Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Thursday, October 8, 2020:

VP DEBATE

Last night’s debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris was largely a referendum on the White House’s pandemic response, though the candidates also sparred on issues like the Supreme Court vacancy and climate change. Harris opened by calling the coronavirus response “the greatest failure of any presidential administration,” while Pence defended the president’s record. If anything, the debate stood out for being a relatively civil contest between two skilled politicians that focused heavily on policy. Here are some highlights:  WATCH 

COVID-19: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

There is a growing sense among infectious disease experts that the U.S. and Europe are now in the opening stages of the much-feared fall/winter wave of the pandemic. After Paris shut down bars, city hospitals are warning that they’re seeing an influx of new patients, while the EU is noting that infections are starting to rise among older people across the continent. In the U.S., Boston has delayed the reopening of public schools after the city’s positive-test rate rose above 4 percent, and a field hospital has been activated in Milwaukee. Dr. Fauci, who's been calling this a continuation of the first wave, is warning that deaths could hit 400,000 if “we don’t do what we need to do” in the coming months. USA TODAY

WEST WING OUTBREAK

In a new video posted from the White House, President Trump says getting infected with the coronavirus was a “blessing from God.” He credited a therapeutic antibody cocktail from Regeneron for his recovery and said he would make it available for free to anyone who needs it. That drug is still in trials, but shortly after the video posted Regeneron announced it would seek emergency FDA approval. The White House outbreak has infected at least 34 people, according to an internal memo. ABC NEWS

CHAUVIN POSTS BOND

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis cop charged with killing George Floyd, has been released on a $1 million non-cash bond. Chauvin will stay on a conditional release -- not allowed to leave the state -- until his next court appearance in March. STAR TRIB 

FACEBOOK ELECTION ADS

Facebook will remove all political and social issue ads as soon as polls close on Nov. 3, its latest effort to get ahead of the possibility that a candidate would use the platform to declare victory before the results have been called by news organizations or otherwise try to manipulate the outcome. Facebook is telling advertisers they should expect the ban to last “at least a week.” CNBC

IPHONE PRIVACY FEATURE

If you’ve updated your iPhone’s software, you may have noticed a little green or orange dot that appears on the top right of the screen sometimes. Those “warning dots” are meant to alert you if your phone’s camera or microphone is turned on. Green means the camera has been activated, and orange means the mic is hot. The Control Center will tell you which app is using either. THE SUN

NFL OUTBREAK

As the Bears and Bucs prep for Thursday Night Football, the NFL is once again scrambling to deal with the fallout of new positive COVID-19 tests. Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore has tested positive, as have two more members of the Tennessee Titans. Sunday’s Bills-Titans game is now in jeopardy, and the Pats-Broncos game could be, too, if more tests come up positive in New England. The Miami Dolphins have been given the go-ahead by the Florida governor to have a capacity crowd going forward, though the team says it will stick with keeping attendance to 13,000. ESPN

SPOTTED...

...Taylor Swift, making her first presidential endorsement. In a new magazine interview posted on her social media accounts, Swift says she’s backing the Biden-Harris ticket: SEE IT

...Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman and more celebrities in various states of undress for a new PSA meant to raise awareness about “naked ballots.” There are 16 states that require voters to put their ballots into two separate envelopes in order to be counted, raising fears that many of those ballots will be disqualified: WATCH

NOT SO FAST

Country music singer Morgan Wallen was supposed to be the musical guest on SNL this weekend, but the show has rescinded his invite for breaking its COVID protocols. Wallen was seen in TikTok videos partying without a mask and kissing multiple women while hanging out at the University of Alabama last weekend. Wallen has apologized to his fans, saying he takes full responsibility for his actions. No new musical guest has been announced. VARIETY

LEFTOVERS: SURVIVAL OF THE FATTEST

Alaska’s annual contest to crown the state’s fattest bear has concluded and a champion has been crowned. After a week of online voting, 747 was anointed the winner after years of coming in as runner-up. The absolute unit of an animal pulled ahead with 47,300 votes to second-place Chunk’s 22,000 votes. 747 lives in Alaska’s protected Katmai National Park, which is home to some 2,200 brown bears, and park rangers say he got so big this summer because fewer tourists gave him more opportunities to catch salmon: SEE HIM

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!

Share:
More In Culture
W. Kamau Bell on Key Takeaway From 'We Need to Talk About Cosby' Docuseries
After premiering at the 2022 Sundance Festival, Showtime is slated to drop the four-part docuseries "We Need to Talk About Bill Cosby" this Sunday. Director W. Kamau Bell joined Cheddar to discuss the sensitive project and about coming to grips with the reality of who Bill Cosby is following the numerous allegations of sexual assault. Bell said the biggest takeaway from the project is that survivors are not only looking for the 84-year-old comedian to be held accountable, they also want to prevent future assaults. "Maybe the key thing to learn is how do we create a society that is more supportive and accepting particularly women in this case who are survivors of sexual assault," Bell said.
What To Know About 2022 Tax Season
Tax season is now underway, and it's going to be a bit different than in years past. For starters, the deadline is April 18, instead of the typical April 15th, and many Americans will need to account for advance child tax credit payments, the return of the recovery rebate credit, and a special break for charitable contributions, among other things. Brent Weiss, Co-Founder and certified financial planner at Facet Wealth, tells us what we need to know about filing our taxes this year, and when we can expect to receive our returns.
College Enrollment Down Nearly 7% Since The Pandemic
College enrollment has been on a steady decline for years, and the pandemic hasn't helped. Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a 6.6% — more than 1 million students — drop in undergraduate enrollment, according to a recent report. Douglas Belkin, higher education reporter at the Wall Street Journal, joined Cheddar to discuss the long-term implications of students sitting out of college, and what institutions can do about it.
As Midterm Elections Loom, Biden's Approval Rating Continues Decline
As the midterm election looms, things aren't looking too promising for President Joe Biden. One year into his term as president, Biden is facing one of the lowest approval ratings of any modern-day president, threatening his party's control of the House in 2022. Brian Bennett, Senior White House Correspondent for TIME, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
The Biden Administration: One Year Down, Three to Go
A full one year into his term as President of The United States, President Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday, facing questions on everything from inflation to chip shortages and covid-19. As Biden enters his second year in office, he is facing one of the lowest approval ratings of any modern-day president. Kate Davidson, Reporter, POLITICO joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
New San Diego Law Funnels Grocery Waste To Food Banks
San Diego has just implemented a new law that could set the stage for how the country deals with food waste. This new law hopes to make a dent in that. Businesses and groceries stores out in San Diego will need to put a plan in place to *donate edible food rather than toss it straight to the trash. Food Rescue Manager at Feeding San Diego, Kate Garret
Bronx Twin Parks Apartment Fire Leaves 17 People Dead
Earlier this month, New York City experienced one of the deadliest fires it has seen in decades. 17 people lost their lives in the Fordham section of the Bronx. This was due to a faulty space heater which reportedly began on the lower floor of the 120 unit building. Thanks to the F. D. N. Y. And heroic neighbors, many were able to get out in time. Unfortunately, the toxic smoke surged upwards through a safety door. Now, many advocates say negligence by policymakers and landlords has led to the deaths in black and brown communities from fires that honestly could have been preventable. Legislative Director of Citizen Action of New York, Rebecca Garrard, and the Chair of Journalism and New Media Studies at St. Joseph's College Theodore Hamm, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Load More