What Next | Daily News and Analysis

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.


Get more of What Next with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of What Next and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit slate.com/whatnextplus for access wherever you listen.

Daily News
News Commentary
Politics
601
Where is Kate Middleton?
Whither the Princess of Wales? And what’s with that photo?
23 min
602
Biden's War on Junk Fees
Can eliminating extra penalties and surcharges win more votes?
24 min
603
He Quoted Hitler. Now, He Could Be Governor.
Mark Robinson keeps saying shockingly offensive things. How'd he become the GOP nominee for North Carolina governor?
22 min
604
TBD | Instagram’s Pedophile Problem
Pedophiles are flooding the accounts of child influencers on Instagram. Who is to blame — and who can make them stop?
30 min
605
TBD | Why TikTok Went Silent
As TikTok and UMG argue over whether TikTok is a music platform or not, artists are left in the dark.
19 min
606
Rep Jayapal Says the Biden Coalition is 'Fractu...
What progressives are listening for at the State of the Union.
22 min
607
Can Gaza Survive on Airdropped Aid?
With the Strip on the brink of famine, the U.S. and others turn to the most expensive and least efficient tactic.
23 min
608
Why Adam Schiff Is Running Ads for a Republican
The strange, strategic race for Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat.
23 min
609
Florida's Anti-Vaxxers Won. Then the Measles Su...
When politics beat out medicine, outbreaks follow.
23 min
610
TBD | Google’s Scam Obituary Problem
What happens when your loved one’s death becomes funeral clickbait?
25 min
611
TBD | The Supreme Court Takes on Content Modera...
Does the First Amendment prevent social media companies from moderating their content—or defend their right to?
25 min
612
TBD | The Supreme Court Takes on Content Modera...
Does the First Amendment prevent social media companies from moderating their content—or defend their right to?
25 min
613
Biden’s Commitment Problem
It’s not that Trump has an inside track—both candidates are looking at a hard road ahead.
23 min
614
What Happened to Nex Benedict?
A 16-year-old trans student is dead after a fight in a school bathroom. Why?
24 min
615
War in Ukraine, Two Years In
Ukraine is running low on supplies, soldiers, and—crucially—support.
18 min
616
Will Trump Take Over the RNC?
Cash-poor, on a losing streak, and firmly behind Trump, is now the time for national Republicans to change leadership?
21 min
617
TBD | Alabama’s IVF Mess
How legal personhood for embryos will make having children harder.
24 min
618
TBD | The Coasts are Sinking
As sea levels rise, the ground below us sinks.
16 min
619
The Basketball Phenom Shaking Up the NCAA
Caitlin Clark, the NCAA women’s basketball all-time leading scorer is changing the sport, one logo-shot at a time.
17 min
620
Why a Hi-Tech Gun Safety Tool Isn’t Working
New technology, same problems.
20 min
621
Who’s Left to Help Migrants?
Nearly 40,000 people have arrived in Denver—and about two dozen have taken shelter at a local church.
22 min
622
Alexei Navalny Is Dead. Is His Movement Gone Wi...
Putin’s fiercest foe died in an Arctic Circle penal colony at age 47.
20 min
623
TBD | Apple Vision Pro: The Ultimate Surveillan...
When you look through these smart goggles, they look back—and can tell what you’re seeing.
25 min
624
TBD | Warfare Enters the A.I. Era
How an invasion became an innovation hub for private tech companies - and the future of war.
24 min
625
The Attack on Rafah
Gazans were told to head south. Now that’s where the bombs are falling.
21 min