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.
1026
Why Adoption Isn’t Enough
The “pre-Roe” world of adoption is not something to aspire to. Neither is the current system.
22 min
1027
The Fight to Defend Gay Marriage
It’s a winning issue, so why aren’t Senate Democrats hurrying it to a vote?
28 min
1028
The Worst Drought in 1,200 Years
The Southwest is struggling today, and it's not prepared for what may follow tomorrow.
23 min
1029
The Price Liz Cheney Will Pay
Oppose Trump vocally? Pay for it locally.
23 min
1030
TBD | Smart City: Dumb Idea?
Is the promise of the smart city over?
25 min
1031
TBD | Europe Is Burning
How will Europe deal with climate change?
24 min
1032
Three Theories on Joe Manchin
Why the West Virginia senator kept telling the Democrats ‘no’ on climate — and why the Democrats kept on asking.
21 min
1033
A Different Kind of Pollution
“Sensory pollution” in the environment can be just as harmful as chemical pollution—but it’s also much easier to fix.
23 min
1034
The Prosecutors Stuck With Abortion Bans
In conservative states, some public attorneys are trying to signal that they'll treat Dobbs-triggered cases with skepticism.
26 min
1035
The Biden Problem
Why do party leaders keep getting caught flat-footed?
18 min
1036
TBD | Silicon Valley's Hidden Discrimination
How a DEI talk about caste bias exposed discrimination in tech.
21 min
1037
TBD | Can Twitter Sue Elon Musk Into Submission?
A look inside Twitter as they take Elon Musk to court.
25 min
1038
The Proud Boys' New Plan for Power
From a loose coalition of “ironic misogynists” to a political force in the GOP.
22 min
1039
The Real Risks of Monkeypox
The latest outbreak threatens more than any one community.
23 min
1040
The Russians Invaded. The Opera Played On.
Facing bombardment and blockade, music has returned to Odesa’s storied theater.
24 min
1041
The War on LGBTQ+ Rights
How The Trevor Project sees the impact of the GOP’s newly-introduced, anti-LGBTQ+ laws on American youth.
26 min
1042
TBD | Paxlovid's Mysteries
Is Paxlovid really a miracle drug?
22 min
1043
TBD | Can FEMA Keep Up With Climate Change?
Does the agency need to rethink disaster aid?
24 min
1044
How to Fix the Economy
Tackling inflation won’t be easy – or painless.
20 min
1045
The Supreme Court Needs an Upgrade
What options do Congress and the president have?
22 min
1046
A Fight to Put Abortion on Arizona’s Ballot
Activists need to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures in a few days to put abortion rights on the state’s ballot.
24 min
1047
Slow Burn - Roe v. Wade: Roe Against Wade
How Justice Harry Blackmun became an accidental abortion rights hero.
59 min
1048
TBD | The Good Hackers
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act gets updated guidelines from the DOJ.
21 min
1049
TBD | TikTok’s Mental Health Influencers
Inside the world of mental health content creation
26 min
1050
The Shocking Jan. 6 Hearing Was Not a Slam Dunk
Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony is a bombshell, but Trump’s still a long way from accountability.
25 min