1 big thing

Journalists and hurricane hunters discuss flying into hurricanes, the challenges and equipment funding of hurricane research, the launch of a center to monitor AI's impact on civil rights, and the FDA's approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hits Morocco, leaving over 2100 dead and 2400 injured. Local governments address the humanitarian crisis for migrants in U.S. cities. The G20 summit in India is also discussed.

Alex Thompson and Felix Salmon discuss low-risk campaigns for the 2024 presidential frontrunners. They delve into the subtle strategies of Biden and Trump, the potential impact of Trump's legal troubles, Narcan availability, and privacy concerns in connected cars.

The podcast discusses the economic downturn in Maui due to a drop in tourism, the impact of the Lahaina wildfire on the local community. It also explores the new era for Airbnb and Secretary of State Blinken's surprise visit to Ukraine. Additionally, it includes recommendations for summer reading.

Schools grapple with COVID safety as cases rise; women closing the labor force gap; fallout from Spanish soccer's MeToo moment; challenges faced by schools; ongoing debate on COVID protocols; scandal and firing of women's team coach in Spain; impact of incident on Spanish culture; pay equity in sports; extreme heatwaves

"Axios Today" discusses the focus on voting rights and the expansion of voting access in recent years. It also explores the impact of low-quality healthcare on employers and workers. The podcast highlights the potential changes in voting regulations leading up to the 2024 presidential election, and the importance of monitoring these changes. Additionally, it delves into the disconnect between employer spending on healthcare and the quality of care provided, along with the availability and pricing concerns of Narcan in combating drug overdoses.

Republican presidential candidates are starting to distinguish themselves in the week following the first debate. And this week it was all about Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley. For our politics State of Play, we check the status of the GOP presidential primary contenders. Plus, testing the resilience of our oceans. And, ransomware hackers on the prowl over Labor Day weekend. Go deeper (7 min. read)Guests: Axios' Mike Allen, Alison Snyder and Sam Sabin.Credits: Axios Today was produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Ben O'Brien. 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.

Senator Mitch McConnell freezes up again, causing concern among Republicans. The podcast also delves into the rise of hate crimes in the US and the importance of apocalyptic seed vaults for global crop production.

West Virginia University's budget cuts and elimination of foreign languages sparks concerns over attacks on higher education. The decline in language education and the need for face-to-face learning for cultural understanding are discussed. The podcast also explores the growth of various sectors in the economy, including increased sales of snacks and home services, and the rise of minority-owned businesses.

American Airlines fined $4.1 million by DOT for tarmac delays. Summer reading recommendations from Rebecca Makkai. Discussion on impact of summer delays on air travel.