms:** California has been hit with multiple storms this week and it’s not over yet. The National Weather Service is warning a “powerful Pacific storm” is expected to “hammer the West Coast into Friday.” Heavy rain and blizzard conditions are expected. Meanwhile, in Southern California, a 19-car crash resulted from fog, and in Northern California, a mudslide made a mess of the morning commute. Read more [here](http://time.com/5505269/california-storm-highway-closures-car-crashes/). * **May Survives (Again):** UK Prime Minister Theresa May survived another ‘no-confidence’ vote just after her Brexit deal failed. The ouster vote was 325 to 306. May has until Monday to come up with a new Brexit plan. Read more [here](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46900367). * **Razr Back:** The Motorola Razr is reportedly coming back. According to the Wall Street Journal, the new version of the phone comes with a foldable screen, will cost around $1500 and may be available as soon as February. The phonemaker Lenovo, which owns the Motorola brand, is reported to be partnering with Verizon on an exclusive deal. Read more [here](https://www.wsj.com/articles/return-of-the-razrwith-a-foldable-screen-and-1-500-price-11547643601). * **Bye, Bob:** Broadcaster Bob Costas has parted ways with NBC after 40 years at the network. His contract, worth millions of dollars, ran through 2021. Costas reportedly said it was “all settled quietly and happily for all concerned.” Read more [here](https://www.si.com/tech-media/2019/01/16/bob-costas-nbc-leaves-40-years-mlb-network). * **Who Ya Gonna Call?:** There’s a new "Ghostbusters" movie on the horizon, and a teaser has already been released. The sequel to the original franchise will be directed by Jason Reitman, the son of the original film’s director, and is expected in the summer of 2020. Watch the teaser [here](https://ew.com/trailers/2019/01/16/jason-reitman-ghostbusters-movie-teaser/). * **Chris Hansen:** Chris Hansen, the former host of "To Catch a Predator," has been arrested for allegedly bouncing checks. Hansen is accused of writing a nearly $13,000 check for items ー twice. Both checks bounced. The items, including mugs and shirts, were for a marketing campaign. Read more [here](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/catch-a-predator-host-chris-hansen-charged-bouncing-checks-1176635). * **Super Blood Wolf Moon:** A "super blood wolf moon," a rare lunar eclipse, will be visible this Sunday night. The event gets its name because it consists of three lunar events: a supermoon, a wolf moon ー the first full moon of the year ー and a blood moon, which is when the sun, moon, and Earth all line up to create a red glow. Find out how to watch [here](https://www.sciencealert.com/the-super-blood-moon-eclipse-is-almost-upon-us-here-s-how-to-watch). * **"Fat Lady":** Meghan Markle took it well when a woman at an animal charity called her “a fat lady.” The woman first told the royal she was a “lovely lady” and then added she was “a fat lady.” Markle laughed and said, “I’ll take it!” Read more [here](https://people.com/royals/pregnant-meghan-markle-was-called-a-fat-lady-at-animal-shelter-and-her-response-was-perfection/). Cheddar's Hena Doba gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need 2 Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).

Share:
More In Politics
Rep. Khanna Thinks Congress Needs Some Outside Help to Solve Shutdown
California Rep. Ro Khanna has a novel idea about how to solve the government shutdown: call in some experts."Why don't we get an independent group of experts? The President appoints two people. The House appoints two people. The Senate appoints two people," the Silicon Valley-based Democrat suggested. "Put them in a room ー six folks ー and have them come up with proposals that are going to be 6-0."
L.A. Teachers Strike Is About More Than a Fair Contract, Teacher Says
With Los Angeles public schools ending a third day without their striking teachers, a deal between the union and the district remains elusive, according to Joseph Zeccola, a 2018-19 L.A. County Teacher of the Year and one of more than 30,000 educators currently protesting in the country's second-largest school district. "We're at a standstill," Zeccola told Cheddar from the picket line on Wednesday. "The offers right now have not been good."
Government Shutdown Is Hurting Franchisees: Fat Brands CEO
The ongoing government shutdown will hurt franchisees, Fat Brands CEO Andrew Wiederhorn told Cheddar on Monday. The closure of the Securities and Exchange Commission may inconvenience companies like Fat Brands, which need access to the public markets, but its franchisees, who run outposts of Fat Brands restaurants like Fatburger and Ponderosa Steakhouse, can't seek loans or expand their businesses. "There is a trickle down effect to us, but it's pretty small. I think really it affects the small business owner ... and it's coming out of their pocket," Wiederhorn told Cheddar.
Airlines Forced to Consolidate Resources As TSA Officers Call Out Sick Amid Shutdown
Airline passengers are facing long security lines as unpaid TSA officers have begun calling in sick due to the government shutdown. Staffing shortages led to the closure of an entire terminal at Houston's George Bush International Airport. Local Houston TSA President, Freddie Cuellar, says closing the terminal is the best way to utilize the staff who are able to come to work.
House Majority Leader Hoyer Says Democrats Won't Negotiate with Hostage-Taker Trump
President Trump has taken the government hostage, and House Democrats refuse to negotiate with a hostage-taker, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told Cheddar on Tuesday. "This is not about the wall, it's not about health care, it's not about ... spending. This is about a promise the president made, and he has now taken the government hostage," Hoyer told Cheddar's J.D. Durkin as the 25th day of the partial government shutdown dragged to a close.
Canopy Growth CEO Bruce Linton Hopes to Create Hemp 'Hub' in New York State
Canopy Growth is planning its entry to the U.S. on the back of the new Farm Bill ー and aims to establish a hemp "hub" in New York, according to CEO Bruce Linton."New York is setting up a pretty progressive approach and we have an earlier first license under that system so we can actually create a hub," Linton told Cheddar on Tuesday.
Government Shutdown Leaves Budding Cannabis Producers in Limbo
The cannabis industry enjoyed a productive 2018, but the government shutdown may be turning the industry's green light to yellow. Cannabis stocks are up overall, but according to Debra Borchardt, co-founder and CEO of Green Market Report, the government shutdown has left some farmers and companies in limbo.
Load More