What Next Plus
The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning.
976
Will Abortion Pills Be Banned?
How far can anti-abortion activists push against FDA-approved medication?
23 min
977
Is Nikki Haley the GOP’s Future?
Can the former governor and ambassador to the UN define herself apart from Donald Trump—without alienating the Republican base?
19 min
978
Why the West Bank Is at a Boiling Point
Tension is rising in the region as one side’s leadership grew more extreme, and the other’s looked more feckless.
23 min
979
The Mass Shooter Database
Perpetrators of these horrific crimes have a lot in common—including deep despair.
24 min
980
TBD | Contraband Tech Behind Bars
Why prisoners risk the consequences to have a cell phone.
28 min
981
TBD | Why Ban TikTok?
If the U.S. wants to protect users, there are better options.
24 min
982
How Florida’s School Censorship Spreads
This culture war didn't start with canceling AP African American Studies. It's not ending there, either.
25 min
983
The Russian “Collaborators”
When Ukraine retakes territory, the social fabric needs to be rebuilt as much as the infrastructure.
26 min
984
His Son Died in Uvalde. He’s Still Fighting.
Brett Cross’s gun control advocacy has taken him to Austin and Washington.
27 min
985
Georgia Takes on Trump
His phone call to Brad Raffensberger seems to be getting painstaking legal scrutiny.
27 min
986
TBD | Did a Twentysomething Con America’s Bigge...
How the start-up “Frank” went from a shiny new acquisition to “a huge mistake” for JP Morgan Chase.
29 min
987
TBD | How COVID Changes Our Immune Systems
The data doesn't tell the whole story.
25 min
988
The Plot Against Pope Francis
The 86-year-old knows there are people in the Vatican working to undo everything he’s done once he’s dead—but he has succession ideas of his own.
24 min
989
The Hysteria Over D.C.’s New Crime Bill
Updating the district’s motley 1901 criminal code patchwork isn’t the “reform” activists have called for—or tough-on-crime types fear.
24 min
990
From Rodney King to Tyre Nichols
After three decades of outrage and activism, why is this still happening?
26 min
991
Who Doesn’t Have Classified Documents?
When everything is secret, then nothing is secret.
25 min
992
TBD | Did A.I. Write This Headline?
No, but Silicon Valley thinks it can.
31 min
993
TBD | Will Google Get Broken Up?
The tech giant's online ad business has printed money for more than a decade. The Justice Department is coming for it.
24 min
994
Election Deniers Shot at Her
A New Mexico state senator woke up to bullet holes in her daughter’s room.
18 min
995
The "Other NRA" Fighting Restaurant Workers
Why the food-service industry is in turmoil—and how it can survive.
28 min
996
Will the Debt Ceiling Cave in This Time?
A divided Congress dusts off an old fight—and for what?
22 min
997
Cities’ Wetter, Wilder Future
America already experiences an “urban flooding event” every 2 or 3 days—and more rain is coming.
22 min
998
TBD | Does Meta Even Care When Its Users Get Ha...
The surest way to get your Instagram account back is to know somebody who works there.
26 min
999
TBD | An Antivax Dog Whistle Goes Viral
A data scientist and epidemiologist is just answering questions.
26 min
1000
Latin America’s Lost Decade
In the 2000s, citizens grew accustomed to rising prosperity; they’re still looking for leaders who can deliver it.
25 min