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[h=4]5 things you need to know Wednesday[/h]The biggest and most buzzworthy news to start your morning.
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Watch all the highlights of President Obama's 2015 State of the Union Address. VPC
President Obama delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.(Photo: Mandek Ngan, AP)
1. Obama gives State of the Union Address
In his State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out an ambitious program of "middle class economics" that includes a tax hike on the wealthy, new tax breaks for child care, and programs that include two free years of community college, lower interest rates on mortgage insurance and new requirements for paid sick leave. The president also managed to work a few jokes and quips into the speech. Republican lawmakers were not amused and made it clear that the proposals in the address are non-starters in the new, fully GOP controlled Congress.
2. A 'Gouda idea'? Yes, it's Big Block of Cheese Day at the White House
OK, so the president, in his State of the Union address, gave some insights into what he envisions for the future of the country. Now it's your turn. The White House is hosting its second-annual "Big Block of Cheese Day," where members of the Obama administration will "take to social media to answer your questions about the President's State of the Union address and the issues that are most important to you." You can join the conversation by using #AskTheWH. So why a big block of cheese? Andrew Jackson allowed the public to snack on a giant block of cheese at the White House while they chatted about their hopes and concerns for the country. The West Wing worked it into an episode, and reunited to help the White House spread the word this year.
The White House is hoping a 14-year-old television show will help them sell a 178-year-old idea to a 21st-century audience. Jen Markham (@jenmarkham) explains.
Video provided by Buzz60 Newslook
3. Cuba, U.S. meetings dig deeper
High-level talks between U.S. and Cuba diplomats will dig into topics like legal migration between the two countries and increased trade opportunities when the groups meet on Wednesday. But first, the two sides have to take steps to cement the new relationship and establish full embassies in Washington and Havana. The U.S. team will also push for more personnel to be allowed in Havana.
Members of "The Cuban Five," from left, Gerardo Hernandez, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero, Rene Gonzalez and Ramon Labanino, wave to the public, in front of a Cuban flag after a concert in Havana on Dec. 20. Guerrero, Labanino, and Hernandez flew back to their homeland from the United States on Dec. 17, in a quiet exchange of imprisoned spies.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Ramon Espinosa, AP)
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4. World elite at Davos sport Fitbits, walk 3.5 miles in schoolkids' shoes
As many as 1,000 politicians, CEOs and celebrities who have gathered for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week will strap on Fitbit exercise trackers and walk at least 3.5 miles around their alpine surroundings over the next three days. The exercise, billed as this year's Davos Challenge: Walk for Education, will allow some of the world's most powerful people to experience what millions of schoolchildren do twice a day. If the delegates to the forum collectively walk 9,321 miles over the next three days, 2,500 bicycles will be donated to the World Bicycle Relief, an organization dedicated to the idea that bikes make it easier for kids to get to school, boosting attendance and grades.
FitBit Charge HR<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Fitbit)
5. Court may scale back housing discrimination law
Two days after celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth, the Supreme Court will consider weakening a federal housing discrimination law passed in the wake of his death. The showdown over the Fair Housing Act of 1968 has been anticipated for several years, writes Richard Wolf (@richardjwolf). If the court rules as expected, housing discrimination cases would be tougher to win from coast to coast. At issue is whether the law requires blacks and other minorities to prove intentional racial discrimination in sales, rentals, zoning or lending practices, or whether a policy's disparate impact is enough to make it illegal.
Under Chief Justice John Roberts, the Supreme Court has scaled back civil rights laws.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Nati Harnik, AP)
And, the essentials:
Weather: Two separate storms will bring a wintry feel to parts of the northeastern and southwestern portions of the nation on Wednesday.
Stocks: Futures dropped ahead of the opening bell.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Arrow and Empire.
USA TODAY's Robert Bianco likes the new hip-hop soap opera, 'Empire,' but questions whether the show has staying power. VPC
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