Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Wednesday, March 10, 2021:

COVID-19: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Alaska is the first state to open up its vaccine eligibility to everyone over the age of 16 as the supply of vaccines is steadily picking up. In New York, eligibility will open to people over 60 next week, along with many more public-facing workers. Minnesota, South Carolina and Ohio are also expanding eligibility. Maryland is the latest state to drop its capacity restrictions on businesses, though it comes with a notable caveat for restaurants and bars: seated service only, in an attempt to keep people from crowding around the bar. NY TIMES

ANTIBODIES IN BREAST MILK

Several recent studies have found that mothers who have been vaccinated against COVID have antibodies in their breast milk that may protect their infants against the virus. The latest study analyzed the breast milk of 10 lactating mothers at an Israeli hospital and discovered that all samples had antibodies after a single vaccine dose, with the levels increasing after the second dose was given. Another limited study at an Oregon hospital had similar results, though it’s still unclear how long the antibodies last. TIMES OF ISRAEL

It does a body good. 

LUNG CANCER SCREENING

New federal guidelines will double the number of people eligible for annual lung cancer screens, which have been shown to reduce the risk of death significantly if the cancer is caught early. The recommendation is now for anyone aged 50 to 80 who has smoked a pack a day for 20 years or more -- even if they quit within the last 15 years -- to get a yearly CT scan. The goal is to widen the eligibility for screening, especially for women and Black people. The revised guidelines mean that your insurer has to offer you the screening without a copay if you meet the criteria. USA TODAY

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REPORT

Nearly 1 in 3 women around the world have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives, according to a landmark report from the WHO. The largest-ever study of violence against girls and women was based on data from 116 countries compiled between 2000 and 2018. It found that the statistics were mostly unchanged over the last decade, and did not account for the pandemic. Experts believe data will eventually show that the lockdowns and other restrictions led to a spike in domestic violence as many women found themselves stuck at home with their abusers. NPR

NASDAQ COMEBACK

The tech rally roared back to life to give the Nasdaq its best day since last November. The tech-heavy index had briefly entered a correction, down 11 percent before rallying up 4 percent.  Tesla was up 20 percent for its best one-day gain since February 2020. Peloton and DocuSign rose by more than 10 percent a piece. The Nasdaq saw $1.5 trillion wiped out in recent weeks as investors sold off the high-growth tech stocks and into the steadier financial and energy sectors. It’s too early to tell whether the rally is simply investors “buying the dip” or something more sustained. CHEDDAR

WIRELESS AD TARGETING

T-Mobile will start to automatically enroll its wireless users in a new targeted advertising program based on their web browsing history, forcing them to opt out rather than opt in. That’s not particularly new; AT&T and Verizon have similar programs in place that are opt-out, but with T-Mobile on board, now all the major carriers are trying to get a piece of the vast digital targeted ad market that’s at the heart of concerns over user privacy. Here are step-by-step instructions to opt-out from these programs on all the major carriers: READ IT

INFRASTRUCTURE: THEN & NOW

With the stimulus bill nearly law, attention in Washington is turning to the next big debate: how to address this country’s crumbling and woefully outdated infrastructure. Once upon a time, the federal government embarked on what is probably its greatest infrastructure project to date: the creation of the interstate highway system. Cheddar put together a primer on how the interstate program came to be, and the unforeseen consequences it had for minority communities: WATCH

THE QUEEN RESPONDS

Buckingham Palace has broken its silence on the Harry and Meghan interview. In a statement sent on behalf of Queen Elizabeth, the palace said that “the issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning” and will be addressed “privately.” Senior members of the royal family have reportedly been huddled in crisis meetings since the bombshell interview aired in the U.S. on Sunday. Meanwhile, Piers Morgan is out at ITV’s Good Morning Britain after the UK media regulator got more than 40,000 complaints about his attacks on Meghan. BBC

SPOTTED...

…a dog bed, leaning against the wall of the White House after it was confirmed that President Biden’s two rescue dogs, Champ and Major, had been temporarily sent back to Delaware following a “biting incident”: SEE PIC

...Adam Driver and Lady Gaga, in the first look at their new biopic, House of Gucci, currently filming in the Italian Alps: SEE PIC

LEFTOVERS: BOOT FILLS FOOT'S SHOES

The British footwear chain Shoe Zone is not messing around with its hiring protocols. The shoe store appointed a new finance director named...wait for it...Terry Boot. He is taking over the job that’s been held by...waaait for it...Peter Foot. Boot is said to have been a shoe-in for the gig when Foot walked away after just a few months. SKY

Listen to the N2K Podcast! Looking for more context and analysis on the big stories of the day? Check out our podcast! Hosts Jill and Carlo break down the headlines, every weekday morning Listen on Apple or Spotify, or watch on YouTube, and send us your feedback!

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Severe Snowstorm Blankets D.C., Mid-Atlantic Region
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Over 3,000 Flights Canceled on Monday Over Severe Weather, Crew Shortages
Airlines canceled more than 3,000 flights on Monday over severe weather and crew shortages. The cancellations come on one of the busiest travel days of the holiday season, and is a continuation of the industry-wide disruption that started before Christmas. Thomas Pallini, Aviation Reporter for Insider joined Wake Up with Cheddar to discuss.
End of Child Tax Credit Could Mean Slide Back Into Increasing Child Poverty
Millions of Americans with young children have relied on the child tax credit since the federal government began issuing checks in July 2021. The last round of payments was sent out just before the Christmas holiday — at the same time as the omicron variant surged. Leah Hamilton, associate professor of social work at Appalachian State University, joined Cheddar to discuss what the end to the tax credit means as the U.S. sees the end of many relief programs and its highest number of COVID cases since the start of the pandemic. "It'll become harder for families to meet their basic needs, increasing national childhood poverty rates and the proportion of families who have difficulty putting food on the table, maintaining stable housing, and paying their bills," Hamilton said. She also pointed to research that the credit as a long-term investment in children offsets claims that it contributes to macroeconomic impacts like inflation.
NYT Piece Claims Silicon Valley Investors and Founders Contorted Legal Tax Break to Avoid Taxes on Investment Profits
Several Silicon Valley insiders are being accused of contorting a 1990s-era tax break to avoid taxes on millions of dollars of investment profits. The tax break is known as the qualified small business stock exemption, and it allows early investors in certain companies to avoid half of the taxes on up to $10 million in capital gains. A piece recently published in the New York Times says venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz replicated the tax exemption by giving shares of companies to friends and family, who would otherwise face a 23.8% capital gains bill. The CEO of Roblox is also accused of replicating the tax break for his family members at least 12 times. Although the loophole known as 'stacking' is considered to be legal, the Times piece implies that the exemption has been manipulated for the ultra-wealthy to become more wealthy. Greycroft co-founder and Chairman Emeritus Alan Patricof joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
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