Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Tuesday, May 4, 2021:

COVID-19: REOPENINGS

New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will allow most businesses to operate at full pre-COVID capacity beginning May 19, a major milestone as the country starts to get back to some normalcy (the NYC subway will also resume 24-hour service that weekend and Broadway will be allowed to reopen). As an incentive, New Jersey is offering a free beer at a number of state breweries to anyone who shows their vaccination card. In Florida, Gov. DeSantis has lifted all remaining COVID restrictions in the state effective immediately, citing the widespread availability of vaccines. Overseas, the EU is recommending that member states open their borders to fully vaccinated travelers in time for the summer tourism season. REUTERS

VAX EXPANSION

The FDA is reportedly set to approve the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 15 in the coming days. Pfizer said a month ago that trials showed the vaccine was at least as effective in that age group as it is in adults. The amended emergency authorization could go a long way in ensuring middle and high schools are open in the fall, and would also help the country get a little closer to herd immunity. Some experts think reaching that threshold is not going to be possible, given the rate of vaccine hesitancy among adults. Nearly half of Republicans say they won’t get the shot. NY TIMES

CTRL+ALT+DEL

Bill and Melinda Gates have announced that they are divorcing after 27 years of marriage. A joint statement from the couple appeared to come out of nowhere, reading: “After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage.” Bill Gates is worth about $130 billion; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has about $50 billion in assets. Financial details of the split are not known, but the settlement could set records. RECODE

MEXICO TRAIN DISASTER

An overpass carrying a subway train in Mexico City collapsed overnight, killing at least 23 people, including children, according to officials. At least 65 people have been hospitalized. The train was traveling on an elevated track on the newest metro line of the system. Video footage shows the moment the overpass gave way onto the street below. CNN

COMMODITY BOOM

If you’re a regular N2K reader, you know about all the shortages out there -- new houses, new cars, microchips, packaging, etc. What they all have in common is that basically all raw materials are really expensive right now, and no one’s exactly sure when -- or if -- costs will level off. The price of lumber has tripled in the last year, for instance, and the ripple effect means fewer new homes are being built -- part of the reason the housing market is so hot. Rubber prices hit a four-year high in February -- that could trickle down to the cost of tires soon. Aluminum, steel, drywall, all up as much as 20 percent. The Fed has said it thinks the problems are temporary and will shake out as the pandemic recedes, but the White House is said to be keeping close attention to signs of inflation. FT

APP ECONOMY ON TRIAL

A landmark trial that could have big implications for Apple’s stranglehold of the App Store is underway in federal court in Oakland. Fortnite maker Epic Games is suing Apple, arguing that the company abuses its market power by charging app makers a 30 percent cut on downloads from the App Store. Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to testify in the three-week trial, and the judge’s decision will inform how the app economy operates going forward. Apple faces a handful of other similar antitrust suits, including one just brought by the EU over app fees. CHEDDAR

STEPH CURRY WITH THE SHOT

The Golden State Warriors are heading into the last two weeks of the regular season just a hair above .500, but their mediocre record is concealing one of the greatest runs in recent NBA history. Steph Curry recorded his ninth 40 point game of the season in the Warriors’ win over the Pelicans -- he’s scored 71 points just so far in May. Curry’s offensive hot streak is being compared to vintage Michael Jordan by his coach (and former MJ teammate) Steve Kerr. ESPN

DISNEY SYNERGIES

Today is Star Wars Day (May the 4th Be With You, get it?), and there are deals everywhere for the fan in your life -- from a Baby Yoda edition of Monopoly to a wireless charger that looks like the Millennium Falcon. Disney’s going all out, releasing a new Star Wars series, The Bad Batch, plus a Simpsons crossover short and more on Disney+. Today’s Yankees-Astros game airing on ESPN (part of Disney) will also have a Star Wars theme, with analysts in costume and a discussion of “MLB names with Star Wars ties.” If that’s not enough Mouse House for you, the studio’s Marvel unit also dropped the sizzle reel for its upcoming slate of releases, including the Black Panther sequel: WATCH

SPOTTED...

...President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland, giving a TV interview while his Bernese puppy vies for his attention: SEE IT

…Will Smith, channeling everyone in his latest Instagram post, a shirtless photo captioned “I’m in the worst shape of my life”: SEE IT

LEFTOVERS: VEGAN FINE DINING

One of the best restaurants in the world is ditching meat. Eleven Madison Park in Manhattan, considered among the top fine dining establishments anywhere, will make its famous $355 tasting menu entirely plant-based when the restaurant reopens for in-person service next month. Chef Daniel Humm said: "If Eleven Madison Park is truly at the forefront of dining and culinary innovation, to me it’s crystal clear that this is the only place to go next.” EATER

Listen to the N2K Podcast! Looking for more context and analysis on the big stories of the day? Check out our podcast! Hosts Jill and Carlo break down the headlines, every weekday morning Listen on Apple or Spotify, or watch on YouTube, and send us your feedback!

Share:
More In Culture
The Open Source Afro Hair Library Is Set to Create Inclusivity in Video Games
The video game industry has come a long way from the first commercialized 3D video game in 1980, but it still has a long way to go. Video game creators have recently been called out for not having realistic Black hairstyles in their games and graphic artists are now taking matters into their own hands by creating The Open Source Afro Hair Library. Jovan Wilson, 3D artist and resident for The Open Source Afro Hair Library, joined All Hands to discuss.
NewsGuard Teams Up With The American Federation Teachers Union To Help Students Decipher Fact and Fiction
The American Federation Teachers Union has announced its latest partnership with NewsGuard in efforts to help educators play a greater role in deciphering facts from fiction that students see online. They say the goal is to help students build critical-thinking skills while also teaching them the importance of media literacy. Executive Vice President of Partnerships at NewsGuard, Sarah Bandt, joined Cheddar to talk more.
Detox Your Brain and 'Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess'
Doctor Caroline Leaf has created a 21-day program, consisting of five simple, but mindful, steps designed to rid our minds of toxic thoughts, anxiety, and depression. This brain detox is scientifically proven to impact one's happiness and success. Doctor Caroling Leaf, neuroscientist, author, and speaker at Switch Your Brain, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
Fmr. FBI Agent Peter Strzok On Russia, Trump, and The FBI
The memoir, "COMPROMISED: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump", tells a familiar story from a bit of a different source: Peter Strzok himself, former FBI Counterintelligence Agents and Agency Veteran who spent most of his very long career investigating some of the most controversial inquiries, most notably in recent American history. Those inquiries were Hillary Clinton's email to even Trump Russia investigations. Former FBI Agent and Author of "Compromised" Peter Strzok, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
PLNT Burger's First Brick and Mortar in NYC Debuts
Foodable Labs data shows restaurants that started offering vegan options saw a 13% increase in traffic. According to this 2018 study, 51% of U.S. restaurants now offer vegan options, and we can expect that number to keep rising. This week, one plant-based, fast-casual restaurant celebrates the grand opening of their first brick-and-mortar store in New York City: PLNT Burger. Ben Kaplan, CEO of PLNT Burger, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
Runwise Raises $11 Million to Reverse Climate Change by Updating Buildings
Commercial and residential buildings account for 13% of carbon emissions in the U.S., according to the EPA, and one company says it has a solution. Runwise says it has updated the boiler and heating systems of thousands of buildings, and that its technology not only lowers carbon output but also saves landlords money. Lee Hoffman, Co-Founder and COO of Runwise, joined Cheddar Climate to discuss.
What Prospective College Students Should Expect From New Digital SAT Exams
No. 2 pencils or Scantron bubble sheets are a thing of the past for the SATs. Priscilla Rodriguez, head of college readiness assessment for the College Board, joined Cheddar News Wrap to talk about the modern overhaul of the college entrance exam. On top of the change to an all-digital format and shorter time limit, the latest iteration will feature updates to help with flexibility and security. "As we've built our own digital testing platform, the app the students will do this on, we built this with security at the core," Rodriguez said. "And, in going digital we can do something we can't do today, which is, give every student who's taking the SAT, let's say in a given day, even in a given room in a school, a different version of the SAT."
Load More