Thursday Scoop: ‘Jeopardy!’ Host

The big story…

‘Jeopardy!’ Host Alex Trebek Announces Cancer Diagnosis

“Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek announced Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Despite the severity of his diagnosis, Trebek says he will try to beat his cancer. CNN reports, “Pancreatic cancer, on average and across all stages, has a 5-year survival rate of 9%, according to the American Cancer Society.” Trebek, 78, has hosted the game show “Jeopardy” since 1984, when the show started airing on a daily basis. In his time as host of the game show, Trebek has become known for his quick wit and humor.

In music…

R. Kelly Denies All Allegations in Gayle King Interview

R. Kelly broke his silence (and his composure) in an interview with Gayle King in which he categorically denied all of the sexual abuse allegations against him. The R&B singer became increasingly animated throughout the segment, calling his accusers liars and saying, “I have been assassinated. I have been buried alive. But I’m alive.” In a picture from the interview that has been circulating the Internet, we see Kelly standing and gesturing at the sky as King sits calmly in her chair staring forward. 

In journalism…

Buzzfeed Publishes First Print Newspaper

The digital media company Buzzfeed went retro yesterday by passing out their first ever print newspaper in New York City. The company “printed out the Internet” in this publicity stunt. Literally. They printed out the individual frames of a gif.

In politics…

Progressives, Socialists Make Gains in Local Elections in NYC and Chicago

The future of the Democratic Party in the U.S. is playing out between grassroots progressives and establishment moderate centrists in the country’s largest cities, New York City and Chicago. On Tuesday, February 16, hundreds of thousands of voters across New York went to the polls to vote for the city’s next Public Advocate for replacing Letitia James who is now the state’s Attorney General. That same day, hundreds of thousands of voters in citywide Chicago voted for their next city council members as well as next mayor to replace outgoing mayor Rahm Emanuel, who decided not to run for reelection. Read more in Duane Paul Murphy’s report for CMN.

Trending today…

Air Pods

Graphic designers are taking to Twitter to incorporate Air Pods into famous paintings. We call this, “The Girl With the Pearl Air Pods.”

Last but not least…

Interview: Addison Agen

Addison Agen is a 17 year old Folk Singer/Songwriter from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She placed second on Season 13 of The Voice and I got in touch with her to discuss her musical beginnings, The Voice and new music. Read more in Brianna Vacca’s interview for CMN.

Today’s Morning Scoop was made possible by Natalia Kolenko, Duane Paul Murphy, Brianna Vacca, and the CMN Staff. Don’t forget about daylight savings time this weekend. Fall, back, spring forward, as they say. P.S. Was this newsletter forwarded by a friend? Subscribe here to get the Morning Scoop straight to your inbox every day.