For the first time in 12 years, a Republican won the governorship in Virginia. And it wasn’t just any victory — to claim the seat, Glenn Youngkin had to beat Terry McAuliffe, former governor and Democratic royalty. In this special presentation of Playbook Deep Dive, Ryan Lizza digs into the narrow win with Youngkin campaign strategists Jeff Roe and Kristin Davison, and the mistakes they think McAuliffe’s campaign made. Plus, senior politics editor Charlie Mahtesian on the significant places Youngkin gained the most votes.

From legal challenges to murky data on vaccination rates, federal mandates are facing turbulence. POLITICO’s Natasha Korecki reports. Plus, a virtual summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is tentatively set for Nov. 15. And New Jersey’s most powerful state lawmaker concedes his reelection loss to a little-known Republican.

“The platform is out of control, and they haven’t invested in safety.” Former Facebook employee Frances Haugen sits down with POLITICO’s Mark Scott to talk about what it was like blowing the whistle on the tech giant. Plus, a government watchdog says 13 Trump officials violated the Hatch Act during the 2020 campaign. And the CBO says a score for Dems’ social spending bill could take weeks.

Jobs numbers are great, and the economy is strengthening. But there’s also inflation. And supply chain problems. Oh, and a worker shortage. So what does all that add up to? POLITICO’s Megan Cassella reports. Plus, the Jan. 6 committee subpoenas several Trump allies. And the U.S. targets ransomware hackers with arrests, sanctions and payment seizures.

They did it. The bipartisan infrastructure bill passed, and Dems’ massive spending plan is one step closer to reality. POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu reports. Plus, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says President Biden might tap into U.S. oil reserves amid rising prices. And Surgeon General Vivek Murthy defends the White House’s vaccine mandate.

Democratic Governor Phil Murphy just barely won reelection, and a relatively unknown truck driver ousted the second most powerful lawmaker in the state. POLITICO New Jersey's Sam Sutton reports. Plus, Eric Adams plans to convert his first paychecks as mayor into Bitcoin. And the U.S. and the U.K. lead a pledge to end overseas oil and gas financing, but with big caveats.

Some of the largest school districts in California are requiring kids to get vaccinated if they want to come in the classroom. POLITICO’s Mackenzie Mays reports. Plus, the Fed plans to start pulling the plug on its massive economic aid. And the DOJ seeks its toughest Jan. 6 sentence yet.

Glenn Youngkin has flipped Virginia red in an upset for Republicans. But as POLITICO’s Scott Bland reports, students of history should have seen the GOP comeback coming. Plus, Biden says he’ll announce his Fed nominees “fairly quickly.” And Sen. Josh Hawley blocks the confirmation of several State Department nominees.

The state’s gubernatorial race is neck and neck — and the results could be a bellwether of the midterms. POLITICO’s Steve Shepard reports. Plus, Supreme Court hears arguments over Texas’ abortion law. And the White House releases new guidance for federal contractors subject to President Biden’s vaccine mandate.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for Covid. That’s galvanized other countries to confront diet issues. But not the U.S. POLITICO’s Helena Bottemiller Evich reports. Plus, the G20 agrees to take action to limit global warming. And the Biden administration will ease tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union.

Major movement on climate initiatives will require the countries to put aside broader diplomatic tensions. POLITICO’s Phelim Kine reports. Plus, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis follows through on his threat to sue Biden over vaccine mandates. And the Justice Department changes its policies to crack down on white-collar crime.

“Somebody’s gotta do it. It might as well be me.” So says Ivan Adler, the “lobbyist hunter” who plucks D.C.’s most idealistic Hill staffers and turns them into K Street top dogs. In this special presentation of Playbook Deep Dive, POLITICO’s Hailey Fuchs and Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza pry open the revolving door between the Hill and K Street — one of the most controversial but everlasting features of Washington’s underbelly.

In a potential preview of the 2022 midterms, Republican Glenn Youngkin is trying to harness parental frustration in his bid to become governor of Virginia. POLITICO’s Michael Stratford reports. Plus, the FCC votes to halt China Telecom operations in America. And the U.S. plans to defer 33 million Covid vaccine doses to Africa.

Facebook is fighting bitterly to save its image. But as POLITICO’s Emily Birnbaum reports, the company isn’t up against your average whistleblower. Plus, the Biden administration rolls out new rules for international travelers. And the U.S. Education Department aims to ‘stop’ Florida from pulling federal aid over school mask mandates.

Democrats hope to have a deal on their spending plan by the end of the week. POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna breaks down which provisions are facing the chopping block as the party tries to win over moderates. Plus, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expects inflation to linger into next year. And the CDC’s Rochelle Walensky says you can trick-or-treat.

Ever wonder what it’s like to moderate a debate? POLITICO New York’s Sally Goldenberg shares her experience putting questions to Democratic frontrunner Eric Adams and Republican Curtis Sliwa in their first one-on-one matchup. Plus, the Fed cracks down on trading by top officials. And Gov. DeSantis calls for a special session to fight Biden’s vaccine mandate.

From mixing and matching to what age groups are approved, POLITICO’s Lauren Gardner breaks down the latest on boosters. Plus, the director of the NIH decries unproven Covid origin theories. And California Gov. Newsom signs an order to ease supply chain issues.

The governor’s mansion isn’t the only thing on the line in November. Republicans could also take back control of the State House. POLITICO’s Liz Crampton reports. Plus, Facebook will pay up to $14.3M to settle claims it discriminated against U.S. workers. And DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tests positive for Covid.

Federal regulators are letting the cryptocurrency move one step closer to legitimacy. POLITICO's Kellie Mejdrich reports. Plus, the State Department's Inspector General launches investigations into the end of diplomatic operations in Afghanistan. And Trump sues the Jan. 6 committee.

Infrastructure, reconciliation and debt ... oh my! POLITICO's Congress editor Elana Schor breaks down the latest from the Hill. Plus, Transportation Secretary Buttigieg warns some supply chain problems will persist into 2022. And Dr. Fauci tamps down concerns about the Covid booster review process.

President Biden is trying to ease supply chain issues as Republicans latch onto looming shortages ahead of the holidays. POLITICO’s Steven Overly reports. Plus, the FDA’s vaccine panel endorses Moderna’s booster shot for elderly people and others at high risk. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vows to sue the Biden administration over vaccine mandates.

President Biden's vaccine mandate is inching its way closer to reality. POLITICO's Rebecca Rainey looks at what'll happen when it takes effect. Plus, the Department of Justice opens a civil rights probe into youth correctional facilities in Texas. And the Education Department settles a union lawsuit over debt forgiveness.

West Virginia has three incumbent members of Congress. But it’s losing a seat to redistricting. POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick reports. Plus, Southwest and American airlines say their workers will have to get vaccinated despite Gov. Abbott’s order banning vaccine mandates. And a divided Supreme Court considers who can defend abortion restrictions.

Facebook has been in hot water before. But this time could be different. POLITICO’s Alexandra LeVine reports. Plus, 24 countries plan to join a pledge led by the U.S. and E.U. to reduce methane emissions. And Merck asks the FDA for emergency use approval of experimental Covid pill.

Congressional Democrats’ blockbuster spending bill could include some historic health reforms, but major political hurdles remain. POLITICO reporter Alice Miranda Ollstein joins the health policy podcast Tradeoffs to discuss the tough health policy compromises facing Democratic lawmakers. Guest: Alice Miranda Ollstein, health care reporter, POLITICO This episode was hosted by Dan Gorenstein, produced by Leslie Walker and mixed by Andrew Parrella.