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.


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Daily News
News Commentary
Politics
851
TBD | How COVID Changes Our Immune Systems
The data doesn't tell the whole story.
25 min
852
The Plot Against Pope Francis
The 86-year-old knows there are people in the Vatican working to undo everything he’s done once he’s dead—but he has succession ideas of his own.
24 min
853
The Hysteria Over D.C.’s New Crime Bill
Updating the district’s motley 1901 criminal code patchwork isn’t the “reform” activists have called for—or tough-on-crime types fear.
24 min
854
From Rodney King to Tyre Nichols
After three decades of outrage and activism, why is this still happening?
26 min
855
Who Doesn’t Have Classified Documents?
When everything is secret, then nothing is secret.
25 min
856
TBD | Did A.I. Write This Headline?
No, but Silicon Valley thinks it can.
31 min
857
TBD | Will Google Get Broken Up?
The tech giant's online ad business has printed money for more than a decade. The Justice Department is coming for it.
24 min
858
Election Deniers Shot at Her
A New Mexico state senator woke up to bullet holes in her daughter’s room.
18 min
859
The "Other NRA" Fighting Restaurant Workers
Why the food-service industry is in turmoil—and how it can survive.
28 min
860
Will the Debt Ceiling Cave in This Time?
A divided Congress dusts off an old fight—and for what?
22 min
861
Cities’ Wetter, Wilder Future
America already experiences an “urban flooding event” every 2 or 3 days—and more rain is coming.
22 min
862
TBD | Does Meta Even Care When Its Users Get Ha...
The surest way to get your Instagram account back is to know somebody who works there.
26 min
863
TBD | An Antivax Dog Whistle Goes Viral
A data scientist and epidemiologist is just answering questions.
26 min
864
Latin America’s Lost Decade
In the 2000s, citizens grew accustomed to rising prosperity; they’re still looking for leaders who can deliver it.
25 min
865
The Spike at the End of “Zero COVID”
The people and the economy seemed ready to be done with restrictions—but was the country ready to fully open?
24 min
866
Hospice for Profit
End-of-life care is full of people looking for a big return on little effort.
26 min
867
How To!: End Political Violence (From an Ex-Gan...
Curtis Toler on using the future to reduce harm in the present, Part 2.
35 min
868
TBD | Tesla’s No Good, Very Bad Year
Elon Musk promised an “epic end of year” to Tesla investors in 2022. But the stock crashed instead. What happened?
28 min
869
TBD | Why the Feds Want to Kill Noncompetes
How the proliferation of noncompete clauses hurts workers and costs the economy billions.
19 min
870
How They Got El Chapo’s Son
At least 29 people died in a raid to capture “the baby” of the Sinaloa cartel.
23 min
871
A Sex Crimes Lawyer's New Mission
A new law in New York might not get survivors "justice." But it could get them money.
27 min
872
Mr. Santos Goes to Washington
He’s made it to Congress—but what exactly did he get away with?
21 min
873
McCarthy’s Road to Speaker
After 15 votes, he got the gavel. Now the real work begins.
23 min
874
TBD | How War in Taiwan Could Short-Circuit U.S...
Why the Biden administration views microchip manufacturing as an issue of national security.
22 min
875
TBD | Will Southwest Be Held Accountable?
Why consumers can’t vote with their feet when it comes to flying.
25 min