Wednesday, February 10th, 2021
Trump Trial Highlights, Cause of Kobe Crash & 'Wizard of Oz' Remake
All the news you need in 10 min:
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Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want reading about the latest happenings…
Impeachment Trial Moves Forward
Former President Trump’s second impeachment trial will continue with opening statements today. At the end of day one, all 50 Democrats voted to keep going with the trial, along with six Republicans. Already, Democrats, acting as prosecutors, showed graphic footage of last month’s violent Capitol invasion. They also showed some of Trump’s tweets to set up their argument that the former president incited the riot. On the other side, Trump’s team said Democrats are fueled by a “base hatred” of the former president.
Read More: WaPo, AP, WSJ, Politico
Latest Relief Proposal
Democrats in the House are putting their energy into the next COVID-19 relief bill. The latest proposal calls for $1,400 direct payments for Americans who make up to $75,000 a year. Couples who make up to $150,000 a year would get $2,800. President Biden has endorsed this plan. He and Democratic lawmakers say the American people can’t wait any longer for the economic help needed now, but some Republicans say they aren’t working to compromise enough. The goal is to have the full relief package done by the middle of next month.
Read More: Reuters, CBS News, CNBC, The Hill
WHO Virus Origins Investigation
Top scientists investigating the origins of COVID-19 are all but dismissing the “lab leak” theory. A team from the World Health Organization has been in Wuhan, China the past few weeks. That’s where the new coronavirus first appeared in late 2019. As the trip came to a close, the group’s leader said it’s “extremely unlikely” the virus was leaked from a lab there. Scientists say it’s most likely COVID-19 first appeared in animals before jumping to humans, but they’re still trying to figure out how.
Read More: AP, BBC, WSJ, Reuters
CA COVID-19 Deaths
California hit another grim milestone this week. With about 45,000 COVID-19 deaths in that state alone, California now has more deaths than any other state in the country. However, California also has the largest population. When you look at percentages, the state has a lower death rate than 31 other states and Washington, D.C. The highest death rates are still in New York and New Jersey. So far, about 33 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Read More: Reuters, NY Times, Johns Hopkins
MLB Spring Training Deal
Major League Baseball players will be wearing electronic tracing wristbands during spring training later this month. They are meant to make contact tracing easier in case there’s a COVID-19 outbreak. It’s one of many new COVID-19 safety protocols laid out in a deal between the MLB Players Association and the league. Players are also encouraged to get the vaccine when it’s available to them and they’ll get a COVID-19 test at least every other day.
Read More: WaPo, AP, MLB, Kinexon
NTSB Names Cause in Kobe Bryant Crash
Federal investigators say they figured out what led to the helicopter crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant and eight other people. The National Transportation Safety Board says the pilot ignored his training and violated flight rules by flying into dangerous weather. They say he took off even though it was extremely foggy on his route. Because of that, they say he got so disoriented he thought the chopper was going up when it was heading into a California hillside. The NTSB said there was no sign of mechanical failure.
Read More: USA Today, LA Times, AP, NTSB
Aunt Jemima Rebranded
What’s been known as Aunt Jemima for the last 132 years is now becoming Pearl Milling Company. The new logo shows a watermill used to grow flour. The pancake mix and syrup brand will get the new name and logo starting this summer. Last summer, the brand decided to rework its image in the wake of national protests against racial injustice. The packaging has the same red, white, and yellow color scheme though so people will still be able to recognize it.
Read More: AP, USA Today, NBC News, PepsiCo
‘Wizard of Oz’ Remake
The Wizard of Oz is getting another movie remake. Like previous Oz films, it will be based on the children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum, but it will reportedly have a “new take.” The same director behind the HBO hit series Watchmen has signed on to direct it. She says the new movie will take on classic themes of the story like the quest for courage, love, wisdom, and home. However, it won’t be a musical.
Read More: AP, Variety, People
Alex Trebek’s Wardrobe Donated
The family of late Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek is making sure his legacy lives on after his death. The late game show host’s son came up with an idea to give his dad’s wardrobe to The Doe Fund. That organization provides paid work, housing, job training, and more to Americans who have been homeless, incarcerated, or victims of substance abuse. Now, people who get help from The Doe Fund will be able to use Trebek’s clothing for job interviews. Trebek’s family and the Jeopardy! team donated 14 suits, 58 dress shirts, 300 ties, and a lot more.
Read More: Deadline, GMA, Variety, Jeopardy!, Jean Trebek
Work Wednesday: Workers’ Office Comeback
Remote workers across the country may soon be returning to the office. That’s what a recent report from The Conference Board found. It found about 40% of employers are planning to have their workers return to the office as early as next month. However, there are still changes from the norm. For example, some employers might make it voluntary. Others might have their staff work a flexible schedule. Meanwhile, a separate survey from Pew Research Center found more than half of the workers surveyed would like to stay remote if given the choice.
Read More: CNBC, The Conference Board, Pew Research