Here are things to know for Monday, May 10:
1. Cyberattack on US pipeline is linked to criminal gang
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The cyberextortion attempt that has forced the shutdown of a vital U.S. pipeline was carried out by a criminal gang known as DarkSide that cultivates a Robin Hood image of stealing from corporations and giving a cut to charity, two people close to the investigation said Sunday.
The shutdown, meanwhile, stretched into its third day, with the Biden administration loosening regulations for the transport of petroleum products on highways as part of an “all-hands-on-deck” effort to avoid disruptions in the fuel supply.
Experts said that gasoline prices are unlikely to be affected if the pipeline is back to normal in the next few days but that the incident — the worst cyberattack to date on critical U.S. infrastructure — should serve as a wake-up call to companies about the vulnerabilities they face.
2. FDA expected to OK Pfizer vaccine for kids as young as 12 this week
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 12 to 15 this week, according to a federal official who is familiar with the process.
The announcement is set to come a month after the company found that its shot, which is already authorized for those age 16 and older, also provided protection for the younger group.
The federal official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preview the FDA’s action, said the agency was expected to expand its emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s two-dose vaccine by early this week. The person familiar with the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters, confirmed the timeline and added that it is expected that the FDA will approve Pfizer’s use by even younger children sometime this fall.
3. Texas sets up call center to connect businesses, organizations with mobile vaccination teams
Texas is launching a call center to increase COVID-19 vaccinations statewide, according to a press release.
Businesses and civic organizations can schedule to have a mobile vaccination team vaccinate employees, visitors or members. To qualify, the business or organization must have 10 or more employees who voluntarily choose to be vaccinated. Interested parties can call 844-90-TEXAS and select Option 3 to schedule a visit.
Homebound Texans are also encouraged to call the hotline and select Option 1 to request a state mobile vaccination team to visit their home.
4. Police investigating drive-by, triple shooting in church parking lot in SE Houston
Houston police are investigating a drive-by shooting Saturday afternoon in a church parking lot in southeast Houston, officials said.
Police said three men were shot and transported to a local hospital in an unknown condition. The shooting occurred after 4 p.m. at Bethel Institutional Missionary Baptist Church at 5530 Selinsky Road.
Police on the scene searched a blue four-door Nissan, hit with gunfire, in the parking lot, and found a backpack.
A witness told KPRC 2 that he heard at least 20 gunshots.
5. George Floyd’s family, Attorney Ben Crump react to ex-cops’ federal indictment
Attorney Ben Crump and the family of George Floyd held a press conference Saturday afternoon on the campus of Texas Southern University.
The group shared how they feel after a federal grand jury indicted Derek Chauvin and three other former Minneapolis police officers on charges of violating George Floyd’s civil rights during the arrest that led to his death last year.
“When you think about the indictment, you think not just about George Floyd, but you think about the message this sends to other marginalized minorities,” Crump said.
Attorney General Merrick Garland called the Floyd family and told them the news.