The 7 things you need to know for Wednesday, May 11

Russia is prepared for a “prolonged” war, a U.S. official warned.

• Who said this? Avril Haines, the nation’s top intelligence official. She predicted that what happens in the next month or two in Ukraine will be significant.
• What else to know: The U.S. House approved $40 billion in more aid for Ukraine yesterday. The Senate is expected to pass it this week.

Prices kept rising at historically high levels last month.

• What’s going on? The government released figures today that showed costs — for things like energy, housing and food — rose by 8.3% in April compared to last year.
• Any good news? That’s a smaller rise than in March, which could be a sign that inflation is slowing.
• What’s driving this? Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused gas prices to soar, while supply chain problems and increased demand made other items more expensive.

A candidate backed by Donald Trump lost a primary in Nebraska.

• What happened? Jim Pillen defeated Charles Herbster, who was accused of sexually assaulting multiple women, as Republican voters picked their candidate for governor.
• What this shows: There are limits to the former president’s influence. However, the House candidate Trump endorsed in West Virginia won his GOP primary.
• What’s next? There are some big votes next Tuesday. Primaries in Pennsylvania and North Carolina are the ones to watch.

Record-breaking heat is scorching the central U.S. this week.

• What to expect: 90-degree heat will reach all the way to Wisconsin tomorrow, and temperatures in Texas and Oklahoma have hit triple digits.
• This isn’t normal: Climate change caused by humans is playing a role in making early-season heat waves more frequent and more intense.

There’s a huge baby formula shortage in the U.S.

• How big is it? Formula was 43% out of stock nationwide last week, according to one tracker.
• Why is this happening? Supply issues started getting worse after formulas linked to bacterial infections were recalled in February.
• What’s being done? The FDA is talking with manufacturers, who are already trying to ramp up production.

Files from the largest U.S. opioid maker went public yesterday.