1 big thing

Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for their final weeks before the midterm elections. Voters in Georgia are already casting their ballots in higher numbers than they did for the 2018 midterms elections. As of Thursday, the fourth day of early voting in the state, over 430,000 people had voted, which is more than 60% increase from 2018. That’s according to the Georgia Secretary of State.Plus, the exit of British Prime Minister Liz Truss reminds us why government deficits actually matter.Guests: Axios’ Margaret Talev, Hans Nichols and Neil Irwin.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Robin Linn, 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: Democrats need Black and Latino vote to win tight midterm elections How hidden financial risks brought down Liz Truss Liz Truss just became the U.K.’s shortest-tenured PM

With midterms right around the corner, Democrats hold less than a 2-to-1 advantage over Republicans among Latino voters, according to the latest Axios-Ipsos Latino poll in partnership with Noticias Telemundo. And nearly 1 in 4 Latinos are still undecided about how they’ll vote in just a few weeks. These findings confirm Latinos’ collective status as the ultimate American swing vote. Plus, a bright spot for women at work. And, medical marijuana is coming to some gas stations. Guests: Axios’ Russell Contreras, Emily Peck and Selene San Felice.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Robin Linn, 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: Axios-Ipsos Latino poll: Ultimate swing voters Remote work may have fueled a baby boom among U.S. women Circle K to sell medical marijuana at Florida gas stations

You can expect higher heating bills this winter than last. Nearly half of American households use natural gas to heat their homes, and this winter, The Energy Information Administration says the average bill will be $931 – a 28% increase from last year. The likely spike has to do with in the war in Ukraine, where many residents are bracing for a brutal winter without power.Plus, Americans are buying – and therefore wasting – less food.Guests: Axios’ Matt Phillips and University of Michigan's Kate Astashkina.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: The war in Ukraine is showing up in your heating bill Americans are buying less at the supermarket Online Grocery Shopping Can Reduce Food Waste and Help the Environment (University of Michigan)

The FBI has issued a warning about threats to election workers ahead of the midterm elections. Colorado has been identified as one of the top states for threats to poll workers, which has put election administrators on high alert. Plus, flu season starting early. And, the student loan forgiveness program opens applications. Guests: Axios’ John Frank and Kaiser Family Foundation's Dr. Celine Gounder.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: Colorado election conspiracies cloud vote as mail ballots arrive "Modest surge" of COVID-19 expected this winter, UCSF expert says White House launches student loan relief beta website

Two of the largest grocery store chains in the country are planning to merge. Kroger’s announced last Friday that it will buy its competitor Albertsons for nearly $25 billion. Together, Kroger and Albertsons have about 5,000 stores and almost 750,ooo workers. This deal could change the way people buy food, as inflation pushes prices higher and higher.Plus, ten years of Xi Jinping’s leadership in China, and how the next five could affect the US.Guests: Axios’ Claire Rychlewski and Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian.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: Kroger snaps up Albertsons in grocery megamerger Kroger-Albertsons will spur more deals What China looks like after a decade of Xi Jinping's rule

The January 6th House committee voted unanimously on Thursday to subpoena former President Donald Trump. It was a dramatic end to the committee's series of public hearings, and its last meeting before the midterm elections.Guests: Axios’ Margaret Talev and Alayna Treene.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Ben O'Brien 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: Jan. 6 committee unanimously votes to subpoena Trump Footage shows congressional leaders' urgent calls on Jan. 6 Focus groups: Pennsylvania swing voters aren't sold on a switch

While everyone has been watching inflation closely, Thursday’s Consumer Price Index is especially important for millions of retirees and others who depend on Social Security benefits. That’s because the annual cost of living adjustment for 2023 is based on the September monthly CPI number. Given that we’ve already seen inflation increase 8.2 percent over the past year, it’s likely that we’ll see one of the biggest increases in Social Security checks in more than 40 years. Plus, Detroit’s $7 million investment in audio surveillance technology for police. And, another sign of the pandemic’s effect on high school seniors. Guests: Axios’ Neil Irwin and Sam Robinson.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Ben O'Brien 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: Social Security payments set for biggest increase in decades Detroit City Council approves $7M to expand ShotSpotter ACT test scores fall to lowest levels since 1991

Chaos irrupted at LA’s City Council meeting on Tuesday, after audio leaked of councilmember Nury Martinez making racist remarks in a conversation last year with other council members and a labor leader. In the recording, first reported by the LA Times, among the things Martinez said, which also included disparaging comments about Jewish and Armenian people, was an offensive racial reference when speaking about a white councilman's black child. Plus, cholera outbreak, widespread hunger, and gang warfare, Haiti is a country in crisis. And, NASA’s asteroid success. Guests: Axios’ Russell Contreras and Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Robin Linn, Fonda Mwangi, Ben O'Brien 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: In Haiti, factories close, school feedings are on hold and hunger is about to get worse Embattled L.A. City Council member takes leave of absence after leaked audio of racist language NASA's DART mission successfully deflected an asteroid

Russian missiles fired across Ukraine on Monday, hitting cities including the capital Kyiv, in the largest bombardment since the beginning of the war. The Ukrainian government said at least 14 people were killed and 97 were injured, and many are without power and water.Plus, Indigenous communities face the brunt of a warming planet.Guests: Axios’ Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath and Indigenous Environmental Network's Brenna Two Bears.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Robin Linn, Fonda Mwangi, Ben O'Brien 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 Deadly explosions hit Kyiv after Putin blames Ukraine for bridge blast China and India, two of Russia's biggest allies, call for de-escalation in Ukraine To go or not to go

President Joe Biden announced Thursday he will pardon everyone convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law — and he’s urging governors to do the same. More than 6,500 people were convicted of simple possession between 1992 and 2021 under federal law, and thousands more under District of Columbia code. It’s a big move by Biden a month ahead of the midterms — what does it mean for messaging for Democrats and Republicans? Plus, a devastating attack rocks Thailand. And, the U.S. imposes more sanctions on Iran as protests continue. Guests: Axios’ Josh Kraushaar and Mike Allen.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: Biden to pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession U.S. issues more sanctions against officials in Iran as government crackdown persists At least 37 killed in mass shooting at Thailand child care center