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Hunter Biden on Thursday was indicted for three counts related to his alleged illegal possession of a firearm. And on Capitol Hill, time is running out for Congress to avert a looming government shutdown. Plus, lab-grown meat goes kosher and halal. And, for our last daily show, we answer some of your burning questions. Guests: Axios' Mike Allen, Margaret Talev and Jennifer Kingson. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

White mainline Protestants are some of the country's largest religious groups. A new study shows their clergy tend to be more progressive than their churchgoers. We take a look at what that tells us about religion and political divisions in America today. Plus, Senator Mitt Romney underscores our aging political landscape. And, inflation eats away at American incomes. Guests: Axios' Russell Contreras, Emily Peck and Joann Muller. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy opened an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, on Tuesday. The move could result in months of divisive hearings in Congress as both President Biden and former President Trump, who was impeached twice, campaign for the presidency. Plus, the United Auto Workers union gears up for a strike. And, the pluses and perils of homeownership in America today. Guests: Axios' Alex Thompson and Felix Salmon. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's it like to fly into the eye of a hurricane? Niala joins a team of NOAA Hurricane hunters tracking Hurricane Lee to understand the science gathered on these missions, and how it helps create the forecasts that millions depend upon. Plus, monitoring AI for hate speech. And, the FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines. Guests: Axios' Russell Contreras and Adriel Bettelheim; NOAA's Alan Hough, Jack Parrish and Kevin Doremus. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco late Friday night near Marrakech. More than 2,100 people were killed and over 2,400 injured, as of Sunday. The death toll is expected to rise as rescuers continue to search through the rubble for survivors. Plus, how local governments are handling the humanitarian crisis for migrants across U.S. cities. And, what to know about the weekend's G20 summit in India. Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols and Stef Kight. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 presidential election is looking different from elections past for a number of reasons. A former president is running against a current president, which has only happened a handful of times in U.S. history, and each of the frontrunners has a distinctly low-profile campaign for now. Plus, your car has the power to gather and sell data about your life. And, your experiences with Narcan. Guests: Axios' Alex Thompson and Felix Salmon. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been about a month since the Lahaina wildfire broke out on Maui, and now the local community is facing another hardship: a severe economic downturn. The big picture: Most of Hawai'i's residents depend on tourism to pay the bills. With the drop in travel to Maui, locals and government officials are now urging people back. Plus, a new era for Airbnb. And, the latest from Ukraine and Blinken's surprise visit to Kyiv. Axios Today staff reading recommendations: Mobility: A Novel The Great Silence The Thursday Murder Club Romantic Comedy The Covenant of Water The Verifiers The Philosophy of Modern Song Guests: Axios' Sara Kehaulani Goo and Alex Fitzpatrick. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a rocky start to the school year when it comes to COVID. A late summer surge has already led to class cancellations in places like Kentucky and Texas. We dig deeper on how schools are dealing with this latest COVID wave. Plus, women are closing the labor force gap with men. And, the fallout continues from Spanish soccer's "MeToo" moment. Guests: Axios' Adriel Bettelheim and Emily Peck; Power Plays' Lindsay Gibbs. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's been a focus on the restriction or attempted restriction of voting rights in the last several years. But as Axios' Eugene Scott reports, there have been even more state led moves to expand voting access. Why it matters: Voting could look different for many people in 2024. Plus, low-quality health care is costing employers -- and workers -- big. In-flight telemedicine is coming soon. And, Narcan is arriving over-the-counter...but at too high a price? Guests: Axios' Eugene Scott, Tina Reed, and Alex Fitzpatrick Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican presidential candidates are starting to distinguish themselves in the week following the first debate. And this week it was all about Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley. For our politics State of Play, we check the status of the GOP presidential primary contenders. Plus, testing the resilience of our oceans. And, ransomware hackers on the prowl over Labor Day weekend. Go deeper (7 min. read) Guests: Axios' Mike Allen, Alison Snyder and Sam Sabin. Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senator Mitch McConnell once again seemed to freeze up during a press conference yesterday, for the second time since late July. This time, he was in his home state of Kentucky and the incident sent ripples of worry through the Republican Party in Washington. Plus, the rise of the apocalyptic seed vault. And, hate crimes are still increasing in the U.S. Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols, Russell Contreras and Ayurella Horn-Muller. Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

West Virginia University announced this month it would eliminate 32 of 338 majors, or about 9% of its course catalog. While WVU is staring down a 45 million budget deficit, some of the biggest proposed cuts are to the languages program. And humanities scholars and others are worried this could be a blueprint for attacks on higher education. Plus, the new business boom. And, the latest on Hurricane Idalia. Guests: Axios' Jennifer Kingson and Hope King. Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Department of Transportation is fining American Airlines $4.1 million for tarmac delays, the largest ever fine of its kind against an airline. The big picture: Between 2018 and 2021, American Airlines kept 43 domestic flights stuck on the ground for at least three hours, without giving passengers a chance to exit the plane. As summer comes to an end , we take a look at airline travel. Summer reading recommendations from Rebecca Makkai: Madonna in a Fur Coat Loot: A Novel Romantic Comedy Guests: Axios' Alex Thompson, Alex Fitzpatrick and Erin Doherty; Author Rebecca Makkai. Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Storm Idalia eyes Florida. Guests: Axios' Neil Irwin and Ina Fried. Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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-wing pop music. Guests: Axios' Erin Doherty and The Atlanta-Journal Constitution's Tamar Hallerman. Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the latest to land on the moon. And, the FCC's attempt to regulate the cost of prison phone calls. Guests: Axios' Miriam Kramer and Maria Curi; The Washington Post's Missy Ryan. Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 means for housing. And, ticket sales for college football are through the roof. Guests: Axios' David Lindsey, Analis Bailey and Andrew Keatts. Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 drivers adds to the back-to-school chaos. Guests: Axios' Tina Reed and Stephen Totilo. Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 dangerous West Coast tropical storm. And, more Americans are falling behind on credit card payments. Guests: Axios' Erica Pandey, Andrew Freedman, and Emily Peck. Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 leaders Beijing's approach to governing. It's part of China's plan to create an authoritarian-friendly political bloc in Africa. Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian went to Tanzania as part of the investigative series China's Shadow Empire, funded by the Pulitzer Center. Guests: Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian. Credits: This special episode of Axios Today was produced by Lydia McMullen-Laird, Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices