1 big thing

Kansas voters last night decisively rejected an anti-abortion constitutional amendment. It was the first time voters have cast ballots on the issue since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade – and last night’s vote was closely watched for what it could tell us about broader American sentiment on abortion rights. Plus, how to fireproof a home. And, Taiwan reacts to Pelosi’s visit. Guests: Axios...

President Biden last night announced the U.S. killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a strike in Afghanistan. It's the most significant blow to al-Qaeda since the death of Osama bin Laden 11 years ago. Plus: the risks of Speaker Pelosi’s Taiwan visit. And: with rents skyrocketing, we want your stories. Guests: Idrees Ali, Reuters' foreign policy correspondent and Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimi...

The death toll from severe flooding in Kentucky has risen to at least 26. That includes four young siblings who were swept away from their parents in the floodwaters. Hundreds had to be evacuated by boat or helicopter and thousands are still without electricity. More rain is expected today and tomorrow. And many of the communities affected by these floods still haven’t fully recovered from last ye...

The latest GDP numbers out yesterday showed a slowdown in the US economy for the second quarter in a row, pushing a lot of pundits and some news outlets to declare that the US is in a recession. But Fed chair Jerome Powell, President Biden and many economists say that’s not the case. Plus: Kids in California can wake up a bit later for school this year…and other states are following suit. And: a n...

Russian authorities have been forcing a system of interrogation, detention, and deportation on Ukrainian citizens who live in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. More than five months into Russia’s war on Ukraine, it’s estimated that one million people or more have gone through this so-called “filtration” process. Plus: home sales are cooling at last. And: the U.S. offers a prisoner swap to bring B...

In 2018, Florida passed a historic ballot initiative to allow most felons in the state to vote. Now, 10 men with felony convictions are facing voter fraud charges, for voting before paying fines they did not know existed. Plus: what’s riding on the semiconductor bill. And: the Biden administration tries to address the threat of extreme heat. Guests: Axios' Margaret Harding McGill, and Bianca Forti...

Last week, Facebook’s parent company, Meta, announced major changes to its app. Instead of the Facebook feed we’re all used to -- with posts from friends and family -- the app will look a lot more like TikTok. As Axios’ Scott Rosenberg writes, this marks the end of almost two decades of social networking as we knew it. Plus: Pope Francis makes a historic apology to the Indigenous people of Canada....

There are now more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox outside Africa, where the spread began, including nearly 3,000 cases in the US. Plus: Trump’s revenge mindset. And: a milestone for Indigenous people in India. Guests: Axios' Adriel Bettelheim and Jonathan Swan. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Alex...

In its last summer hearing, the House Select Committee made the case last night that President Trump’s actions on January 6th and the days following were indefensible. Almost three hours of testimony, texts and video argued that the former president chose not to act to protect the Capitol, despite the pleas of almost all those around him. Plus, Jonathan Swan’s exclusive new look into Trump’s plann...

There’s been movement this week in a Georgia investigation into whether former President Trump interfered in the 2020 election. 16 Republicans who apparently participated in a fake elector scheme have been named as targets by the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. Plus, advice for staying cool. And, new bipartisan legislation that aims to protect future elections. Guests: Axios' Emma Hurt a...

With the midterms less than four months away, Republicans are lagging behind Democrats in grassroots fundraising: In the 10 most competitive Senate races, Democrats are out raising Republicans by more than $100 million with small dollar donors. Plus, police monitoring private surveillance video. And, the House votes to protect same-sex marriage. Guests: Axios' Lachlan Markay and Ina Fried Credits:...

We’re struggling at once with high inflation in the U.S. -- and the possibility of a recession. And some economists are arguing that the steps being taken to ease inflation could actually cause a recession. And would that be even worse? Plus: how the end of Roe v. Wade may overwhelm foster care systems. And: a warning that we face “collective suicide” by climate change. Guests: Axios' Emily Peck a...

France and the U.K. are facing record-high temperatures this week, in what’s shaping up to be one of the worst heat waves on record in western Europe. And a wildfire crisis has caused thousands to evacuate parts of Spain, Portugal and France. Plus: watching a political realignment in real time. And: how swing state voters feel about Trump’s role in the January 6th riot. Guests: Axios' Andrew Freed...

President Biden escaped his low approval ratings here in the U.S., this week, with a warm welcome in Israel – kicking off a trip to the Mideast to meet with nearly a dozen leaders. It’s Biden’s first trip to the region since taking office, after campaigning on promises like holding Saudi Arabia accountable for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and reviving the Iran nuclear deal. Plus: the r...

New June inflation numbers released Wednesday show the Consumer Price Index rose 9.1% since last year - the fastest annual pace since November 1981. To make matters worse, wages are not keeping up. Plus: the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is running out of money. And: the millennial friendship crisis. Guests: Axios' Neil Irwin, Stef Kight and Erica Pandey Credits: Axios Today i...

Cases of monkeypox, the disease caused by a virus similar to smallpox, are rising in the U.S. There are now more than 750 documented cases according to the CDC, although the actual number is likely much higher. It’s not a pandemic, but what lessons have we learned from covid that can help us contain monkeypox? Plus: the January 6th committee looks at Trump’s power to incite violence. And: snapshot...

A wildfire in Yosemite National Park has expanded almost 10 times to 2,000 acres since it started on Friday. The rapidly growing Washburn Fire in California is threatening some of the world’s oldest sequoia trees…and around 1,600 people have been evacuated from the area. Plus: the Biden administration tries to protect abortion providers. And: some Venezuelan migrants are granted extra time in the...

The U.S. dollar has surged to its highest levels in at least two years against other major currencies. But when you factor in our current inflation situation – is this good news for Americans? Plus: our immunity against this summer’s strain of COVID-19. And: President Biden heads to the Middle East. Guests: Axios' Javier David and Tina Reed. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara...

Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned Thursday morning, after dozens of his cabinet members quit. It’s an unusually turbulent political crisis for the UK that follows allegations of sexual misconduct within Johnson’s own party and a series of mishaps that have left many within his own party without confidence in his leadership. Axios' Dave Lawler says this moment represents a test for UK instituti...

That’s a question on a lot of people’s minds right now. But, what does a recession look like when we have a strong labor market? Plus: a crucial week for detained WNBA star Brittney Griner. And: hope for the holy grail of coronavirus vaccines. Guests: Axios' Neil Irwin, and Errin Haines, editor-at-large for The 19th. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra...

The Supreme Court wrapped up its term last month with a blockbuster case - the reversal of Roe v Wade. That decision overshadowed several others this term that point to conservative justices' next target - the executive branch. Plus: how a mass shooting occurred in Illinois and Highland Park, despite the city and state having some of the strictest gun law in the country. And: gas prices are declin...

Yesterday in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, a gunman opened fire from a rooftop during a 4th of July parade. At least six people were killed. Body camera footage was also released this weekend in the police shooting of a 25-year-old unarmed black man Jaylen Walker in Akron, Ohio. Guests: Jennifer Mascia, news writer and a founding staffer at The Trace, a nonpartisan nonprofit newsroom that r...

The Supreme Court issued its last two decisions of the term yesterday – including one that curbs the Environmental Protection Agency’s power to regulate climate emissions. It was a blow to the Biden administration's efforts to combat global warming. Plus: the Supreme Court gives President Biden a win on immigration. And: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is sworn in, becoming the first Black woman on th...

If you’ve traveled by plane this summer, you already know just how bad air travel is right now. If you haven’t, you’ve probably heard stories of canceled flights, long delays and sky-high ticket prices. As Americans get ready for the Fourth of July, at least one airline is already sending out warnings of what is shaping up to be a chaotic and difficult travel weekend. Plus: how the end of Roe v. W...

Cassidy Hutchinson, a top aide to former president Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, testified Tuesday to the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Plus: how the Roe decision could affect your online privacy. And: the human toll of surging migration at the Southern U.S. border. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev and Margaret Harding McGill. Credits: Axios Today...