1 big thing

The week in politics saw new leadership in Congress, legislation on same-sex marriage and Senate passage of a bill to prevent a national rail strike. Axios' Margaret Talev rounds up the big politics news with our weekly State of Play. Plus, the UN warns of a global food crisis. And, the post-pandemic decline of Six Flags. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev, Michael Mooney and Gro Intelligence's Sara Menker.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Amy Pedulla, 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.Go Deeper: Senate passes legislation to avert nationwide rail strike Watch: The future of global food security The rapid decline of Six Flags

President Biden is holding his first state dinner Thursday night at the White House, to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron. But more than a time to wine and dine, the visit will be an opportunity for the two presidents to discuss a number of critical issues. Plus, promising results for a new Alzheimer’s drug. And, how Boomers are making inflation worse. Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler, Neil Irwin, and Oriana González.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Robin Linn, Amy Pedulla, 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.Go Deeper: Biden to host France's Macron for first state visit of his admin How an aging population makes inflation worse New Alzheimer's drug faces uncertain regulatory path

Axios' reporters Stef Kight and Josh Kraushaar discuss President Biden's plans to overhaul the US border policy, including the end of Title 42 and alternative measures. They also explore potential changes to the Democratic primary process for 2024, focusing on the influence of the rules and bylaws committee of the DNC. The significance of the first-in-the-nation caucus in Iowa and President Biden's plans to create jobs are also discussed, along with the US men's soccer team's victory in the World Cup.

The United States will either win the World Cup game against Iran or go home on Tuesday afternoon. The stakes are high and so are tensions. Iran state media has called for the U.S. to be kicked out of the World Cup, after the U.S. changed the Iranian flag on its social media platforms to show support for protesters there. And the Iranian soccer team may be facing its own repercussions back home for its support of protests. Plus, the world’s largest active volcano is erupting. And, President Biden looks to Congress to avert a rail strike. Guests: Axios' Jeff Tracy and Hawaii Public Radio’s Jason Ubay.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Robin Linn, 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.Go Deeper: U.S. soccer coach apologizes for altered Iranian flag post Biden calls on Congress to act fast to avoid rail strike World's largest active volcano starts to erupt in Hawaii

Protests are erupting across China, as public outrage grows over COVID lockdown restrictions. Chinese protesters are asking the government to lift its zero-COVID policy, and are calling for President Xi Jinping's resignation. Plus, what’s next for student loan forgiveness. And, early voting begins in Georgia’s runoff Senate race. Guests: Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian and The Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, 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.Go Deeper: China's COVID frustration boils over, protestors call for Xi to resign China's COVID storm Student loan-payment freeze extended as courts weigh debt relief

Thanksgiving is a time for us to stop and appreciate what's good. We know there's a lot of tough news in the world, which is why we think it's important to take some time to celebrate what we're grateful for. So as you're preparing your turkey, or traveling or just out for your regular morning walk, here's a special Axios Today episode and a little moment of gratitude for all of you this Thanksgiving. Guests: Axios Today team and listenersCredits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Amy Pedulla 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.

A U.S. rail strike could hit as soon as December, and just about every part of the economy would feel it. An influential railroad worker union this week rejected a deal that President Biden had brokered back in September, making a strike once again look possible. And this time, it comes just as the holidays are upon us. And, student loan borrowers get another extension. Plus, reframing tomorrow as Thankstaking. Guests: Axios' Emily Peck and Russell Contreras.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, 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.Go Deeper: Railroad strike looms over holidays after major union rejects deal The rise of Thankstaking Student loan repayment pause extended through June 2023 by White House

In the last week, hashtags like #RIPTwitter and #TwitterDown were trending on the platform. The app continues to experience technical glitches under Elon Musk’s new regime, and it looks like more users are fleeing the site because of security concerns. Plus, Americans plan their holidays as respiratory viruses surge. And, a World Cup team protest. Guests: Axios' Sara Fischer and Adriel BettelheimCredits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Amy Pedulla 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.

One welcome result of the Fed raising interest rates is that people are seeing higher income on their risk-free savings accounts. For some, that's helping counteract some of the worst aspects of inflation. Plus: the deadly shooting in Colorado Springs. And: a groundbreaking climate compensation fund for developing nations. Guests: Axios' Matt Phillips and Andrew Freedman.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Robin Linn, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Amy Pedulla, 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.Go Deeper: Savings accounts pay more than rock bottom rates for the first time in a decade COP27 summit yields historic deal on climate damage fund Suspect identified in Club Q shooting that killed 5, injured 18

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi yesterday announced she will be stepping away from her two-decade leadership tenure. She will continue to serve as a representative of California’s 12th district. We look back at her legacy and at what's ahead for Democrats. Plus, flooding causes a food crisis for millions of Africans. And, American credit card debt soars. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev, Ayurella Horn-Muller and Hope KingCredits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Robin Linn, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Amy Pedulla, 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.Go Deeper: Pelosi stepping down as House Democratic leader after 20 years The post-flood food crisis for millions of Africans [update] Credit card balances see biggest spike in more than 20 years