Wednesday Scoop: Bad Lettuce

CDC warns not to eat romaine lettuce amid another E. coli outbreak.(image: Wikimedia Commons)

The big story…

The CDC Recalls ALL Romaine Lettuce

The Center for Disease Control sent out a warning following another E. coli outbreak in romaine lettuce. Federal food safety officials in North American aren’t sure when, how, or why the food was contaminated, but they are sure that everyone needs to throw away their romaine. The Canadian equivalent of the CDC says that 50 people are showing symptoms of E. coli and 19 of those people are currently hospitalized. Outbreaks of E. coli aren’t that uncommon — in fact, both the U.S. and Canada each had one last year — but it is pretty unusual that a warning of this kind be so widespread. The bottom line: Skip the salad at the Thanksgiving table. Read more in Tamia Heard’s report for CMN.

In world news…

Trump Continues Business with Saudis, Despite Khashoggi’s Death

President Trump is standing with the Saudis despite the possibility that Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In a statement from the White House, Trump acknowledged the possibility of Mohammed bin Salman’s guilt saying, “Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!” Trump goes on to say we may never know all the facts in Khashoggi’s killing, so right now the best decision for the security of the country is to continue business with Saudi Arabia.

In politics…

Nancy Pelosi Faces Resistance from Her Own Party

Some House Democrats are opposing one of their own, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, for Speaker of the House. The opposition feels that the House needs new leadership as Pelosi already served as Speaker in 2007, being the first woman to do so. However, because Pelosi’s one potential rival, Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, has dropped her bid for Speaker, it’s looking like Pelosi will win out despite party resistance.

In economics…

U.S. Stocks Plumet Eliminating 2018 Gains

Stocks are sliding and big tech companies are not immune as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Netflix, and Alphabet have lost over $800 billion combined since August. Although the economy appears to be doing well on the surface, with low unemployment and higher wages, stocks falling in this way are usually the first sign of trouble.

On the air…

Megyn Kelly to Get $30 Million Exit Package from NBC

Following the canceling of her show over comments she made about blackface, talk show host Megyn Kelly will likely be receiving a $30 million exit package, fulfilling the entirety of her $69 million contract with NBC.

In drugs…

Massachusetts Opens Recreational Marijuana Shops

A first for the East Coast, the state of Massachusetts opened its first recreational pot shops on Tuesday. Now anyone over the age of 21 and a valid ID can purchase marijuana — and the mayor of Northampton, Mass., where one of the shops is located, was the first in line.

In scams…

Heartwarming Story Turned GoFundMe Scam

About a year ago, a couple created a GoFundMe page for homeless veteran Johnny Bobbit, Jr. who had given them his last $20 for gas. The crowdfunding campaign ended up raising over $400,000; however, according to a lawsuit filed by Bobbit Jr., the couple kept most of it. Fastforward to now and all three of the people involved are being charged with theft. Read more about the scam in Britney Hoobraj’s report for CMN.

Trending today…

A Trendy Twist on a Classic Recipe

Don’t try this one at home kids.

Hot Cheetos Turkey for #thanksgiving
Could you, would you?? 🤔

I can't say I would, can't say I wouldn't.. https://t.co/5hgpmfK6vR

— Joseph Gray (@joegeezi) November 20, 2018

Last but not least…

Had New Jersey Never Seen Snow? Why Last Week’s Storm was an Unnecessary Nightmare

One College of New Jersey student speculates about why this “snow-vember” has been worse than others for the state. More in Alex Mauriello’s report for CMN.

Wednesday’s Morning Scoop was made possible by Tamia Heard, Britney Hoobraj, Alex Mauriello, and the CMN Staff. We’ll be taking the day off tomorrow to gobble up some turkey, dodge nosy relatives, and watch the Thanksgiving Day parade. (P.S. If you are tuning in to the parade, here are the balloons to watch out for.) But we’ll be back on Friday for a Black Friday edition of the Morning Scoop! Happy Thanksgiving CMNers!