Good afternoon! It’s Wednesday, and I’ve been visiting my parents this week in the burbs, where my dog is showing off her modeling skills. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Masks will remain optional at Chicago’s public schools for the time being

A state labor board today voted 3-2 to reject a request by the Chicago Teachers Union to essentially reinstate a mask mandate as the union’s legal challenge plays out.

The union argues that a recent decision by Chicago Public Schools to go mask optional violates a safety agreement that was hammered out in January.

Today’s decision by the labor board is a big loss for the union, because a hearing on its underlying case against CPS isn’t expected until close to the end of the academic year.

“The Chicago Teachers Union will continue to stand up for maximum safety in Chicago’s public schools and communities,” the union said in a statement after the vote. “Despite disregard for the collective bargaining process from Mayor Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools, our rank-and-file members remain committed to serving students and families safely, and fighting for essential pandemic safety mitigations around vaccinations, contact tracing and COVID-19 testing.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. Biden announces more weapons will be sent to Ukraine after Zelenskyy makes an emotional plea to Congress

President Joe Biden today said the U.S. will send more anti-aircraft, anti-armor weapons and drones to Ukraine as it fights off an invasion from Russia.

“We’re going to give Ukraine the arms to fight and defend themselves through all the difficult days ahead,” Biden said in announcing an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine.

Earlier today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an urgent plea for more help in a video address to members of Congress.

“I call on you to do more, new packages of sanctions are needed constantly every week until the Russian military machine stops,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy asked for a no-fly zone over Ukraine, something that has little chance of being approved because it would pit American pilots against Russian forces. Acknowledging this, Zelenskyy presented an alternative: sending more weapons. [AP]

In Ukraine, the city of Mariupol is quickly descending into despair.

“The bodies of the children all lie here, dumped into this narrow trench hastily dug into the frozen earth of Mariupol to the constant drumbeat of shelling,” reports The Associated Press. [AP]

3. The Federal Reserve raises interest rates amid soaring inflation

The nation’s central bank today lifted its key interest rate for the first time since 2018, raising it a quarter of a percentage point in an effort to clamp down on rapid inflation. The Federal Reserve also signaled six more rate hikes will take place this year.

The hikes mean it will cost more to borrow money, and it will affect things like car loans, credit cards and mortgages.

The Fed is under huge pressure to cool down the economy. A surge in consumer spending has helped propel inflation to levels not seen in 40 years. But rate hikes carry the possibility of sending the nation into a recession, putting the Fed in a tight spot. [NPR]

4. The family of Adam Toledo is suing the city and the Chicago officer who fatally shot the teen

The wrongful death lawsuit argues the officer who shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo last year did not “issue clear, direct commands that would have de-escalated and slowed down the situation.”

“Officer Eric Stillman chased, shot and killed 13-year-old Adam without justification,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit was filed less than an hour before Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx yesterday announced her office would not move forward with criminal charges against Stillman.

Foxx also said there would be no criminal charges in the fatal shooting of Anthony Alvarez, who was also killed during a police foot chase.

Both killings occurred just days apart and put a spotlight on police foot pursuits, with activists and community leaders calling for a moratorium until the police department crafted new policies and procedures. [Chicago Sun-Times]

5. The owners of the Chicago Cubs seek to buy British soccer club Chelsea

The Ricketts family today announced it will seek to buy Premier League soccer club Chelsea.

The family is “leading an investment group that will make its formal bid for the reigning world and European champions on Friday,” reports The Associated Press.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was forced to put the soccer club up for sale after being sanctioned by the British government and banned by the Premier League.

The British government is overseeing the buyout process. In addition to the Ricketts, others looking to make a bid include Todd Boehly, part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. [AP]

Here’s what else is happening

• A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s northeast coast, triggering a tsunami warning. [CNN]
• Starbucks plans to phase out paper cups in the U.S. and Canada by the end of next year. [NPR]
• Only 16 Chicago police officers are on no-pay status for violating the city’s vaccine mandate, Lightfoot says. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• A prominent transgender activist in the Chicago area is missing. [Block Club Chicago]

Oh, and one more thing …

A Catholic school in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood says it needs help supporting students who have fled war-torn Ukraine, reports Block Club Chicago.

The principal of St. Nicholas Cathedral School says eight students from Ukraine have enrolled in the last week, and the school is holding a donation drive for “school supplies, clothes and shoes, toiletries and toys for kids to play with at home to help students settle into their new school and city,” Block Club reports.

“All of our families have direct ties to Ukraine. The parents have sisters and brothers over there, and the parents had their own parents over there. So, yeah, we’re expecting students,” said Principal Anna Cirilli. “What we’re trying to navigate is, what’s our capacity?” [Block Club]

Tell me something good …

Have you read anything good lately? I’m looking for a good book to escape into after reading the news all day.

Steven from Andersonville writes:

“Two good books for your list: A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne. Beautiful writing that interweaves the stories of several different characters. Loved it.

“The other would be the Magpie Murder series by Anthony Horowitz. A book within a book. Mystery set in England. What’s not to love? It had me buying orange marmalade because they were always eating toast.”

And Gretchen Steele writes:

“Our book club has just finished reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Michelle Richardson. I found it an easy and delightful read that was most welcome at the end of the day during these turbulent times.

“I’m an outdoor public affairs reporter (a weird niche, I know), and spring legislative sessions are always tiresome for me. This book was an excellent and refreshing read. It also led me to research more and add some additional titles to my list. I find the whole horseback librarian scenario fascinating! Throw in ‘The Blue People of Kentucky,’ and this book will leave you wanting to know more about both the horseback librarians and the Blue People of Kentucky.”

Feel free to email or tweet me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.