Tim Heaphy and Sen. Eric Schmitt: Balancing safety and free speech in the public square

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

22 Aug 202310min

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

21 Aug 202311min

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

20 Aug 202311min

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. And, your stories of parenting through the ADHD drug shortage. Guests: Axios' Zachary Basu and Marina Franco. Credits: Axios Today is 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

18 Aug 202311min

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 rates for young Americans seem to be rising. The co-working industry is on the upswing. And, a COVID spike in the U.S. Guests: Axios' Javier David and USC Davis' Dr. Richard John Bold Credits: Axios Today is 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 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

17 Aug 202311min

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 things around the country. Plus, the shortage of ADHD drugs in the U.S. The limits of autocratic economies. And, Ticketmaster's new way to squeeze revenue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Aug 202311min

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 those also charged are lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman and former white house chief of staff Mark Meadows. Plus, AI comes for books. And, more summer reading recommendations. Book recommendations: Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture Una guerra después Guests: Axios' Mike Allen and Ryan Heath; Journalist Tatiana Duque. 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 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 Aug 202311min

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 wildfire in a century. And, how one lawsuit could put a chill on corporate diversity programs across America. How to help Hawaii: Hawaii Community Foundation American Red Cross Maui Food Bank Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols, Dan Primack and Mike Allen. 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 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 Aug 202311min