Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday

Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday

Sep 9, 2017

Hope Hicks lawyers up for Russia probe

Patrick Semansky / AP

Hope Hicks, Trump's recently appointed White House comms director, has hired a lawyer for Bob Mueller's Russia probe, per Politico.

Hicks is one of the six current and former WH staffers that Mueller wants to speak to, according to a WashPost report from yesterday.
She has hired Robert Trout as her personal attorney. He is a founder and "highly regarded attorney" at his firm Trout Cacheris & Janis, Politico reports.
Why it matters: Hicks has been close to Trump since before he announced his presidential campaign, and she has worked closely with him throughout the election and now in the WH. Her proximity to the president and exposure to his dealings suggests she would have ample information Mueller is seeking — thus increasing the need for a personal attorney.

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Andrew Freedman, Ben Geman

54 mins ago - Energy & Environment

Pipeline hack spotlights cyber risks to energy systems

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

The ransomware attack against the Colonial Pipeline — the massive East Coast gasoline artery — is a stunning real-world example of the increasing risks that the energy sector faces from a cyberattack.

Why it matters: Different parts of the vast American energy system are vulnerable — from pipelines to power grids to individual power plants and plenty in between.

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Sara Fischer, author of Media Trends

57 mins ago - Technology

Scoop: TikTok launching jobs service for Gen Z

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

TikTok is testing a tool for brands to recruit employees, sources tell Axios.

Details: The pilot program is designed to help people find jobs on TikTok and connect with companies looking to find candidates. It's also meant to help brands use TikTok as a recruitment channel.

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Sara Fischer, author of Media Trends

1 hour ago - Economy & Business

Crypto media boom

Data: SimilarWeb; Chart: Axios Visuals

A slew of new crypto media companies have gained enormous traction over the past year, thanks to the digital currency craze taking over Wall Street.

Why it matters: “For the first time ever, crypto has become relevant to the global macro-economic conversation, and therefore, the investment conversation," says Jason Yanowitz, co-founder of Blockworks, a financial media brand catered to investors.

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