
What FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine means for a hard-hit state
The FDA yesterday granted full approval to the Pfizer BioNTech COVID vaccine. Will it convince more people to get vaccinated? The answer to that question will be especially important in states with low vaccination rates and surging hospitalizations, like Alabama. That state is currently one of the hardest hit by COVID in the nation. Plus, FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine raises questions about young kids. And, dire conditions in Qatar for evacuees from Afghanistan. Guests: Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, Axios' Tina Reed and Jonathan Swan. 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, 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: FDA grants full approval to Pfizer's COVID vaccine Record 29 out LGBTQ athletes set to compete in Tokyo Paralympics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 Aug 202111min

Biden says the U.S. may still be in Afghanistan after August 31st
President Biden spoke yesterday afternoon to the American people, again defending his withdrawal from Afghanistan, and saying the exit could take longer than planned. Plus, images out of Kabul are being put to political use. And, a new push to make the outdoors safer for people of color. Guests: Axios' Glen Johnson, Lachlan Markay, and Russell Contreras. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Margaret Talev, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, and Michael Hanf. 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: Sources: No Biden firings GOP ad-makers jump on Afghan footage Making the outdoors safe for people of color Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 Aug 202111min

Hard Truths: What it takes to get tenure
On our latest installment of our Hard Truths series, we look at how the process to get tenure at many universities in the U.S. is shutting out academics of color. Guests: Paul Harris, associate professor of education at Pennsylvania State University, and Patricia Matthew, associate professor of English at Montclair State University and editor of Written/Unwritten: Diversity and the Hidden Truths of Tenure 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. Jeanne Montalvo is our sound engineer. Dan Bobkoff is our executive producer. Special thanks to executive editor Sara Kehaulani Goo, Hard Truths editor Michele Salcedo and managing editor for business Aja Whitacker-Moore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21 Aug 202115min

How America feels about President Biden
It’s an interesting moment for president Biden right now, as the American public reacts to his decisions around Afghanistan, alongside his handling of the Delta variant surge and the economic impacts of COVID. And while it’s hard to say exactly where American opinions fall right now - polling shows the approval ratings honeymoon is over for President Biden. Plus, the view on the ground from Haiti. And, the case for holiday shopping - now. Guests: The Miami Herald's Jacquline Charles, Axios' Margaret Talev and Linh Ta. 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, 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
20 Aug 202111min

Evacuating our Afghan allies
It’s been four days since the Taliban took over the capital city of Kabul and declared victory in Afghanistan. In the past few days, we’ve seen shocking images of people clinging to planes at the Kabul airport trying to get out of the country. Plus, consumer spending isn’t deterred yet by the Delta variant. And, Facebook claims vaccine hesitancy is on the decline. Guests: Truman Center for National Policy's Camille Mackler, Axios' Sam Ro and Ina Fried. 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, 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
19 Aug 202111min

The language of COVID boosters
Today, President Biden is expected to announce his administration’s recommendation for a third dose for all vaccinated Americans. This follows the CDC and FDA approval last week of a third shot for those who are immunocompromised. But a "third dose" and a "booster" can refer to different things. Plus, what the new school year looks like for parents across America. And, companies address employee mental health. Guests: Axios' Tina Reed, Erica Pandey, Russ Contreras, and Margaret Talev 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, and Michael Hanf. 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: Boosters take off COVID cases in kids are rising just as schools are coming back Mental health is the next big workplace issue Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
18 Aug 202110min

Biden defends his decisions on Afghanistan
President Biden addressed the nation yesterday about the situation in Afghanistan, after the Taliban seized control and declared that “the war is over.” The Pentagon estimates approximately 6,000 U.S. troops will assist with the evacuation of American personnel in Afghanistan. Plus, a new kind of back-to-school. And, understanding plans for new construction in the occupied West Bank. Guests: LA Times' Melissa Gomez, Axios' Hans Nichols and Barak Ravid. 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, 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: Afghanistan falls Israel to approve new construction in West Bank for both settlers and Palestinians Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
17 Aug 202111min

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
The Taliban have declared victory in Afghanistan this morning. The group took control of Kabul yesterday, 20 years after they had been run out of the capital city by US-led forces. President Biden has authorized sending 5,000 troops to Afghanistan to help with evacuation. Plus, the Haitian diaspora rushes to help after a deadly earthquake. And, a repeat COVID milestone we didn’t want. Guests: Axios' Mike Allen and Family Action Network Movement's Marleine Bastien. 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, and Michael Hanf. 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: U.S. completes evacuation from American embassy in Kabul Haiti earthquake death toll rises to 1,297 Fauci: It's "likely" everybody will need a booster shot at some point Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
16 Aug 202111min