The Decoded Podcast

The pandemic sucked. But to-go cocktails? Not too bad. POLITICO’s Dan Goldberg looks at whether pandemic perks, from liquor laws to telehealth regulations, will stick around after emergency orders are lifted. Plus, Senate Democrats call on Google to conduct a racial equity audit. And the White House announces new incentives to bump up vaccination rates.

Dan Goldberg is a health reporter for POLITICO. 
Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Why Covid rules on liquor, pot and telemedicine might last past the pandemic

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Democrats and Republicans remain worlds apart on infrastructure. But Biden is holding out hope for a breakthrough in negotiations, even as Senate Democrats pave the way to pass legislation along party lines. POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago breaks down why Biden is betting big on bipartisanship (or at least the appearance of it). Plus, the White House announces new housing and business programs to tackle the racial wealth gap. And the ransomware attack on the world’s largest meat processing company likely came from Russia.

Christopher Cadelago 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.

Read more: Biden clings to the possibility of a bipartisan infrastructure breakthrough

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It's big. But Wall Street wants it to be even bigger. POLITICO's Kellie Mejdrich reports on an effort to open up access to Bitcoin investment — and explains why its facing opposition in Washington. Plus, the TSA reports its highest number of travelers since the pandemic hit. And Biden visits Oklahoma to remember the Tulsa race massacre.

Kellie Mejdrich is a financial services 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.

Read more:  Wall Street struggles to sell Washington on Bitcoin for the masses

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A lab leak can’t be ruled out yet, but experts still say Covid most likely came from an animal. POLITICO’s Lauren Morello explains why. Plus, California is handing out $116.5 million in vaccine incentives. And Senate Democrats pan Republicans’ latest infrastructure counteroffer.

Lauren Morello is a deputy health care editor 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.

Read more: Dems back growing calls for Congress to probe Covid lab leak theory

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When the country shut down, transit ridership plummeted. Now, as things go back to normal, transit officials have an opportunity to reshape their systems to be more efficient and equitable. POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder reports. Plus, Facebook lifts its ban on posts claiming Covid-19 was man-made as Biden orders a closer review of the virus’ origins. And the ACLU sues West Virginia over its new transgender sports law.

Tanya Snyder is a transportation 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.

This story was reported as part of POLITICO's Recovery Lab series.

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Ryanair 4978 started like any flight. But everything changed when the plane was forced to land in Minsk at the behest of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to arrest a dissident journalist. POLITICO Europe’s David M. Herszenhorn gives an inside look at the flight that shook the world — and breaks down why the EU and the US might have to rethink their responses to the incident. Plus, McCarthy condemns Rep. Greene's Holocaust rhetoric as "appalling." And Senate Republicans plan to present the White House with another infrastructure counteroffer.

David M. Herszenhorn is the Chief Brussels Correspondent for POLITICO Europe.
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.

Read more:
Aboard the ‘hijacked’ plane to Minsk
Mired in Minsk: EU summit hijacked by Belarus

 

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A year ago, Minneapolis councilwoman Andrea Jenkins — the first African American openly trans woman elected to office in the U.S. — called for defunding the police in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. Now, activists occupying the intersection where Floyd was killed are calling her a traitor. POLITICO’s Renu Rayasam talks with Jenkins about the tightrope of reforming law enforcement and protecting residents — and why George Floyd Square has become a source of heartbreak for her. Plus, National Guard troops will leave the Capitol this week. And Biden and Putin are poised to hold their first summit in Geneva.

Renuka Rayasam writes the POLITICO Nightly 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.

Read more: Where Prince lived and George Floyd died, hope, history and heartache

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Families of people who died in nursing homes during the pandemic are filing lawsuits across the country. But nursing homes are using Trump-era liability protections to fight them. POLITICO’s Susannah Luthi reports. Plus, the U.S. condemns Belarus for forcing down a plane to arrest a dissident. And Sen. Susan Collins says she supports a commission to investigate the Capitol insurrection.

Susannah Luthi is a health reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Nursing homes invoke Trump-era protections to fight lawsuits over Covid deaths

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They're in basically every piece of technology you use. And they're in short supply. POLITICO's Steven Overly breaks down why a microchip shortage is causing headaches in the auto industry and beyond. Plus, Biden signs anti-Asian hate crimes legislation into law. And the White House proposes doubling the size of the IRS.

Steven Overly covers global trade, economics and technology for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

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Probably not, but it certainly won’t hurt. POLITICO’s Dan Goldberg breaks down the state of vaccinations across the country — and some of the creative ways states are trying to curb sinking vaccination rates. Plus, the U.K. launches a new study on vaccine boosters. And the EU is set to allow vaccinated travelers to return.

Dan Goldberg is a health reporter for POLITICO. 
Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

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