Tuesday's podcasts stories
The fight over student loan forgiveness at the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments about President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. If Biden’s plan is successful, more than 40 million borrowers could have up to $20,000 of their federal student loan debt canceled.
- Plus, the race to save fading Black history.
- And, all your Black artist recommendations for the end of Black History Month.
Guests: Axios' Russell Contreras and The Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel.
Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at [email protected]. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.
Go Deeper:
Black artists recommendations:
Eric P. from Toledo, OH: Donnetta Lavinia Grays, playwright and actor
“A distinctive voice in her writing and a vision that's uncompromising and urgent and timeless.”
James Ijames, playwright
“The rare playwright who combines seriousness of purpose with a killer sense of comedy.”
Cameron H. from Houston, TX: Lenky Don, musician
“He unfortunately passed away last year due to cancer and then Covid. He left behind two little girls and I miss my friend and his passion for music.”
Juilan W. from Columbus, OH: Musicians: Mos Def, MF Doom, The Roots, Common, Talib Kweli
“They've always felt like a light in the darkness for me growing up.”
Diana S. from New Orleans, LA: Jean-Marcel St. Jacques, artist
“He made urns for my husband and I - they are works of art and will be passed down to our children.”
Darrell H. from Winnipeg, MB, Canada: Ben Harper, musician
“He is the most talented, humble performer that I have ever seen. When he sits down with his guitar on his lap, the notes he plays are mesmerizing.”
Josh S. from Needham, MA: Thunderat, musician
“His bass line envelops the song without dominating it, a deep-toned color at once enhancing and melding into a unified portrait with the vibrant hues of the melody.”
Howie F. from Durham, NC: Clifford Brown, musician
“His solo on Joy Spring is arguably one of the greatest in music history. It always leaves a smile on my face.”
Michelle Q. from Sodus, NY: Natasha Trethewey, poet
"’At Dusk’ and ’Limen’ and other poems she has written.”
Michael F. from Portland, OR: Squadda B, musician
“If I wanted to condense what I think is so special about his work, I’d borrow the title of a Brené Brown book: ‘The Power of Vulnerability.’”
Noel D. from San Juan, PR: Scarlet House, musician
“He is a one man band. He's got a very unique sound. Very ethereal, very emotional.”
The rekindled debate over the origins of COVID-19
The Department of Energy over the weekend concluded in a "low confidence" assessment that COVID-19 most likely originated from a laboratory in China. But government agencies remain largely split on where the pandemic came from.
- Plus, new data shows the rise in sexual violence against girls in America.
- And, Black artists you love in honor of Black History Month.
Guests: Axios' Tina Reed and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh's Elizabeth Miller.
Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at [email protected]. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.
Go Deeper: