Wednesday Scoop: Amazon HQ2

November 14, 2018 Morning Scoop

The big story…

Amazon Announces HQ2 Offices

Amazon’s plans for HQ2 are not quite what people expected. (image: Wikimedia Commons)

Amazon has officially announced that the company’s HQ2 offices will be split between Crystal City, VA and Long Island, NY. The tech giant promises to bring 25,000 jobs to each site as well as 5,000 jobs to a new operations hub in Nashville, TN. In exchange for the business Amazon will bring to the area, Virginia leaders have offered $573 million in subsidiaries and have promised to invest $223 million in local transportation improvements. New York leaders have promised the company a whopping $1.5 billion contingent with agreed upon jobs and salaries.

Amazon’s decision has left the remaining 236 cities bewildered. The tech giant received immediate backlash as cities felt deceived by the company’s indication that HQ2 would be a way of benefitting a developing city in the U.S. Instead, HQ2 offices will be conveniently located in two of the country’s major metropolises — where Jeff Bezos already happens to have houses. And some residents of the winning cities aren’t that thrilled either. For those in Virginia and New York, Amazon’s offices will likely mean more traffic, higher property values, and possible tax increases.

Across the pond…

U.K. Reaches Draft Brexit Deal

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May has reportedly reached a Brexit draft deal with the European Union. However, there are still considerable obstacles to overcome before a finalized deal. May must now get the approval of her Cabinet of ministers as well as a majority of Parliament.

In politics…

Richard Ojeda to Run for President in 2020

With the end of the midterms (at least officially), it’s now the start of the 2020 presidential campaign. One of the many politicians to announce their candidacy is former West Virginia state senator Richard Ojeda. Read more in Duane Paul Murphy’s report for CMN.

In the newsroom…

CNN Sues Trump Administration Over Jim Acosta Access

CNN is suing the Trump administration for revoking CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s White House access after a tense exchange between him and the president last week. Read more in Britney Hoobraj’s report for CMN.

In the White House…

Personnel Changes Expected (Again)

A shocking move by the first lady, Melania Trump’s office released a statement on Tuesday calling for the ousting of national security advisor Mira Ricardel, a few hours after several reports said Ricardel would be forced out after less than seven months at the White House. This is just one of the many personnel changes that have occurred in Trump’s administration. Trump is also expected to remove Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen soon, and it is rumored that the president is looking for a new chief of staff.

In health…

CDC Reports No Polio Deaths This Year — Parents Disagree

Parents of children with a polio-like illness, called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), have accused the Center for Disease Control of covering up two deaths and the dangers that AFM has for children.

In music…

Rihanna Sends Trump Cease and Desist Order

Rihanna has sent Trump a cease and desist order after discovering that the president was using her song “Don’t Stop the Music” at political rallies. Read more about Rihanna and the other celebrities who have banned Trump’s use of their music in Rachel Cross and Lilia Owens’ report for CMN.

In YouTube…

Lilly Singh to Take a Break from YouTube

YouTube star Lilly Singh, known as IISuperwomanII to her fans, has announced that she is taking a step back from the platform to prioritize her mental health.

Trending today…

A High School Throwback

Name that song. We’ll wait.

Last but not least…

Album Review: Diana Gordon ‘Pure’

“A personal prayer and ode to the future, as well as being a playful reminder of the past.” Read more in Khalfani Gilbert’s album review for CMN.

Wednesday’s Morning Scoop was made possible by Duane Paul Murphy, Khalfani Gilbert, Natalia Kolenko, Rachel Cross, Britney Hoobraj, Lilia Owens, and the CMN Staff. Pilots reported a UFO sighting off the coast of Ireland. Officials are investigating what it was and whether it comes in peace. 

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Website: http://gracecooper.org

Grace Cooper is a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where she studied Nonfiction Writing and Psychology. When she's not obsessively reading or writing about the news, you can probably find her eating too much pizza and watching When Harry Met Sally for the hundredth time.

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