These are the headlines you Need 2 Know. * **Trump v. Sessions:** “I don’t have an attorney general. It’s very sad,” President Trump told Hill.TV this week during an Oval Office interview. Since Jeff Sessions removed himself from the Russia probe, Trump has been vocal about his frustrations with the AG. But on Tuesday, the president said his disappointment goes even deeper. “I’m not happy at the border, I’m not happy with numerous things, not just this,” he said. Read more [here](https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/407358-hilltv-interview-exclusive-trump-eviscerates-sessions-i-have-no-attorney). * **Biggest Fire in California History Now Contained:** The Mendocino Complex fire started as two separate blazes in late July, but the pair ultimately combined and became the biggest one ever in the state. There's some good news, though ー the U.S. Forest Service reported Wednesday that the fire complex has been 100 percent contained after burning 459,123 acres, destroying over 150 homes, and killing one firefighter. Some areas within Mendocino National Forest will remain closed until December 31 out of concern for public safety. The cause of each fire is still under investigation, officials said. Read more [here](http://amp.sacbee.com/news/state/california/fires/article218655210.html). * **Deadline Set for Kavanaugh's Accuser:** Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley has set a 10 a.m. ET Friday deadline for Christine Blasey Ford to decide if she will testify in front of the committee Monday about her allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Ford has asked the FBI to investigate her claim that the judge sexually assaulted her while the two were in high school. Grassley sent a follow-up letter, saying it’s not the FBI’s responsibility to resolve the matter. Read more [here](https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/19/politics/kavanaugh-ford-grassley-judiciary-committee-supreme-court/index.html). * **Amazon Won’t Stop:** The company is reportedly considering a plan to open up to 3,000 cashier-less Amazon Go stores in the next three years. The first location opened in Seattle in 2016; there are currently four in the U.S. Shoppers can scan their app when they enter the store, and cameras and sensors track what they buy. The stores, with freshly prepared foods and a limited grocery selection, may mitigate meal-time logjams in busy cities. But an expansion would threaten convenience chains like 7-Eleven and quick-service sandwich shops like Panera. Read more [here](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-19/amazon-is-said-to-plan-up-to-3-000-cashierless-stores-by-2021). * **LaGuardia and Newark Lose:** J.D. Power has just released its 2018 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, and overall traveler satisfaction climbed to a score of 761 out of a max of 1,000, an all-time high for the survey. Despite a record number of U.S. passengers, airports are succeeding in managing volume by adding things like self-service check-in stations and more dining options. Las Vegas and Orlando ranked as the top big airports, while LaGuardia and Newark are considered the worst. Michael Taylor, Travel Practice Lead at J.D. Power, said in a statement that airports “will be put to the true test over the next few years” due to several multi-billion-dollar construction projects that are disruptive to passenger traffic. See the full ranking list [here](https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2018/09/19/best-airports-las-vegas-orlando-and-john-wayne-jd-power/1346289002/). * **Silicon Valley Is Getting ... Mindful?** Gelong Thubten, a Buddhist monk and educator, is often recruited by top tech firms in Silicon Valley to teach mindfulness. He teaches executives, engineers, and actors how to cope with stress at big-time firms like Google and Marvel. He also teaches at prisons and schools, but he tells all of his students the same thing, regardless of their position: even five minutes a day of meditation can make a difference in overall stress levels. He said in an interview on Cheddar this week that everyone “should carve out moments of mindful connection throughout the day.” Read more on [Cheddar](https://www.cheddar.com/videos/buddhist-monk-on-how-to-start-mindfulness-practice). * **Minnesota Timberwolves Star Wants Out:** All-Star guard Jimmy Butler has requested to leave his team and become a free agent next summer. Butler told coach Tom Thibodeau, president of Minnesota's basketball operations, that he would prefer the Los Angeles Clippers or the New York Knicks and wants to be traded before reporting to the Timberwolves media day on Monday. Read more [here](http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24733577/jimmy-butler-minnesota-timberwolves-seeking-trade-brooklyn-nets-la-clippers-new-york-knicks). * **‘Space Jam,’ Round 2:** LeBron James is teaming up with “Black Panther” producer Ryan Coogler for the buzzy sequel to 1996's “Space Jam”. This long-anticipated follow-up to the Michael Jordan-Bugs Bunny hit will be Coogler’s first project since “Black Panther”’s runaway success. “I loved his vision,” James said of Coogler. Production is scheduled to begin next year during the NBA off-season. Read more [here](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ryan-coogler-produce-lebron-james-space-jam-sequel-1145386). * **Maroon 5 Slated for Super Bowl:** Variety reports the band will be headlining the Super Bowl LIII halftime show on Feb. 3 at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. Special guest appearances for the performance have not yet been finalized, but Cardi B and Travis Scott are reportedly being considered. Maroon 5’s recent hit single “Girls Like You” features Cardi B and is currently #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Read more [here](https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/super-bowl/8475978/maroon-5-to-perform-2019-super-bowl-halftime-show). * **Welcome to 'Aris'...Notice There's No 'P' in It:** In an effort to discourage public urination, the Paris city government has released a video called “Pas Pipi Dans Paris,” or “Don’t Pee in Paris.” The video features a woman dressed in toilet paper, people singing with their heads framed by toilet seats, and individuals being doused in liquid. Watch the video [here](https://www.facebook.com/paris/videos/1833501453437164/). Cheddar's Nora Ali gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need 2 Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).

Share:
More In Politics
Oil Could Hit $140 a Barrel Amid Russia-Ukraine Crisis
Prices at the pump have escalated severely during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Paul Christopher, head of global market strategy, Wells Fargo Investment Institute, joined Cheddar News to explain how he sees the gas prices continuing to spiral despite the International Energy Agency announcing the release of 60 million barrels of oil from the strategic reserves of 31 countries. "We think you could see oil and gas prices continue to rise. Oil prices maybe could hit $140 a barrel. That's possible. And that would add another 50-60 cents on top of the gasoline prices you already have," he said.
President Biden Set to Give First State of the Union Address Amid Russia Crisis, Inflation
President Joe Biden is set to give his first State of the Union address amid both international and domestic crises: the Russia-Ukraine conflict and continued rising inflation and economic worries at home. He's expected to focus on a four-point plan to reduce everyday costs, and promote economic competition, among other key tenets. But will it be enough to persuade Americans that his administration will be able to get rising prices and foreign policy moves under control? Eugene Scott, national politics reporter at The Washington Post, joins Closing Bell to discuss Biden's expected focus, how he will aim to ease Americans' concerns, and more.
Airbnb.org Pledges to Provide Housing for Ukrainian Refugees
Airbnb.org has announced that it will provide up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees with free housing. Airbnb.org is the philanthropic branch of Airbnb that provides free housing for those affected by disasters. Joe Gebbia, co-founder and chairman of Airbnb.org, joined Cheddar News to talk about how the company has helped thousands find shelter in times of crisis. "A lot of people are saying this conflict is likely to be the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II, and I believe Airbnb believes that companies have a responsibility to step up and to help out in times like these," he said.
Nations Agree to Release 60M Barrels of Oil Amid Russian War
The International Energy Agency’s 31 member countries have agreed to release 60 million barrels of oil from their strategic reserves “to send a strong message to oil markets” that supplies won’t fall short after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Why State Districts Are Purposefully Strange Shapes
Every ten years, there’s a census. That decennial count is long and tedious and arduous…and important. Because it confirms who lives where so the Federal Government properly allocates resources, so services go to the places that need them most and - yes - so states gain or lose seats in congress and have the opportunity to redraw all their state and Congressional lines. That means, every 10 years, states start what has famously been one of the most partisan and divisive processes in politics. Because one strategic line can mean the difference in party control in not just the state legislatures but also in congress. Cheddar explains how gerrymandering works and why it exists.
Load More