Someone is shooting homeless men in NYC and D.C.; Black women entrepreneurs are thriving; Obama gets COVID

Plus, why student loan payments could be postponed once again. [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen First up Alex Brandon/AP Here's what we're following today: Police in New York City and Washington, D.C., are looking for a man suspected of shooting five homeless men across the two cities. [Two of the victims have died]( one in each city. U.S. journalist Brent Renaud has been killed and another journalist injured in the fighting in Ukraine. Ukraine's interior minister, Anton Gerashchenko, said Renaud "sacrificed his life trying to show the insidiousness, [cruelty and ruthlessness of the aggressor]( The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates for the first time in three years this week in an attempt to combat inflation. Higher rates will make it more difficult for Americans to borrow, [presenting Democrats with another challenge]( ahead of the midterm elections. Many states across the U.S. have rolled back COVID restrictions as omicron infections are falling. Still, there are some healthy people who aren't at high risk who [aren't ready to take off their masks]( just yet. ➡️ The pandemic has forced schools to address classroom air quality. Improving it not only lowers the risk of transmission; it's also linked to [higher test scores and better health](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Picture show Ben de la Cruz/NPR Polish people are working by hand using pick axes and rakes to rebuild an abandoned railroad in the southeast tip of Poland. They hope the rail could help [bring more Ukrainian refugees to safety](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s listen Makeda Sandford for NPR Black-owned businesses were hit hard by the economic toll of the pandemic. But they've been rising, and the number of Black-owned businesses is currently 30% above pre-pandemic levels. Women entrepreneurs are fueling this growth. 🎧 [Listen to some of their stories]( or [read them here.]( Dr. Aleksandra Shchebet is a neurologist who, until Russia attacked, ran a private practice in Kyiv. She had to evacuate to a small city in Ukraine near Poland, where she now spends 14 hours a day supplies to bring to those deeper in the country. 🎧 [Listen to the story of her bravery]( or [read it here.]( Student loan payments are set to resume in May. But signs point to the Biden administration delaying them once again. 🎧 [Listen to hear clues as to why this might happen,]( or [read the story.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images - Former President Barrack Obama has tested positive for COVID-19. He said he had a "[scratchy throat for a couple of days]( but was otherwise fine. - Tom Brady wins the award for most dramatic retirement. The football star has [changed his mind]( and will be joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd NFL season. - Actor William Hurt has died at 71. In a long-running career, Hurt was [four times nominated for an Academy Award]( winning for 1985's Kiss of the Spider Woman. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]