1 big thing

Senators at Facebook’s hearing last week used an analogy we’ve heard before -- that Big Tech is having its Big Tobacco moment. But: It took decades to enact meaningful regulations with Big Tobacco, and we could see the same happen with tech companies. Plus, the challenges of permanent housing for Afghan refugees. And, the abysmal rate of female biographies on Wikipedia. Guests: Axios' Ina Fried an...

Over the weekend, Southwest Airlines cancelled nearly 2,000 of their flights citing weather and air traffic control issues. And while the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed staffing shortages in air traffic control, they also said it was likely that the airline was experiencing their own staffing problems. This is likely a preview of what the holiday travel season will look like. Plus, wome...

After days of will-they, won’t-they on the Hill, Senate Democrats and Republicans came to an agreement yesterday to extend the debt ceiling through early December. This came less than two weeks ahead of a deadline that would have seen the U.S. default on its debt for the first time. Plus, the U.S. races to catch up on at-home COVID testing. And, COVID deaths in America are on the decline. Guests:...

Washington D.C. is now piloting a first-of-its-kind program that’s offering one-year leases to unhoused residents in the city. It could offer a solution for the more than half a million people experiencing homelessness in this community. Plus, how South Dakota became a tax haven. And, a game-changing new malaria vaccine. Guests: Axios' Chelsea Cirruzzo, Felix Salmon and Bryan Walsh. Credits: Axios...

The price of gasoline at U.S. pumps is up by about 50% in the last year, as energy prices climb around the world. Axios’ Kate Marino says it could affect our post-pandemic economic recovery. Plus, Latina entrepreneurs show resilience despite the pandemic. And, manatees are dying in droves off the Florida coast. Guests: Axios' Kate Marino and Ben Montgomery and Telemundo's Marina Franco. Credits: A...

Yesterday, Facebook faced a major outage that knocked out all of its apps -- Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp -- for hours, across the globe. This came on the heels of revelations by whistleblower Francis Haugen, a former Facebook employee who leaked thousands of documents showing the way Facebook prioritizes profits over people. Plus, the scramble to contain one of the largest oil spills in Cali...

Axios’ Jonathan Swan spoke with Afghanistan's ambassador to the United States, Adela Raz, for the latest episode of “Axios on HBO.” It was her first TV interview since the fall of Kabul. Plus, the Supreme Court takes up some of our nation’s biggest issues. And, Mike Allen on the Pandora Papers. Guests: Jeffery Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center; Axios' Jonathan Swan and M...

We started this week talking about the possibility of a government shutdown, raising the debt ceiling and passing an ambitious new economic agenda for President Biden. By late Thursday, a government shut down had been averted -- but pretty much everything else was still on the table. Plus, the pandemic backlog of cases. And, a historic arts performance in New York City. Guests: Axios' Margaret Tal...

YouTube announced yesterday that it’s cracking down on anti-vaccination information on the site, beyond content just related to the COVID vaccine. The platform has been a major source of misinformation about vaccines since well before the pandemic. Plus, Congressional reconciliation, explained. And, why President Biden rejected a meeting with the Palestinian president. Guests: Axios' Margaret Hard...

Yesterday, 175 healthcare workers at a North Carolina hospital system were fired because they wouldn’t get the COVID vaccine. It’s one of the biggest mass firings because of vaccine mandates to date, in the U.S. But this is not just an issue playing out in healthcare. More and more companies are adding vaccine requirements to their job postings -- across industries. Plus, restaurant staff speak ou...

Ford Motor Company is making a big bet on electric vehicles in Kentucky and Tennessee, through a new assembly plant and new battery factories. This comes as debate continues over President Biden's ambitious spending plan, which could transform the transportation sector when it comes to electric cars. Plus, why it took decades to convict R. Kelly. And, the debt ceiling, explained. Guests: Axios' Jo...

President Biden’s economic agenda will be put to the test this week as the Senate votes on their bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and tries to stitch together Biden’s larger $3.5 trillion spending package. It’s been weeks of back and forth negotiations, but behind all the political drama is legislation that will have an impact on our day-to-day lives. Plus, Germany -- and Europe -- wit...

President Biden struck an optimistic note when addressing the UN this week, emphasizing that the America First doctrines of the Trump administration are in the past. But whether it's the Afghanistan withdrawal or a new nuclear deal with Australia and the UK, many Western allies are unhappy with the U.S. Plus, what’s behind Puerto Rico’s high vaccination rate. And, the crisis in daycares across the...

Thousands of Haitian migrants are living in a temporary encampment at the Southern border in Del Rio, Texas. A lot has happened this week since the Biden administration announced they were going to start deporting many of these people back to Haiti. Plus, AirBnB’s hopes of housing Afghan refugees. And, Democrats plan to tax the rich. Guests: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, Axios' Stef Kight and Mike Allen...

On Monday, the Biden administration said it would lift travel restrictions starting in November, for travelers from 33 countries who are fully vaccinated. That means that the U.S. will let in people who have received vaccines that aren’t yet authorized here in the U.S. by the FDA, like the AstraZeneca vaccine. But for international students who are coming here to study, that may not be the case. P...

About a quarter of Americans describe themselves as evangelical protestants, according to the Pew Research Center. But lately a movement of so-called “exvangelicals” is moving away from the evangelical church in the U.S. Plus, new steps to protect U.S. workers from extreme heat. And, some of you share how you’ve managed parenting young kids during the pandemic. Guests: Axios' Stef Kight and Andrew...

From French diplomacy to Haitian deportations at the Southern border, international headlines dominated the weekend. Axios' Dave Lawler catches us up. Plus, a looming battle with Chicago city workers over vaccine mandates. And, why companies want cool stock symbols. Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler, Monica Eng, and Courtenay Brown. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries....

On our latest installment of our Hard Truths series, how the federal government is tackling environmental justice, and what it will take to make real change in vulnerable communities. Guests: Henry Herrera, EPA administrator Michael Regan, and Dr. Robert Bullard, distinguished professor of urban planning and environmental policy at Texas Southern University. Credits: “Axios Today” is brought to yo...

California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom survived a Republican-led effort to recall him from office, this week. Axios' Margaret Talev says new polling points to some GOP voters pushing back on the party in a few places. Plus, research into kids and long COVID. And, crab cakes are the latest supply chain headache. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev, Tina Reed, and Michael Graff. Credits: Axios Toda...

Did General Mark Milley go too far? That’s the question in Washington today after newly released excerpts of the latest work from Bob Woodward and Robert Costa are calling into question Milley’s role during the Trump administration. Plus, how teen mental health is affected by the pandemic. And, survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse call out the FBI. Guests: Axios' Jonathan Swan and Penn State Universi...

With COVID-19 cases in children surging across the country, doctors are seeing more kids in their offices and in hospitals. Two pediatricians share what they’re seeing and what they want parents to know. Plus, California’s recall election and lies about voter fraud. And, what do you want to know about teenage mental health during the pandemic? Guests: Pediatrician Bryan Kornreich, Michigan Medicin...

The number of COVID cases in kids has skyrocketed with the Delta variant. For the week ending September 9th, children made up 28.9% of reported weekly cases, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. But contracting Covid is far from the only risk for young people during this pandemic. With the new school year upon us, and more data coming out all the time, we’re looking over the next few d...

The new vaccine mandates that President Biden announced last week will affect about 100 million Americans. And while it seems many Americans agree with the President, there’s also been significant backlash, with some GOP governors vowing legal action, and other top Republicans calling for a public uprising. Plus, a September sprint in the U.S. Senate. And, the latest fight between Facebook and reg...

Before the 9/11 memorial in New York City was even built, there were plans to build an Islamic community center and mosque a few blocks away. Eleven years ago, the Anti-Defamation League opposed the building of the center in that place. But this week, the ADL’s National Director apologized for that stance. He talks to Axios Today about coming together to combat hate and terror. Plus, how threats t...

The Taliban yesterday announced the first members of a new temporary Afghan government. And as Axios’ national security reporter Zach Basu writes, the interim cabinet is made up of mostly “old-guard Taliban officials.” Plus, disappointing jobs numbers with some glimmers of hope. And, actor Simu Liu on turning a movie into a movement. Guests: Axios' Zachary Basu, Kate Marino, and Hope King. Credits...