These are the headlines you Need2Know:
* **Joining Forces to Fight Cartels:**
The United States and Mexico will cooperate to fight drug cartels amid tension between the two countries over President Trump’s immigration policies. The anti-drug plan calls for more aggressively attacking the cartels’ financial infrastructure. For more on this story, [click here](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-mexico-to-announce-new-plans-to-tackle-drug-cartels-ap/).
* **Dozens Overdose at Park Near Yale:**
At least 70 people overdosed Wednesday on a synthetic cannabinoid substance called K2, which was laced with fentanyl. There has not been a reported fatality in the New Haven, Conn., park, but two people are in life-threatening condition. One person has been arrested in connection with selling the drugs. For more, [click here](https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/15/health/new-haven-overdoses/index.html).
* **Cake Shop Owner May Go Back to the Supreme Court:**
The owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, Jack Phillips, is suing the state of Colorado because he didn't want to make a cake for a transgender woman. Earlier this year, Phillips won a 7-2 Supreme Court decision over his refusal to bake a cake for a same-sex couple because it went against his religious beliefs. Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is named in Phillips' suit, said the new case could also make it to the Supreme Court. For more on this story, check out [NPR](https://www.npr.org/2018/08/16/639147599/colorado-baker-sues-state-again-after-refusing-to-make-cake-for-transgender-woma).
* **Jury to Decide Paul Manafort's Future:**
Deliberations are underway in the trial of President Trump's former campaign chairman. Manafort pleaded not guilty to all 18 counts of tax evasion, financial fraud, and concealing of foreign accounts. The verdict could possibly determine the course of the investigation by the special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference with the 2016 presidential campaign. For more on this story, [click here](https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/16/politics/paul-manafort-trial-robert-mueller-donald-trump/index.html).
Cheddar's Jill Wagner gets into the latest.
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Mona Akhavi, CEO of Vrai, joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss the process of creating lab grown diamonds, why this industry is growing, and the latest trends in the jewelry and engagement ring space.
M&M's is rebranding its iconic chocolate candy characters with new looks and storylines highlighting the "progressive world" we live in today. Jane Hwang, global vice president of M&M's, joined Cheddar to talk about the company's rebrand. "M&M's is on a mission to create a world where everyone feels they belong," she said. The multi-colored, anthropomorphized candies will be getting an updated look and tone, according to Hwang, such as Green receiving a makeover that reflects more female empowerment and confidence.
The Department of Agriculture has officially unveiled its plan to fight catastrophic wildfires that have devastated parts of the West in the last few years. The department, along with the Forest Service will work to significantly increase fuels and forest health treatments to address the escalating crisis of wildfire danger. Executive Editor of Cipher, a publication by Breakthrough Energy, Amy Harder, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
A new report out on Linkedin says that Crypto-related job postings in the US surged to 395% between 2020 and 2021. Job titles which included titles containing "Bitcoin", "Ethereum", "Blockchain", and cryptocurrency, all outpaced jobs in the wider tech industry which saw a 98% increase in listings during the same time period. LinkedIn also notes that the most common crypto job postings were blockchain developers and engineers. CEO of Radkl, Ryan Sheftel, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
A new study has been causing a lot of buzz in the cannabis industry. Researchers from Oregon State University found that compounds in cannabis could prevent infection with COVID-19, but that doesn't mean smoking marijuana prevents people from getting infected. CV Sciences medical advisor Dr. Michael Lewis joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Software company BigPanda recently raised $190 million in Series D funding, led by Advent International and Insight Partners. The funding round gives the company unicorn status with a $1.2 billion valuation. BigPanda develops A.I. software that detects and analyzes problems in I.T. systems. The company says it aims to be the solution for other companies that do not have enough manpower to manage their data, as more and more industries continue to build a broader digital presence. BigPanda co-founder and CEO Assaf Resnick joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Amazon Prime announced the name of the highly anticipated Middle-Earth prequel streaming series to be called "The Rings of Power," premiering on September 2. The show takes place thousands of years before the stories set in "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings."
Sebastien Lagree, creator and founder of Lagree Fitness, joins Cheddar News to talk about the growth of Lagree Fitness and industry trends to watch in 2022.
We've all seen the headlines about a record number of Americans quitting their jobs in what's become known as the Great Resignation. However, new data on why people are leaving the workforce in droves suggests the bigger headline is Americans are simply burned out. Stephanie Aston, CEO of Black Girl Group, joined Cheddar News to break down why so many employees have reached their breaking points and what employers can do about it.
Nikhilesh De, managing editor of global regulation and policy at CoinDesk, joins Cheddar News to discuss Bitcoin's slump and corporations' growing interest in NFTs.
