Axios PM: Water crisis expands beyond Texas — Fans at March Madness

1 big thing: Water crisis expands beyond Texas | Friday, February 19, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Facebook   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Feb 19, 2021 Good afternoon: Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 359 words, a 1.5-minute read.     1 big thing: Water crisis expands beyond Texas Icicles hang off the State Highway 195 sign yesterday in Killeen, Texas. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Broken pumps, burst pipes and chemical shortages have left millions without potable water after this week's devastating winter storm. The big picture: Millions of people across the South have been told to boil water, with thawing temperatures expected to reveal the extent of the damage to infrastructure. Texas: 7 million people — because low water pressure could have allowed bacteria to seep into the system, AP reports. Tennessee: 260,000 homes and businesses in the Memphis area — because of water main ruptures and problems at pumping stations. Mississippi: Most of Jackson's 161,000 residents — because the city ran out of chemicals due to resupply issues. Between the lines: Water mains will need repair and homes have frozen pipes that will fail as they warm up. Municipal systems will take time to recover. What's next: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D) said he expects residents will have drinkable tap water again next week. Water flows from a burst water pipe in Austin. Photo: Thomas Ryan Allison/Bloomberg via Getty Images     2. Inside Biden's call sheet The Biden administration's top officials have together called officials from at least 43 countries, reports Axios World editor Dave Lawler.     A message from Facebook It's time to update internet regulations     The internet has changed a lot in 25 years. But the last time comprehensive internet regulations were passed was in 1996. We support updated internet regulations to set clear guidelines for addressing today's toughest challenges. Learn More     3. Catch up quick New data: Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine may be more effective after just one shot than researchers had previously realized. Go deeper. No more "America First": President Biden committed the U.S. to "working in lockstep with our allies and partners" to protect democracy and promote prosperity. Go deeper. New York real estate bust: "Rents in Manhattan and Brooklyn had the steepest year-over-year drop on record in January. ... Home prices in January also showed major declines." — Bloomberg (subscription) The weather this week delayed the delivery of 6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, but the logistical hurdles are expected to be resolved by next week. Go deeper. 🎧 Axios Re:Cap featured Eventbrite co-founder and CEO Julia Hartz on how her company has responded to people using it to schedule COVID vaccine appointments. Listen here.     4. 1 smile to go: Fans at March Madness A photo from the 2019 Final Four between Virginia and Auburn. Photo: Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images Hottest tickets in town: March Madness will allow attendance at 25% capacity when the men's tournament tips off in the Indianapolis area, the NCAA announced today. "That capacity figure includes essential workers, family members of each team, coaches and staff and all participants of the event," USA Today reports. Masks and social distancing will be required.     A message from Facebook Internet regulations need an update     It's been 25 years since comprehensive internet regulations were passed. But a lot has changed since 1996. We support updated regulations to set clear guidelines for protecting people's privacy, enabling safe and easy data portability between platforms and more. Learn More     Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: