promoearn: In a galaxy far, far away

Tuesday, May 4

A New Hope ALSO READ: Can You Answer These Real 'Jeopardy!' Questions About Each State

The internet is celebrating the unofficial Star Wars holiday, while President Biden updates his goal for the percentage of adults vaccinated. It's Tuesday's news.

On the same day Star Wars fans are paraphrasing and celebrating "A New Hope," President Joe Biden announced a new goal.

It's Julius with the news everyone's talking about.

But first, look at the sky tonight 🌠: The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is set to arrive before dawn Wednesday — or possibly late Tuesday.

The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here or text messages here.

Biden sets updated vaccination goal

President Joe Biden wants 70% of U.S. adults to have at least one COVID-19 shot by July 4, a goal he announced Tuesday. The pace of vaccinations required to reach 70% is much slower than the speed with which the nation got to its current levels. Now, most states appear to be at or near the point where supply is outstripping demand, according to an analysis released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation. That's despite the fact that in about 1 in 4 states, fewer than half of adults have received at least one shot. Today, about 56% of total adults in the U.S. have received at least one shot.

•	The U.S. may be closer to a vaccine tipping point than expected.
•	About 92% of Americans who got the COVID-19 vaccine returned for their second shot. That's good, but experts say the rest should do it now.
•	'Vaccines of hope': In New Orleans, door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination efforts seek to conquer barriers of access and hesitancy.

Train overpass collapse in Mexico City leaves 24 dead, 70 injured

At least 24 people died, and about 70 were injured, after an overpass collapsed in Mexico City late Monday , sending cars from the city's newest subway line plunging toward a busy boulevard. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims and to residents of where the accident took place. "A hug to all the people of Tláhuac, to all those who are suffering from this accident," he said. Obrador also promised a thorough investigation of the tragedy.

•	Rescue continues after overpass collapse in Mexico City.

What everyone's talking about

•	Pro football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw called Aaron Rodgers 'weak' over drama with the Packers.
•	The Lincoln Project took one last dig at Trump before he leaves Florida for New Jersey.
•	The Bidens look like giants next to the Carters in this photo. So what caused this optical illusion?
•	Anna Faris said she 'ignored' warnings during her marriage with Chris Pratt.
•	Check out the top 2021 design and décor trends, including inspirational ideas for every room, in USA TODAY's Home magazine. Preview it here, then pick up your copy on newsstands or at the USA TODAY online store.

Why thousands of pickup trucks are sitting in lots, not with customers

Thousands of pickup trucks are built and sitting in U.S. car lots because of an ongoing global semiconductor shortage. The shortage has had a multibillion-dollar impact on the auto industry, with a company like Ford having approximately 22,000 vehicles parked and awaiting parts at the end of March. "The semiconductor shortage and the impact to production will get worse before it gets better," Ford CEO Jim Farley said after earnings posted. In fact, Intel Corp. CEO Pat Gelsinger predicted the problem will plague the auto industry "for a few more years," Bloomberg reported Monday. While vehicle production could be made up toward the end of the year, it is less likely with every month that passes.

•	Chip shortages have disrupted the market for used cars. That's good for buyers.

Thousands of pickup trucks could be seen from I-71 in Sparta, Kentucky on Sunday, May 2, 2021. Ford Motor Co. had approximately 22,000 vehicles at the end of March primarily in North America awaiting installation of chip related components, Chief Financial Officer John Lawler said during a first quarter earnings call with analysts on April 28, 2021. These appear to be Super Duty trucks, which are made by UAW members at the Kentucky Truck Assembly Plant in Louisville.

Provided Special to the Free Press

Readers show love to outstanding educators on Teachers Day

For Teacher Appreciation Day, we're highlighting educators in The Short List who have inspired our readers. One Short List reader, Pat Gerke, shared how proud she is of her daughter, Alison Greenhouse's, life as a teacher in Norris, Tennessee. "I tried to instill in our children, 'Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life.' Our daughter, Alison, heard the message and lives it. As an art teacher, she finds beauty in the world and shows the children how to search for it, how to find it, how to produce it and share it with others. Sharing beauty and love, with the laughter of children as your daily soundtrack, who can have a better life? I'm proud of all she's accomplished, especially her zeal for living."

•	Josh on his wife, Victoria, a music teacher: "...she dug in for us, made a difference in those kids lives. I just wanted to thank her for everything. Thank you for your time."
•	Yashekia on Mrs. Forbes-Machado, a kindergarten teacher in White Plains, New York: "With so much ambiguity, she helped to calm stress and created a consistent routine for parents and students ... Her openness, communication and empathy made all the difference!"
•	Sheila Flint on Steve Perez, a 5th-grade teacher in Los Angeles: "He became so creative during the pandemic in trying to teach his students. He tried to incorporate Superman into questions and answer segments. The students loved it. He always had a fun theme and gave lots of his time after hours for kids that had internet problems. I was so proud of him."

Alison Greenhouse, an art teacher in Norris, Tennessee, was highlighted by a Short List reader for her work as an educator.

Courtesy of Pat Gerke

Real quick

•	A teacher in New Jersey was suspended after calling George Floyd a 'criminal' during a profanity-filled rant.
•	The South is at risk for severe weather again after tornadoes caused heavy damage and left three people dead.
•	Billionaire Warren Buffett has chosen his replacement at Berkshire Hathaway. Here's what we know about him.
•	U.S. hospitals overused elective procedures and tests before the pandemic, a report shows. Experts say the focus must return to patient safety.
•	Snow days have been canceled at New York City public schools.

It's Star Wars Day!

May the Fourth is not only the first half of a now-common greeting on this date (May the Fourth be with you), but it also marks an unofficial holiday for Star Wars fans everywhere. The day stems from the famous phrase in George Lucas' space saga, "Star Wars: A New Hope." In the 1977 film, General Dodonna encourages the rebel fighters before they begin their assault on the Death Star, "Then man your ships! And may the Force be with you!" Though the first official application of the phrase dates back to a 1979 newspaper ad in England, fans have been using the saying for their own online celebrations for well over a decade. The internet and media coverage created a feedback loop and "May the 4th" just "exploded ... and it kept growing," wrote Steve Sansweet on StarWars.com in 2013, who is now an adviser of fan relations at Lucasfilm.

•	The definitive ranking of all 11 'Star Wars' movies.
•	Happy Star Wars Day!: Here are 6 ways to mark May the 4th at home.

A break from the news.

•	✈️ Millions of people are boarding planes as the U.S. sets pandemic-era high for air travel.
•	🛏️ Check out these 8 mattress sale events to celebrate Better Sleep Month.

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here.