The Baltimore bridge collapse is putting the US’s infrastructure top of mind.

Baltimore Bridge Collapse

The Story

The Baltimore bridge collapse is putting the US’ infrastructure top of mind.

What happened?

Yesterday, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD, collapsed early in the morning after a cargo ship lost power and crashed into one of the bridge’s pillars. State officials said eight people fell into the river, with rescuers pulling two of them to safety and presuming the six others dead. Authorities, who described the collapse as a terrible accident, said the situation could have been worse had it not been for the ship’s mayday call. Amid the aftermath, the collapse is raising questions about America’s aging infrastructure and its impact on the economy.

Wait, was the bridge safe?

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said the bridge was “fully up to code.” Still, experts have long pointed out that US infrastructure needs attention. Roughly a third of the nation’s 620,000 bridges need repair work, according to one report. Meanwhile, other experts say infrastructure losses can have economic implications. In Baltimore, the bridge collapse closed one of the busiest ports on the East Coast, raising concerns of supply chain disruptions. Then, there’s the fact that more than 30,000 drivers who used to cross the bridge now have to find alternative routes. Authorities are working to reroute shipments as quickly as possible and have set up detours for drivers. President Biden vowed the federal government will help rebuild the bridge, which could take over a year.

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The Baltimore bridge collapse was a devastating accident. As authorities continue to investigate, the incident highlights how the sudden loss of infrastructure can have ripple effects.

What could be here to stay…

Mifepristone. During oral arguments yesterday, the Supreme Court seemed unlikely to bar or limit access to mifepristone — one of two drugs used in medication abortions. It's the high court’s first major abortion case since overturning Roe v. Wade. The 6-3 conservative court questioned whether the doctors and anti-abortion groups who brought the case forward had the legal right to challenge the FDA's approval of mifepristone. They also expressed concern about the potential impacts of overturning the FDA's decision. Only two of the court's conservatives, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, seemed to be in favor of limiting the drug’s access. The justices are expected to issue a ruling in June.

Who had to deal with racism…

The Utah women’s basketball team. Earlier this week, Utah coach Lynne Roberts said her players experienced “racial hate crimes” the night before their first NCAA Tournament game. The team, along with band members and cheerleaders, stayed in Coeur d’Alene, ID, last week. Roberts didn't go into detail about the incidents, but local outlets reported that a truck with a Confederate flag revved its engine at the players, and the driver yelled the N-word as the group headed into a restaurant. The same driver and others reportedly harassed the Utah players as they left the restaurant. Roberts said the incidents were “incredibly upsetting” and forced the team to change hotels to guarantee the players’ safety. Local police are investigating with the help of the FBI.

Where people aren’t scrolling past a new update….

Instagram. Last week, IG's parent company Meta began to quietly roll out an update that automatically limits political content on the app. That includes posts that are “likely to mention governments, elections, or social topics that affect a group of people and/or society at large.” The change caught users off guard, with some accusing Meta of trying to suppress political content ahead of November’s election. Meta says users have expressed they don’t want political content on their feeds. If you're looking to opt out of the app’s update, here's how.

Who’s making history next season…

The next “Bachelorette.”

What people aren't glazing over...

A Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s partnership.

Who’s coming back…

John Tucker.

Q. Do you trust the Supreme Court to rule on women's reproductive health?

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