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.
1201
How Afghanistan Ended Like This
The Taliban is back in control. What happened?
23 min
1202
Mask Wars and the Start of School in the South
Mississippi’s hospital system is days away from collapse.
23 min
1203
TBD | What's Taking the FDA So Long?
Full approval of the vaccines could move the needle on U.S. vaccination rates. So what’s the holdup?
23 min
1204
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 fire.
23 min
1205
A DOJ Lawyer’s Attempt to Overthrow the Election
And why the next attempt may be closer than you think.
25 min
1206
The Latest Blow to American Workers
Richard Trumka’s death marks the end of an era in organized labor.
31 min
1207
A Doctor in the Middle of the Florida Surge
Healthcare workers are fed up, and Gov. Ron DeSantis doesn’t seem to care.
24 min
1208
TBD | Can America Fix Its Trains?
To make a real difference, we first need to learn how to spend the money well.
16 min
1209
Washington’s Most Broken Institution?
How to play bipartisan hardball.
26 min
1210
Cuomo vs. Everyone
New York’s governor will not go quietly.
26 min
1211
Why Republicans Compromised
No one got exactly what they wanted, so why is Congress patting itself on the back?
24 min
1212
Take This Job, Please!
Where did all the workers go?
23 min
1213
TBD | I Bought It. Why Can't I Fix It?
Manufacturers don’t let customers repair their own stuff. That may be about to change.
16 min
1214
Will the Jan. 6 Hearings Accomplish Anything?
Four officers who protected the Capitol speak out.
20 min
1215
What Happened to Simone Biles?
Winning at all costs takes its toll.
24 min
1216
So... What Is COVID Now?
The race between variants and vaccination rates is heating up.
28 min
1217
On the Front Lines of California’s Wildfires
The state is relying on incarcerated women to face down an existential threat.
31 min
1218
TBD | How Spyware Mercenaries Hack Your Phone
A new spyware technology has the cybersecurity world scrambling to catch up.
27 min
1219
The Rise of Kristi Noem
South Dakota’s governor is taking a page out of Trump’s playbook.
23 min
1220
Punishing the Capitol Rioters
What will accountability look like for the events of January 6th?
23 min
1221
The Right Wing War on Vaccines
From hesitancy to hostility.
27 min
1222
The Unhoused Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal”
How NYC is going backwards on housing.
25 min
1223
TBD | It's Hot. It's Flooding. Is This the New ...
A climate scientist on why it’s not too late to turn things around.
19 min
1224
When the Culture War Comes for Your Job
It started with a Facebook group and ended with violent threats.
28 min
1225
Texas Democrats' Last Stand?
This walkout might be more delaying tactic than strategy.
25 min