Happy Tuesday, N2K reader!

The subject of this week’s world-famous news haiku competition™ is “How to AI-Proof Your Job.” And I believe that you, yes, you, dear reader! — can craft an incredible haiku on the subject. Send me your entry — to our spiffy new email address, haiku at cheddar dot com — by noon ET Thursday for consideration by your Cheddar peers!

News You Need2Know

• Fed chair ‘standing firm in the face of’ DOJ probe

• CES: From AI everywhere to LEGO’s smart brick

• Aldi accelerates U.S. expansion: 180 new stores

• Paramount Skydance sues WBD in escalating takeover …

• Mattel adds a Barbie doll with autism

• Poll of the day: Oreo-you out of your mind?

• Poll result: You’re pro robot delivery

What’s the stock market up to, eh?

$SPX ( ▲ 0.16% ) $DJI ( ▲ 0.17% ) $NDX ( ▲ 0.26% )

Companies mentioned in today’s newsletter

$WMT ( ▲ 3.0% )  $KR ( ▲ 2.69% )  $COST ( ▲ 1.97% )  $PSKY ( ▲ 0.75% )  $WBD ( ▼ 1.68% )  $NFLX ( ▼ 0.06% )  

Fed chair ‘standing firm in the face of’ DOJ probe

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has dismissed as politically motivated a Department of Justice investigation into the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation. Powell, who has faced persistent criticism from President Donald Trump, called the probe a “pretext” to undermine the Fed’s independence in setting monetary policy.

“The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president,” Powell said in a rare video statement. He further emphasized that his role in the Fed is carried out “without political fear or favor” and that public service requires “standing firm in the face of threats.”

Critics “fear” that this investigation is part of a broader campaign by President Trump to erode the Fed’s independence. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who sits on the Senate Finance Committee, and is retiring, so has apparently stopped giving a damn, posted on X that; “[i]f there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none. It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question.” He said he would “oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed — including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy — until this legal matter is fully resolved.”

Kyle Cheney of Politico wrote on X: “Hard to overstate what a remarkable statement this is from a Republican senator — even a retiring one — accusing the Trump White House of weaponizing DOJ to control the Fed.”

Despite mounting pressure, Powell reaffirmed his commitment to the Fed’s mission of maintaining price stability and maximum employment. “I will continue to do the job the Senate confirmed me to do, with integrity and a commitment to serving the American people,” Powell said.

Over a picture of the demolished East Wing of the White House, which is currently the subject of multiple lawsuits, conservative lawyer George Conway, former husband of President Trump’s former spokeswoman Kelly Conway, wrote on X: “I also must say that it’s a bit rich that Trump and his DOJ think it’s a good idea to gin up a b______ investigation about supposed illegalities in....{checks notes}…renovating a federal building.”

Every living former Federal Reserve chief on Monday attacked the Department of Justice’s probe, accusing the Trump administration of running the U.S. like an emerging market. Ex-Fed chairs including Janet Yellen, Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan signed a statement blasting the “unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial attacks to undermine [Fed] independence.” 

“This is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly,” wrote the group, which included top economic officials from Republican and Democratic administrations. “It has no place in the United States, whose greatest strength is the rule of law, which is at the foundation of our economic success,” the statement added.

CES: From AI everywhere to LEGO’s smart brick

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was dominated by AI and robotics this year, but not all innovations are created equal, according to Sean Hollister, senior editor at The Verge. While he observed that "robots are everywhere," Hollister noted that many are more "a little technology demonstrator... than something you would actually bring into your home." However, true advancements are still present, sometimes in surprising places.

A major standout is the non-AI Lego Smart Brick, which Hollister called a "breath of fresh air." The Smart Brick, which resembles the traditional Lego brick, is fitted with multiple sensors that project different sounds and lights while you’re actively playing and building with it. You can then pair the Smart Brick with a Smart Tag which essentially tells the Smart Brick how it should respond to your play. For example, if you’ve built yourself a helicopter with a Smart Brick, then the Smart Tag can unlock sounds, mini-games and even secret missions to help enhance gameplay. 

Hollister explained that the "classic two by four brick" enables novel interactions where minifigures like "Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker or Leia" can "talk to each other." 

“I am your father.” “I’m your sister.”

You get the picture. That bit sounds a bit like the dialog in “Chinatown,” actually. Let’s hope you don’t get a set of those Smart Bricks…

Beyond smart toys and AI robots (which attendees still dream will "fold your laundry"), Hollister highlighted significant improvements in display technology. OLED monitors, which previously made it "difficult to read text," now feature a changed sub-pixel arrangement that creates "crisp and beautiful monitors for workers too." Despite the heavy focus on the "huge AI show," CES remained a reliable "screen show," complete with "giant RGB, mini LED TVs," Hollister said.

Song of the Day: Haute & Freddy, ‘Dance the Pain Away’

Here’s a critically acclaimed synth-pop single by the Los Angeles-based duo Haute & Freddy (Michelle Buzz and Lance Shipp). The track serves as the lead single for their newly announced debut album, “Big Disgrace” (named for this newsletter!), scheduled for release in March. The video is a total rip-off of Daryl Hannah playing the replicant “pleasure model” Priss in “Bladerunner,” but don’t think that means I’m being negative about it. Watching the video, actually, reminded me of every Saturday night around my house.

Aldi accelerates U.S. expansion: 180 new stores

Ach, the Germans! Always intent on expanding their territory. (Kidding, kinda-sorta.) Now German grocer Aldi is doubling down on its U.S. expansion in 2026, opening 180 new stores as increasingly impoverished American consumers prioritize value during their grocery runs. This marks another major milestone for the German discount grocer, which has already grown to become the third-largest grocer in the U.S. by store count — trailing only Walmart $WMT ( ▲ 3.0% ) and Kroger $KR ( ▲ 2.69% ) .

“Consumers now really are not looking for fancy stores or tens of thousands of different items to choose from,” said Aldi U.S. CEO Atty “It’s Short for Lawyer“ McGrath. “They’re really savvy shoppers. They know that private labels can save them money without sacrificing quality. People, more and more, are safeguarding their resources—whether that’s the wallet or their time.”

As part of its expansion, Aldi will enter Maine, its 40th U.S. state, relaunch its website, and build new distribution centers in Florida, Arizona, and Colorado within the next five years. Aldi’s focus on efficiency keeps costs low and encourages shoppers to "shop Aldi first.”

For loyal customers like Emily Curtis, a New York City resident, Aldi’s appeal lies in its prices and no-frills approach. “Prices are the main draw, and that’s why we go out of our way,” she told CNBC.

Somebody is yet to tell me what makes Aldi better than Costco $COST ( ▲ 1.97% ) but I gather people do love their dark chocolate-coated frozen bananas. Oreo maker Mondelez international sued Aldi last year, alleging the German grocer was making “blatant copies” of its products and offering them for less. Weigh in on this key question in today’s poll…

Paramount Skydance sues WBD in escalating takeover battle

Paramount Skydance $PSKY ( ▲ 0.75% ) has intensified its fight for control of Warner Bros Discovery $WBD ( ▼ 1.68% ) by filing a lawsuit to gain access to critical financial details about WBD’s $82.7 billion merger deal with Netflix $NFLX ( ▼ 0.06% ) . The lawsuit, filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, comes as Paramount also plans to nominate directors to Warner Bros’ board in an effort to push its own $108.7 billion all-cash bid.

“Unless the WBD board of directors decides to exercise its right to engage with us under the Netflix merger agreement, this will likely come down to your vote at a shareholder meeting,” Paramount argued in a letter to Warner Bros. investors. The company is also proposing a bylaw amendment to require shareholder approval for key aspects of the Netflix deal, including the separation of Warner Bros.’ cable TV business.

Critics say Paramount is yet to address gaps in its offer. Warner Bros. dismissed the lawsuit as “meritless,” saying Paramount had failed to “raise the price or address the numerous and obvious deficiencies” of its bid.

Analyst Craig “Hubba Hubba” Huber remarked, “I don’t think the lawsuit matters much. If they want Warner Bros bad enough, raise the bid. Money talks.”

Should you check your 401(k) today?

👍️ 

Yep!

Mattel adds a Barbie doll with autism

Mattel $MAT ( ▼ 0.09% ) has introduced the first autistic Barbie as part of its Barbie Fashionistas line, aimed at showcasing diversity. The milestone follows the inclusion of Barbies with Down syndrome, vitiligo, hearing aids, and other groundbreaking designs.

Developed in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network over 18 months, the new Barbie was designed to reflect key ways autistic individuals experience the world. Noor Pervez, ASAN’s community engagement manager, said, “Autism doesn’t look any one way, but we can try and show some of the ways that autism expresses itself.” For example, the doll’s eyes shift slightly to the side to reflect how some autistic people avoid direct eye contact. Articulated elbows and wrists acknowledge stimming behaviors, such as hand-flapping, a common sensory-processing tool.

The doll also comes dressed in an A-line outfit with minimal fabric-to-skin contact, flat shoes for stability, and accessories like noise-canceling headphones and a finger fidget spinner, embracing practical elements of the autistic experience. Not included: plans for the doll’s medical data being included on a new national database — something the ASAN has expressed grave concerns about over recent weeks. 

Jamie Cygielman, Mattel’s global head of dolls, said, “Barbie has always strived to reflect the world kids see and the possibilities they imagine, and we’re proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that ongoing work.”

Available for $10.99, this doll is yet another step toward celebrating inclusion in toys.

While we’re on the subject, my favorite autism instagram account is the @autismdadcast because they’re nice, clever, funny and they talk about having a kid with autism like it’s not a death sentence or something to be ashamed of, which is sorta rare in America these days thanks to certain idiots. If you ask me, autism is a superpower and these people are the future of the human race. I’d buy ten Barbies if I didn’t get funny looks at the register.

Poll of the day: Oreo-you out of your mind?

Poll result: You’re pro robot delivery

We asked: “Would you use a robot called Montell to deliver your burrito?”

You answered:

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Sure, I'll spend $1 instead of $10 to get my burrito delivered. (231)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, I want to make sure Uber and DoorDash are underpaying real people to deliver my burrito. (61)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ I'm sorry, I'm not programmed to solve ethical problems this complicated. Try phrasing this another way? (107)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ If Montell were a human, or at least a cyborg, I'd pick him. It's such a lovely name! (22)

421 Votes via @beehiiv polls

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