These are the headlines you Need2Know:
* **Western Wildfires Grow Deadly:**
At least 16 active and a dozen contained fires have engulfed the state of California. The blazes range from mild to deadly, and some have even spread to as many as nine neighboring states. Check out the striking photos [here](http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-carr-fire-20180726-story.html).
* **Tweets, Trouble, Trump:**
Special Council Robert Mueller thinks President Trump's tweets may support an obstruction of justice case. Mueller objects, most notably, to Trump's criticisms of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former FBI Chief James Comey. In typical fashion, Trump responded to Mueller on Twitter. More on Trump and the latest [scandal](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/26/us/politics/trump-tweets-mueller-obstruction.html).
* **Thousands of Immigrant Children Returned to Parents, But Many Still Separated:**
The White House reported Thursday night that more than 1,800 immigrant children were reunited with their parents on Deadline Day. Nevertheless, a little over 700 children remain in custody. A federal judge will stage a hearing Friday to determine whether the Trump Administration honored its promise. For more on this story, [click here](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/07/26/feds-race-against-clock-reunify-immigrant-families-caught-border/844107002/).
* **Papa John Sues Papa John's**
The company’s former CEO John Schnatter filed a lawsuit against the pizza chain on Thursday, asking for access to company files. On July 11, [reports](https://www.forbes.com/sites/noahkirsch/2018/07/11/papa-johns-founder-john-schnatter-allegedly-used-n-word-on-conference-call/#483fa4224cfc) surfaced that Schnatter used a racial pejorative during a conference call. Schnatter still owns over 20 percent of the company but resigned as CEO and was removed from all marketing after the scandal. For more on this story, check out [CNNMoney](https://money.cnn.com/2018/07/26/news/companies/papa-johns-lawsuit-john-schnatter/index.html).
Cheddar's Jill Wagner gets into the latest.
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A Senate bill unveiled on Wednesday looks to tackleonline safety for children by regulating Big Tech and social media platforms to deter users from content that can harm their mental health. Irene Ly, a policy counsel for the age-based ratings and review organization Common Sense Media, joined Cheddar News to break down the potential of the Kids Online Safety Act. "We can't be imposing such a big burden on parents to be doing it all on theirselves," Ly said. "I think you also have to keep in mind that parents often didn't grow up with social media, so they don't understand what it's like to be addicted to social media or really understand how they work."
While many still remain skeptical about the metaverse, big tech firms and even one big bank are ready to expand their virtual worlds. Facebook parent company has pivoted so hard it will now call its employees 'Metamates,' and even JPMorgan Chase has created its own digital lounge on one virtual platform. While the sector remains young, there seems to be significant investment opportunity, especially with companies like Nvidia. Adam Johnson, a portfolio strategist at Adviser Investments, joins Closing Bell to discuss which companies could win in this space, consumer appetite, and more.
Marc Blinder, Co-Founder and CEO of Aikon, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he discusses how his company is helping businesses use blockchain applications without needing to learn the intricacies of the new technology.
The Federal Reserve minutes from its January meeting are indicating it's sticking to an interest rate hike in March, but what does the report coupled with ongoing inflation mean for investors going forward? Scott Brown, a market strategist at LPL Financial, joined Cheddar News to break down the minutes and talk about how investors might navigate the rest of the year. "it seems like the market is kind of inclined to trade off these headlines, really, through the first half of the year," he said. "And then, oh, don't forget, we've got midterm elections, which always tend to add a little bit of volatility in the second half of the year." Brown noted that the path forward for stock investors in 2022 would be "rockier" than last year.
Season 13 "Shark Tank" contestant Tania Speaks secured a $400,000 deal for her Speaks Organic Skincare brand with "Shark" Mark Cuban while also being named one of the best pitches in the history of the show — all at 19 years old. Now 20, Speaks joined Cheddar News to talk about the skincare line, the clean beauty industry, and the moment that host Cuban was moved by her pitch. "I couldn't believe that he got emotional. I'm surprised I held back my tears that long," the young entrepreneur revealed. "It's just amazing for someone else to be inspired by your story, especially Mark Cuban himself."
