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.
1301
Delta Variant: BFD or NBD?
Dueling messages reveal a split over the best way to boost vaccinations.
23 min
1302
Are the Democrats Blowing It on Voting Rights?
A piecemeal approach might have been more effective.
24 min
1303
Can Lina Khan Really Take On Monopolies?
Biden’s new Trade Commission chair has some serious work ahead.
26 min
1304
The Fight Over Evangelicals’ Future
Conservatives are divided. So are their churches.
21 min
1305
TBD | What Cops Are Doing With Your DNA
Police have solved hundreds of cold cases using open-source DNA platforms. But at what cost?
20 min
1306
Whom the Vaccines Leave Behind
For immunocompromised people, we’re nowhere near out of the woods.
22 min
1307
The Looming Eviction Crisis
The clock is ticking for thousands of renters.
24 min
1308
The Fight Over Rising Prices
When is it time to panic about inflation?
22 min
1309
WTF, DOJ?
A recent history of Merrick Garland’s mystifying decisions.
23 min
1310
TBD | What Space Billionaires Cost Us
Jeff Bezos’ quick trip into outer space is about more than just publicity.
19 min
1311
Conor Lamb Is Losing His Patience
Why a moderate Democrat now wants to torch the filibuster.
30 min
1312
Does NYC Want a Cop for a Mayor?
Eric Adams didn’t plan to run as the public-safety candidate. But a crime surge made him refocus his campaign.
26 min
1313
Is Kamala Harris Being Set Up to Fail?
Her portfolio has become a repository of huge, intractable problems.
23 min
1314
The NFL’s Race-Norming Problem Is All Over Medi...
They used it because it’s standard.
21 min
1315
TBD | The App That Sparked a Manhunt
Two weeks ago, Citizen made its first foray into real-world crime solving. It didn’t go well.
23 min
1316
The Battle For Voting Rights In Texas Isn’t Over
Voting rights are under assault in Texas. Democrats might be out of options.
26 min
1317
How the Capitol Riot Commission Died
Republican leadership made a simple choice: bad headlines now over an investigation during the midterms.
20 min
1318
Will the Olympics Be a Fiasco?
We’re fighting a pandemic. Why are the games still happening?
26 min
1319
TBD | Apple and Epic’s Battle Royale
After three weeks of testimony, the future of mobile gaming is caught in limbo.
16 min
1320
Why the Skyjacking Succeeded
“Repression works.”
25 min
1321
Does Roe v. Wade Stand A Chance?
The fight over abortion access is far from settled.
28 min
1322
One Woman's Year Protecting George Floyd Square
Why activists are holding onto the block where George Floyd was killed.
31 min
1323
A Small but Momentous Shift on Israel
Progressive critics of Israel are still a tiny minority in Congress.
22 min
1324
TBD | The Hackers Who Took Down the Colonial Pi...
A voyage into the weird world of the ransomware industry.
22 min
1325
One Senator’s Decades-Long Fight for Universal ...
For years, Patty Murray was one of the few people in Congress talking about childcare. Now she has a lot of company.
21 min