5 things to know for May 9: Ukraine, Inflation, Covid-19, Baby formula, Inmate escape

By CNN

Published May 9, 2022 4:39 AM

By Alexandra Meeks, CNN

Protesters have been gathering across the US for several days to voice their opposition to the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade. And over the weekend, the situation got even more personal when dozens of demonstrators showed up at Supreme Court justices’ homes.

Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

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1.Ukraine

In a speech earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin falsely accused the West of leaving him no choice but to invade Ukraine. This comes as Russia is celebrating Victory Day, an annual commemoration of the country’s defeat of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. Typically, the day is celebrated with thousands of troops assembling outside the Kremlin, but this year appears to be a “very low key” affair, according to a defense industry analyst. Russia’s celebration comes after 60 civilians were likely killed on Saturday when a Russian aircraft dropped a bomb on a school in Luhansk, a Ukrainian official said. Western countries reacted to the bombing with outrage, including UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who said she was “horrified” and that the attack “amounts to war crimes.” Yesterday, first lady Jill Biden spent part of Mother’s Day making an unannounced trip to Uzhhorod, Ukraine, a small city in the far southwestern corner of the country. The first lady is the latest high-profile American to visit the war-torn region in recent weeks.

2. Inflation

President Joe Biden is expected to deliver remarks on inflation tomorrow as Americans continue to struggle with rising costs everywhere from grocery stores to gas pumps. “He’ll detail his plan to fight inflation and lower costs for working families, and contrast his approach with Congressional Republicans’ ultra-MAGA plan to raise taxes on 75 million American families and threaten to sunset programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid,” a White House official said. A recent CNN poll found 8 in 10 US adults said the federal government wasn’t doing enough to curb inflation, and a majority said the President’s policies have hurt the economy. Inflation rates have been increasing sharply since August 2021 and have been out of the normal 2%-to-4% range for a full year. The Consumer Price Index rose 8.5% for the year ending in March — a level not seen since 1981.

3. Coronavirus

The Biden administration is issuing a new warning that the US could potentially see 100 million Covid-19 infections this fall and winter. The White House is sharing these estimates as officials are publicly stressing the need for more funding from Congress to combat the virus. With an anticipated rise in coronavirus cases driven by an offshoot of the Omicron subvariant BA.2, health experts say now is not the time to loosen precaution measures, especially as many people are attending graduations and other large gatherings this month. “These new variants are so contagious that a cloth mask just isn’t sufficient. You really should be wearing a high-quality respirator mask, like an N95, KN95 or KF94,” CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen said.

4. Baby Formula

For months now, stores nationwide have been struggling to stock enough baby formula. Manufacturers say they’re producing at full capacity and making as much formula as they can, but it’s still not enough to meet current demand. The out-of-stock rate for formula stands at 40%, statistics show. In six states — Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Missouri, Texas and Tennessee — more than half of baby formula was completely sold out during the week starting April 24. Pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens confirmed that their stores are limiting customers nationwide to three toddler and infant formulas per transaction. Other major retailers like Target and Walmart are also imposing similar constraints on baby formula purchases.

5. Inmate escape

It has been a week since a former Alabama corrections officer and an inmate charged with murder went missing from a jail, and authorities remain in the dark on where the pair may have gone. On Friday, the vehicle officials believe Vicky White, 56, and inmate Casey White, 38, were traveling in during their escape from the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Alabama was located in a Tennessee tow lot and completely cleaned out, Sheriff Rick Singleton said. The two are not related, but may have had a romantic relationship, officials said. Investigators also believe Vicky White’s experience in law enforcement has helped the pair escape capture. She now has an active arrest warrant for allegedly permitting or facilitating escape in the first degree.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

Weird and wonderful food and drink pairings

Dessert wine with mac and cheese. Delicious! These are decadent pairings you might not expect.

HBO released its latest trailer for the ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel

It’s the trailer that fans have waited so patiently for… House Targaryen is back — and coming to your screens in August.

Family thought they rescued a stray puppy. It turned out to be a coyote.

Look at how cute and harmless it is… for now.

What Trader Joe saw that everyone else missed

Check out the brief origin story of the popular grocery store empire.

‘Doctor Strange’ conjures big box office opening for Marvel

Don’t worry, no spoilers here. Just big news that the film has already made $450 million worldwide in a few days.

TODAY’S NUMBER

$100,000

That’s how much a fleece jacket worn and signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fetched at a fundraiser for Ukraine. The event, hosted by the Ukrainian Embassy in London on Thursday, raised more than $1 million. Other items auctioned off included toys donated by Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska and photos by a photographer killed in the conflict.

TODAY’S QUOTE

“Many girls and students of color are left out of our nation’s gifted and talented programs. Society will lose out on the potential scientist who cures a major disease, the entrepreneur who starts the next Amazon and so much more. All because of their gender and/or skin color.”

— Haley Taylor Schlitz, a 19-year-old who will soon become Southern Methodist University’s youngest-ever law school graduate. Upon graduating this Friday, Schlitz plans to work on education policy issues and increase opportunities “for gifted and talented girls and students of color,” according to a news release from the university.

TODAY’S WEATHER

Check your local forecast here>>>

AND FINALLY

Dog picks his son’s name

Yes, this dad dog picked his own puppy’s name! Trust me, you won’t regret watching this minute of cuteness. (Click here to view)

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