May 4, 2018 - Politics & Policy

Barack Obama endorses Dianne Feinstein for Senate

Former President Barack Obama is greeted by Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Photo: Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama released a statement Friday endorsing Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Ca.), 84, for reelection to the Senate, amid speculation that she might have trouble facing off other Democratic candidates come November.

Why it matters: Obama has begun to reinsert himself back into the political sphere after months of staying away from Washington affairs. In March, Politico first reported that he will appear at a fundraiser for Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) in Beverly Hills on May 6.

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Axios
2 hours ago - Health

Fauci says if people won't wear masks, maybe it should be mandated

Anthony Fauci. Photo: Graeme Jennings- Pool/Getty Images

NIAID director Anthony Fauci told CNN on Friday evening that if "people are not wearing masks, then maybe we should be mandating it."

Why it matters: Fauci made the comments the same day the U.S. hit its highest daily COVID-19 case count since the pandemic began.

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Axios
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Harris to Black voters: Casting a ballot is about honoring your ancestors

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris speaks at a "Get Out The Vote" rally at Morehouse College. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/AFP via Getty Images

Sen. Kamala Harris appealed to Black voters in Georgia on Friday, urging them to "honor the ancestors" by casting ballots, and again calling President Trump a "racist."

Why it matters: The U.S. saw a significant decline in African-American voter turnout between 2012 and 2016, reaching its lowest point since 2000. Higher turnout among Black Americans this year could tip the balance in favor of Democrats in key battleground states, including Georgia.

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Axios
Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Politics: Fauci: Trump hasn't been to a COVID task force meeting in months.
  2. Sports: The youth sports exodus continues — Big Ten football is back.
  3. Health: U.S. hits highest daily COVID-19 case count since pandemic began —AstraZeneca to resume vaccine trial in U.S. — How to help save 130,000 lives.
  4. Retail: Santa won't greet kids at Macy's this year.
  5. World: Spain and France exceed 1 million cases.
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