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
1201
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
1202
The Life and Death of the Expanded Child Tax Cr...
Was burying the credit in Build Back Better the fatal blow?
20 min
1203
How China Is Spinning the Olympics
The Beijing Olympics aren’t a triumph of international cooperation. They’re a triumph of China.
22 min
1204
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
1205
Bye Bye, Breyer
The oldest sitting Supreme Court justice has taken the hint.
25 min
1206
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
1207
Policing-for-Profit
Inside a town where law enforcement sees citizens as dollar signs.
22 min
1208
How the Texas Synagogue Survived
The security expert who trained the Colleyville congregants explains what to do in a crisis.
22 min
1209
TBD | Why Does Matt Damon Want Me to Buy Crypto?
A former teen star unpacks the hottest Hollywood hustle.
14 min
1210
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
1211
The Supreme Court, Unmasked
The conservative majority is openly challenging the power of the federal government.
26 min
1212
The New King of Conservative Media
Dan Bongino is the most popular radio host you’ve probably never heard of.
24 min
1213
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
1214
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
1215
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
1216
Chicago’s Public School Meltdown
It’s teachers vs. Mayor Lori Lightfoot… again.
19 min
1217
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
1218
TBD | The Aftermath of Elizabeth Holmes
Elizabeth Holmes was found guilty of defrauding investors this week in federal court.
23 min
1219
Rapid Test Blues
Why is the U.S. still falling down on COVID testing?
22 min
1220
Is the Pandemic Getting Better... Or Worse?
The omicron variant is scrambling our plans, our workplaces, and our confidence.
21 min
1221
The Coup Next Time
What if January 6 was just a first attempt?
23 min
1222
The Capitol Rioters, A Year Later
The number of defendants facing federal charges continues to grow.
26 min
1223
TBD | Best of 2021: It’s Time to Talk About U.F...
A new report shows that the government is changing its tune on unidentified aerial phenomena.
21 min
1224
Best of 2021 | When Your Town Burns Down
Greenville, California was a microcosm of America: full of heart and bedeviled by bitter arguments over how to face the long-term threat of climate change.
27 min
1225
Best of 2021 | Will the NFL Finally Support Gay...
Standing behind Carl Nassib is going to take more than a tweet.
31 min