1 big thing

Our record inflation rate of 8.5% year over year won’t last forever. But even when that goes away - some of the high prices we’re seeing now may never go back to pre-pandemic levels. Plus, could driverless vehicles extend to the trucking industry? And, a federal judge strikes down the CDC’s mask mandate. Guests: Axios' Javier E. David and Joann Muller.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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: High prices are here to stay Automation could send long-haul truckers driving into the sunset Federal judge strikes down travel mask mandate

If you feel like you’ve been inundated with spam texts lately, you're not alone. According to new data from Robokiller, an app that blocks spam calls and texts, Americans received an average of 42 spam texts each just in the month of March. Plus, the Pope pleads for peace on what he called “an Easter of War.” And, the latest out of Ukraine. Guests: Axios' Margaret Harding McGill and Zach Basu.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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: Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine Americans are drowning in spam

Elon Musk wants to take over Twitter. He’s offered to buy the company and take it private for 43 billion dollars in cash. This comes after he bought a 9.2% stake in the social media company. And he’s not the only billionaire to wade into free speech battles.Plus, Axios CEO Jim VandeHei on why we all need a little tough love.Guests: Axios' Sara Fischer and Jim VandeHei.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Erica Pandey, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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: Elon Musk gives Twitter reasons to reject his bid Find your tough-love coach

The Ukrainian port city of Mariupol is holding on by a thread, as Russia concentrates its attacks on the east of the country. Earlier this week, the mayor of Mariupol said its streets were carpeted with bodies. Now the world is watching to see if Russia will capture its first major city since the start of the war against Ukraine in February. Plus, Mexican truckers stage a border protest against Texas Gov. Abbott. And, Western states brace for a dangerous dry season. Guests: Axios' Zach Basu, Astrid Galván and Andrew Freedman.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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 says new $800 million Ukraine package will include helicopters Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine Gov. Abbott doubles down on new inspection rule for truckers at Texas border California's driest start to the year sparks water, wildfire concerns

A gunman opened fire in a busy Brooklyn subway Tuesday morning, a mass shooting that created even more anxiety in a city already worried about a rise in crime. It’s not just in New York. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 131 mass shootings this year.Plus, why May 9th is a crucial date in Vladmir Putin’s playbook.Guests: Bryan Walsh, editor for Vox's Future Perfect and Axios' Glen Johnson.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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: Brooklyn subway shooting: 16 injured and five in critical condition Axios AM Deep Dive: America’s murder surge May 9 Russian holiday will be pivotal, dangerous deadline

China’s largest COVID outbreak in two years continues to spread across the country. In Shanghai, daily cases surpassed 26,000 over the weekend despite weeks of lockdown. Now residents in Shanghai are increasingly struggling to get access to food and medical care.Plus, the six states that could be key in the midterms.Guests: Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian and Alexi McCammond.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, Sabeena Singhani, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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 extreme COVID lockdowns cause widespread suffering Doug Sosnik: Six key states to watch for 2022

Our economic headlines have been dominated by inflation. And an update out Tuesday isn’t looking good - we’re expecting to have hit another 40-year high last month. But there is some good news that you might have missed in all of this - we’re also seeing the lowest number of unemployment claims in 54 years.Plus, get ready for the summer of “revenge travel.”Guests: Axios' Neil Irwin and Joann Muller.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, Sabeena Singhani, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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: Amazing number: Fewest jobless claims in 54 years Get ready for a nasty inflation report The summer of "revenge travel"

A historic moment yesterday in the Senate, where Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson became the newest Supreme Court Justice after a 53-47 vote. She will be the first Black woman appointed to the high court. The confirmation marks President Biden’s first Supreme Court pick. And it may turn out to be his only one.Plus, states wage new battles over abortion rights.Guests: Axios' Jonathan Swan and Oriana González.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, Sabeena Singhani, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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: Watch the full Mitch McConnell interview with Jonathan Swan Gretchen Whitmer files lawsuit to protect abortion rights in Michigan

Yesterday, President Biden praised a victory by Amazon workers in New York in their bid to unionize. About 55% of the workers at the Staten Island warehouse voted to form the first U.S. union at Amazon last week. Their victory is expected to spur union growth around the country. Plus, fresh sanctions against Russia after a civilian massacre. And, the role of tech in humanitarian work in Ukraine. Guests: Axios' Emily Peck, Dave Lawler, and Ina Fried.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, Sabeena Singhani, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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: Amazon workers' union victory is turbocharging a new labor movement José Andrés: Apple Maps was sending me into Russian-controlled territory Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine

UN climate scientists gave governments a “final warning” in a new report on Monday, saying that to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, emissions must peak by 2025. At the Axios What's Next Summit in D.C. yesterday, Niala asks Ali Zaidi, White House deputy national climate advisor, what individuals can actually do.Plus, how young “techno-optimists” are driving the future.Guests: Deputy National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi and Axios' Jennifer Kingson.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, Sabeena Singhani, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. 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: What's Next Summit Axios-Momentive poll: Young people are the biggest "techno-optimists"