POLITICO Tech

The POLITICO Tech podcast is your daily download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy. From AI and the metaverse to disinformation and microchips, we explore how today’s technology is shaping our world — and driving the policy decisions, global rivalries and industries that will matter tomorrow.

Tech News
Politics
Daily News
501
The gun issue we don’t talk about
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives hasn’t had a permanent director since 2015. POLITICO’s Anita Kumar breaks down why the post has become virtually unfillable amid fierce debate over gun laws. Plus, the House advances Democrats’ $3.5T budget. And new CDC studies point to waning immunity from vaccines.
13 min
502
Inside Greece’s ‘unprecedented’ wildfires
Greece is reeling from a brutal heat wave and devastating wildfires that couldn’t have come at a worse moment. POLITICO Europe’s Nektaria Stamouli reports. Plus, Biden presses businesses to mandate vaccines. And the Capitol Police has cleared the officer who fatally shot someone during the Jan. 6 insurrection of wrongdoing.
10 min
503
A growing college gap
Colleges are reopening their gates this fall. But experts worry the most vulnerable students are still turning their back to higher education. POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan reports. Plus, polls show Biden’s approval slipping to new lows. And Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says states can’t block federal funds for districts that mandate masks.
11 min
504
What to know about boosters
The Biden administration says we need them. The WHO says we should wait for the rest of the world. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn breaks down everything you need to know about vaccine boosters. Plus, the FTC files a new antitrust suit against Facebook. And the Biden administration plans to cancel the federal student loans of Americans who have severe disabilities.
13 min
505
Investigation: America’s Covid-reporting breakdown
Crashing computers, three-week delays tracking infections, lab results delivered by snail mail. Health officials couldn’t keep up with Covid’s spread. Americans paid the price. POLITICO’s Erin Banco reports. Plus, Israeli PM Naftali Bennett will visit the White House later this month. And the Treasury moves to prevent the Taliban from receiving IMF aid.
12 min
506
Haiti’s time of torment
Haiti was already on the brink of political collapse following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Then a catastrophic earthquake hit. POLITICO’s John Yearwood reports. Plus, the nation’s top election officials are calling for more stringent guidelines for post-election audits. And Twitter tests a new feature allowing users to report misinformation directly to the company.
11 min
507
'The worst moment' of Biden’s presidency
Biden campaigned on his foreign policy expertise. But the crisis in Afghanistan is destroying that image. POLITICO’s Natasha Korecki reports. Plus, American newspapers call on the White House to evacuate journalists from Kabul. And the Biden administration makes a record increase to food stamp benefits.
12 min
508
How Kabul fell to the Taliban
A Taliban offensive was expected. But nobody knew it would be like this. POLITICO’s Alex Ward explains how the Taliban was able to overtake Afghanistan’s capital as the U.S. evacuated its embassy. Plus, opponents of the White House’s eviction ban ask a federal court to block the policy. And the director of the NIH says undocumented immigrants are not causing the surge in Covid cases.
11 min
509
Turbulence ahead for infrastructure
The Senate passed Biden’s long-awaited bipartisan infrastructure bill earlier this week. But it’s fate is tied to a massive Democratic spending plan — and things are looking a little shaky. POLITICO’s Caitlin Emma reports. Plus, the nation’s largest teachers union backs vaccine mandates. And top Biden advisor Anita Dunn leaves the White House.
13 min
510
Why more kids are getting Covid
A record number of children are being hospitalized with Covid — and experts expect it to get worse. POLITICO’s Dan Goldberg reports. Plus, Sen. Elizabeth Warren drops her opposition to Biden’s pick for the No. 3 spot at the Education Department. And a bipartisan group of senators introduces legislation targeting Apple and Google’s app stores.
12 min
511
How Greg Abbott has kept his grip on Texas
He doesn’t have star power, and he’s facing attacks from Republicans and Democrats. But Gov. Greg Abbott has held onto power in Texas for seven years — and he plans to do it again in 2022. POLITICO’s Renuka Rayasam reports. Plus, a Democratic Rep. Ron Kind plans to retire from his competitive Wisconsin seat. And the White House taps a progressive for the No. 2 policy position at the Pentagon.
13 min
512
Why Cuomo isn’t resigning
Impeachment is impending and his inner circle is collapsing, but Cuomo remains indignant. POLITICO’s Anna Gronewold reports on why the New York governor won’t step down in the wake of an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. Plus, the Pentagon wants to mandate vaccines for all 1.4 million of its troops. And Canada reopens its border to vaccinated American travelers.
11 min
513
When climate change is a workplace hazard
Millions of Americans have to work under the sun or in poorly ventilated spaces. And as climate change makes extremely high temperatures more frequent, these working conditions are becoming increasingly life-threatening. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman and E&E News’ Ariel Wittenberg explain the risks, and why it’s so hard for the government to take action.
13 min
514
Why DeSantis won’t back down
Covid hospitalizations are surging in Florida. But that isn’t stopping Gov. Ron DeSantis from taking a hard line against public health restrictions. POLITICO’s David Kihara breaks down the political strategy behind it all. Plus, Texas’ governor calls a second special session to push GOP changes to election laws. And the Justice Department opens a probe into the Phoenix Police Department.
12 min
515
Vaccines, variants and boosters: Your questions...
Scared or confused by the Delta variant? Wondering when you might need a booster shot? POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle has you covered. Plus, Biden’s approval falls. And Psaki blames Republicans holding up the White House’s ATF nominee.
14 min
516
What to know about the new eviction ban
The Biden administration changed course on Tuesday and issued a new eviction ban despite legal questions, putting the White House on a collision course with the Supreme Court. POLITICO’s Katy O’Donnell reports. Plus, Biden calls for New York Gov. Cuomo to resign, and tells Florida Gov. DeSantis to “get out of the way” as Covid surges in the state.
11 min
517
How a pro-Trump platform became an extremist haven
GETTR was supposed to be a Trump world alternative to Twitter. But it’s being inundated with extremist content, including beheading videos and terrorist propaganda. POLITICO’s Mark Scott reports. Plus, Florida shatters its Covid hospitalization record. And the Biden administration hits its vaccination goal … a month late.
13 min
518
All eyes on Ohio
The futures of both the Democratic Party and the GOP will be put to the test in a pair of Congressional primaries tomorrow. POLITICO’s Scott Bland reports. Plus, Dr. Fauci says he doesn’t think the country will need more lockdowns. And new filings show that Trump political groups have more than $100 million in the bank.
12 min
519
The dark history of America's Native boarding s...
Over the last few months, First Nations groups across Canada announced the discovery of thousands of unmarked graves on or close to residential schools where Native children were forcibly sent. The discoveries forced long-overdue conversations across Canada about its ignored history, but they also forced similar introspection in the United States, where Native kids were also sent to boarding schools to "kill the Indian, and save the man." Today, Cowessess First Nation member Chasity Delorme talks about Canada's journey to reconciliation, and Dr. Katrina Phillips of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe speaks of America's boarding schools and their impact on Native peoples across the country.
15 min
520
Déjà mask
They’re back! Well, kinda. POLITICO’s Erin Banco breaks down what you need to know about the CDC’s new guidance. Plus, vaccinated travelers from the U.S. won't need to quarantine anymore when visiting the U.K. And the chair of the Fed isn’t too worried about the Delta variant hurting the economy.
13 min
521
Could Newsom really get kicked out of office?
A new poll from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies shows that 47 percent of likely California voters are in favor of replacing Gov. Gavin Newsom. POLITICO’s Jeremy White reports. Plus, Democrats press Biden to extend the eviction ban. And Senators reach a deal to provide funding for the Capitol Police and National Guard.
11 min
522
Is the Fed fueling a financial bubble?
Lawmakers and experts are sounding the alarm. So why is the central bank still pumping cash into the economy? POLITICO’s Victoria Guida reports. Plus, longtime Trump ally Tom Barrack pleads not guilty to charges that he acted as a foreign agent. And the Biden administration says long Covid can be considered a disability under law.
12 min
523
So where's the bipartisan infrastructure bill?
Biden announced a deal more than a month ago. So why's it taking so long for Senators to agree on a bill funding roads, bridges and broadband? POLITICO's Kate Irby reports. Plus, Arkansas' governor says vaccine hesitancy is hardening in parts of the state. And French moves closer to approving a vaccine passport.
11 min
524
The countdown to debt doomsday
The national debt is a ticking timebomb. Can Congress raise the limit before we default on our loans? POLITICO’s Jennifer Scholtes reports. Plus, the Capitol physician considers recommending masks again due to the Delta variant. And the NFL says Covid outbreaks could mean forfeits.
12 min
525
How to get Americans back to work
Millions lost jobs during the pandemic and are still unemployed or left the workforce. POLITICO’s Katherine Landergan talked with a panel of experts about what’s next. Plus, Biden taps a telecom executive to be his ambassador to Canada. And Harris plans to meet with DACA recipients.
13 min