Monday, January 20th, 2020
Gun Rights Rally, Super Bowl Matchup & SpaceX Explosion
All the news you need in less than 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 perusing the latest happenings...
MLK Day:
Americans are honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today. The civil rights leader was assassinated in 1968; he would have turned 91 this month. MLK Day is also meant to be a 'day of service' for Americans to help improve their communities. Since it’s a federal holiday, expect most schools, government offices and banks to be closed.
Read more: CNN, Fox News, Volunteer Opportunities
Rally Concerns:
There are concerns about a gun rights rally in Richmond, Virginia today. Hate groups and militias have made violent threats, so the governor declared a state of emergency and the FAA banned planes and drones from flying over certain parts of the city.
Read more: Washington Post , Fox News, NYT, NBC News
Shooting in Honolulu:
A man facing eviction in Honolulu, Hawaii shot and killed two police officers over the weekend. He also set a fire that ultimately destroyed seven homes. It happened in a neighborhood near the popular and scenic tourist spot, Diamond Head.
Read more: ABC News, USA Today, Hawaii News Now
Mistake in Puerto Rico:
A warehouse full of untouched emergency supplies was discovered in Puerto Rico over the weekend. The supplies were supposed to be given to victims of Hurricane Maria more than two years ago but have apparently just been sitting there. Now, they'll be given to victims of the recent earthquakes. Three government officials were fired.
Read more: CNN, AP
Harry & Meghan’s Agreement:
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are giving up their “Royal Highness” titles in an agreement with the Queen to have more independent lives. They’ll also give up state funding and pay back the taxpayer money used to renovate their home in the U.K. (~$3 million). They’ll still be considered the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The agreement goes into effect this spring and will be reviewed next year.
Read more: The Guardian, AP, NBC News
Super Bowl Teams:
We now know it'll be the San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl on February 2nd in Miami. The Chiefs won yesterday’s AFC championship game against the Tennessee Titans and the 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship.
Read more: ESPN, CBS Sports
McGregor Wins Fight:
UFC fighter Conor McGregor won his first match in more than a year this weekend. McGregor has been called the most popular fighter in UFC history. This comeback fight was the second-fastest win of his career.
Read more: ESPN
Facial Recognition Concerns:
Hundreds of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. are reportedly using new facial recognition software to help solve crimes, but The New York Times reports the agencies don’t know a lot about the company behind the tech and whether they’re violating other sites’ policies with their searches. Privacy advocates also worry about accuracy and the potential for police to abuse the tool.
Read more: NYT, Business Insider, Engadget
SpaceX Rocket Explodes:
A SpaceX rocket exploded after liftoff, but it was part of the plan. The rocket was intentionally destroyed as part of a test for the new Crew Dragon capsule escape system. It means the capsule (which would carry astronauts in the future) successfully separated from the rocket when there was a safety issue. This was last major milestone before SpaceX can start taking NASA astronauts to the International Space Station.
Read more: Space.com, USA Today, Reuters
Microsoft, T-Mobile Give Back:
Microsoft and T-Mobile are teaming up to bring internet to underserved students. They’ll give students 4G SIM cards to help them get online.
Read more: Windows Central
Starbucks in Low-Income Areas:
Starbucks plans to open 85 more “community stores” by 2025, bringing jobs and youth programs to urban and rural neighborhoods. The company has already opened dozens of these stores but is now expanding the program.
Read more: AP
Box Office:
Bad Boys for Life brought in $68 million over the weekend, marking the second-best showing ever for the MLK holiday. Dolittle and 1917 were also in the top three at the box office.
Read more: Variety, Hollywood Reporter
SAG Awards: It was a big night for entertainment at the SAG Awards last night. The movie Parasite made history as the first foreign language film to win for 'Best Cast.' Jennifer Anniston took home the first major honor for an Apple TV+ original. Other big winners: Game of Thrones, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Fleabag.
Read more: People
Money Monday - Spending on Plants: The house plant industry has reportedly grown 50 percent in the last few years, likely because millennials are spending hundreds on greenery. Data shows millennials account for about a quarter of the $48 billion spent on lawn and garden products in 2018.
Read more: Money