Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium in Wyoming on Friday that inflation remains too high. He added that the central bank is prepared to raise interest rates further in the coming months. The big picture: Mortgage rates are already at a two-decade high and so far this year has had a record number of media layoffs. Why does this strong economy feel so weak in some areas? Plus, a racially motivated shooting in Jacksonville leaves three dead. Tropical Stor...
Aug 28, 2023•11 min
Former President Donald Trump turned himself in to the Fulton County Jail on Thursday evening. Trump was booked on 13 state felony charges for his interference in the 2020 election. The big picture: All this is happening on the backdrop of the 2024 presidential election. Even though former President Trump wasn't at the first GOP primary debate on Wednesday night, he certainly dominated the conversation. We take a look the state of play for the GOP presidential nominees. Plus, the rise of right-w...
Aug 25, 2023•11 min
Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on a private plane that crashed north of Moscow on Wednesday, killing all 10 passengers according to Russian authorities. The big picture: In June, Prigozhin led a rebellion against the Russian military leadership. It was seen as the biggest challenge to President Vladimir Putin's rule since he came to power more than two decades ago. We take a deeper look at the plane crash and what it means for Russian forces. Plus, India becomes t...
Aug 24, 2023•11 min
The first Republican presidential primary debate is Wednesday night in Milwaukee. Fox News is moderating the event and eight candidates will hit the stage at 9 p.m. ET. But, former president Trump isn't one of them. The big picture: Trump said on his Truth Social on Sunday he will "not be doing the debates." Which begs the question – do debates even matter anymore? We take a deeper look at the answer to that question. Plus, new apartment construction on the West Coast is plummeting - what that m...
Aug 23, 2023•11 min
At least 100 million Americans have some sort of medical debt. But, the group with the highest rates of medical debt might surprise you. The big picture: Nearly 1 in 4 middle-class Americans, people who earn $50,000-$100,000 a year, have unpaid medical bills, according to a new report from the think tank Third Way. We take a look at why middle-class Americans have the highest rates of medical debt. Plus, we follow our teacher shortage reporting with teachers' own stories. And, a lack of bus driv...
Aug 22, 2023•11 min
The school year is once again beginning without enough teachers. Turnover rates are high and fewer young people want to go into the profession. The big picture: According to research from the Kansas State University's College of Education, there are more than 30,000 teacher vacancies in the US, and more than 160,000 jobs that are filled by teachers who aren't qualified. Axios' Erica Pandey shares what states and districts are doing to try to solve this persistent problem. Plus, a rare and danger...
Aug 21, 2023•11 min
A coup in Niger and its violent aftermath has Western powers including the US scrambling to keep an anti-terrorism presence in the region, and the turmoil is also affecting China's relationship with the West African nation. As one of the largest investors in Niger, China has put billions into its oil sector, for one. But across the continent in Tanzania, China's role looks different. There, the Chinese communist party's first overseas training institute is teaching its up-and-coming African lead...
Aug 20, 2023•12 min
This week saw former President Trump's fourth indictment, this time in Fulton County, Georgia. And for this racketeering indictment Trump's tweets are coming back to haunt him. The big picture: Just as things are heating up for the 2024 election cycle, the former president has five trials scheduled between now and May. We take a look at why these indictments seem to be happening all at once and what to expect from the upcoming GOP debate. Plus, the physical and mental toll of heat on farmworkers...
Aug 18, 2023•12 min
At least 106 people are confirmed dead and an estimated 1,300 are still missing, a week after Hawaii's deadly wildfires which almost completely razed the town of Lahaina on Maui. Hawaii Governor Josh Green said earlier this week that there will be no survivors left. The big picture: Officials are still recovering and identifying human remains. And teams involved in recovery efforts for 9/11 and the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in California are on the ground aiding in the search. Plus, why cancer ...
Aug 17, 2023•11 min
Illinois is the first state in the country to pass legislation to protect child social media influencers. The new law ensures children under 16 featured in online videos and platforms are compensated for their work. The big picture: Most social media platforms don't allow children to have an account until they are 13. But, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram are flooded with pages, run by adults, gaining income by using young kids in their content. We take a look at how Illinois' law could change thin...
Aug 16, 2023•11 min
Last night an Atlanta grand jury indicted former president Trump and 18 of his allies in the probe into efforts to flip Georgia's 2020 election results. Fulton County DA Fani Willis told reporters: "The indictment alleges that rather than abide by Georgia's legal process for election challenges, the defendants engaged in a criminal racketeering enterprise in order to overturn Georgia's presidential election result." The big picture: This is the fourth indictment against Trump since April. Among ...
Aug 15, 2023•12 min
All signs point to a big week ahead for the probe into former president Trump's 2020 election subversion efforts in Georgia. The Fulton County DA looks set to put the case before a grand jury this week. The big picture: Sources told CNN that new evidence directly ties Trump's team to a January 2021 breach of voting systems in Coffee County, Georgia. We dig deeper into how this connects to the other legal troubles for Trump and those in his orbit. Plus, an update on the deadliest American wildfir...
Aug 14, 2023•11 min
Catastrophic wildfires across Maui have left at least 53 people dead, at least one thousand others are unaccounted for, hundreds of structures destroyed and thousands homeless. President Biden approved federal disaster relief for Hawaii yesterday, and Governor John Green said it's the largest natural disaster in the state's history. Plus, another trial date has been announced for former President Trump. And, what you can expect to pay at the gas pump this weekend. Guests: Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick...
Aug 11, 2023•11 min
Zoom has a lot of people worried this week over its use of customer data to train artificial intelligence. The company's CEO Eric Yuan said Zoom's March update to its terms of service — which started the backlash — was a mistake. The big picture: Distrust for the companies creating AI technology is growing. 82% of American voters said they don't trust tech executives to regulate AI, according to a recent YouGov poll. We take a look at what all of this means for the next stages of artificial inte...
Aug 10, 2023•11 min
The push for electric vehicles to become more mainstream has gained serious momentum in recent years, with climate change, fluctuations in gas prices, and tax incentives. But the broader transition to EVs looks like it will be longer and bumpier than expected. The big picture: General Motors announced on Tuesday it plans to equip all its electric cars and trucks with two-way charging technology, so the vehicles can supply backup power during blackouts. We take a deeper look at what companies are...
Aug 09, 2023•11 min
Ohio is holding a special election on Tuesday for voters to decide how easy it should be to amend the state constitution. It is the only item on the ballot and it's called Issue 1. Supporters of the proposal want to make it more difficult for an abortion rights amendment to pass in the state's general election in November. The big picture: Issue 1 is getting national attention because of what it could mean for abortion rights in Ohio as well as its impact on special interests in that state and b...
Aug 08, 2023•11 min
The FDA approved the first pill for postpartum depression on Friday. The drug is called zuranolone, and unlike other antidepressants, it's specifically designated for postpartum depression, a condition that affects around 1 in 7 new mothers. The big picture: Zuranolone is taken daily for two weeks. Clinical trials showed that the drug could ease depression in as little as three days. Plus, young workers are redefining the American dream. And, Spanglish is making a comeback. Guests: Axios' Felix ...
Aug 07, 2023•11 min
Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to federal charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 elections. Trump is the GOP presidential frontrunner and has been indicted three times since launching his 2024 campaign. The former president is spending big on legal fees and that's one reason he's burning campaign cash fast. The big picture: Trump isn't the only one blowing through money. Other Republican candidates have an even higher so-called "burn rate." We take a closer lo...
Aug 04, 2023•11 min
A federal jury on Wednesday sentenced to death the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooter. The gunman murdered 11 people in 2018, in what was the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. The big picture: Since then, antisemitism has been on the rise. A report from the Anti-Defamation League found that antisemitic incidents increased by 36% in 2022 to the highest level since 1979. We dig deeper with American University's Director of Jewish Studies. Plus, the U.S. and Europe's $300 billion...
Aug 03, 2023•11 min
Former President Trump was indicted yet again on Tuesday. This time, it is over his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The former president is expected to make an appearance in federal court in D.C. on Thursday. Plus, a settlement for one Black family over one of medicine's most famous cells. And, why Birkenstocks are back in style for investors. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev, Russell Contreras, Adriel Bettelheim and Dan Primack. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Ale...
Aug 02, 2023•11 min
This Sunday, Phoenix hit a new record: 31 straight days of temperatures of at least t 110°F. It's part of the extreme heat hitting the U.S. hard this summer, and it's especially hurting low-income households. We take a closer look at extreme heat's affect on Americans' access to food. Plus, how fatigue illustrates the challenges with long COVID treatment. And, what lab-grown meat tastes like. Guests: Axios' Ayurella Horn-Muller and Megan Rose Dickey; Journalist Ed Yong. Credits: Axios Today is p...
Aug 01, 2023•11 min
In the run up to the 2022 midterm elections more than 100 lawsuits were filed over voting rights issue by both Democrats and Republicans. Can we expect the same for the 2024 presidential election? Plus, a reality check on deepfakes. And, new research on where the highest rates of Alzheimer’s disease are across the country. Guests: Axios' Alex Thompson and Shoshana Gordon. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan ...
Jul 31, 2023•11 min
Our weekly politics State of Play looks at what we can learn from Spain’s recent elections. And the latest in the legal woes for Trump and concerns over aging leadership in the Senate. Plus, why the use of donor embryos is on the rise. And, more summer reading recommendations. Guests: Axios' Alex Thompson, Carly Mallenbaum and Sara Kehaulani Goo. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Felix Salmon, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola...
Jul 28, 2023•12 min
The Fed hiked interest rates by 0.25% on Wednesday, bringing them to the highest level in 22 years. Fed economists also said that given the recent resilience of the economy, they are no longer forecasting a recession. Plus, what more AI means for low-wage work. And, singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor dead at age 56. Guests: Axios' Courtenay Brown and Emily Peck. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Felix Salmon, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is compose...
Jul 27, 2023•12 min
This week, a California judge struck down the Biden administration’s new asylum policy. And, the Justice Department is suing Texas over placing barriers in the Rio Grande to stop migrants from crossing into the U.S. Plus, the rise of “therapy speak.” And, UPS and its workers reach a deal. Guests: Axios' Stef Kight, University of Southern California's Darby Saxbe and Well.Guide's Israa Nasir. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird an...
Jul 26, 2023•12 min
More than 1,500 record-high temperatures have been recorded in the U.S. this month, according to NOAA. And a new study finds a definitive link between this extreme heat and climate change. But the biggest discovery may be just how vulnerable we are to the warming of the planet. Plus, Israel curbs the power of its Supreme Court, and tens of thousands protest. And, Speaker McCarthy’s quiet winning streak. Guests: Axios' Andrew Freedman, Barak Ravid and Josh Kraushaar. Credits: Axios Today is produ...
Jul 25, 2023•12 min
The movie "Barbie" brought in at least a whopping $155 million in its opening weekend, making it one of the biggest movies of 2023, according to early Sunday projections from Comscore. Does this signal America’s return to the movies? Plus, Russia’s port attacks in Ukraine deepen worries over world hunger. Alabama lawmakers defy the Supreme Court on voting rights. And, the latest on UPS workers' fight for better pay. Guests: Axios' Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath and Sara Fischer. Credits: Axios Today i...
Jul 24, 2023•12 min
U.S.-China tensions are at an all-time high and as relations deteriorate, the Japanese island of Okinawa is afraid of getting in the crosshairs. We take a closer look on how the geopolitical tensions are affecting the island. Plus, why the gender pay gap is shrinking. And, a new line of fashion dolls celebrates Latinas in America. Guests: Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, Emily Peck and Marina E. Franco. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Felix Salmon, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMull...
Jul 21, 2023•12 min
The Women’s World Cup kicked off on Thursday in Australia and New Zealand. And it's on track to become the most attended standalone women’s sporting event in history, according to FIFA. What sets this year’s contest apart? Plus, "Oppenheimer" brings painful memories for New Mexico Hispanics. And, Wesleyan University becomes the latest to end legacy admissions. Guests: Axios' Jeff Tracy and Russell Contreras. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia ...
Jul 20, 2023•12 min
Former President Trump announced on Tuesday that he received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith and expects to be indicted. The former president's legal challenges are mounting, just as the 2024 campaign is heating up. But this latest indictment could hit voters differently. Plus, America’s therapy boom. Historic temperatures hit three continents. And, one year of the 988 hotline. Guests: Axios' David Lindsey and Erica Pandey. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexa...
Jul 19, 2023•12 min
