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
Will Rising Wages Keep Pace With Rising Inflation?
While rising wages might be positively impacting workers, inflation continues to rear its ugly head. Will pay increases be able to keep up with the costs of living? Mark Hamrick, a senior economic analyst at Bankrate.com, joined Cheddar News to talk about how the American worker is contending with inflation. "I'm a little skeptical whether wages are going to keep that pace that some are fearful about," he said. "We don't have a historical record that makes that case, and we think about how through the last economic recovery that we had before the pandemic really began to take hold in March and April of 2020 wage growth was really sort of the last part of that chapter."
AT&T on Making Digital Education Fun With the Achievery
The telecom giant AT&T is looking to make online learning more fun for students by engaging them with content from its partners at Warner Bros. Discovery. Mylayna Albright, the assistant vice president of corporate social responsibility for AT&T, joined Cheddar to discuss how the company came about with the free digital e-learning program that it's calling The Achievery. "We knew that once students went home as a result of the pandemic, it was very difficult for them, and we knew from research, specifically through Morning Consult, that parents and teachers realized that probably 80 percent of students felt that they would be more engaged if they had a more entertaining approach," she said.
Sourceful Raises $20 Million to Help Brands Decarbonize Supply Chains via Sustainable Packaging
Sourceful is an all-in-one platform for sourcing sustainable materials. The startup recently raised $20 million in a Series A round led by Index Ventures. Through its platform, Sourceful helps businesses find and design more eco-friendly packaging and reduce the carbon footprint of their supply chains. Wing Chan, Co-Founder and CEO of Sourceful, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Recapping What Happened at the Revolve Festival
If you did not attend Coachella and spent the weekend scrolling through Tiktok or Instagram, you probably saw a lot influencers comparing Revolve Festival to Fyre Fest. Content creator Lars Gummer joins Cheddar News to discuss his experience at the festival.
Niecy Nash Talks 'The Rookie' Spinoff, 'Reno 911' Legacy
Actor Niecy Nash’s guest character Simone Clark on ABC’s "The Rookie" is getting a spinoff series of her own after a backdoor pilot arc on the hit cop show. Nash joined Cheddar News to discuss the developments for her character, who will be the oldest rookie in the FBI. "I just think her journey in the world is what's going to be delicious, watching her navigate this new career field, watching her unpack her complicated relationship with her father," she said. Nash also talked about the legacy of her other cop show, "Reno 911," which she called a "culty phenomenon."
Why CVS Receipts Are Intentionally, Ridiculously Long
Ever walk into a CVS to pick up some gum, maybe some Chapstick, only to get hit with a ridiculously long receipt? It’s no secret that most CVS purchases come with these comically long receipts. But what might surprise you is that these long receipts are part of a marketing plan that's paying off big time for CVS.
Load More