This week, new COVID cases in the state of Michigan dropped almost 25%. Still, on Wednesday, 4,880 new cases were reported. The state is now also starting to see a decline in hospitalizations after record rates of cases among young adults and children.

• Plus, what’s behind the push for paid podcasts.
• And, European soccer teams’ fight against racism.

Last night, President Biden gave his first address to a joint session of Congress. Over an hour and five minutes, the president touched on just about every major issue facing the county right now, and called for investment in the American economy and social safety net.

• Plus, how the pandemic has hurt younger workers.
• And, the NFL opts for a live, in-person draft.

On Sunday, almost 1.6 million American air passengers passed through security checkpoints — compared to just about 130,000 the same day last year.

Travelers are rushing to buy plane tickets, and airlines are scrambling to add flights and rework schedules.

• Plus, some new guidance around masking.
• And, the Biden administration’s plan to go after tax evaders.

The Biden administration announced plans Monday to share 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine with other countries.

The U.S. has been criticized for how little it shared so far — for example, it has sent just 4 million AstraZeneca doses to our neighbors in Mexico and Canada, even though they’ve asked for many more.

• Plus, how the Census is redrawing the congressional map.
• And, Tesla and the future of self-driving cars.

India has set record highs in daily coronavirus cases. They've recorded more than a million cases just over the past few days.

• Plus, approval ratings for the president at the 100-day mark.
• And, why are there so many immersive Van Gogh exhibits in the U.S.?

New decisions from the Supreme Court, President Joe Biden's busy week and the exclusive communications firm that helped the prosecution in Derek Chauvin's trial - a wrapup of this week in politics.

• Plus, activists and the Chauvin verdict - one historian's perspective.
• And, who’s ready for the Oscars?

Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev and Sara Fischer and historian and activist Dr. Barbara Ransby.

Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Justin Kaufmann, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.

Go deeper:

• Exclusive: Chauvin trial prosecution worked with strategic communications firm
• A city's catharsis

It’s Earth Day and President Joe Biden is hosting a virtual climate summit as his administration tries to re-establish the U.S. as a leader on climate policy.

• Plus, the DOJ starts investigating the Minneapolis Police Department.
• And, a national restaurant labor shortage.

Yesterday, a jury convicted former police officer Derek Chauvin of murder in the death of George Floyd. We'll take you through what happened and get reaction from Minnesota to Washington, DC.

The jury is deliberating whether or not to convict former Minneapolis police Derek Chavin over the death of George Floyd.

Presiding Judge Peter Cahill will allow the jury to deliberate every day until 7pm, and if they reach a decision after sunset, the decision will be read the following morning.

• Plus, a strong start to earnings season.
• And, European soccer goes to war.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been on a hunger strike in prison for three weeks. This weekend, his doctor said he could die soon.

That’s just the latest in a string of events from abroad that could become major crises for President Biden.

• Plus, a new way for police departments to handle mental health calls.
• And, Richard Wright’s new book on police brutality, published six decades after his death.