Five things you need to know: Nov. 14

1. StuCo Talent Show on Nov. 19

On Nov. 19 StuCo is hosting its annual talent show that raises money for the Johnson County Christmas Bureau, which provides services to lower-income families during the Holiday season.

Entries for the event are due on Nov. 15 and will be screened by StuCo members to ensure they are school appropriate. This week, StuCo members have been contacting students directly to get more talent show sign-ups, according to Student Body President senior Eva Hill.

The event is organized by StuCo seniors and costs $3 to enter. Hill also said that it’s one of the most successful fundraisers of the year.

“The talent show was one of our biggest fundraisers last year,” Hill said. “We’ve been working on it for several weeks because last year, we raised over $1,000 [and] we’re hoping to hit that benchmark again.”

2. Netflix and Nickelodeon Enter a Partnership

According to an article from Variety, Nickelodeon and Netflix signed a multi-year deal on Nov. 13 to collaborate on producing original animated films and TV shows based off of new and existing Nickelodeon characters.

The partnership marks an advance in the two companies’ relationship, which has already brought several programs to Netflix like “Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling” and “Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus,” according to an article from Netflix Media.

“Nickelodeon’s next step forward is to keep expanding beyond linear platforms, and our broader content partnership with Netflix is a key path toward that goal,” Nickelodeon president Brian Robbins said in an article from Netflix Media.

The two companies hope their partnership will bring new voices and bold stories to Netflix’s global audience, according to Netflix vice president of original animation, Melissa Cobb.

3. Disney+ Launches

On Nov. 12, Disney+ — a streaming service for all of Disney’s TV shows and movies — launched.

The service costs $6.99 a month and will premiere with not only all of Disney’s original content, but also Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and National Geographic programs.

According to an article from CBS News, analysts at MoffettNathanson have predicted that Disney+ will reach a total of 18 million global subscribers by the end of 2020.

Sophomore Spencer Newton was able to purchase a Disney+ subscription because his cell phone provider, Verizon, offers a deal where you get one year free of Disney+ if you are on their unlimited program.

“I like it because there are a lot of shows on it from when I was a kid,” said Newton. “It’s definitely worth the cost because I think it has better shows than Netflix.”

4.  Juul’s Reconstruction Plan

On Nov. 12, Juul announced an update to its major reconstruction plan which has the goal of earning Juul a license in the U.S. and world.

According to an article from CNBC, the company hopes to cut $1 billion in funds in order to restructure the marketing tactics that many say are marketed toward teenagers.

The company is developing a direct marketing strategy and sticking to their principle of not advertising in TV, print or online. According to a statement made by Juul, they are developing new ways to combat underage Juul usage in an attempt to gain back society’s trust.

The company also hopes to lay off 650 employees. According to an article in CNN Business, this is partly to help them regain the public’s trust.

In an article from CNN Business, Juul CEO KC Crosthwaite said, “As the vapor category undergoes a necessary reset, this reorganization will help Juul Labs focus on reducing underage use, investing in scientific research, and creating new technologies while earning a license to operate in the US and around the world.”

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, Juul plans to make these budget cuts and staffing changes by the end of the year.

5. Impeachment Trials Begin

On Nov. 13, the first open public hearings began in the House’s impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.

According to a Washington Post article, the hearing of William B. Taylor Jr. on the 13 that was centered around the events of President Trump’s phone call with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 26.

In addition to Taylor, members of the House Intelligence Committee are also hearing a statement from George Kent, a deputy assistant to the secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.

Later in the afternoon, according to an article from CNN Politics, the House Intelligence Committee also voted to table the motion made by Republican member Mike Conway to subpoena the whistleblower to testify as well.

According to an article on Vox, there are hearings scheduled for this week and next week. On Nov. 15, the second hearing is scheduled to feature a testimony from former US Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch.