🐠 Axios PM: Reef relief

⛳️ Plus: Eyes on the Masters | Thursday, April 06, 2023

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Walmart   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Apr 06, 2023 Happy Thursday afternoon. Today's PM — edited by Kate Nocera and Alex Fitzpatrick — is 524 words, a 2-min. read. Thanks to Sheryl Miller for the copy edit. 🇦🇫 Breaking: The White House released a 12-page report on the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, acknowledging evacuations should have begun sooner — but largely blaming the Trump administration. Go deeper.     🏙 1 big thing: Cities fall behind Data: HUD's Annual Homeless Assessment Report. (Unsheltered count wasn't conducted in 2021 because of COVID.) Chart: Axios Visuals Homelessness in the U.S. has increased by 25% since 2017 — and cities can't build shelters fast enough, Axios' Jessica Boehm, Erin Alberty and Esteban L. Hernandez report. Even after spending billions of federal COVID dollars on services and physical space, cities are still way behind — especially in the West, where encampments are sprawling. Meanwhile, eviction filing rates have returned to, or exceeded, pre-pandemic levels in many U.S. cities as housing costs rise. Only 181,786 emergency shelter beds were available for an estimated 421,392 people experiencing homelessness nationwide as of January 2022, according to HUD. That's just 43% of the need. Some cities are working to make more permanent shelters available: Salt Lake City has given preliminary approval for a 60-unit "tiny home" village on city-owned land. Even if it's OK'd, it'll take another year to build the first homes. The city council in Portland, Oregon, last November agreed to create six large, city-run camps while it simultaneously banned street camping. COVID forced cities to find private rooms quickly so unhoused people could practice social distancing. Some of those arrangements have continued. In Phoenix, nonprofits used hotels to house especially vulnerable people, including adults 55+ and veterans. Go deeper.     2. 🐠 Promising reef relief A close-up of polyps of a great star coral colony on a reef near Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo: Valerie Paul via the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History Scientists have discovered a new tool to help treat and prevent a disease that's been wreaking havoc on Florida's coral reefs, Axios' Ayurella Horn-Muller reports. Why it matters: Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is a fast-acting, deadly plague-like affliction that has long confounded researchers. It's been spreading throughout the Caribbean, threatening the local economy. In a study published today in the journal Communications Biology, researchers found that a bacterial probiotic treatment effectively stopped or slowed SCTLD in nearly two-thirds of tested infected coral fragments. Go deeper.     A message from Walmart Creating opportunities for associates to grow their careers     Walmart's investing $1 billion in career-driven training and development. Approximately 75% of Walmart management started as hourly associates. At Walmart, careers might start on the floor, but they never have to end there. Learn more about how at Walmart, the floor is never the ceiling.     3. Catch me up Tennessee State Troopers block the stairwell leading to the legislative chambers today in Nashville. Photo: George Walker/AP Republicans in Tennessee are voting today to expel three Democratic lawmakers who chanted "No action, no peace" on the House floor, in support of gun control. Go deeper. ⚖️ 1,000+ people now face charges in connection with the Capitol riot. Go deeper. The judge overseeing the criminal case against former President Trump, New York Judge Juan Merchan, has received dozens of threats, ABC's Aaron Katersky reports. 🎮 An upcoming life-simulation video game is aiming to take on "The Sims." Go deeper.     4. ⛳️ Watching the Masters Rory McIlroy watches as Shane Lowry's daughter Ivy hugs his daughter Poppy on the ninth green during the par 3 contest. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images Beyond Rory McIlroy's daughter Poppy (above) and Shane Lowry's daughter Ivy stealing the show, Axios Sports editor Kendall Baker is watching several storylines as this year's Masters Tournament kicks off: The LIV drama: The LIV vs. PGA Tour rivalry may not be a focal point on the broadcast, but it will linger throughout the weekend. Rory's chase: Last time McIlroy played at Augusta, he matched the lowest final round in Masters history (64) and finished with a hole-out from the bunker. Can he bring that momentum into this year's event? Go deeper: 6 other things Kendall's watching this year.     A message from Walmart "My career at Walmart has been unbelievable"     Meet Nichole. In 2004, Nichole was an hourly associate. Today she runs a $100 million Supercenter. And her story is just one of many. At Walmart, there's a career path for everyone. Explore how Walmart gives associates opportunities to grow and advance their careers.   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: