We’re on the verge of a fourth Covid surge. And that has health officials freaked out about a nightmare scenario where cases outpace vaccinations, more new variants emerge and things … get really bad. POLITICO’s Erin Banco reports. Plus, the Democrat who lost a House race in Iowa last year by only six votes is dropping her challenge to Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. And European regulators say there’s no evidence to support restricting the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Right now, college basketball players are competing in a tournament that generates billions of dollars, but they're not the ones raking in cash. Today, the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a case that could shift the way the NCAA regulates compensation for those athletes. POLITICO’s Juan Perez reports. Plus, Biden signs a bill extending the deadline for small business loans. And Asian American advocates praise some new White House actions to counter rising anti-Asian violence.

Workers at an Amazon warehouse in the town of Bessemer have submitted their votes in an election that could shape the fate of Amazon — and the future of the labor movement in the U.S. POLITICO’s Rebecca Rainey gives an on-the-ground look at the facility and its employees during the final days of the union drive. Plus, Biden urges states to pause reopening. And another woman accuses New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment.

In 1920, Black farmers owned 14 percent of all farms in the U.S. Today, they own just 1.6 percent. POLITICO’s Ximena Bustillo breaks down the century of discrimination that led to that decline — and looks at newly invigorated efforts to undo the damage. Plus, Rep. Judy Chu says she’s concerned the Atlanta shootings suspect won’t be charged with a hate crime. And Sen. Susan Collins avoids censure from her state party.

After more than two months in office, President Biden gave his first press conference on Thursday. Spoiler: It wasn’t that exciting. POLITICO’s Emily Cadei breaks down why the most notable moments came in the questions that Biden didn’t answer — and the questions that the press didn’t ask. Plus, the FEC says members of Congress can use campaign cash to hire bodyguards. And Pelosi urges California Democrats not to run in the Gov. Newsom recall.cash to hire bodyguards. And Pelosi urges California Democrats not to run in the Newsom recall.

There are PR disasters … and then there’s whatever the heck happened with AstraZeneca this week. POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle breaks down how and why the drug maker got into a public spat with U.S. health officials over the efficacy of its Covid vaccine. Plus, Biden makes Harris the point person on immigration issues. And Virginia bans the death penalty.

In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, President Obama tapped then-Vice President Biden to help push through gun reforms, but they ended up going nowhere in the Senate. Now, in the aftermath of two mass shootings in less than a week, Biden’s hoping to avoid a repeat — and activists are wondering why he isn’t doing more. POLITICO’s Anita Kumar reports. Plus, Biden extends the special enrollment season for Obamacare. And the Government Accountability Office launches an investigation into Biden's freeze on border wall funding. Anita Kumar is a White House correspondent and associate editor 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.

In the aftermath of last week’s mass shooting in Georgia that killed eight people — six of them women of Asian descent — activists, political leaders and the Asian American community are grieving and calling for justice. POLITICO’s Maya King and Catherine Kim report from a rally and a prayer service held in Atlanta over the weekend. Plus, Biden taps a prominent tech industry critic to join the FTC. And the U.S. and some allies announce sanctions on China. Catherine Kim is a reporter for POLITICO. Maya King covers race and politics 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.

U.S. and Chinese officials met in Alaska for their first in-person talks under the Biden administration last week and things ... got pretty testy. POLITICO’s Stuart Lau gives the play-by-play for a meeting he says “was as frosty as the weather suggests.” Plus, lawmakers condemn violence against Asians and Asian Americans. And Republican Julia Letlow wins a special election to replace her late husband in Congress. Stuart Lau is POLITICO Europe's China correspondent. 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.

More than half of the countries in the EU have paused AstraZeneca vaccinations amid panic that the shot could cause blood clots — despite lack of evidence. POLITICO Europe’s Sarah Wheaton breaks down the three reasons why Europe freaked out. Plus, the White House defends a controversial measure in the Democratic Covid package. And the IRS pushes back Tax Day.