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
1151
The NFL’s Race Problem
A former head coach alleges that the league’s hiring practices are discriminatory. What will it take for them to change?
27 min
1152
TBD | The Code That Runs Your Life
COBOL is 60 years old and still propping up the world’s financial and healthcare institutions.
17 min
1153
TBD | Spotify’s Joe Rogan Mess
For the Swedish streaming service, the Experience has been a wakeup call.
20 min
1154
A New Kind of Gun Control
San Jose is trying to pioneer a fresh way to address gun violence. Will it survive all the lawsuits?
24 min
1155
The Mineral The Future Is Built On
Creating a fleet of electric vehicles means sourcing a lot of cobalt. But extracting it without hurting the environment is no easy task.
19 min
1156
The Life and Death of the Expanded Child Tax Cr...
Was burying the credit in Build Back Better the fatal blow?
20 min
1157
How China Is Spinning the Olympics
The Beijing Olympics aren’t a triumph of international cooperation. They’re a triumph of China.
22 min
1158
TBD | The Downfall of One of the World's Bigges...
IBM’s Watson was supposed to transform health care. Last week, it was sold off for scrap.
21 min
1159
Bye Bye, Breyer
The oldest sitting Supreme Court justice has taken the hint.
25 min
1160
Putin’s Plan
As Russia looks to halt the advance of the West towards its borders, Ukraine’s independence hangs in the balance.
22 min
1161
Policing-for-Profit
Inside a town where law enforcement sees citizens as dollar signs.
22 min
1162
How the Texas Synagogue Survived
The security expert who trained the Colleyville congregants explains what to do in a crisis.
22 min
1163
TBD | Why Does Matt Damon Want Me to Buy Crypto?
A former teen star unpacks the hottest Hollywood hustle.
14 min
1164
Is Biden Flunking COVID?
Something’s wrong with the plan. Or the message. Or the messengers. Or, maybe, there’s a problem with all three.
26 min
1165
The Supreme Court, Unmasked
The conservative majority is openly challenging the power of the federal government.
26 min
1166
The New King of Conservative Media
Dan Bongino is the most popular radio host you’ve probably never heard of.
24 min
1167
TBD | Where Are The Little Kids' Vaccines?
Why don’t they seem to be a priority for the government or the pharmaceutical companies, while parents are stressed to a breaking point?
20 min
1168
Should Democrats Compromise on Election Reform?
If additional voting protections can’t pass the Senate, there’s another way to protect future elections from sabotage.
21 min
1169
Greg Abbott’s PR Play at the Border
In an election year, Governor Abbott is using his power to make a show of force on immigration.
24 min
1170
Chicago’s Public School Meltdown
It’s teachers vs. Mayor Lori Lightfoot… again.
19 min
1171
J.D. Vance’s Long Game
As he runs for Senate in Ohio, the “Hillbilly” elegist is turning his ire on the left – and borrowing from a new intellectual movement on the political right.
23 min
1172
TBD | The Aftermath of Elizabeth Holmes
Elizabeth Holmes was found guilty of defrauding investors this week in federal court.
23 min
1173
Rapid Test Blues
Why is the U.S. still falling down on COVID testing?
22 min
1174
Is the Pandemic Getting Better... Or Worse?
The omicron variant is scrambling our plans, our workplaces, and our confidence.
21 min
1175
The Coup Next Time
What if January 6 was just a first attempt?
23 min