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
Country Star Mickey Guyton on Musical Diversity, Teaming With 3M for School Safety
Fresh off of the CMT Awards, country singer Mickey Guyton joined Cheddar News to talk about the state of Black and women artists in country music, past and upcoming projects, and her partnership with 3M for its school zone safety initiative for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. “Now that I’m a mom, I always wondered why my mom was so crazy over us, but now I get it” Guyton said. “I hope that drivers start driving undistracted, like put our phones down! Pay attention to signs. When you see children slow down and make sure that they're safe."
Why American License Plates Are Such A Mess
As of 2020, there were some 270 million registered vehicles in the United States, each one adorned with a mandatory license plate or two. And while plates appear standardized within states, when you zoom out to the whole country, the system get well, downright chaotic. European plates vary by country, but look similar. While that’s certainly less visually interesting, it's a whole lot more effective. Back here in the States, our lack of license plate standardization can cause real headaches
Spring Style Tips for an Appropriate and Comfortable Return to the Office
As life inches toward a post-pandemic world, many people are trying to navigate how to transition from their work-from-home look to a new back-to-office style for the first time in two years. Dina Scherer, the owner of Modnitsa Styling, joined Cheddar News to provide some styling suggestions for those returning to the office. 'I do hear this from a lot of my clients that they just have no idea how to transition from sweat pants, athleisure, into a work office environment outfit that's both appropriate and comfortable,' she noted.
Author Marci Hopkins on Breaking Cycle of Bad Habits for Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and while COVID-19 has not made it easy for people who deal with addiction, Marci Hopkins, the author of the upcoming "Chaos to Clarity: Seeing the Signs and Breaking the Cycles," joined Cheddar News to talk about ways people can break out of a bad cycle of bad habits. “Things that have helped me; move a muscle change a thought," she said. "If you start thinking about having that drink or whatever it is that you have turned to, get up. Move. That's really, really important," she said.
U.S. Stocks Turn Positive in Final Hour to Close Higher
U.S. stocks saw a jump in the final hour of Thursday's session, and ultimately closed slightly higher for the day. Tim Pagliara, Chief Investment Officer of CapWealth, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss. "The markets have had to digest a lot of action from the federal reserve this quarter and it's affecting everything from mortgage rates to how they value stocks," he said.
Load More