Friday Scoop: No Host

The big story…

The Oscars Will Not Have a Host

Or maybe they will. After Kevin Hart was unoffered (yes, we’re making that a word) the role of host following the discovery of past homophobic jokes, and received backlash for appearing on ‘The Ellen Show’ to explain his side of things, he has officially rejected the offer to host the show in an interview on ‘Good Morning America.’ The Academy Awards have yet to name another host and, with the show only a little over a month away, theories are circulating like crazy. The Hollywood Reporter claims the awards will be hosted by the entire cast of Avengers, and an anonymous source for Variety claims that the show will have no host at all. Either way, this year’s award show will not be your typical Academy Awards.

In national news…

Trump to Declare National Emergency Over Border Wall Funding

As the first would-be payday is here for the 800,000 federal employees affected by the shutdown, president Trump is looking for a way out of the shutdown that will also fulfill his promise of funding the border wall. During his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border yesterday he said that if the wall was not funded by Congress, he would declare a national emergency.

In politics…

Trump’s Ex-Lawyer Michael Cohen to Testify Before Congress

President Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen has agreed to publicly testify before the House Oversight Committee, the first major move by House Democrats to bring in members of Trump’s team connected to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. Cohen will testify before Congress following his plea of guilt and sentencing in December to three years in prison for multiple charges, including two campaign finance crimes related to illegal payments made to keep several women silent during the 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors believe Trump directed Cohen to do so.

In buildings…

The Chrysler Building Is Up for Sale

An iconic part of the Manhattan skyline, the Chrysler Building, is on sale. The current owner, the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, paid $800 million for the building in 2008 so will likely be hoping for a price tag of $1 billion. It’s a bit of a fixer upper, so we’re not sure anyone (especially us) will be willing to pay full price.

In business…

Starbucks to Install Needle Disposal Boxes in Bathrooms

Following a highly-circulated petition on coworker.org, Starbucks will be installing needle disposal boxes in particular bathrooms across the U.S. for the safety of their workers.

In business…

Jaguar and Ford to Cut Thousands of Jobs

Carmakers Jaguar Land Rover and Ford announced that they will be cutting thousands of jobs from the global workforce.

Trending today…

Chuck and Nancy

Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are now the ultimate disappointed parents meme.

Last but not least…

Unknown Album Review: Alt-J ‘Relaxer’

As part of CMN’s ongoing Music Journalism Course, participants were asked to find a physical copy of an album by an artist they had never heard of. The challenge was to listen and react to the recording without any prior knowledge. Read Daysia Naima Cornish’s review of Alt-J ‘Relaxer.’

Today’s Morning Scoop was made possible by Natalia Kolenko, Daysia Naima Cornish, and the CMN Staff. Scientists are saying that many stars are just giant crystal spheres hanging in space. Shining like a diamond, if you will. (P.S. Was this newsletter forwarded by a friend? Subscribe here to get the Morning Scoop straight to your inbox every day.)