Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Thursday, February 11, 2021:
CDC SAYS DOUBLE UP
Even as coronavirus cases decline overall in the U.S., the U.K. variant is gaining steam across the country. There were a total of 932 reported cases of the strand in 34 states as of Tuesday, according to the CDC. Meanwhile, the agency is urging all Americans to start double masking or wear tightly-fitted surgical masks, whether they're infected or not, because if everyone does it transmission of the virus can be reduced by up to 96.5%. But, the CDC also changed its guidance to allow that if you're one of the lucky few who have been able to get two doses of the vaccine, you can skip quarantine when exposed to someone who had the virus. NY TIMES
IMPEACHMENT II: DAY 2
House Democrats on Wednesday made their case for convicting former President Donald Trump in a sprawling seven-hour presentation that included graphic footage of the Capitol Riots crossed with a sampling of Trump's most incendiary tweets and speeches. The focus of the presentation was in drawing a clear line between Trump's rhetoric and the riots, as well as holding him accountable for not calling off his supporters soon enough. At the end of the day, there was some hubbub when juror Sen. Mike Lee became a witness and demanded the House rescind its characterization of a phone call he took in the middle of the riots from the president, a call really meant for Sen. Tommy Tuberville. House managers continue their case today at noon. SEE THE EVIDENCE
GEORGIA INVESTIGATES TRUMP CALL
In another possible corruption holdover from the last administration, prosecutors in Fulton County are investigating a phone call made by Trump to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which the former president pressured him to "find" enough votes to win him the state. Newly-elected prosecutor Fani Willis is asking state officials to hold onto their documents related to the case. The investigation will likely look into potential violations of Georgia law including conspiracy, election fraud, and violation of oath of office. AJC
BIDEN SANCTIONS MYANMAR
The military coup in Myanmar shocked the world. Now President Joe Biden is responding with new sanctions on the Southeast Asian country, which had held onto its democracy for several years until its leader was arrested last week. Biden's order is going after Myanmar's generals where it hurts - in the wallet - blocking them from accessing $1 billion in U.S. assets. AP
CANNABIS STOCKS SURGE
With the last round of meme-stocks on the outs, Reddit investors are seeking greener pastures with a handful of cannabis-related stocks that saw massive bumps this week. The online trading community is banking on federal legalization of marijuana under the Biden administration. Established cannabis companies such as Tilray, Canopy Growth, Aphria, and Aurora Cannabis saw gains from 5 to 25 percent. CNBC
TIKTOK SALE SHELVED
The plan to force the sale of TikTok's American operations has been shelved, according to the Wall Street Journal. Due to heavy pressure from the Trump administration, the video-sharing platform had been pursuing a deal with a group that included Walmart and Oracle, but momentum behind the sale petered out after Trump lost the election. Now Biden is reviewing his predecessor's more aggressive approach to the potential security threat of Chinese tech companies. WSJ
AMAZON'S LABOR FIGHT
In a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Amazon's biggest challenge yet from organized labor in the U.S. is heating up. Warehouse workers have begun voting on whether or not to form a union, and now the tech giant is pushing back against the effort. In January, Amazon hired a consultant whose firm specializes in “maintaining a union free workplace.” A group of more than 70 Amazon investors, meanwhile, are calling on the company to end its "union-busting" and stay "neutral." THE INTERCEPT
TOYOTA MAKES EV PUSH
Toyota is hoping to make inroads into the burgeoning U.S. market for electric vehicles with three new models, including two all-electric and one plug-in hybrid. The company is hoping to bring a series of options to consumers to still weighing whether to stick with gas-powered or go electric. TECHCRUNCH
SPOTTED...
... McDonald's is putting fan-favorite Hi-C orange drink back into soda fountains. Now all they ask is that you kindly stop emailing them. SEE IT
LEFTOVERS: DRUNK BRADY'S BIG TOSS
A visibly intoxicated Tom Brady made another daring toss on Wednesday while celebrating his seventh Super Bowl win. Members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were celebrating their victory with a boat parade on the Hillsborough River, when the 43-year-old quarterback tossed his Lombardi Trophy from one boat to another. After winning six of those bad boys with the New England Patriots, Brady must not be too worried about putting a dent in one, though the famously cocky player didn't seem worried about missing his target. SBNATION
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