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When the country shut down, transit ridership plummeted. Now, as things go back to normal, transit officials have an opportunity to reshape their systems to be more efficient and equitable. POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder reports. Plus, Facebook lifts its ban on posts claiming Covid-19 was man-made as Biden orders a closer review of the virus’ origins. And the ACLU sues West Virginia over its new transgender sports law.Tanya Snyder is a transportation reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.This story was reported as part of POLITICO's Recovery Lab series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryanair 4978 started like any flight. But everything changed when the plane was forced to land in Minsk at the behest of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to arrest a dissident journalist. POLITICO Europe’s David M. Herszenhorn gives an inside look at the flight that shook the world — and breaks down why the EU and the US might have to rethink their responses to the incident. Plus, McCarthy condemns Rep. Greene's Holocaust rhetoric as "appalling." And Senate Republicans plan to present the White House with another infrastructure counteroffer.David M. Herszenhorn is the Chief Brussels Correspondent for POLITICO Europe.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more:Aboard the ‘hijacked’ plane to MinskMired in Minsk: EU summit hijacked by Belarus  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A year ago, Minneapolis councilwoman Andrea Jenkins — the first African American openly trans woman elected to office in the U.S. — called for defunding the police in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. Now, activists occupying the intersection where Floyd was killed are calling her a traitor. POLITICO’s Renu Rayasam talks with Jenkins about the tightrope of reforming law enforcement and protecting residents — and why George Floyd Square has become a source of heartbreak for her. Plus, National Guard troops will leave the Capitol this week. And Biden and Putin are poised to hold their first summit in Geneva.Renuka Rayasam writes the POLITICO Nightly newsletter.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Where Prince lived and George Floyd died, hope, history and heartache Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Families of people who died in nursing homes during the pandemic are filing lawsuits across the country. But nursing homes are using Trump-era liability protections to fight them. POLITICO’s Susannah Luthi reports. Plus, the U.S. condemns Belarus for forcing down a plane to arrest a dissident. And Sen. Susan Collins says she supports a commission to investigate the Capitol insurrection.Susannah Luthi is a health reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Nursing homes invoke Trump-era protections to fight lawsuits over Covid deaths Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They're in basically every piece of technology you use. And they're in short supply. POLITICO's Steven Overly breaks down why a microchip shortage is causing headaches in the auto industry and beyond. Plus, Biden signs anti-Asian hate crimes legislation into law. And the White House proposes doubling the size of the IRS.Steven Overly covers global trade, economics and technology for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Probably not, but it certainly won’t hurt. POLITICO’s Dan Goldberg breaks down the state of vaccinations across the country — and some of the creative ways states are trying to curb sinking vaccination rates. Plus, the U.K. launches a new study on vaccine boosters. And the EU is set to allow vaccinated travelers to return.Dan Goldberg is a health reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is urging his party to oppose a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection. But a rebellion within his party is growing ahead of today’s vote. POLITICO’s Melanie Zanona reports on how the commission has become another litmus test for loyalty to former President Trump. Plus, Democrats abandon a push to delay the Biden administration’s latest arms sale to Israel. And TikTok refuses to appear before Congress.Melanie Zanona is a Congress reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: McCarthy races to contain GOP defections on Jan. 6 commission Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This moment has been decades in the making. POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein reports on how Republican lawmakers have been intentionally passing strict abortion laws for years that will spark lawsuits in an effort to get a case challenging Roe v. Wade before the high court. Plus, the U.S. will send 20 million more vaccine doses abroad. And the Education Department plans to launch a Title IX hearing in June.Alice Miranda Ollstein is a health feporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Supreme Court will hear direct challenge to Roe v. Wade Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The CDC says you don’t need a mask in most situations if you’re fully vaccinated. But some states — and businesses — aren’t fully onboard yet. POLITICO’s Adam Canryn looks at the sticky situations arising in the aftermath of the new guidance. Plus, Cheney continues to question the future of the GOP. And a group of Senators tout their effort to combat sexual assault in military as a template for bipartisanship.Adam Cancryn is a health care reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more in the POLITICO Pulse newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sure, prices are up. But it makes sense, given all the excitement about reopening. POLITICO’s Victoria Guida breaks down why you shouldn’t worry too much about inflation — at least not yet. Plus, masks are off at the White House. And a government watchdog says HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge violated the Hatch Act earlier this year.Victoria Guida covers economic policy for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices