The White House had hoped to keep its distance. But after thousands of Cubans took to the streets in historic protests this weekend, the communist-run island nation is becoming an unavoidable foreign policy issue. POLITICO’s Sabrina Rodriguez reports. Plus, Biden nominates Jeff Flake as ambassador to Turkey. And the Senate narrowly confirms Julie Su as deputy Labor secretary.

Sabrina Rodriguez is an immigration correspondent for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Read more: ‘The White House is finally paying attention’: Cuba’s protests force Biden’s hand

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 'Free Britney' movement has a new fan base on Capitol Hill. But how much can Congress actually do to crack down on what critics call toxic guardianships? POLITICO’s Marianne LeVine reports. Plus, top U.S. officials see booster shots as inevitable. And the Senate confirms Jen Easterly as head of CISA.

Marianne LeVine covers the Senate for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Read more: ‘This is freaking ridiculous’: Britney Spears inspires lawmakers to tackle toxic conservatorships

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With disappearing jobs and a fleeing population, West Virginia is trying to entice white-collar workers to move in from out of state. But the plan isn't sitting right with some residents. POLITICO's Mackenzie Mays reports. Plus, Americans are almost evenly divided on vaccine requirements. And Democrats want a 41 percent increase in education funding.

Mackenzie Mays is a reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Read more: West Virginia is Trading Trump for Tech Workers

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Senate is the oldest in American history. But a surge of Millennial candidates could change that after the 2022 midterms. POLITICO’s James Arkin reports. Plus, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra says his vaccine comments are being taken “wildly out of context.” And Harris announces a $25 million expansion of the DNC’s voting campaign.

James Arkin is a campaigns reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Read more: The geriatric Senate confronts a youth movement

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As vaccination rates slow, the White House is turning to a hyper-local strategy. But so far it’s not taking off in communities where people are more concerned about gun violence than the pandemic. POLITICO’s Natasha Korecki reports from a barbershop in Chicago. Plus, the remaining metal fencing around the Capitol is coming down. And 36 states and D.C. sue Google.

Natasha Korecki is a White House reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Read more:  Biden’s Covid vaccine push crashes into reality

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Adams has narrowly won the New York City mayoral primary. In this special episode of Playbook Deep Dive, New York’s Sally Goldenberg and Playbook co-author Tara Palmeri unpack the wild ride leading up to Election Day.

Tara Palmeri is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO.
Sally Goldenberg is City Hall bureau chief at POLITICO New York.
Adrienne Hurst is a producer for POLITICO audio.
Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Special thanks to producer Olivia Reingold.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A slate of transgender athlete restrictions taking hold in conservative states has snowballed into the highest-profile LGBTQ rights battle of the year. POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan reports. Plus, Dr. Fauci laments “avoidable” deaths among the unvaccinated. And Britain plans to lift its Covid restrictions.

Bianca Quilantan is an education reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Read more: ‘This isn't the Olympics’: GOP transgender laws head to court

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Maine’s governor vetoed a bill partially decriminalizing prostitution in the state. Advocates said it would have been a big win in the fight against sex trafficking, but critics said it could entice more people into the underground trade. POLITICO’s Liz Crampton reports. Plus, the CBO says the federal budget gap will widen to $3 trillion this year. And D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine has subpoenaed Facebook for records related to the platform’s handling of coronavirus misinformation.

Liz Crampton covers state policy for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Read more: Maine governor vetoes bill partially decriminalizing prostitution

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Probably not if you’re fully vaccinated. But it could cause some problems down the road — especially in areas with lower vaccination rates. POLITICO’s David Lim reports. Plus, FEMA changes the rules for a Covid-19 funeral aid program, potentially giving thousands of people access to assistance. And the House approves a select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection.

David Lim is a health care reporter for POLITICO and authors the Prescription Pulse newsletter.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Read more in the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It starts with a note saying your files are being held captive. It ends with a big payout or a lengthy investigation. POLITICO’s Sam Sabin breaks down how ransomware attacks go down — and what the U.S. is doing to prevent more of them. Plus, New Jersey’s attorney general will lead enforcement at the SEC. And the latest New York mayoral count is voided after ‘test’ ballots were included in the tally.

Sam Sabin is a cybersecurity reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Read more in the Weekly Cybersecurity newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices