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 | Did A.I. Write This Headline?
No, but Silicon Valley thinks it can.
31 min
852
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
853
Election Deniers Shot at Her
A New Mexico state senator woke up to bullet holes in her daughter’s room.
18 min
854
The "Other NRA" Fighting Restaurant Workers
Why the food-service industry is in turmoil—and how it can survive.
28 min
855
Will the Debt Ceiling Cave in This Time?
A divided Congress dusts off an old fight—and for what?
22 min
856
Cities’ Wetter, Wilder Future
America already experiences an “urban flooding event” every 2 or 3 days—and more rain is coming.
22 min
857
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
858
TBD | An Antivax Dog Whistle Goes Viral
A data scientist and epidemiologist is just answering questions.
26 min
859
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
860
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
861
Hospice for Profit
End-of-life care is full of people looking for a big return on little effort.
26 min
862
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
863
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
864
TBD | Why the Feds Want to Kill Noncompetes
How the proliferation of noncompete clauses hurts workers and costs the economy billions.
19 min
865
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
866
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
867
Mr. Santos Goes to Washington
He’s made it to Congress—but what exactly did he get away with?
21 min
868
McCarthy’s Road to Speaker
After 15 votes, he got the gavel. Now the real work begins.
23 min
869
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
870
TBD | Will Southwest Be Held Accountable?
Why consumers can’t vote with their feet when it comes to flying.
25 min
871
Trapped on the Streets of El Paso
Thousands on the border are watching the uncertain future of a COVID-era immigration order.
22 min
872
The "Grooming" Panic's Real Origins
The Respect for Marriage Act was signed against a backdrop of violent threats being leveled at the LGBTQ community—what’s behind the backlash?
22 min
873
Nancy Pelosi’s Legacy
What the strongest Speaker of the House of the modern era got right…and wrong.
27 min
874
One Year 1942: The Black-Japanese Axis
A shadowy organization, a mysterious leader, and an alleged conspiracy against America during World War II.
36 min
875
One Year 1942: When Internment Came to Alaska
The U.S. military claimed it was protecting Indigenous Alaskans during World War II. The real story is much darker.
38 min