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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Vietnam's first global automaker is coming to the United States. VinFast unveiled the company's full EV lineup of five models at CES 2022. A reservation program for its first two electric vehicles, the VF 326 and the VF e35, officially opened on Wednesday, with the company set to announce the vehicle's retail prices in the U.S. and Vietnamese markets. VinFast is also one of the world's first automakers to apply blockchain technologies to the process of certifying reservations, payments, and eventually vehicle ownership. VinFast CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
AT&T and Verizon have agreed to delay activating their 5G services for two weeks after Airlines for America, a lobbying group that represents American, Delta, and other airlines, filed a petition last week with the FCC to stop the deployment of 5G in the U.S. over concerns that the network can interfere with certain systems on airplanes. President Biden spoke out about it, saying it would avoid further delays and cancellations of flights. Light Reading 5G and Mobile Strategies Director Mike Dano joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Nick Hotchkin, WW chief operating officer, joins Cheddar News to talk about the company's latest program innovation 'PersonalPoints.' Liv Bowser, founder of Liberate, talks to our Hena Doba about creating the first mental fitness studio. Meanwhile, students in Illinois will now receive 5 mental health days per year, State Senator Robert Martwick tell us more about the bill.
Americans looking to purchase at-home COVID-19 tests will now have to shell out a bit more money after an agreement expired between the White House and companies to sell the tests at cost. The price of Abbot's BinaxNow test kit from October to December was $14 apiece; on Tuesday, Walmart's website listed the test for $19.88, and Kroger listed the tests for $23.99. Carbon Health Regional Clinical Director Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss the impact higher prices will have as the nation experiences another surge in cases.
Caroline Polisi, Criminal Defense Attorney & Lecturer in Law at Columbia Law School, breaks down the Holmes verdict and how this case impacts the reputation of female entrepreneurs.
As millions of kids go back to school, districts across the country are determined to keep class in person, despite a surge in COVID cases. In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has vowed to keep the nation's largest school system open amid Omicron, citing the disastrous effect of remote learning on students. Oswald Feliz, NYC council member who sits on the health and education committee, joined Cheddar to discuss the city's plan to combat the recent surge and keep kids in school.
Schools across the country are determined to keep class in session, despite the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant. While many parents prefer in-person learning, they also worry whether the current public health guidelines will be enough to protect their kids. Erin Richards, national education reporter for USA Today, joined Cheddar to discuss how are schools are preparing for the surge to avoid another round of remote learning.
Joe Sanberg, Business leader, entrepreneur, and anti-poverty advocate, joins Cheddar News to discuss his push for an $18 minimum wage in California, and how employers are reacting to minimum wage hikes across the country.
