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
Thrive Market Offers Healthy and Sustainable Products at Wholesale Prices
Thrive Market is a health-first membership for conscious living, with a mission to make healthy and sustainable living easy and accessible. Nick Green, CEO and co-founder, chatted with Cheddar's Baker Machado about the company's approach and new ventures in 2022. "I grew up outside of Minneapolis, middle class, middle America, and really saw firsthand how hard my mom had to work to put healthy food on the table, on a budget, without a health food store nearby," he said. "Twenty-some years later we looked around and just thought it was crazy that millions of Americans are still struggling with the same thing, and we decided to change it." Recently the brand released a line of organic frozen products and will be introducing new beauty and home brands.
Microsoft Integrating Activision With 'Next Phase of the Internet' as Its Goal
In what could be the biggest deal in video games history, Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard underlines the company's aggressive push in gaming and beyond into its long-term vision of being top dog in the metaverse. Adam Hollander, former director of gamification at Microsoft and founder of Hungry Wolves NFT, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss. “Microsoft always plays chess, not checkers," he said, describing the price tag as an opportunity cost. "It's about integrating Activision Blizzard in with Azure and Windows and Xbox and Hololens and Minecraft and everything else that they're doing for the inevitable goal of being the major player in the next phase of the internet."
Strella Biotechnology Uses Sensors to Interpret Shelf Life of Produce, Monitor About 15% of U.S. Apples
Food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Strella Biotechnology is trying to solve the problem by introducing new technology to a business that's been around for generations -- farming. The 24-year-old CEO created hi-tech sensors that interpret the shelf life of produce and alert farmers when fruits and vegetables are ready to be sent to supermarkets. The company says the process can help farmers make money, reduce food waste and increase the quality of produce. Strella Biotechnology's co-founder and CEO Katherine Sizov and co-founder and COO Jay Jordan joined Cheddar Climate to discuss.
Why Sherpa's Making Climbing Mount Everest Possible
Norbu Tenzing, Vice President of the American Himalayan Foundation and the son of the first Sherpa to ever summit Everest, joins Cheddar Reveals to discuss how Sherpa's put themselves in danger for clients, and the dangers of Everest's 'Death Zone.'
What Netflix Investors Should Look for as Streaming Competition Grows
Netflix may not be staying at the top of the streaming wars, according to some wary investors, as competition heats up and it raises prices yet again. Tuna Amobi, director and senior equity analyst at CFRA Research, spoke with Cheddar about what investors should be considering should they stick with the streaming pioneer or drop the investment. "I think it's always mostly about the subscriber growth for the Q4, which is going to be an indicator of how the company has been navigating the speed bumps that we saw early in the year," said Amobi.
'Scream' Makes Some Noise at Weekend Box Office
Daniel Loría, SVP content strategy and editorial director at Boxoffice Media, joins Cheddar News to discuss what helped 'Scream' score number one at the box office and what it means for the horror genre.
Load More