Junk fees and Biden's call to tackle them

Back in June, the House of Representatives passed a resolution launching a special committee to investigate the January 6th insurrection on the Capitol. Minority leader Kevin McCarthy could choose five committee members, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi would have veto power and the final say. On Wednesday, Pelosi rejected two of McCarthy’s appointees, saying they could have “an impact on the integrity of the investigation.” Plus, an eerie first Olympic dispatch from Tokyo. And, why some rural Democrats are running against their own national party’s image. Guests: Axios' Alayna Treene, Ina Fried, and Alexi McCammond. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Go deeper: McCarthy pulls Republicans from Jan. 6 select committee after Pelosi rejects picks Olympic soccer players take a knee against racism Swing Country: Rural Dems run from party Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Heinä 202111min

As the Delta variant spreads and covid safety measures loosen across much of the country, many are starting to think about the fall and how kids will stay safe when they return to crowded classrooms. Plus, finding housing for reunited migrant families. And, fallout from the world’s first atomic bomb. Guests: Axios' Marisa Fernandez, Stef Kight, and Russell Contreras. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Go deeper: Delta variant now makes up 83% of U.S. COVID cases, CDC director says Latinos still coping with the fallout of 1st nuclear explosion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21 Heinä 202111min

Companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars to be sponsors at the Olympic games -- an investment that can mean big returns. But this year the pandemic has put sponsors in a very tight spot. Plus, GOP leaders fight for a say in blue cities. And, the Delta variant in the U.S. -- by the numbers. Guests: Axios' Hope King, Danielle Chemtob, and Sam Baker. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Go deeper: Olympics to miss the mark for many sponsors “Burn the ships”: Tariq Bokhari wants the GOP to take back Charlotte "A pandemic of the unvaccinated" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Heinä 202111min

The flood waters in Germany and Belgium have started receding with more than 180 people dead. It’s the worst flooding the region has seen in decades and comes on top of a worsening COVID outbreak throughout Europe. Plus, why car prices are driving inflation. And, retailers turn to facial recognition technology. Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler, Kim Hart and Felix Salmon. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Go deeper: At least 184 people dead after devastating European floods Facial recognition surges in retail stores Why cars are driving inflation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Heinä 202111min

On our latest installment of our Hard Truths series, we go inside the fight to build a $2.4 billion telescope on the highest mountaintop in Hawai'i. For astronomers it would mean the chance to answer deep questions about the universe. But for indigenous Hawai'ians, it would mean the desecration of sacred land. Guests: Aurora Kagawa-Viviani, post-doctoral researcher and scientist at UH-Hilo Hawaii Cooperative studies unit at the University of Hawai'i Hilo and Axios' Miriam Kramer. Credits: "Axios Today" is brought to you by Axios and Pushkin Industries. This episode was produced by Nuria Marquez Martinez and edited by Alexandra Botti. Alex Sugiura is our sound engineer. Dan Bobkoff is our executive producer. Special thanks to Axios space editor Miriam Kramer, Executive Editor Sara Kehaulani Goo, and Hard Truths Editor Michele Salcedo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Heinä 202114min

Remember Parler? Well that alternative social media platform is not the only one. MeWe is another social media network hoping to gain traction with users who feel they’ve been censored by Facebook. Plus, new challenges to democracy at home and overseas. And, why a fight over a telescope in Hawaii is more than science vs. culture. Guests: Axios' Mike Allen, Sara Fischer, and Miriam Kramer. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text 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

16 Heinä 202111min

Today marks the start of the Biden Administration’s Enhanced Child Tax Credit program, meaning millions of American families can soon expect payments deposited in their bank accounts. What is it and what do you need to know? Plus, Jamaica will demand reparations from Britain over slavery. And, why parts of the Amazon are emitting more carbon than they’re absorbing. Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols and Andrew Freedman, and How to Be an Antiracist's Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Justin, Kaufmann, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text 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

15 Heinä 202111min

Cuban activists are saying more than 100 people are missing or have been arrested during recent protests on the island over economic conditions. The protests are the largest in decades. Plus, the growing debate over COVID booster shots. And, Texas lawmakers flee the state. Guests: Telemundo News' Marina Franco, Axios' Caitlin Owens and Stef Kight. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Justin Kaufmann, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text 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

14 Heinä 202110min