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1. NASA
For the first time in nearly 50 years, a spacecraft is preparing to launch on a trip to the moon. The unpaid Artemis I mission is scheduled to lift off today between 8:33 A.M. and 10:33 a.m. ET from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. However, several issues have surfaced since the rocket began fueling after midnight. The Artemis team is evaluating the delays to determine how they affect the launch. Here’s how you can watch. Although there is no human crew on the mission, it is the first step in the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon and eventually land them on Mars. The weather also looks promising for a launch. For the beginning of today’s launch window, the chances of favorable weather conditions are about 80%, according to the US Space Force forecast. However, the chances drop to 60% closer to the end of the window as the chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms increases. The last moon landing, Apollo 17, took place in 1972.
2. Flood
Residents in Jackson, Mississippi, are once again packing their belongings to evacuate as record-setting rain and rising river waters threaten to flood their homes today. Officials say the state’s Pearl River is forecast to crest at 35.5 feet this morning, lower than previously expected but still high enough to flood roads. Up to 150 homes will likely be affected by the flooding, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Adar Lumumba said over the weekend, telling residents to “get out now”. Authorities warn that the communities most at risk are those still facing the toll of historic flooding in 2020. Two years ago, flooding in several neighborhoods in northeast and central Jackson destroyed many homes beyond repair and left extensive amounts of debris.
3. Shootings
Gun violence plagued the US again this weekend as mass shootings took place in several states. At least two people were killed in a shooting at a convenience store Sunday in Bend, Oregon, and a person believed to be the shooter was also found dead at the scene, police said. In Houston, three people were killed and two people were injured early Sunday morning when a man dressed in black set fire to a building and then fired at fleeing people. Separately, police are still searching for at least one gunman after a shooting on the boardwalk in New York’s Coney Island that killed one man and injured four others Saturday night. Authorities say various investigations are underway to determine the motives of the perpetrators.
4. Covid-19
The federal government is ending its free home Covid-19 testing program this week. The program, which has provided up to 16 free tests per household since the start of the year, will be suspended on Friday due to a lack of funding and efforts to maintain supply in the face of an expected drop in cases, a White House official told CNN. The administration launched the initiative in January amid a wave of Omicron variant cases and limited test availability. But officials have warned for months that a lack of additional funding from Congress would force them to scale back their efforts to tackle Covid-19.
5. Ukraine
As the war in Ukraine now passes the six-month mark, US and European officials say Ukraine is successfully using a US-developed method of counterinsurgency warfare to strike back against Russia. The idea provides a blueprint for smaller nations to effectively resist and counter an invading larger neighbor. Despite being outnumbered, outgunned, and outgunned by Russia’s vastly superior military, Ukraine fought back using these tactics against the Kremlin, which it believed would sweep through the vast majority of Ukraine within weeks, if not days. . Meanwhile, the two countries are blaming each other for Sunday’s shelling of a Russian-controlled town near a nuclear plant, which has sparked fears of a possible nuclear accident.
BREAKFAST DESCRIPTION
MTV VMAs 2022: See the full list of winners Some of the world’s most popular artists were recognized at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday. Here are the stars who got shiny new trophies and stunned us with their dazzling looks. Emotional support alligator spotted in Philadelphia To some, alligators are considered cold-blooded creatures. But one man sees his pet gator as a companion — and even walks it on a leash. Father and daughter go viral in Harry Styles concert outfits If there is a “Father of the Year” award, this man deserves to be nominated. Watch this touching video of a dad who dressed up as his young daughter at a Harry Styles concert. The founder of AriZona Iced Tea had never been to the state Check out the amazing story of how the 99-cent drink got its name. Here’s how to handle common household headaches with ease Unexpected plumbing leaks and appliance failures can be extremely stressful. But don’t worry, CNN has put together a list of solutions to common home problems so you can feel better prepared when these issues arise.
TODAY’S NUMBER
12.6 million dollars That’s how much a Mickey Mandle baseball card from 1952 sold at auction on Sunday, making it the world’s most valuable sports collectible, according to Heritage Auctions. Mantle spent 17 years playing for the New York Yankees and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. The record-breaking baseball card is from his rookie season and is especially valuable because it is so well preserved, the auction house said.
TODAY QUOTE
“The fact that the President would come out and just insult half of America … essentially calling half of America semi-fascist for trying to stir up controversy … is horribly inappropriate.” — Republican Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, calling on President Joe Biden to apologize for suggesting that the drive behind some GOP supporters of former President Donald Trump was akin to “semi-fascism.” In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Sununu said Republican voters should be offended by Biden’s latest jabs at Trump, which have become noticeably more pointed as the November midterm elections approach. This comes after Biden last week offered one of his sharpest rebuke of Republicans who have remained loyal to Trump and the MAGA creed.
THE WEATHER TODAY
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AND FINALLY
Calling all film lovers! This Saturday, movie theaters across the US are offering tickets for just $3 in celebration of National Movie Day. Also, did you know that America’s film archive is located in an underground bunker in Virginia? Take a look inside! (Click here to view)
