Road to the White House

An update on the Democratic Iowa caucus:

• The Iowa Democratic Party released 100% of the results.
• However, DNC Chairman Tom Perez called for a recanvass of the results.
• The Associated Press also announced it was unable to declare a winner.

Looking ahead: the candidates will meet tonight at 8 p.m. ET in New Hampshire for the eighth democratic debate of the election cycle.

New York Denied Global Entry

The Department of Homeland Security announced that New York residents will be prohibited from enrolling in programs that allow easier travel across the U.S. border (i.e, Global Entry). The new policy is in response to New York’s Green Light Law, which allows immigrants to seek driver’s licenses regardless of their legal status.

Coronavirus Update

Chinese officials have ordered Wuhan authorities to round up and quarantine all residents infected with the coronavirus, as the total number of confirmed cases climbed above 31,000. Dr. Li Weilang, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist-turned-folk hero who was one of the first to voice initial concerns about the coronavirus in Wuhan, reportedly died from the illness early Friday morning.

Anti-Cigarette Debt

According to the WSJ, Juul Labs has raised over $700 million in convertible debt to fund its operations amid increased regulatory scrutiny. Last week, major shareholder Altria took a big charge on its investment, and now holds the stock at a price valuing Juul at $12 billion, down from $38 billion in 2018.

Go With the Stream

ViacomCBS has announced plans to launch an all-new streaming service following their merger finalized late last year. The platform will build off CBS All Access and include Viacom properties such as Showtime and Paramount Pictures movies.

The Exchange Pt. 2

NYSE-owner Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) announced it has decided to stop exploring options to purchase e-commerce company eBay. The WSJ had reported that ICE was mulling a more than $30 billion takeover of the online marketplace, but the company reconsidered after its shares fell nearly 10% in response to the news.

Good Timing

When a U.S. veteran ordered a Rolex watch for about $350 while deployed abroad in Thailand in the 1970s, he hadn’t the faintest idea how much that watch would soon be worth. He took it in to Antiques Roadshow appraiser Peter Planes, who initially told the man that his timepiece usually sold at auction for a whopping $400,000. Upon hearing the news, the man literally fell over in disbelief.

After getting back to his feet, the veteran was met with even more good news - since he kept it in such good condition, the watch’s true value is actually closer to $700,000.

If The Shoe Fits...

Middle school teacher Trey Payne received a wonderful surprise last Tuesday - he was gifted a brand new pair of shoes by his students. Trey’s old shoes had been stolen out of his classroom two weeks ago, so when a group of his students heard the news, they pooled their money together to buy a new pair.

Thankfully, the surprise was caught on camera - several tears were shed as Trey was overwhelmed by his students’ generosity.

I’m Coming Home Again

After putting her goal of becoming a police officer on hold when she became a mom, Erika Benning worked hard to achieve her childhood dream once her son joined the Army and deployed to Germany for two years.

The police department of Irving conspired with Erika’s husband and son, Sgt. Giovanni Pando, to ensure that Erika’s son was the one who bestowed her badge, creating a touching family moment that will last a lifetime.