CNN 2009-04-30

Good morning. From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, I'm Melissa Long. It's Wednesday. Here's a look at some of the headlines making news at this hour.

Health officials in Chicago decided 1 to close an elementary school today after one student got a suspected case of swine flu. That is right in line with recommendations that President Obama made this morning.

It's also the recommendation of our public health officials that schools with confirmed or suspected cases of H1N1 should strongly consider temporarily closing so that we can be as safe as possible. If the situation becomes more serious and we have to take more extensive steps. Then parents should also think about contingencies 2 if schools in their areas do temporarily shut down, figuring out and planning what their child care situation would be.

Officials at the Chicago school say it would be cleaned before reopening.

Some more gloomy news share with you about the US economy. The government report released 8:30 this morning shows the nation's GDP--Gross Domestic Product fell 6. 1 % in the first quarter of 9. It was a much sharper drop than expected and it was the second biggest drop recorded in 26 years. Now GDP is the broadest measure of the nation's economic activity.

Senator Arlen Specter admitting there are two reasons he's switching parties to join the Democrats 3. He says the Republicans have moved too far to the right and he says it means he has a better chance of keeping his seat next year. Specter appeared at the White House this morning. He says though he won't be an automatic vote for the Democrats.

Incredible police chase in Georgia. A truck driver clinging to the cab of his semi after someone stole it. And this was all happening as he was barreling down Interstate 75. Police say this suspect swiped it from a parking lot. The driver then jumped down and called 911.

Here we go. I get, yeah, right now. And,and in addition you're absolutely right, Mike, you know, with the fact that truck is a... Here we go, here we go. And keep in mind Chucky, you know , he could, he could have got in the back and it seems like that's what he did within the back cab. That's why he has to force him out now. Right,where you can sleep, you know, there's a beat back there, isn't there? Yes, there sure is. Woh, He's not going quietly. No he's not , he's not being compliant 4. That is for sure. Now that's not what you want to do there, pal 5. You know ,you know, just give it up.

Now the truck driver ,you saw him jump off ,he is just fine and,the suspect is in the courtroom today.

You're up-to-date. Do stay with CNN and CNN. com 24/7 for all the news develops today.