Get the Need2Know newsletter in your inbox every morning! Sign up here!

Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Friday, April 8, 2022:

JACKSON CONFIRMED

The Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, securing her place as the first Black female justice in the court’s 233-year history. Jackson was confirmed in a 53-47 vote, mostly along party lines. Jackson is the third-ever Black justice and the sixth-ever woman on the Supreme Court. Even with Jackson’s confirmation, the court remains 6-3 conservative-dominant. Jackson watched the confirmation vote at the White House with President Biden and the two shared a hug as her history-making confirmation became official.  CNN

ATTACK ON UKRAINE TRAIN STATION

Russia bombed a train station in eastern Ukraine where thousands were waiting to evacuate. At least 39 people were killed and 100 more injured. Reporting has indicated the Russian military will refocus its attacks on this region of the country, which is apparently what was driving the crush of people trying to exit. The air attack came as the head of the EU was traveling to Kyiv to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a day after the EU decided to phase out Russian coal by this summer. WASH POST

RUSSIAN BANS

U.S.: The Senate passed a bill to stop imports of oil and gas from Russia, nearly a month after Biden signed an executive order for a similar ban. It also unanimously passed a bill to revoke Russia’s “most favored nation” status, which allows the World Trade Organization to impose higher tariffs on the country. NY TIMES

U.N.: In another blow, Russia has been booted from the U.N. Human Rights Council following the allegations of atrocities committed by Russian troops. The final vote came in at 93 in favor, 24 against, and 58 abstentions. The suspension, led by the U.S., bars Russians from speaking and voting on global human rights issues, but its diplomats may still attend debates. Russia was in the second year of a three-year term on the council.  REUTERS

PELOSI TESTS POSITIVE

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tested positive for Covid, as more high-level government officials have come down with the virus this week. Sen. Susan Collins, Rep. Peter DeFazio, and the president's sister also announced positive tests yesterday. The day before Pelosi got the positive result, she was standing next to the president as he signed the U.S. Postal Service Reform Act, though so far he has tested negative. Pelosi is fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. USA TODAY

TRUMP CONTEMPT REQUEST

New York’s attorney general asked a state judge to hold former President Donald Trump in contempt of court, after refusing an order to turn over documents the AG subpoenaed for her civil probe into his business practices. The probe focuses on whether the Trump Organization inaccurately reported the values of its real estate properties to obtain favorable loans and tax deductions. If the request is granted, he faces a fine of $10,000 a day until he complies. FOX NEWS

If he’s as rich as he says he is that’s like $10 bucks a day.

MIAMI BITCOIN CONFERENCE

Thousands of cryptocurrency enthusiasts are gathering in Miami for the 2022 Bitcoin Conference happening this week. The city is using the conference to build on its reputation as a hotspot for developing blockchain technology. Just behind New York and Silicon Valley, Miami blockchain startups have pulled in about $760 million in funding. But the thing that has everyone talking is…the bull. Miami revealed it's own statue - a robot-like version of the famed Wall Street Bull, complete with laser eyes. Not everyone loves it. You can decide for yourself. THE BULL

APPLE GETS SPORTY

Apple TV+ continues its fight to climb the ranks of streaming services. Today, Apple breaks into live sports, broadcasting two Major League Baseball games. “Friday Night Baseball” will be produced by MLB Network, but will be available on Apple TV+ without a subscription for a limited time. If you’re tuning into the broadcast, expect Apple to be not-so-subtle in promoting its products, including on-screen graphics highlighting batter, walk-up music from Apple Music, and baseball trivia with the help of Siri. Tonight's broadcast will feature a matchup between the Mets and Nationals, followed by Astros vs. Angels. CHEDDAR

If they want to get people excited about this they probably shouldn’t have picked a Mets game.

WALMART TRUCKERS GET PAID

Walmart is increasing salaries for its truck drivers. The nation’s largest retailer will raise the starting salary from $87,500 to up to $110,000 annually - nearly double the national average. The announcement comes days after President Biden hosted truckers at the White House to tout its efforts to help truckers. Recent supply chain issues have worsened an already troubled trucking industry, as the American Trucking Association estimates the U.S. has a shortage of about 80,000 drivers. WSJ

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD HIRES

Video game company Activision Blizzard announced that nearly 1,100 temporary game testers are getting full-time jobs with benefits and a minimum $20 hourly wage. The gaming giant has had major problems with staff as of late, particularly the widespread sexual harassment scandal which only continues to grow; another lawsuit was filed just two weeks ago. THE VERGE

TRUE CRIME JOB ALERT!

If trucking or gaming isn’t for you, MagellanTV, a documentary streaming service, is looking for someone to take on a 24-hour crime marathon. The candidate must watch 32 True Crime shows within 48 hours while documenting the all-nighter on social media. If completed successfully, one winner will receive $2,400 in cash and free year-long membership to MagellanTV. 100 runners-up will also receive the free year-long membership. The network asks that applicants submit a video making their case as to why they’re the best binge-watcher. THE JOB

Great news considering we were already doing it for free.

CHEDDAR FUN

Cheddar's Digital Team has slate of movies and TV to recommend for this weekend. Right now we're watching anime, a comedy film, a docuseries, and more. Check it out! CHEDDAR

**LOVE **HATE **ATE

One thing we love: The Masters, because naps will certainly be taken throughout the weekend viewing. Maybe the one thing we love is just naps.
 
One thing we hate: Loud neighbors. Don't you people have something else to do?
 
One thing we ate: A classic slice of New York pizza. Taste bud bliss.

Need2Know Podcast Note: The Need2Know podcast is taking a break for now. We're looking forward to bringing you more context and analysis on the big stories of the day in a few weeks. In the meantime, check out our archive on Apple or Spotify, or watch on YouTube, and send us your feedback!

Share:
More In Culture
Spatial Pivots Business to Become Metaverse for Cultural Events
VR/AR collaboration platform Spatial is diving head first into the Metaverse. The company is switching up its image--now branding itself as 'the metaverse for cultural events,' aiming to become the new virtual hub for NFT galleries, brand experiences, and large-scale conferences. Jacob Loewenstein, Head of Business, Spatial, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss the company's pivot.
e.l.f. Beauty Eliminates One Million Pounds Of Packaging Materials
e.l.f Beauty is celebrating a significant milestone in its sustainable journey. Since launching its Project Unicorn initiative in 2019, the company has eliminated more than one million pounds of packaging materials. Ashley Rosebrook, e.l.f. Beauty's chief creative officer, who spearheaded this effort and has continued to work to reduce the brand's carbon footprint, joined Cheddar to discuss this initiative and what the company aims to do next.
Omicron Fuels Concerns Over Holiday Travel
The Omicron variant is raising concerns about how safe it is to travel, just as millions of Americans were getting ready to jet set away for the holidays. Scientists are still trying to understand how much protection vaccines offer against the new variant, and many questions remain unanswered. Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants, gives tips on how to travel safely and comments on the aviation industry's ongoing recovery from the pandemic.
Could This Year's Meme Stock Mania Surrounding GameStop, AMC, and Others Continue in 2022 and Beyond?
As 2021 is approaching its end, the meme stock mania that surrounded companies like Gamestop and AMC this year doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Stocks for both companies plunged to their lowest levels in months on Monday, but on Tuesday, traders seemed to come to the rescue, as the stocks for both companies saw rebounds. Great Hill Capital Chariman Thomas Hayes joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Upward Farms Aims to Reconnect Consumers with Locally-Grown Food
Upward Farms is an indoor vertical farming company on a mission to heal our broken food system and reconnect consumers with organic locally-grown food. The Brooklyn-based company uses its controlled environment farms to grow organic leafy greens, which are sold at whole foods markets in New York City. Upward Farms co-founder and CEO Jason Green joined Cheddar Climate to discuss.
12 Terms of 2021: Infrastructure
Cheddar is looking back at the 12 biggest buzzwords of the year leading up to Christmas. Today's word of the day is "Infrastructure." Definition: (noun) the basic physical and organizational systems that uphold the structure of the economy.
2022 Predictions for Cannabis Industry
The U.S. cannabis industry is on track to hit almost $25 billion in sales, according to New Frontier Data. Vivien Azer, managing director and senior research analyst at Cowen, and Russell Stanley, managing director and equity research at Beacon Securities Limited, join Cheddar News to give their predictions for the budding industry in 2022.
The Environmental Impact of Cannabis Farms
As more states begin to legalize recreational marijuana, there's a growing interest in legalizing cannabis cultivation. As the rise in cannabis farms expands across the U.S., more research is being done to examine its impact on the planet. Michael Katz, executive director at Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, joins Cheddar News to talk about the carbon footprint of cannabis farms.
Load More