Speculation circulates over who leaked a draft Supreme Court opinion involving abortion as the Senate prepares to vote next week on whether to make Roe v. Wade national law. Ukrainian forces continue to endure Russia’s efforts to seize a steel mill in the bombarded city of Mariupol. The Labor Department’s April jobs report is due and severe weather threats continue in parts of the South. An escaped murder suspect and corrections officer remain at large and the WNBA season starts today – without star player Brittney Griner.
I’m Nicole, with Friday’s news.
???? First up: the Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a bill that could codify the right to abortion into national law. The choice to move the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022 quickly comes after the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion suggesting the justices were considering a ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that established the right to an abortion. If passed, the bill would supersede legislation passed by states to severely restrict or completely ban the procedure. As of now, Democrats do not have the votes to pass the bill into law. Polls show most Americans support abortion rights, and Democrats hope the debate becomes the driving issue in the midterm elections. Such a vote would allow them to contrast themselves to Senate Republicans, most of whom are anti-abortion.
???? It’s been a week. Here’s a recap on the fallout of the leak.
???? Here’s why experts say abortion bans will impact people of color the most.
???? Whodunit? Speculation swirls over the identity and motivation of whoever exposed the document.
Some news to know now
???? Blood clot risks led the FDA to put rigid limits on the Johnson & Johnson one-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
???? Karine Jean-Pierre will become the first Black and openly LGBTQ person to serve as White House press secretary.
???? A pig virus may have been a factor in the death of a pig heart transplant recipient.
???? Spring’s final meteor shower, the Eta Aquarids, are known for their speed. Here’s when to see them.
???? A Great Dane named Zeus is the world’s tallest living dog at over three feet tall.
???? What happened this week? Take the USA TODAY news quiz to test your knowledge.
???? If you’re looking for somewhere comfy to curl up and read the Daily Briefing, our experts at Reviewed have researched 14 beautiful sofas you’ll want for your living room.
???? On today’s 5 Things podcast, reporter Elizabeth Weise breaks down how many abortions are performed in the U.S. You can listen to the podcast every day on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your smart speaker.
As Mariupol battle trudges on, Putin may be desperate for V-Day win
The Ukrainian military says the Russian effort to seize the steel mill in the beleaguered coastal city of Mariupol goes on. In a statement Friday, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said “the blockade of units of the defense forces in the Azovstal area continues.” It added that assault operations had resumed in some areas to take control of the plant. The two sides also engaged in fighting Thursday with signs pointing to an increasingly dire situation for the resistance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday in his nightly address the attack on the plant was preventing the evacuation of civilians remaining in its underground bunkers. The continued fighting comes amid growing speculation that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to present the Russian people with a battlefield triumph — or announce an escalation of the war — in time for Victory Day Monday, the biggest patriotic holiday on the Russian calendar. It marks the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.
???? ”We don’t want to live in Russia”: What now for Kherson, the first major city to fall in Ukraine?
???? What Russian ammo ban?Loophole keeps it on U.S. shelves, splitting gun rights groups.
???? Does Vladimir Putin have an endgame in Ukraine? The upcoming days are crucial.
US hiring was likely strong again in April despite various issues
For the past year, America’s job market has run like a well-engineered machine adding an impressive average of 540,000 workers per month – and gains have topped 400,000 every month since May 2021 – despite a punishing inflation rate, Russia’s war against Ukraine, a still-risky pandemic, jittery financial markets and the prospect of much higher borrowing costs. And most economists think the winning streak has continued: The Associated Press reports that economists surveyed by the data provider FactSet expect the Labor Department’s April jobs report out Friday morning to show that employers added 400,000 jobs That number, while strong, would be a slight dip from the 431,000 jobs U.S. employers added in March. Economists have also forecast that the unemployment rate remained at 3.6%, a notch above a half-century low reached shortly before the pandemic struck in 2020 and a drop from the 3.8% rate in February.
???? Some Americans who retired early during COVID are returning: Can they solve the labor shortage?
???? South and West lead in recovery of jobs lost during COVID-19: See where your state ranks.
Just for subscribers
???? The Secret Service’s history of protecting the president has been marred by scandals.
???? ”Global outlier”: The U.S. could become one of the few countries reversing abortion access.
???? Rising crime rates are preventing some U.S. cities from a ”return to normal.”
???? Here are 22 veterans who should consider themselves on notice following the 2022 NFL draft.
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South faces more threats of severe weather after recent tornadoes
Severe weather threats will continue Friday in parts of the South and over the weekend in the central Plains and Midwest, according to the National Weather Service. No serious injuries were reported from tornadoes that went through Wednesday, but severe thunderstorms brought flooding and “large and dangerous” tornadoes to Texas and Oklahoma Thursday, the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, said. In Seminole, Oklahoma, the second violent storm in a week tore through the town. Debris was seen scattered throughout the city and several downtown buildings had been “completely destroyed,” according to social media reports. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said he toured the area Thursday and said that no one was hurt. No deaths have been reported. More than 7,000 customers in Oklahoma and Texas remained without electricity as of early Friday morning, according to online tracker PowerOutages.Us. Over 46,000 were without power Thursday afternoon.
???? Coverage from The Oklahoman: Seminole, other towns, cleaning up tornado damage.
???? Storm chasers: Community remembers Oklahoma meteorology students killed in car crash.
One week later, escaped murder suspect, guard remain at large
A week after Assistant Director for Corrections Vicky White, 56, and inmate, Casey White, 38, departed from the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Florence, Alabama, together, the two individuals remain on the run and at large Friday. In what appears to be a well-orchestrated jailbreak, the officer said she was escorting the inmate to a courthouse appointment that turned out not to exist, according to Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton. An investigation revealed that the relationship between them extended out of Vicky White’s work hours and included special privileges for Casey White. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday the two fugitives, who are not related, are “regarded as extremely dangerous” and that anyone who spots them should not approach them. Garland added that the U.S. Marshals Service had taken over leading the search for the pair, but investigators have not yet come up with any solid leads to locate them.
???? ”Convinced she orchestrated this”: Vicky White flew under the radar before escape with Casey White.
???? Coverage from The Gadsden Times in Alabama:Officer was in phone contact with inmate during his time in state prison.
???? Photos: These images may help identify Casey White and Vicky White.
ICYMI: Some of our top stories yesterday
⬛ ”I was scared”: Amber Heard continued to testify about her past relationship with ex-husband Johnny Depp.
???? College students expect to make $103,880 after graduation – almost twice the reality.
☝ What the Supreme Court leak, the Met Gala and Amber Heard show us about the state of women in America.
???? Here’s the story behind the name of Kentucky Derby favorite racehorse Zandon.
WNBA season begins without one of its biggest stars: Brittney Griner
The WNBA season gets underway Friday, but the league’s biggest story remains star player Brittney Griner’s ongoing detention in Russia. Griner, the Phoenix Mercury’s All-Star center, has been held there since February after authorities said a cannabis-oil vape cartridge was found in her luggage at the Moscow airport. The U.S. State Department has since classified her as being “wrongfully detained.” The league plans to recognize Griner with on-court floor decals featuring her initials and her number 42. Other major storylines entering the WNBA’s 26th season include the return of Becky Hammon, who takes over as coach of the Las Vegas Aces after serving as an NBA assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs since 2014. It could also be a farewell tour for two other league legends: all-time rebounds leader Sylvia Fowles of the Minnesota Lynx and all-time assists leader Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm, both of whom have indicated they are likely to retire after this season.
???? From Christine Brennan: U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee supports efforts to get Brittney Griner released.
???? WNBA draft: With Griner’s status uncertain, Phoenix Mercury select front court depth.
???? Photo of the day: Variety’s Power of Women 2022 event ????
Kim Cattrall and Queen Latifah received honors at Variety’s Power of Women event at The Glasshouse in New York City Thursday. The event celebrated several other stars including Camila Cabello, Amanda Seyfried, Venus Williams and Drew Barrymore. The topic of the future of women’s reproductive rights loomed over the event, though.
“It is a very strange time for us. There are a group of people who are trying to steal our power. Our power to decide what we want for our bodies,” Queen Latifah said on stage while accepting her award.
Click here to see photos of Variety’s 2022 Power of Women event.
Contributing: The Associated Press
