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.

News
1401
A Small Business Finds Opportunity In Crisis
One Chicago retailer tries to turn his boutique into a beacon of hope.
22 min
1402
A House Democrat Reflects on Her Defeat
“We pounded them on covid and they pounded us on socialism.”
28 min
1403
Georgia Runoffs Put Each Party to the Test
Can Republicans and Democrats turn out their base without Trump on the ballot?
23 min
1404
TBD | Inside Biden’s COVID Team
One of the president-elect’s coronavirus advisers says Trump’s refusal to concede is costing lives.
20 min
1405
The Perils of Prosecuting Trump
What would accountability look like for the president and his enablers?
25 min
1406
What Biden Learned From the Last Crash
Make a deal you can sell. And, when in doubt, send people checks.
23 min
1407
El Paso’s COVID Spike Didn’t Have To Happen
Multiple leadership failures paved the way for uncontrollable viral spread.
22 min
1408
Worst. Transition. Ever.
Who could have predicted this? Well, a lot of people.
26 min
1409
TBD | How Tough Will Biden Really Be on Big Tech?
His presidency may be the last chance to constrain the far-reaching power of the tech giants.
18 min
1410
Not All of the Polls Were Wrong
A conversation with the Iowa pollster who called this election right.
27 min
1411
Republicans’ Down Ballot Power Grab
2021 redistricting could entrench Republican gerrymanders for ten more years.
27 min
1412
How Democrats Took Latino Voters for Granted
Latino voters were a mixed bag for Democrats depending on where you looked.
21 min
1413
Biden Won. What Now?
Who will the Biden administration have to work with?
21 min
1414
TBD | How the Gig Economy Won in California
An unprecedented ballot measure could shape the gig economy for years to come.
18 min
1415
What We Know So Far
Joe Biden is knocking on the door of the presidency. If he wins, can his governing style work?
24 min
1416
And Now We Wait
This is not the landslide scenario. This is the grind-it-out scenario.
23 min
1417
First-Timers: An NBA Player's First Time Voting
Larry Nance Jr. talks about his efforts to address voting accessibility issues in Ohio.
23 min
1418
First-Timers: A True Independent Voter
This first time voter wants an end to the two-party system as we know it.
17 min
1419
A Giant Test for Election Law
With just one day to go, what lawsuits are still hanging around?
22 min
1420
TBD | The Fight Against Election Day Falsehoods
Researchers are expecting a deluge misinformation on Election Day.
21 min
1421
Our Pandemic Winter
The virus isn’t taking a holiday. Neither can we.
31 min
1422
Still Fighting for Breonna Taylor
An activist-turned-lawmaker explains why she won’t stop marching for justice.
29 min
1423
First-Timers: A New Citizen Votes
After a drive-thru, pandemic citizenship ceremony, this voter is ready to be heard.
15 min
1424
What Happens to the Pro-Choice Movement Now?
Reproductive justice activists are picking up where pro-choice proponents left off.
33 min
1425
TBD | A Historic Case Against Google
For the first time in two decades, the federal government is trying to loosen Google’s grip on search.
18 min