right now on "america this morning," the holiday weekend travel rush begins just as covid infections and hospitalizations start to climb again. what the experts are saying about the two new omicron subvariants, plus the new covid breathalyzer test. how it works and where you can get it. 50 days into the war in ukraine. growing concern about a major port city falling into russian hands. this as new information is revealed about the russian warship sunk in the black sea. and what's happening now to the vladimir putin ally who reportedly owns 55 homes, 26 cars and quite a yacht. twitter takeover. wat elon musk is revealing about his offer to buy twitter and what happens if twitter says no.

also this morning, the new warning not to feed the birds this spring. a real-life check mate, the teenager who became a chess champion and after four brain surgeries. no crying in baseball. a new role for tom hanks. good friday morning, everyone. we begin with the busy holiday weekend travel rush just as covid cases and hospitalizations climb again. >> health officials are tracking two omicron subvariants that could be ever more contagious. it comes as millions prepare to travel this weekend for easter, passover and spring break. bookings up 70% compared to last year. meanwhile, some good news, the fda just authorized the first covid breathalyzer test. we're also following news from california where a vaccine mandate is now being delayed.

abc's ike ejiochi is here now with the very latest. ike, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, andrew. california is sticking with its vaccine mandate for schoolchildren, but it's delaying the mandate for at least another year. this morning, the state of california is delaying plans that would require students to get vaccinated against covid. last year california became the first state to announce a vaccine mandate for all schoolchildren, but the fda has not yet fully approved the shot for anyone under 16, so california governor gavin newsom announced late thursday that the new deadline no sooner than july 2023. meanwhile, as americans prepare to gather over this holiday weekend, new infection rates nationwide have increased by 11% in the last week. and health authorities are closely tracking two new versions of omicron. the new subvariants which could be more contagious have been detected in more than 30 states and they account for up to 90% of new cases in central new york

state. >> once something becomes dominant usually about a week or ten days later you get an idea of what's happening with hospitalizations. two weeks we'll have a much clearer picture. >> reporter: they have authorized an emergency use authorization for the first device able to detect covid in breath samples. >> about the same amount of breath it takes to inflate a small moon. >> reporter: about the size of a carry-on luggage only used at doctor's offices, hospitals and mobile testing sites and results are ready in about three minutes. now, the breath test will likely not replace the more intrusive nasal test. the fda says a positive breathalyzer should be followed with a pcr test. andrew. >> ike, thank you. now to ukraine where president zelenskyy is praising his country for withstanding 50 days of the russian invasion. in a video posted last night, zelenskyy said ukrainians have become heroes to the entire free

world, but as russian forces step up their attacks in the east, the decimated port city of mariupol is reportedly on the brink of being captured. meanwhile, the u.s. says reports that ukrainian missiles destroyed a russian warship are credible. the flagship of moscow's fleet in the black sea sank after an explosion. abc's james longman reports russia is not admitting that the missile strike is to blame. >> reporter: the loss of the "moskva," means a big hit to russia's capabilities just as america steps up. new american support includes 1400 stinger missile and 700 switchblade drones. >> the white house could soon send a top level u.s. official to ukraine but press secretary jen psaki says it will not be president biden. meanwhile, ukraine has seized the assets of a ukrainian politician with close ties to vladimir putin. viktor medvedchuk's possessions include 55 homes, that is 23

houses and 32 apartments. he also has 26 cars and a yacht. prosecutors say the man who shot ten people on a new york subway train this week had a stockpile of weapons. they say the attack was entirely premeditated. a judge is holding frank james without bail. his lawyer is urging people not to rush to judgment. abc's janai norman is following the investigation. >> reporter: investigators have been piecing together clues examining hours of video. abc news has learned they believe james may have rushed the attack allegedly setting off smoke grenades earlier than he planned. they think he dropped to one knee to avoid the rising smoke and opened fire from that crouched position. they say that's why the victims were mostly shot in their hands or legs. in the chaotic aftermath police say james slipped onto another train. this picture shows him emerging from another station. investigators were able to determine his identity from items he allegedly

left at the scene, a gun, a bright orange vest, a credit card and the key to a u-haul rented to his name but those things weren't discovered until after the bomb squad cleared the area. that gave james a head start to escape. prosecutors calling him a severe and ongoing threat to the community pointing to more ammunition and other gun-related items found in a philadelphia storage unit to argue frank james had the means to carry out more attacks. he's now being held without bail and though he did not enter a plea, his attorneys asking the judge to provide him with psychiatric care. janai norman, abc news, in brooklyn. >> janai, thank you. an ohio man will be sentenced in july after being convicted of storming the u.s. capitol on january 6th. 38-year-old dustin thompson claimed he was following orders from then president donald trump. the verdict could affect the legal strategies of the other alleged rioters who made the same claim. now to billionaire elon musk and his bid to take over twitter. he says his offer is about the future of civilization but wall street isn't convinced.

at least not just yet. elon musk is defending his offer to buy twitter saying in a ted talk thursday that the deal would be good for free speech. >> i think it's very important for there to be an inclusive arena for free speech. >> reporter: musk is threatening a hostile takeover of twitter for $43 billion. in his filing with the s.e.c. musk says free speech is imperative for a functioning democracy. >> for twitter's board this becomes a nightmare situation with the richest person in the world now looking to buy twitter. >> reporter: musk is a popular contributor with more than 81 million followers. he's also one of its biggest critics often speaking out against twitter rules there restrict certain tweets such as the ones that got former president donald trump banned fom the site. >> twitter has become the de

facto town square. so it's really important that people have both the reality and the perception that they're able to speak freely within the bounds of the law. >> reporter: this morning conservatives are applauding musk. senator marsha blackburn writing, twitter's censors are freaking out about elon musk because they can't buy his silence. it's clear big tech can't handle people with a different viewpoint. musk calls the $43 billion his final offer. experts say if twitter's board resqueaks his offer, musk could dump some or all of the 9% stake he currently holds in the company. >> musk could decide to just cut and run. i mean the stock could go down 30%, 40%. this forces the board's hand. >> reporter: according to "the new york times" tensions were high yesterday at an emergency meeting among twitter staff with the ceo reportedly told employees to look beyond the initial chaos and denied they're being held hostage. twitter's board says it will review the proposal and will do what's in the best interest of the company and its shareholders.

we are following some breaking news out of kansas. concerns about a massive explosion at a gas plant after a fire so people living within a mile and a half radius of this fire right here, this is a plant in reno county, they're being told to evacuate due to concern that 3,000 gallons of liquefied natural gas could explode. officials are asking residents there to plan on a 7-hour evacuation. and time now for a look at your friday weather. good morning. here in the pacific northwest keep the warm jacket handy as we head into the weekend. we've got more mountain snow coming your way with unseasonably cold weather. travel troubles abound. now, the northeast, we're putting our stormy and warm weather in the rearview mirror and it's going to turn downright nice in the i-95 corridor. boston to new york city temps mild and the sun will be shining. the weekend brings wintry weather in the northwest. warm weather in the southwest. flooding in the south. i'm accuweather meteorologist

kevin coskren. coming up, the legendary broadcaster who just announced he's cancer-free. also ahead, the deadly police shooting caught on camera in michigan. what the victim's family is now saying. and later put away that bird feeder. why americans are being told ♪ ♪ [ bird chirps ] springfest is back!

[ sprinkler & birds chirping ] these are the mowers i was telling you about. and right no yl find everg your lawn and home needs this season. [ food sizzling and happy family chatter ] at great prices for the season. stop by lowe's now, for your happiest spring.

hey. we got bells, baby. we got bell. >> ah, the greatest sound in the world. that is legendary college basketball analyst dick vitale ringing the bell outside of a florida hospital. that is to celebrate the end of his sixth round of chemo. the 82-year-old says his blood

work shows he is cancer-free. >> we love this, baby. love dick vitale there. glad he's cancer-free. outrage is growing after a deadly police shooting in grand rapids, michigan. the victim was shot during a traffic stop, and now his family is speaking out. abc's morgan norwood has more. >> say his name. >> reporter: growing call for justice as demonstrators in grand rapids demand the arrest and termination of the still unnamed police officer who shot 26-year-old patrick lyoya. >> his mother and father. >> reporter: standing side by side with lyoya's family, family attorney ben crump calling the shooting excessive use of force. >> you see a police officer escalate a minor traffic stop into a deadly execution. >> reporter: dash cam police body camera and cell phone video released wednesday by law enforcement capturing the deadly encounter on april 4th. >> nope, nope, nope, stop. stop.

put your hands up. >> reporter: authorities say the unidentified officer pulled lyoya over because the plate on the car wasn't registered to the vehicle. >> it was a traffic stop. think about it. this wasn't a felony offense. >> reporter: in the video, lyoya gets out, eventually tries to run. he's also seen fighting and wrestling to get to the officer's taser after it was deployed. after demands for lyoya to release the taser and to stop fighting, the struggle ends with the officer on top of him drawing his gun and shooting lyoya in the head. the body camera at one point stops recording. >> the test is going to be whether in the view of a reasonable police officer, whether that deadly force was needed to prevent death or great bodily harm. >> reporter: his family says he came to this country from democratic republic of the congo. they believe he was confused and terrified during the encounter. >> the family is demanding the identity of the officer. they want the officer to be terminated, and they want the officer to be prosecuted. >> reporter: morgan norwood, abc news. >> authorities have not released

the officer's name because he hasn't been charged. once the investigation is complete, a prosecutor will look at the case. concerns about the bird flu have prompted experts to ask americans not to feed birds this spring. so remove your bird feeders is what's being recommended in many areas. because the virus can spread anywhere the groups are together. bird flu cases have been confirmed in 22 states. coming up, the famous american ship that's now sinking. also ahead, 75 years later, jackie robinson's lasting legacies. legacies. we'll tell you the tributes i'm so glad we did this. i'm so glad we did this. i'm so glad we did this. i'm so glad we did this. i'm so... ...glad we did this. [kid plays drums] life is for living.

let's partner for all of it. edwardon panera chefs have crafted a masterpiece... succulent, seared chicken... a secret aioli... clean ingredients... in a buttery brioche roll. made fresh, to leave you... speechless. panera's new chef's chicken sandwiches. $1 delivery fee on our app. ♪ yeah! yeah! yeah! ♪ real fruit whole grains and chocolatey chunks. doing something good for yourself has never been this delicious. kellogg's special k. okay everyone, our mission is to provide complete balanced nutrition for strength and energy. woo hoo! ensure, complete balanced nutrition with 27 vitamins and minerals. and ensure complete with 30 grams of protein. ♪ ♪

a nu rrmeduces asttaing but normal.e for with 30 grams of protein. for vere nophilic asthma. with 30 grams of protein. ing obms. get help right away for swelling of face, mouth, tongue, or trouble breathing. infections that can cause shingles have occured. t stop steroids mouth, tongue, unless told by your doctor. tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection. may cause headache, injection site reactions, back pain, and fatigue. ask your asthma specialist about a nunormal with nucala. we have more now on the decommissioned destroyer, the uss the sullivans sinking at a park in buffalo. a major breach in the hull is causing the ship to take on water. the ship is now stable and crews are working to determine what

caused the breech. another crew is working on the deck. it comes amid an effort to restrict at the state level before summer that is when the supreme court is expected to make a decision that could overturn roe v. wade. the new law in florida bans most abortions after 15 weeks with few exceptions. >> we are here today to defend those who can't defend themselves. this will represent the most significant protections for life that have been enacted in this state in a generation. >> other states addin we turn to a special day of tributes for jackie robinson. 75 years ago he integrated major league baseball, changing the game forever. >> this morning, every coach, manager and player in major league baseball will have something in common by choice.

they'll wear the number 42 in honor of jackie robinson. it was 75 years ago on this day that robinson broke the color barrier and became the first black man in modern times to play in the major leagues, endo you recognize racism, taunt, and death threats. even from his own teammates. still, robinson's son david says he was quiet but determined. >> he was a man of few words, but a man of action, responsibility. >> for jackie robinson, taking the field for the brooklyn dodge owners that april day in 1947 was a new beginning for him, for baseball, and for others who would later break barriers themselves. >> now do we make change in the world, to make the world a better place? >> ruby bridges was the first african american student to integrate a public school in louisiana in 1960, just as robinson integrated baseball years before. >> on top of what he had to

endure, he had to be good. he had to perform. >> and perform he did, winning rookie of the year, an award now named after robinson. the ten seasons he spent with the dodgers included six trips to the world series, with a win in 1955. inducted into the baseball hall of fame in 1962, robinson died in 1972 of a heart attack. he was 53. a hero gone, but his son hopes his dad will never be forgotten. >> i think that's one of the difficulties of our generations today is understanding who you are, where you've come from, what your responsibilities are, and what in fact the purpose of life is. >> celebrations are planned across the country today, including at dodgers stadium in los angeles, which will host robinson's widow, rachel. she turns 100 this year, and she'll be on hand for tonight's game against the reds.

>> what a legend, derek. thank you so much for that. coming up, a settlement involving tom brady. also ahead, the teenager who just became a chess champ even after four brain surgeries. ever wonder what everyone's doing on their phones? they're banking, with bank of america. the groom's parents? they just found out they can redeem rewards for a second honeymoon. romance is in the air. like these two. he's realizing he's in love. and that his dating app just went up. must be fate. and phil. he forgot a gift, so he's sending the happy couple some money. digital tools so impressive, you just can't stop banking. what would you like the power to do? new densify from crest pro-health. like bones, your teeth lose density over time.

but, crest has you covered. crest densify actively rebuilds tooth density. to extend the life of teeth. crest. the #1 toothpaste brand in america.

♪ time to check "the pulse," and we begin with a sigh of relief for the guy who brought tom brady's last nfl touchdown ball. >> after scoring the receiver threw the ball into the stands. there's the score. now he'll throw it, later bought at auction for $518,000. >> but then the next day brady unretired so now a settlement has been reached and the sale has been voided. next some baseball and the windy city living up to its name. >> listen to this. the white sox and mariners battled 50-mile-per-hour wind gusts which wreaked havoc with routine

fly balls. one player that said that the ball was changing directions five times in the air. another said it was like playing baseball in a tornado. tom hanks will throw out the first pitch today at cleveland's home opener. hanks began his acting career at a theater in cleveland. >> there's no crying in baseball. next a real-life checkmate. a colorado teenager has become a national master in chess. >> he did it after surviving four brain surgeries. one procedure disconnected the left side of griffin mcconnell's brain to relieve seizures. he not only had to relearn chess, he had to relearn how to walk and talk. >> hopefully that will be an inspiration for all the kids with any kind of disability that will know that it's okay. it's okay to be different but still have the same level of competition. >> griffin is now helping others with disabilities play chess. and finally this video from texas. >> it's from a highway in waco. look closely, that flatbed truck

looks happy but it's carrying a tiny toy truck. >> we're assuming this was a joke. joke. top headlines next. what can i du with less asthma? with dupixent, i can du more.. catching my train... making moves... ♪♪ making a connection... a train connection. that's how you du more with dupixent, which helps prevent asthma attacks. dupixent is not for sudden breathing problems. it's an add-on-treatment for specific types of moderate-to-severe asthma that can improve lung function for better breathing in as little as two weeks. and can reduce, or even eliminate, oral steroids. and here's something important. dupixent can cause allergic reactions that can be severe. get help right away if you have rash, chest pain, worsening shortness of breath, tingling or numbness in your limbs. tell your doctor about new or worsening joint aches and pain, or a parasitic infection. don't change or stop asthma medicines, including steroids, without talking to your doctor. are you ready to du more with less asthma?

just ask your asthma specialist about dupixent. get ready for warm weather during kohl's home sale! a find patio furniturere starting at 25% off. alfresco dining essentials starting at 20% off. and get 25% off outdoor decor! plus, take an extra 15% off. or save even more with a kohl's card. kohl's. infused with nourishing serum and pro-vitamin b5. nivea sensitive & radiant lotion... ...gently cares for sensitive skin. so you're ready... ...for the dance floor. nivea sensitive & radiant body wash and lotion. nourish on. allergies don't have to be scary. spraying flonase daily stops your body from nivea sensitive & radiant body wash and lotion. overreacting to allergens all season long.

psst! psst! flonase all good.

nurse mariyam sabo knows a moment this pure... ...demands a lotion this pure. new gold bond pure moisture lotion. 24-hour hydration. no parabens, dyes, or fragrances. gold bond. champion your skin.

announcer: building a better bay area, moving forward, finding solutions. this is abc 7 news. >> breaking news, right now it i've :00, clashes erupt at a major holy site as holidays for jews, muslims and christians submerge. the unfolding situation in jerusalem. >> in person passover celebrations for the first time in two years. the preparations underway ahead of tonight's festivities. reggie: a live look outside from four of our tower cameras. how it times out with holiday celebrations. kumasi: let's start with a check of the forecast withdrew. drew: it is a dry day if you have good friday or passover plans. you will be good to go. the we can storm will arrive early tomorrow morning. we could have some drizzle in parts of the south bay and east. the substantial rain has left us. temperatures are coldest in the north bay where we have clear skies.

40's