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It's been a week since the FDA granted emergency authorization to Pfizer’s vaccine. The Moderna vaccine is expected to get that same go-ahead today.But, there is still a significant share of Americans who don't trust the vaccines. Top government and health officials have been doing their best to change those minds. That now includes Vice President Mike Pence who will receive the Pfizer vaccine on live TV. He'll be the highest ranking official to do so so far. Plus, the massive Russian hack that’s roiling the government. And, the state of play on stimulus negotiations. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev, Mike Allen and Alayna Treene.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Erica Pandey, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Scoop: Vice President Pence to receive televised vaccine shot What we know about Russia's sprawling hack into federal agencies Weekly jobless claims rise to 885,000 as Congress nears stimulus deal The pandemic holiday party

The entire country has been living the pandemic since March, but the realities between corporate America and working America are very different.According to a Washington Post analysis, 45 of America’s 50 biggest publicly traded companies have turned profits since March. Around the same time, almost million Americans have fallen into poverty. Plus, Google is in the antitrust crosshairs. And, the downward spiral of public life. Guests: Axios' Felix Salmon, Bryan Walsh and Ashley Gold.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Erica Pandey, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Women's unemployment crisis revealed The death spiral of public life Texas hits Google with antitrust suit over ad tech practices

This week, we're hearing about even more cabinet nominations for the Biden administration. Former South Bend mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is one - and now, we have the scoop on who will fill the roles of Energy Secretary and the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Plus, what’s standing in the way of COVID herd immunity. And, how virtual reality could help fight racism. Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols, Sam Baker and Russell Contreras.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Erica Pandey, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Scoop: Biden eyes last-minute GOP pick America's rural outbreaks near their vaccine Recreating racism in VR to fight real racism

Tensions between President Trump and Attorney General William Barr have been running high for weeks. They came to a head on Monday when Trump tweeted that Barr will resign from his post before Christmas, moments after the Electoral College affirmed President-elect Joe Biden's election victory. Plus, could 2020 be the end of pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong? And, what happens if the job you lost during the pandemic won’t come back. Guests: Axios' Jonathan Swan, Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian and Erica Pandey.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Trump says Attorney General Bill Barr is resigning Hong Kong's worst case scenario is happening American workers' stunning pivot

Electors around the country are heading to their state capitol buildings today to formalize President-elect Joe Biden’s election win. It’s normally a big ceremonial event, where guests and members of the public are welcome to watch the vote. But this year - masks, social distancing and police escorts will make it look a lot different. Plus, an explainer on Brexit’s latest delay. And, we take you inside a Michigan warehouse shipping out the vaccine. Guests: Axios' Stef Kight, Dave Lawler and Joann Muller.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: States prepare for pandemic-era Electoral College meeting U.K. and EU agree to extend Brexit trade talks Delivery companies are bringing holiday gifts — and vaccines

It's been a busy week for President-Elect Biden, who is in the middle of naming his cabinet picks. Marcia Fudge for Housing and Urban Development, Xavier Becerra for Health and Human Services, and retired general Lloyd Austin for Defense Secretary. But some of those announcements are getting a lot of backlash. Plus, enforcing who gets a COVID vaccine first. And, Jonathan Swan’s scoop on President Trump’s expansive pardon plans. Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols, Caitlin Owens and Jonathan Swan.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Biden faces battle to land Austin at Pentagon Jumping the line for a vaccine will be pretty easy Scoop: Trump plots mass pardons, even to people not asking The Geminids are coming

On Wednesday, both the Federal Trade Commission and a coalition of attorneys general from 48 States and territories filed lawsuits against Facebook. The two parallel sets of lawsuits accused the company of violating anti-trust laws by creating a monopoly on social media, using the company's vast amount of money and data to stifle competition. Plus, the investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes. And, big tech's racism problem. Guests: Axios' Scott Rosenberg, Mike Allen and Ina Fried.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: FTC and states sue Facebook for illegally stifling competition Hunter Biden says he’s under federal tax investigation Scoop: Google CEO pledges to investigate exit of top AI ethicist

Congress is getting closer to passing a stimulus bill. The focus now is on an over $900 billion plan that will include more unemployment benefits, money for schools and aid for small businesses. Both Republicans and Democrats seem ready to compromise - but for many small businesses, it might be too little too late. Plus, American hospitals are in a covid crisis. And, the pandemic has expedited the streaming revolution. Guests: Axios' Dion Rabouin, Sam Baker and Sara Fischer.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Why Congress is doubling down on the Paycheck Protection Program Coronavirus hospitalizations top 100,000 for the first time Hollywood engulfed by streaming drama

For over a year, Axios has been investigating a suspected Chinese intelligence operative who cultivated extensive ties with local and national U.S. politicians, including a sitting congressman. Today, we present a special episode: the story of the alleged intelligence operation, which offers a rare glimpse into the lengths Beijing will go to access U.S. political circles.Guests: Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, Axios Codebook author Zach Dorfman of the Aspen Institute, former Cupertino, CA mayor Gilbert Wong, former CIA intelligence official Rodney Faraon and Alameda County chief-of-staff Shawn Wilson.Credits: This story was edited by Alison Snyder, Scott Rosenberg and Sara Goo. This special podcast episode was produced by Dan Bobkoff and Carol Wu and mixed by Alex Sugiura. Special thanks to Mike Allen, Qian Gao and Naomi Shavin.Go deeper:Exclusive: Suspected Chinese spy targeted California politicians

xThe past four years have been marked by hardline immigration policies. Now in his final days in office, President Donald Trump is trying to cement his legacy on immigration. Plus, the fate of the Senate hangs on Georgia. And, how power is shifting in philanthropy. Guests: Axios' Stef Kight, Mike Allen and Felix Salmon.Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.Go deeper: Biden's Day 1 challenges: The immigration reset Trump's election misinformation casts shadow over Georgia Senate debate Philanthropy Deep Dive