2.8.2018

All your news in a single email. We scour 100+ sources so you don't have to. Culture, science, sports, politics, business, and more - all packaged in a 5-minute read below.
 

Senate Reaches Budget Deal.
Senate leaders announced a budget deal that would raise spending limits over the next two years while avoiding another government shutdown yesterday. Here's how it works - budget bills set overall limits on spending while so-called appropriations bills provide the actual funding. The House passed a short-term appropriations bill on Tuesday to keep the government running until March 23rd. The Senate's budget bill, which raises federal spending by $300M (55% will be on defense) will be tacked on to the House appropriations bill, and sent back to the House for approval. At this point, it will face a tough test from both conservative budget hawks and democrats who want action on immigration (see what else is in the deal) - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D, CA-12) gave a marathon 8-hour speech against the bill. In effect, Senate leaders jammed the House by giving them one day to deal with concerns on both sides, and make a final decision on the spending package. 

CA Stymies Offshore Drilling.
California officials pushed the Trump administration to exempt the state from its recent expansion of offshore drilling, citing its unpopularity with residents. Ahead of a key public hearing on the topic today, the state's Lands Commission - whose members include Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsome - said it would block any pipelines carrying offshore oil to the state. Such a move would most likely hobble the development of offshore sites due to the cost of transporting the oil around California, either by ship or extended pipeline. The Department of the Interior announced in early January it would dramatically expand the availability of offshore drilling, opening over 90% of the potential sites for oil and gas exploration - but eventually exempted Florida after state officials cited the effect on its tourism industry in the event of a spill. California officials are seeking a similar exemption. 

North Korea Heads South For The Games.
North Korea announced that Leader Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, will visit South Korea for the 2018 Winter Olympics - the first immediate member of the North’s ruling family to ever set foot in the South. The move continues the rapid thaw in relations between the two over the past few months, which included a joint agreement to march under a single flag during the opening ceremony tomorrow in Pyeongchang. While Vice President Mike Pence is currently visiting the South, there are no current official meetings between the North and the US, and Pence signaled that the US is set to unveil the "toughest and most aggressive" sanctions on North Korea to date. The opening ceremony kicks off tomorrow night at 8pm local time (6am ET in the US).
 

> New York Yankees trade for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (More)
> Queer Eye reboot makes comeback on Netflix after 15 years (More)
> Top story lines from college football's National Signing Day (More) | Recruiting classes ranked by university (More)
 

> New chemical and temperature treatment can make crushed wood stronger than steel (More)
> Restoring production of a simple molecule in cells can reverse insulin resistance, or pre-diabetes (More)
> Doctors say black lung disease, caused by exposure to coal dust, reaches epidemic levels in Appalachia (More)
 

> Earnings Season: 21st Century Fox beats revenue and profit expectations, stock up 1% (More) | Tesla posts worst-ever $675M loss in Q4, but revenues accelerating; stock flat on news (More)
> Former GE CEO Jeff Immelt named Chairman of healthcare tech biz AthenaHealth (More)
> Forbes releases first-ever list of the richest individuals in cryptocurrency (e.g. Bitcoin) (More)
 

> Dept. of Homeland Security says Russia successfully hacked some state's voter rolls during 2016 election (More)
> White House staff secretary Rob Porter resigns over accusations of spousal abuse (More)
> US defends Syrian Democratic Forces with rare attack on pro-government forces in Syria, killing at least 45 (More)

California Sunday | Mark Arax. The story of Stewart Resnick, the richest farmer in America, who raised an expansive orchard of almonds, pistachios, and other food commodities. Resnick is also the biggest single user of water in the West - a dire proposition as water tables above and below ground become increasingly strained. 
 

Chicago Magazine | Sarah Conway. For too many mothers in Chicago, losing a child to street violence is a reality that is nearly impossible to accept. But on the third of every month, groups of mothers facing this tremendous challenge gather to vocalize their struggles. From six different women, hear the story of the “Mama’s Circle.” A story of loss, heartbreak, and solidarity.

Gerber announces its first baby with Down Syndrome. 

What US athletes eat for breakfast at the Winter Olympics. 

An artist turns a frozen Niagara Falls into colorful, surreal landscape.

The best of bad lip reading from the NFL 2017-2018 season.

Taylor Swift purchases an entire NYC city block for $47M. 

Can you still date a co-worker? It's complicated (WSJ paywall).

The best movie that was set in every US State (Thrilist).

The Spice Girls are back (again).

Clickbait: Blind man afraid of dogs gets the UK's first guide miniature horse. 

Historybook: Peter the Great dies (1725); HBD Jules Verne (1828); Boy Scouts of America is founded (1910); HBD James Dean (1931); HBD John Grisham (1955).

"GRATIFICATION COMES IN THE DOING, NOT IN THE RESULTS."
- James Dean

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