Members of Congress and the Congressional Black Caucus form a circle around the flag-draped casket of the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., as he lies in state at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, July 27, 2020. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP)
Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Tuesday, July 28, 2020:
COVID-19: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Lawmakers will continue to negotiate over the scope of the next economic relief package today. Republicans opened with a $1 trillion plan that would cut the enhanced unemployment benefit from $600 to $200 a week. The Democrats want to keep that benefit intact through the end of the year as part of their $3 trillion package. At the White House, Trump's national security adviser Robert O’Brien, tested positive, becoming the highest-ranking official and member of the president’s inner circle to contract the virus. Meanwhile, new cases are starting to level off in Texas, Arizona and Florida. REUTERS
BACK TO SCHOOL: What can the U.S. learn from countries that have successfully reopened their schools? A number of studies in countries like Germany and Denmark suggest that the safest way to bring students and teachers back to school depends on a number of variables -- including the age of students. Teens appear to transmit the virus much easier than younger kids, with one South Korean study showing that children under 10 had the lowest transmission rate of any age group, whereas 10-19 year-olds had transmission rates similar to adults. WIRED
LEWIS LIES IN STATE: The late Rep. John Lewis became the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol, one of the highest honors that can be given to an American. Lewis’ coffin was brought to the rotunda for a private ceremony for members of Congress. Members of the public have been able to pay their respects outside the building. President Trump said he will not visit the casket. AP
U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS: China has officially taken back control of the American consulate in Chengdu, a symbolic indication of how far and fast the diplomatic relations between the world’s two largest economies have deteriorated. Chinese soldiers took down the U.S. flag outside the mission as crowds of people waving Chinese flags looked on. GUARDIAN
GOLD RECORD RUN: The price of gold is now at a record high, approaching $2,000 an ounce. Gold is typically thought of as a “safe haven” investment where you park your money when you’re worried about the global economy, and the run up in its price suggests investors are increasingly nervous about the recovery -- not just the virus, but the growing tension between the U.S. and China, as well. BLOOMBERG
GOOGLE WORK FROM HOME: Google has decided to keep all of its employees remote until at least next summer, becoming the first major American company to extend the timeline for work-from-home out an entire year. The decision will affect nearly all of Google parent Alphabet’s 200,000 employees, from Silicon Valley to India. WSJ
MLB COVID OUTBREAK: The MLB season isn’t even a week old and it’s already in jeopardy after a coronavirus outbreak swept through the Miami Marlins clubhouse. Three games have been postponed as the league tries to stem the outbreak, which has infected at least 14 members of the Marlins organization. ESPN
MOVIE RELEASE DATES: The summer movie season is a wash. The fall season, when most of the big Oscar contenders are released, is in peril. So what’s left? Here’s a list of every movie that was supposed to come out this year, and when it’s now scheduled for release. Just go ahead and assume you won’t be going to the theater until next year: READ IT
WELCOME TO THE WORLD...baby Willa! That’s reportedly the name of Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner’s baby girl. The Game of Thrones actress gave birth to the couple’s first child last week. TMZ
LEFTOVERS: SORRY FOR ROCKING: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has launched an investigation into a Chainsmokers concert that took place in the Hamptons last weekend after videos on social media showed people crowding together to watch the show, which was supposed to be a drive-in. The charity concert -- tickets were going for as much as $25,000 a pop -- also featured a set by DJ D-Sol, the alter ego of Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon. PITCHFORK
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!
Tire manufacturer Michelin is partnering with the popular video game "The Sims FreePlay" in order to meet teens where they are to promote driving safety. Michelin North America Chairman and President Alexis Garcin joined Cheddar News to discuss how the #GoldenGauge program integrates with the game. "If you're a gamer yourself or your kids, then while you're driving and moving on the application, you will find a Michelin billboard, and if you engage with that billboard, then you will get some advice about how tires are critical for your safety on the road," Garcin explained. *Updated with the full title of 'The Sims FreePlay' and a typo fix in the name of Alexis Garcin.*
The video game industry has come a long way from the first commercialized 3D video game in 1980, but it still has a long way to go. Video game creators have recently been called out for not having realistic Black hairstyles in their games and graphic artists are now taking matters into their own hands by creating The Open Source Afro Hair Library. Jovan Wilson, 3D artist and resident for The Open Source Afro Hair Library, joined All Hands to discuss.
Neil Young has come up with an ultimatum for Spotify: his music or Joe Rogan’s podcast. This comes over concerns that the podcast is spreading COVID-19 vaccine misinformation to its listeners. "The Joe Rogan Experience," which is exclusive to Spotify, is currently the number one streamed podcast on the platform.
The American Federation Teachers Union has announced its latest partnership with NewsGuard in efforts to help educators play a greater role in deciphering facts from fiction that students see online. They say the goal is to help students build critical-thinking skills while also teaching them the importance of media literacy. Executive Vice President of Partnerships at NewsGuard, Sarah Bandt, joined Cheddar to talk more.
Doctor Caroline Leaf has created a 21-day program, consisting of five simple, but mindful, steps designed to rid our minds of toxic thoughts, anxiety, and depression. This brain detox is scientifically proven to impact one's happiness and success. Doctor Caroling Leaf, neuroscientist, author, and speaker at Switch Your Brain, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
The memoir, "COMPROMISED: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump", tells a familiar story from a bit of a different source: Peter Strzok himself, former FBI Counterintelligence Agents and Agency Veteran who spent most of his very long career investigating some of the most controversial inquiries, most notably in recent American history. Those inquiries were Hillary Clinton's email to even Trump Russia investigations. Former FBI Agent and Author of "Compromised" Peter Strzok, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Foodable Labs data shows restaurants that started offering vegan options saw a 13% increase in traffic. According to this 2018 study, 51% of U.S. restaurants now offer vegan options, and we can expect that number to keep rising. This week, one plant-based, fast-casual restaurant celebrates the grand opening of their first brick-and-mortar store in New York City: PLNT Burger. Ben Kaplan, CEO of PLNT Burger, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
Commercial and residential buildings account for 13% of carbon emissions in the U.S., according to the EPA, and one company says it has a solution. Runwise says it has updated the boiler and heating systems of thousands of buildings, and that its technology not only lowers carbon output but also saves landlords money. Lee Hoffman, Co-Founder and COO of Runwise, joined Cheddar Climate to discuss.
Kirsten Jordan, real estate broker and star of 'Million Dollar Listing New York,' joins Cheddar News to talk about the state of New York City real estate, tips for homebuyers, and season 9 of the Bravo show.
No. 2 pencils or Scantron bubble sheets are a thing of the past for the SATs. Priscilla Rodriguez, head of college readiness assessment for the College Board, joined Cheddar News Wrap to talk about the modern overhaul of the college entrance exam. On top of the change to an all-digital format and shorter time limit, the latest iteration will feature updates to help with flexibility and security. "As we've built our own digital testing platform, the app the students will do this on, we built this with security at the core," Rodriguez said. "And, in going digital we can do something we can't do today, which is, give every student who's taking the SAT, let's say in a given day, even in a given room in a school, a different version of the SAT."
