Alex Thompson: A newly unified GOP

Labor Day is just around the corner, and unions haven't been this popular in 50 years. Almost 71% of Americans now say they approve of unions. That's up almost 10% from pre-pandemic levels. And this week, the California Senate passed a bill that could raise wages for fast food workers to as high as $22 per hour. It has the potential to revitalize the way unions work in the US. Plus, players in The Sims are bringing abortion to their virtual world. And, Serena’s last twirl. Guests: Axios' Emily Peck and Stephen Totilo. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. 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: California fast-food bill marks pivotal moment for low-wage workers Popular game mods add abortion to The Sims Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Sep 202211min

Climate concerns and the global energy crisis are pressuring countries to seriously consider nuclear power for the first time since the 1970s. California, Germany and Japan are considering walking back closures, and even reopening nuclear plants. Plus, climate change is affecting monsoons and hurricanes. And, why Americans are holiday shopping earlier this year. Guests: Axios' Matt Phillips, Kelly Tyko, and Andrew Freedman. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. 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: Nuclear power is having a moment in the West [please update] Pakistan dubs floods "climate catastrophe" as deaths surpass 1,000 Holiday shopping season starts early amid inflation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

31 Aug 202211min

Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive in the south of the country, to retake Russian occupied Kherson. The highly anticipated move could change the shape of the war. Meanwhile, UN nuclear watchdogs are headed to assess the Zaporizhzhia power plant in the southeast of Ukraine, as shelling has been stoking fears of nuclear disaster. Plus, clothing brands respond to our growing waistlines. And, why $20 an hr is the new $15 an hr. Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler and Jennifer Kingson. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Emily Peck, Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. 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: Ukraine launches counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied Kherson UN nuclear watchdog team leaves for Zaporizhzhia power plant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Aug 202211min

The first updated coronavirus vaccines will be available as soon as the week after Labor Day. These will target the dominant strain of COVID-19 that's circulating in the U.S., in hopes of providing better protection than the vaccines we have now. Plus, the world's top economic experts say volatility is here to stay. And, women’s sports are commanding bigger rights deals than ever. Guests: Axios' Adriel Bettelheim, Neil Irwin, and Sara Fischer. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Erica Pandey, Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. 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: Omicron booster shots are right around the corner The new Jackson Hole consensus: A more volatile world is here to stay Women's sports commanding bigger rights deals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Aug 202211min

The primaries this week solidified a stunning turnaround for Democrats in this election cycle, fueled by passion around the abortion rights issue. How much does that change the assumption that Republicans will run away with control of both the House and the Senate? And, Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan splits Washington. Plus, all eyes on fed chair Jerome Powell ahead of Friday's speech from Jackson Hole. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev and Neil Irwin. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. 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: Democrats' stunning turnaround Democrats' student loan backlash Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Aug 202211min

President Biden yesterday announced a sweeping plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for Pell grant recipients, and up to $10,000 for qualifying individual borrowers. But for future students, college costs look as bad as ever. The average price of tuition for a four-year public college is more than $9,000 per year. Out-of-state residents can expect to pay more than $23,000 - and it can be double that for private institutions. Plus, what’s behind the viral trend of “quiet quitting.” And, cable TV is no longer king. Guests: Axios' Dan Primack and Erica Pandey. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. 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: The next student loans crisis Finish Line: What Gen Z, millennials want you to know ("quiet quitting") Streaming surpasses cable as top way to consume TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Aug 202211min

A former Kentucky police detective pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy in the killing of Breonna Taylor. Former Louisville Metro police officer Kelly Goodlett admitted in federal court to falsifying the no-knock search warrant that led to Taylor’s death, and to giving a false report afterwards as part of a cover-up attempt. Plus, the outlook for the Russia-Ukraine war at six months. And, student loan debt, by the numbers. Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler and Shawna Chen. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. 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: Ex-Louisville officer pleads guilty to conspiracy in Breonna Taylor killing The war in Ukraine, six months on Biden's student loan test Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Aug 202211min

CEOs telling employees to return to the office are facing major pushback. This week, a group of Apple workers started a petition calling for flexible work schedules to continue. That was in response to a memo from CEO Tim Cook mandating that many workers come into the office three days a week starting this fall. Plus, why America's beloved Tex-Mex cuisine has to evolve to survive. And, Dr. Fauci is stepping down as the nation’s COVID doctor. Guests: Axios' Emily Peck and Russell Contreras. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. 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: There's no going back for office workers Tex-Mex at a crossroads Fauci stepping down in December Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 Aug 202211min