Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Wednesday, September 1, 2021:

COVID-19 LATEST

BOOSTER SHOTS: Nearly 1 million booster shots have been administered in the U.S. since the CDC authorized extra doses for immunocompromised people earlier in August. Around 955,000 fully vaccinated people have received an additional dose, but it’s unclear if all of those people are considered immunocompromised. CNBC

NY BOOSTERS: Governor Kathy Hochul has allocated $65 million for booster shots in New York State, if federal regulators approve them. The new governor is making the battle against the Delta variant a high priority. State officials are also exploring vaccine requirements for staff members in state-regulated and congregate facilities like homeless shelters and correctional facilities. State legislators are also expected to extend the New York eviction moratorium when they meet today. NY TIMES

TRAVEL ADVISORIES: The CDC has updated its list of countries it considers most high risk for travel right now amid the spread of the Delta variant. People should avoid travel to countries with the "Level 4: COVID-19 Very High" notice, and seven have been added as of the end of August: Azerbaijan, Estonia, Guam, North Macedonia, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, and Switzerland. CNN

AFGHANS RUSH FOR THE BORDER

President Biden defended his decision to officially end America’s longest war, saying the era of U.S.-nation building is over. He said the U.S. military will continue to target militants in the region who threaten the U.S. As for the Afghans who are still trying to flee the Taliban, private efforts are underway to help people arrange safe passage into Iran, Pakistan, or other central Asian countries. REUTERS

IDA’S IMPACT

Millions across the Gulf Coast region are left without power in sweltering temperatures after Hurricane Ida swept through and caused extensive damage. Luckily, levees strengthened after Hurricane Katrina kept New Orleans safe from catastrophic flooding, but residents don’t have working AC, water, or ways to fuel their gas tanks. Four people have died as a result of the storm, including two in Mississippi who were killed when seven cars plunged into a hole after part of a highway collapsed due to torrential rains. AP

SOCIAL SECURITY SET TO RUN OUT

The Social Security funds for retirement and survivors benefits is now estimated to be depleted by 2033, one year earlier than previously projected. Senior administration officials said that the timetable has been moved up due to the pandemic-related economic downturn. Once we reach 2033, income flowing from Social Security will be able to pay 76 percent of scheduled benefits. Meanwhile, Medicare Part A is on track to have its reserves depleted by 2026.  THE HILL

ALLBIRDS IPO

Sustainable shoe brand Allbirds has applied to list its stock on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol BIRD. Like other companies which have recently gone public, Allbirds says it has lost money since its inception and expects to remain unprofitable for the foreseeable future. But Allbirds says it has seen increased demand for its products among younger consumers who want sustainably sourced goods. CNBC

FAKE BANKSY NFT

A collector paid over $300,000 in Ethereum for an NFT from an artist claiming to be Banksy, but it turns out the real Banksy has no involvement with digital-only art pieces. The NFT in question was a scam, but luckily the seller spontaneously refunded the buyer, whose name just so happens to be Pranksy. THE VERGE

ANOTHER JEOPARDY UPDATE

Sony has now fired Mike Richards as the executive producer of “Jeopardy.” Execs said Richards stepping down from the host role was supposed to have “minimized disruption and internal difficulties,” but that didn’t happen. Michael Davies, the executive producer of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” will take over in the interim. DEADLINE

US OPEN LATEST

Novak Djokovic handily won his opening match Tuesday night. His 18-year-old opponent Holger Rune shocked the crowd when he won the second set in a tie-breaker, but couldn’t keep up his momentum after he got cramps in one of his legs. YAHOO SPORTS

SPOTTED…

… Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson tweeting out a side-by-side comparison of himself and an Alabama police officer, who is The Rock’s spitting image. SEE IT

… a Canadian meterologist’s dog crashes his weather report, and the internet can’t get enough. Storm the Weather Dog darts in and out of the shot, eating treats in front of the weather map. WATCH

LEFTOVERS: BONNAROO CANCELED

Music festival Bonnaroo has been canceled, but it’s not because of COVID-19. Organizers say that torrential rains from Tropical Storm Ida have created conditions that make it too risky to continue. “The ground is incredibly saturated on our tollbooth paths, and the campgrounds are flooded to the point that we are unable to drive in or park vehicles safely,” Bonnaroo organizers said on Twitter. Fans who purchased tickets through Front Gate Tickets will receive a full refund. WPLN

Note: The Need2Know Podcast will return Tuesday, September 7! 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!

Updated Friday, September 3, 2021 at 9:10 am ET to note the Need2Know podcast will return Tuesday, September 7, not Monday.  

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