Thursday, February 6th, 2020
Historic Trial Over, Winter Storm & The Ringer
(+ Pantsuit Politics Talks Iowa)
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...
Historic Trial Over:
The Senate voted yesterday to acquit President Trump of both impeachment charges, ending the third impeachment trial in U.S. history. The decision went almost entirely down party lines, with just one Republican – Utah Senator Mitt Romney – breaking ranks to vote to convict Trump. Trump will give a formal statement on his acquittal at noon today. Keep in mind, there are still a number of other investigations and lawsuits involving Trump.
Read more: NBC News, The Hill, NYT, Washington Post, FOX News, USA Today
More Results Roll In:
As of early this morning, nearly all of the results are in from the Iowa caucus. Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders are nearly tied, but Buttigieg still has a slight lead with 97 percent of precincts reporting. Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar round out the top five, but it’s still too early to call. The results were delayed due to technical issues.
Read more: AP, ABC News
More Americans Evacuated:
More Americans will be evacuated from China today as the coronavirus continues to spread. Evacuees will be quarantined for two weeks at U.S. military bases in California. Nearly 4,000 people are stuck on a cruise ship near Japan because 20 people onboard have tested positive. The death toll keeps climbing: it’s approaching 600, with more than 28,000 cases confirmed. Still, the outbreak isn't spreading much in the U.S.
Read more: CNN, AP, CBS News, Washington Post
China Cuts Tariffs:
Chinese officials just announced they’ll cut tariffs in half on $75 billion of U.S. goods. The tariffs on U.S. imports were first put in place during the U.S.-China trade war, but the move is part of the recent deal to ease tensions.
Read more: CNBC, WSJ
Stocks Close at Record Highs:
The U.S. stock markets are bouncing back as fears ease about the coronavirus and its impact on the global economy. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs yesterday, while the Dow came close. A strong jobs report had investors feeling optimistic.
Read more: WSJ, Business Insider
Powerful Winter Storm Cont'd:
A powerful winter storm is still making its way across the U.S. It dropped more than a foot of snow in some parts of Texas and has started impacting parts of the Midwest. Severe weather is expected to continue today before heading toward the Northeast tomorrow. Winter storm warnings, watches and advisories are already in effect from New Mexico to northern New England.
Read more: USA Today, Weather Channel, CBS News
Christina Koch Returns to Earth:
NASA astronaut Christina Koch is coming home today after 328 days in space. Koch set the record for the longest continuous spaceflight by a woman and participated in the first all-female spacewalk. NASA kept a close eye on Koch during her mission to study how her body handled so much time in space. They hope it provides clues for how astronauts may be affected during a long trip to Mars.
Read more: The Verge, CNN
Flavored Vapes Ban Starts Today:
As of today, consumers won’t be able to buy some flavored e-cigarette products in the U.S. The federal ban stops the sale of fruit-, dessert- and mint-flavored pods, but menthol and tobacco flavors are still allowed. The new rule is supposed to help cut down on teen vaping, which experts say is an epidemic.
Read more: NBC News, Washington Post
Foldable iPhone?:
Apple filed a patent for a phone with a flexible display, which appears to be similar to the other foldable phones on the market. Apple’s new device could fold without creases and may use glass rather than plastic. For now, it’s only a patent.
Read more: CNET, Forbes
Spotify Buys The Ringer:
Spotify is buying The Ringer, a popular sports podcast network. It’s home to about 30 podcasts as well as other digital media. Spotify’s CEO said he thinks the company “bought the next ESPN,” though critics aren’t so sure. Spotify hit 124 million subscribers at the end of last year and hopes to keep up the momentum. The deal with The Ringer is expected to close before April.
Read more: Niemen Lab, CNET, TechCrunch
Thing To Know Thursday
THE IOWA CAUCUSES
Guests:
Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers
Pantsuit Politics is a podcast for real conversations that help us understand politics, democracy, and the news while treating each other like thoughtful human beings. Pantsuit Politics is hosted by Sarah Stewart Holland, a former Capitol Hill and presidential campaign staffer and city commissioner, and Beth Silvers, a former corporate lawyer and HR executive. They’ve co-authored I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations and speak about better political conversation to audiences all over the United States.