Stock Markets, Federal Agencies to Close Wednesday for Day of Mourning
*By Chloe Aiello*
Stock markets and the federal government will close on Wednesday as the U.S. marks a national day of mourning for George H.W. Bush, the 41st president.
Bush died at his home in Houston Friday night. He was 94.
President Trump has also ordered that flags on public grounds fly at half-staff for 30 days as a show of respect for the late president, who will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol before a Wednesday funeral service at Washington National Cathedral. Later, Bush will be memorialized in Houston and buried at his presidential library in College Station, Texas.
Trump's relationship with the Bush family has been marked by animosity since his bitter campaign against Jeb Bush for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. As president, Trump has mocked the elder Bush for his famous "thousand points of light" philosophy that called for a national campaign of volunteerism.
Despite his strained relationship with the Bush family, the White House said Trump will attend the state funeral with his wife, Melania. Trump also celebrated Bush's legacy in statements after his death.
"President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life. Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all," [he wrote on Twitter.](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1068826073775964160)
Bush's influence on American politics far transcended his one term as president. The patriarch of a political dynasty, he fathered another president, his son George W. Bush, and a two-term governor and presidential candidate, Jeb Bush. His foreign policy legacy included presiding over the over the end of the 40-year Cold War and navigating the delicate political climate that followed, including the collapse of the Soviet Union. He also united a coalition of more than 30 countries to end the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein's Iraq during the first Gulf War. His decision not to remove Hussein from power laid the groundwork for the 2003 invasion of Iraq by George W. Bush.
George H.W. Bush's long career in public life began with his decorated service as a Navy pilot in WWII. That was followed by more than four decades in government, including as a congressman from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, U.S. envoy to China, director of the C.I.A., and vice president to Ronald Reagan.
George W. Bush issued a statement late Friday confirming his father's death, just eight months after the death of his wife of more than 70 years, Barbara Bush.
"Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died. George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens," the 43rd president wrote.
In recent years, Bush suffered from numerous health problems, including Parkinson's disease that kept him wheelchair bound and a bout of severe pneumonia in 2013. Following his wife's April funeral, Bush was hospitalized with a severe blood infection. Still, the former president remained active late into his life ー famously celebrating his 90th birthday in 2014 with a tandem skydive.
Prices at the pump have escalated severely during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Paul Christopher, head of global market strategy, Wells Fargo Investment Institute, joined Cheddar News to explain how he sees the gas prices continuing to spiral despite the International Energy Agency announcing the release of 60 million barrels of oil from the strategic reserves of 31 countries. "We think you could see oil and gas prices continue to rise. Oil prices maybe could hit $140 a barrel. That's possible. And that would add another 50-60 cents on top of the gasoline prices you already have," he said.
President Joe Biden is set to give his first State of the Union address amid both international and domestic crises: the Russia-Ukraine conflict and continued rising inflation and economic worries at home. He's expected to focus on a four-point plan to reduce everyday costs, and promote economic competition, among other key tenets. But will it be enough to persuade Americans that his administration will be able to get rising prices and foreign policy moves under control? Eugene Scott, national politics reporter at The Washington Post, joins Closing Bell to discuss Biden's expected focus, how he will aim to ease Americans' concerns, and more.
Dr. Daniel Bober, psychiatrist and certified addiction medicine physician, joins Cheddar News to offer tips on how parents and guardians can talk to their children about what's happening in Ukraine.
While crypto exchanges have been used to aid Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, critics point to possible sanction evasion on the Russian side using the same technology. Cheddar's Alex Vuocolo takes a closer look.
Airbnb.org has announced that it will provide up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees with free housing. Airbnb.org is the philanthropic branch of Airbnb that provides free housing for those affected by disasters. Joe Gebbia, co-founder and chairman of Airbnb.org, joined Cheddar News to talk about how the company has helped thousands find shelter in times of crisis. "A lot of people are saying this conflict is likely to be the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II, and I believe Airbnb believes that companies have a responsibility to step up and to help out in times like these," he said.
The International Energy Agency’s 31 member countries have agreed to release 60 million barrels of oil from their strategic reserves “to send a strong message to oil markets” that supplies won’t fall short after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Every ten years, there’s a census. That decennial count is long and tedious and arduous…and important. Because it confirms who lives where so the Federal Government properly allocates resources, so services go to the places that need them most and - yes - so states gain or lose seats in congress and have the opportunity to redraw all their state and Congressional lines.
That means, every 10 years, states start what has famously been one of the most partisan and divisive processes in politics. Because one strategic line can mean the difference in party control in not just the state legislatures but also in congress.
Cheddar explains how gerrymandering works and why it exists.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted blood donations leading to severe shortages throughout the country. Chloe Aiello reports on the desperate need for new donors.
Russian forces escalated their attacks on populated urban areas Tuesday, bombarding the central square in Ukraine’s second-largest city and Kyiv’s main TV tower.
