Aug 8, 2018

GOP gubernatorial race in Kansas too close to call

Photo: Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The GOP gubernatorial primary, where Trump-backed Secretary of State Kris Kobach is barely ahead of incumbent Gov. Jeff Colyer, is still too close too call.

Why it matters: A new law in the state will allow additional votes to be counted if mailed on or before August 7, according to the AP, which could make a difference in races this close. A Kris Kobach win would highlight the impact of a Trump endorsement.

Update: This post previously stated that the Democratic primary in Kansas' 3rd district had not yet been called. The Associated Press reported Wednesday morning that Native American, LGBT attorney Sharice Davids was announced the winner.

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Jacob Knutson

The weirdest NBA draft ever

Table: Axios Visuals

The 2020 NBA draft was already shaping up to be the weirdest draft in years, and now that the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the sports world, it could be the weirdest draft ever.

Why it matters: While most drafts have a clear hierarchy by the time April rolls around, this draft does not. There's no reliable No. 1 pick, almost every top-10 prospect has a glaring weakness and the global sports hiatus has shrouded the whole class in mystery.

Go deeper8 mins ago - Sports

Courtenay Brown

Jobless claims spike to another weekly record amid coronavirus crisis

A sign in Livingston, Mont. Photo: William Campbell/Corbis via Getty Images

6.6 million people filed for unemployment last week, a staggering number that eclipses the record set just days ago amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to government data released Thursday.

Why it matters: Efforts to contain the outbreak are continuing to create a jobs crisis, causing the sharpest spikes in unemployment filings in American history.

Go deeper39 mins ago - Economy & Business

Dion Rabouin

Debt crisis awaits in emerging markets

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Many of the world's poor and developing countries could begin defaulting on their bonds in the coming weeks as the coronavirus outbreak has led to massive outflows from emerging market assets and real-world dollars being yanked from their coffers.

Why it matters: The wave of defaults is unlikely to be contained to EM assets and could exacerbate the global credit crisis forming in the world's debt markets.

Go deeper1 hour ago - Economy & Business