Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King will guide you through the most important stories of the day.
Young conservatives are struggling with where to turn after Kirk's assassination. Some of the options are frightening.
23 min
152
"Abolish ICE"
Federal agents killed a second civilian observer in Minneapolis this weekend. Now, the Trump administration is feeling the political pressure.
23 min
153
Battling brain rot
Bland colors, AI summaries, and declining literacy rates have lots of us worried that we’re losing our intelligence to the modern world. Can we get it back?
27 min
154
Minneapolis vs. ICE
Thousands of federal immigration officers have descended onto Minneapolis. The state is in a full-blown conflict with the Trump administration. What can Democratic leaders do, and what it would mean if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act there?
27 min
155
You need a prenup
More young people are insisting on prenups. They’re not just for millionaires and celebrities anymore.
23 min
156
Is Greenland free?
President Trump has given up trying to buy Greenland — at least for now.
24 min
157
The new ICE army
Trump wants to hire a slew of new ICE agents. He's targeting fans of NASCAR, UFC, video games and guns.
23 min
158
Project 2026
Trump has delivered conservatives much of the Project 2025 wishlist already. The Heritage Foundation wants him to keep going.
23 min
159
The making of the Fox News empire
How a nepo baby from Australia changed political discourse and remade the world. We revisit the rise of Rupert Murdoch and his media empire.
23 min
160
Sexy TV is back
Why we’re obsessed with Heated Rivalry and hooking up on the small screen.
27 min
161
RFK Jr.'s new food pyramid
Let them eat steak.
23 min
162
Trump's Greenland obsession
Europe is taking President Donald Trump’s threats against Greenland more seriously after the US’s actions in Venezuela. But will intervention be a red line for Republicans in Congress?
23 min
163
Can anyone stop ICE?
The Trump administration says Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have "immunity" in Minneapolis. That could mean few — or no — consequences for the agent who shot Renee Good.
23 min
164
Your student loan bill is due
The Trump administration has a warning for student loan borrowers in default: Pay up, or we'll take it out of your paycheck.
23 min
165
China is winning
When President Donald Trump took office, he promised to be tough on China. One year later, China's global position is stronger than ever.
23 min
166
Why everyone is sick right now
How this season’s flu got supercharged — and why viruses may make you healthier.
26 min
167
AI music is here
Most of us don't even realize it, but we're increasingly hearing AI music in the wild.
23 min
168
An ICE shooting in Minnesota
First there was a fraud scandal involving the Somali community in Minnesota. Then, Trump sent in ICE. Now a woman is dead and people want answers.
23 min
169
Deported to a country you've never heard of
How the Trump administration is using "third country deportations" to expel asylum seekers.
23 min
170
Trump’s World Cup
The biggest sporting event is coming to North America this year. Here’s what it means that President Trump will get to host the world.
23 min
171
What’s next for Venezuela
President Trump says the US will "run Venezuela." Here’s what that looks like from Caracas, given the US's history in the region.
23 min
172
Internet bad
Once a place of serendipity and discovery, the internet now thrives on feeding us toxic rage bait designed to piss us off. Can we get the good internet back?
26 min
173
Are boyfriends embarrassing?
We investigate.
25 min
174
The cocaine comeback
Demand for cocaine around the world has exploded. Production is at record highs. Law enforcement can barely keep up. Cocaine is back in a big way.
23 min
175
A sit-down with Zohran Mamdani
New York City's Democratic socialist mayor takes office on January 1. Can he follow through on all those campaign promises? We ask him.