The staggering number of children who lost a parent to COVID; climate change and the Jackson water crisis

Plus, Ruby Bridges shares what she learned from desegregating schools [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen First up [Twin sisters Tripti and Pari, who lost both their parents to COVID-19, play at a relative's home in Bhopal, India on May 11, 2021. A new study estimates that 8 million kids lost a parent or primary caregiver to a pandemic-related cause.]( Gagan Nayar/AFP via Getty Images Here's what we're following today: A new study has revealed that between Jan. 1, 2020, and May 1, 2022, 8 million kids age 18 and under worldwide lost a parent or primary caregiver to the pandemic. The heartbreaking statistic is a huge jump from the prior estimate of 5.2 million kids, and these children [face devastating emotional and economic consequences](. The U.S COVID vaccine strategy may be shifting to something more similar to the flu shot. The government recently rolled out new boosters that target omicron and its subvariants. [Barring any new variant complications]( it's likely Americans will need only [one shot a year]( to protect themselves moving forward. The water crisis in Jackson, Miss., highlights just how fragile the nation's water systems are when faced with climate change. Experts warn that what's happening in Jackson is [just the beginning]( and historic flooding and record droughts will continue to test our infrastructure. The pandemic and tense political climate is making it hard for states to recruit volunteers and workers for the midterms. This year, high school students, military veterans and lawyers [are stepping up]( to make sure elections run smoothly. Minor League Baseball is the latest organization to take steps towards forming a union. Most players make less than the federal poverty line, and [more than half of them have voted to unionize](. Jeanine Pirro, Tucker Carlson and others are being grilled under oath in a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News for [spreading lies about a voting tech company's role]( in the 2020 elections. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s listen [U.S. deputy marshals escort six-year-old Ruby Bridges from William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in November 1960.]( AP Ruby Bridges was only 6 years old when she became the first Black child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960. 🎧 [Listen as she shares the lessons she learned with future generations]( or [read her story](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go [Gemma Chan (from left), Harry Styles, Sydney Chandler, director Olivia Wilde, Chris Pine, Florence Pugh and Nick Kroll pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Don't Worry Darling' during the 79th edition of the Venice Film Festival.]( Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP - Don't Worry Darling has been the talk of the town at the Venice Film Festival — but not for anything that happens in the movie. [Behind-the-scenes drama]( has stolen the spotlight and generated multiple memes. - Racist trolls have entered Middle-earth. Amazon's The Rings of Power has garnered criticism and has been the victim of review-bombing over its casting choices. But [Afro Puerto Rican star Ismael Cruz Córdova]( isn't letting any of it get to him. - These boots were made for walking! After suffering for years with a degenerative foot condition called bumblefoot, a pair of snazzy new boots have given [Lucas the African penguin]( a new lease on life. - It was an exciting day for Liz Trussel. Her Twitter handle, @liztruss, got plenty of accidental attention after Liz Truss was named [Britain's new prime minister](. - Look, but don't touch. The puss caterpillar has venomous barbs along its hairy body, and they [cause extreme pain]( for many people who come into contact with the cute little fuzzballs. - Johanna M. Garcia was touted as the "Mother Teresa" of small businesses. But instead of connecting small businesses with investors, she has been [accused of a $196 million Ponzi scheme](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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]