Apr 15, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Andrew Yang leaves door open for New York mayoral run

Photo: Axios Events

Andrew Yang, the founder of Humanity First and a former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, did not deny that he was considering a run for New York City mayor in 2021 during an Axios virtual event on Wednesday.

The big picture: Yang, who first floated the idea to BuzzFeed News last month, called the position "a high-impact role" and said that he "wants to help solve the problems that are coming down the pike" that have been accelerated by the coronavirus crisis, noting Humanity First's work in the Bronx.

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Courtenay Brown

33 mins ago - Economy & Business

A quandary for state unemployment agencies

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

State agencies charged with paying unemployment benefits to jobless residents have their backs against the wall as they rush to parse President Trump's executive actions on coronavirus aid.

Why it matters: States are being asked to pitch in $100 per unemployed resident, but it’s a heavy lift for cash-strapped states that are still unclear about the details and may not opt-in at all. It leaves the states and jobless residents in a state of limbo.

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Rebecca Falconer

Updated 35 mins ago - Health

New Zealand reports first local coronavirus cases for 102 days

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after a press conference at Parliament on July 22 in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Auckland is locking down and the rest of New Zealand faces lesser restrictions for 72 hours after a family of four tested positive for COVID-19, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Tuesday.

Why it matters: It's the first cases not in managed isolation for 102 days, Ardern said at a news briefing.

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Miriam Kramer

47 mins ago - Science

The risk of branding NASA's wins

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

President Trump, like some of his predecessors, is branding NASA's recent wins as political, presidential accomplishments even though they are the result of efforts that span administrations.

Why it matters: Experts warn that partisan politicking with NASA can lead to whiplash that leaves the agency scrambling to chase new goals whenever a new administration arrives in Washington.