Catching you up on what you need to know on May 3, 2022 with a SCOTUS draft leak potentially signaling the overturning of Roe v. Wade, tornadoes ravaging the Great Plains, and the Biden administration boosting funds for electric vehicle charging, and more.

Latest Clips

Need2Know: Roe V. Wade Leak, Great Plains Tornadoes & Biden EV Boost

first. Let's get to your need to know headlines this morning. And as Ariel just mentioned, we could see the end of roe versus wade in America. That's according to a that's all according to a draft of a U. S. Supreme Court opinion that politico says they obtained and have verified. Now, if that opinion stands as written, states alone would regulate abortions stripping women of their federal right to terminate unwanted pregnancies by the end of june that congress can pass a law reinstating federal abortion rights. But a strong partisan divide means that democrats need more votes to accomplish that and republicans are fighting against it. So this will likely be a rallying cry for the midterms. Of course we're gonna get to Ariel in just a few minutes outside the steps of the Supreme Court Hannah. Meanwhile, severe weather sweeping across the central U. S. This week. Just look at this incredible video from Accuweather's reed Timmer. Now, this is an eF three tornado. The rating means winds were strong enough to tear the roof off the house and that's effectively what happened in the end over Kansas over the weekend. Now, thankfully, despite leveling more than 1000 buildings, no lives were lost in this storm though a few people did report on some minor injuries there. Now, severe weather is still a concern throughout the rest of the work week, the plains, midwest and south all will see severe storms between today and thursday. Meanwhile, let's turn to the latest out of Ukraine here, mm hmm. Russia claiming they have forced its forces have hit logistics centers used to develop western weapons for Ukraine forces. This news comes as U. S. Intelligence indicates that Moscow plans to hold a referendum in mid May. That's annex parts of Eastern Ukraine that are currently under Russian occupation. And the Biden administration launches a new effort to support the transition to electric vehicles. The White House is set to provide $3.1 billion to funding to build E. V. Batteries and other parts in the US. This is all tied to Biden's infrastructure law that went into effect just last year. Now separately, the Department of Energy said an additional $60 million will be available to support the reuse and recycling of used EV batteries. The White House has said it wants fully electric vehicles to make up for over half of the U. S. New vehicle sales by 2030. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics will be eliminating the use of race based medical guidance moving forward. This comes after years of pediatricians nationwide following faulty guidelines linking race to risks for urinary infections and newborn jaundice. The new policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics is the latest revision to outdated medical practices from major doctor groups that have particularly undertreated and overlooked black Children. Medically, these groups are moving to right these wrongs in part due to the civil and social rights movement as well as the science that backs up the notions to eliminate race based medical guidance Moving forward. Now May also is kicking off mental health awareness month that we are gonna be joined by Gillian Hughes for mental health America for some more live expert insight later on this half hour. Well some good news for New Zealand on the COVID-19 front the country finally opening its borders and welcoming international travelers back for the first time in two years on Monday. So 43 international flights were scheduled to touch down or leave at its main airport Monday carrying around 9000 people. The first flights came in from Los Angeles and San Francisco whose passengers were welcomed with traditional performances and locally made chocolate New Zealand had some of the toughest covid restrictions in the world and only recently started to ease the measures. It's now welcoming travelers from 60 other countries including the US. Meanwhile, let's talk about paying for your house. It's harder than ever before and now total mortgage application volume is now half of where it was last year, while the volume of refinance applications is down 70% dating back to last March, 95% of the largest housing markets in the us now less affordable than their long term levels, which is just 6% when the pandemic started that. According to Black Knight data. Now this comes as mortgage rates hit their highest level since 2009 that his home prices continue to experience double-digit gains. Home buying affordability is approaching now its lowest level which was back in July of 2006, when home buying rates around six and three quarters of a percent.