1 big thing

Almost 3 million people – largely women and children – have fled Ukraine in the last 19 days. As the numbers continue to rise, humanitarian organizations and advocates are warning that the conditions at Ukrainian borders could put these refugees at especially high risk for human trafficking. Plus, China tries to play both sides in Russia’s war on Ukraine. Guests: Daphne Panayotatos, advocate for E...

As Russia continues to pummel Ukrainian cities, the war is coming dangerously close to spilling over into NATO countries. Yesterday, Russia launched a missile attack on a Ukrainian military base 15 miles from the Polish border that resulted in dozens of Ukrainian casualties. Plus, inflation heads toward double digits. And, Republicans make gains with Hispanic voters. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev,...

A lot of the credit for the Democratic party’s electoral wins in Georgia has gone to Stacey Abrams and the groundwork her nonpartisan group, the New Georgia Project, laid in the state. Their strategy was to focus on voter registration and education. And her success made others take note of how they could engage more voters in purple states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Guests: Georgia gube...

Earlier this year, Senate Democrats failed to pass a federal voting rights bill – a huge blow to progressive election reform efforts. Now, the party is turning to plan B: and some of its high-dollar donors are working to put new initiatives in place ahead of the November midterms. Plus, long covid patients struggle for financial help. And, an update on two big bills – one state, and one federal. G...

Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilians continue to escalate. The southern city of Mariupol has been pounded by intense bombing, including of a children’s and maternity hospital that left at least 3 people dead, including a child. Plus, the White House signals crypto is here to stay. And, we answer the first of your climate change questions. Guests: Axios' Zach Basu, Ryan Lawler and Andrew Freedma...

Yesterday, a jury found a Texas militia member guilty on all counts in the very first Capitol riot trial. And the leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, was indicted by the Justice Department for his role in the insurrection. Plus, President Zelensky gives a historic speech to the British Parliament. And, the airline industry reacts to the Ukraine war. Guests: Wall Street Journal reporter, Arun...

Gas prices are soaring across the country. A year ago, AAA says the national average was $2.77. Yesterday it was $4.07. How much higher could it go? Plus, Black students in Ukraine face rejection at the border. And, a Twitter reality check. Guests: Axios' Ben Geman, Fadel Allassan and Erica Pandey Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Bood...

Daily news of a horrific war in Europe, alongside two years of living and working through a deadly pandemic, has so many of us grieving and exhausted. Yale psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos is the host of the hit podcast The Happiness Lab, and she says it's time to take the signs of burnout seriously. Plus: Russia's crackdown on the press. Guests: Axios' Sara Fischer and The Happiness Lab's L...

Russian military shelling started a fire at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine overnight. That’s according to Ukrainian officials. The fire is out and the nuclear plant appears safe, but Russian forces are now in control of the facility. In an emotional early morning video, Ukrainian President Zelensky warned the world about Russian nuclear terror. Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler....

Texas Governor Greg Abbott last week ordered state agencies to treat gender-affirming care for trans young people as child abuse. Many parents, doctors, and advocates are speaking out against what they say is a dangerous move, and yesterday a Texas judge issued a temporary halt to the order. But there's still fear and uncertainty for young people and their families. Plus, what we know about Ukrain...

President Biden delivered his first State of the Union address last night, while the refugee crisis out of Ukraine continued to grow and Russian forces bombed the country’s two largest cities. Biden's message to Russian President Vladimir Putin was clear: "When the history of this era is written, Putin's war in Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger.” Plus, the Tex...

As Russian forces continue to attack, more than half a million Ukranians have left the country. But for those who have decided to stay, life is very different than it was just a week ago. Plus, what’s at stake for President Biden in tonight’s State of the Union. And, more than half a million Ukrainians flee to neighboring countries. Guests: Kyiv-based journalist Kristina Zeleniuk; and Axios' Stef...

Cutting Russia off from the international financial system over its invasion of Ukraine has been referred to in recent days as an economic nuclear option. What does that mean? Plus, Biden’s historic Supreme Court nomination. And, the American employees who are happiest working from home. Guests: Axios' Felix Salmon, Sam Baker, and Erica Pandey. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with...

As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues, we’re going to Kyiv and Washington for analysis. Guests: Neil Hauer, a journalist with bne IntelliNews and Axios' Jonathan Swan and Dave Lawler. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Julia Redpath, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, Sabeena Singhani, and...

Explosions could be heard throughout the country as Russian missile strikes were reported in multiple cities across Ukraine after Vladimir Putin ordered what he called a special military operation to "demilitarize and denazify Ukraine." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told his people to stay strong as Russian forces invaded his sovereign nation by land, air and sea overnight. Plus, why more...

Yesterday, President Joe Biden announced the first tranche of sanctions against Russia. He called this moment the “beginning of a Russian invasion” of Ukraine. Plus, the Ukraine crisis rocks energy markets. And, two years after Ahmaud Arbery’s murder, how Georgia has changed. Guests: Axios' Zach Basu, Andrew Freedman and Emma Hurt. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Indus...

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into two Russian-backed separatist regions of Ukraine. Many European and several African countries, in addition to the U.S., have condemned this as a violation of international law and a direct threat to Ukraine’s sovereignty. Plus, dropping COVID mandates. And, why your next job interview could be with a robot. Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler, Chelse...

Russian skater Kamila Valieva was still allowed to compete despite testing positive for a banned substance before the Olympic games. She was a heavy favorite for the gold - but ended up coming in fourth place yesterday. What does this say about the integrity of the Olympic games -- and what does it mean for the future of figure skating? Plus, smart headlights coming to U.S. cars could make America...

A federal hate crimes trial is underway in Brunswick, Georgia, where Ahmaud Arbery was murdered almost two years ago. The central question in the trial is whether race was the motivating factor for the three white men who killed Arbery, who was Black. But how can prosecutors prove racism? Plus, a reality check on the state of COVID around the world. And, American women are racking up our Olympic m...

Nine families who lost loved ones in the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School said yesterday that they’d settled for $73 million with Remington Arms, the company that made the AR-15-style weapon the shooter used. The question now is what impact if any this settlement will have on gunmakers and future efforts to hold them accountable for mass shootings. Plus, the Ukraine crisis plays...

The USDA confirmed yesterday that it’s blocking imports of avocados from Mexico -- for now -- after a U.S. plant safety inspector received a threatening phone call. Plus, the latest on the White House effort to expand internet access. And, a judge says he’ll dismiss Sarah Palin’s lawsuit against the New York Times. Guests: Telemundo News' Marina Franco, and Axios' Mike Allen and Margaret Harding M...

As more people go back to in-person work, rush hour traffic has started to come back across the country. But the pandemic has changed the timing of our morning commutes. Plus, the new wave of global COVID protests. And, grading Trump’s trade deal with China, two years later. Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols, Joann Muller, and Neil Irwin. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Indu...

New data shows consumer prices are up 7.5% over the past year. That's the worst since 1982. The latest inflation numbers are pouring cold water on President Biden's recent wins on job and wage growth. It shows how the COVID economy remains his biggest obstacle, whether real or psychological. Plus, online betting games marketed for kids. And, the highs and lows of the Winter Olympics. Guests: Axios...

This week, a number of democratic governors announced that their states are dropping their mask mandates and ending some COVID restrictions. And at the same time, CDC guidance continues to recommend indoor masking. So what’s driving the governors‘ decisions— politics or science? Plus, the inflation dilemma: be patient or cause a recession? And, the federal government rethinks facial recognition Gu...

This week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his support for what critics are calling the “Don't Say Gay” bill. It could restrict LGBTQ discussion in elementary schools and allow parents to sue in some cases. Plus, cryptocurrency spends big to reach 100 million people. And, why a failed, vague agreement holds promise in the Ukraine-Russia crisis. Guests: Axios' Selene San Felice, Dan Primack...