| 1. ‘WINE CAVE’ FUND-RAISING VENUE BECOMES TARGET IN DEMOCRATIC DEBATE: Following his rise in recent polls, it was Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s turn to be the target of his competitors' ire Thursday night at the sixth Democratic presidential debate. Just 24-hours after President Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives, seven candidates who qualified for the latest tussle, met for the debate at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Candidates duked it out over accepting large donations, immigration, and much more in the most lively debate yet. New York Post: “‘Billionaires in wine caves should not pick the next president of the United States,’ said Senator Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, referring to a recent fund-raiser Buttigieg held in a Napa Valley winery sparkling with a chandelier of 1,500 Swarovski crystals, widely blasted as tone-deaf. From Warren, whose campaign trademark has been the call for an economic reckoning of America’s most deep-pocketed, Buttigieg took the cutting comment as a ‘purity test’ laced with hypocrisy. ... Buttigieg also noted that he is the only one of the seven candidates not a millionaire or billionaire — including Warren.” 2. FEE SPIKE AT PHOENIX AIRPORT PROMPTS LYFT TO LEAVE THE BUILDING: Lyft has departed from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and Uber may soon follow its ride-sharing competitor. The Phoenix City Council Wednesday approved a measure to increase fees for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft when they pick up or drop off passengers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The approved measure will increase the pick-up fee for companies like Uber and Lyft at Sky Harbor from $2.66 to $4 and add a $4 drop-off fee, which did not exist previously. The fee increase is set to begin on February 1, with 25-cent increases planned annually until the fees hit $5 in 2024. Phoenix Business Journal: “‘We are disappointed in the outcome of today’s City Council vote. Despite our best attempts to negotiate a more equitable solution, airport leadership has been opposed to reason,’ said Lauren Alexander, Lyft’s policy communications manager. ‘Given today’s vote, we plan to cease operations at Sky Harbor ahead of the fee implementation in order to prevent the unfair penalization of our drivers and riders. They should not have to shoulder the burden of the city’s budget shortcomings.’” 3. LIVE NATION ON THE HOOK FOR $101 MILLION AFTER A CONCERTGOER FALLS: Event producer Live Nation has again been found liable, and ordered to pay up, to a Long Island man who suffered a fractured skull after falling during a 2013 concert. A Manhattan jury awarded the victim, Mark Perez, 36, a staggering $101 million payout. Perez had to undergo four brain surgeries and now suffers from memory loss and requires full-time care after tumbling from a 10-foot-tall booth at the Jones Beach Marine Theatre in Wantagh, Long Island. New York Post: “Perez was setting up the Best Buy booth on June 26, 2013 when a forklift crashed into the structure—causing him to plummet, according to his lawsuit. A judge had already found Live Nation liable for Perez’s injuries in 2016, but left it up to a jury to determine damages. The trial began October 28 and concluded last week with the stunning verdict. Perez’ attorney, said the victim likely will need further brain operations and is two or three times more likely to develop degenerative diseases, including early-onset dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s disease.” 4. BOEING ENDS PRODUCTION OF 737 MAX JETS: Boeing announced Monday it will suspend production of its 737 Max jets next month. The decision comes after board members met to consider suspending or shutting down production of the airplanes, which have been grounded for nearly nine months. Airlines and governments worldwide pulled the 737 Max out of service this year in the wake of two deadly crashes that killed a total of 346 people. Those incidents took place within six months of each other, in October 2018 and March 2019. Yahoo: “In November, the Federal Aviation Administration signaled the fleet might not be returning to the skies anytime soon. ‘The agency will not approve the aircraft for return to service until it has completed numerous rounds of rigorous testing,’ the agency said in a statement. ‘The FAA will take all the time it needs to ensure the aircraft is safe.’ The crashes and subsequent groundings have been costly for Boeing and spurred a slew of lawsuits.” 5. TOKYO INCHES CLOSER TO READY FOR 2020 SUMMER OLYMPICS: Preparations in Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which will begin on July 24, reached a new milestone Sunday. City and national officials unveiled the new national stadium, which also will house track and field events, as well as some soccer. Created by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the approximately $1.43 billion venue is slated to be the centerpiece of the games. Time: “‘It blends with its surroundings and the natural environment,’ said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. ‘This stadium uses a lot of trees in its structure,’ added Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, speaking of the greenery that is everywhere. Although Tokyo is densely urban, it is also dotted with many parks and green areas. The stadium works off that theme, making sure it is functional and linked to nature.” | 