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
1301
TBD | It’s Time to Talk About UFOs
A new report shows that the government is changing its tune on unidentified aerial phenomena.
21 min
1302
What’s Kyrsten Sinema’s Deal?
The Arizona senator’s political choices are perplexing to say the least.
26 min
1303
What Really Happened in the Miami Tower Collapse
Why a 13-story condo in Florida came crashing down.
24 min
1304
#FreeBritney Is Just the Beginning
Once someone is placed under a guardianship like Spears,’ it’s almost impossible to get out.
25 min
1305
Will the NFL Finally Support Gay Players?
Standing behind Carl Nassib is going to take more than a tweet.
30 min
1306
TBD | Welcome to Bitcoin Beach
Can El Salvador’s seaside crypto experiment really work as a national policy?
19 min
1307
Delta Variant: BFD or NBD?
Dueling messages reveal a split over the best way to boost vaccinations.
23 min
1308
Are the Democrats Blowing It on Voting Rights?
A piecemeal approach might have been more effective.
24 min
1309
Can Lina Khan Really Take On Monopolies?
Biden’s new Trade Commission chair has some serious work ahead.
26 min
1310
The Fight Over Evangelicals’ Future
Conservatives are divided. So are their churches.
21 min
1311
TBD | What Cops Are Doing With Your DNA
Police have solved hundreds of cold cases using open-source DNA platforms. But at what cost?
20 min
1312
Whom the Vaccines Leave Behind
For immunocompromised people, we’re nowhere near out of the woods.
22 min
1313
The Looming Eviction Crisis
The clock is ticking for thousands of renters.
24 min
1314
The Fight Over Rising Prices
When is it time to panic about inflation?
22 min
1315
WTF, DOJ?
A recent history of Merrick Garland’s mystifying decisions.
23 min
1316
TBD | What Space Billionaires Cost Us
Jeff Bezos’ quick trip into outer space is about more than just publicity.
19 min
1317
Conor Lamb Is Losing His Patience
Why a moderate Democrat now wants to torch the filibuster.
30 min
1318
Does NYC Want a Cop for a Mayor?
Eric Adams didn’t plan to run as the public-safety candidate. But a crime surge made him refocus his campaign.
26 min
1319
Is Kamala Harris Being Set Up to Fail?
Her portfolio has become a repository of huge, intractable problems.
23 min
1320
The NFL’s Race-Norming Problem Is All Over Medi...
They used it because it’s standard.
21 min
1321
TBD | The App That Sparked a Manhunt
Two weeks ago, Citizen made its first foray into real-world crime solving. It didn’t go well.
23 min
1322
The Battle For Voting Rights In Texas Isn’t Over
Voting rights are under assault in Texas. Democrats might be out of options.
26 min
1323
How the Capitol Riot Commission Died
Republican leadership made a simple choice: bad headlines now over an investigation during the midterms.
20 min
1324
Will the Olympics Be a Fiasco?
We’re fighting a pandemic. Why are the games still happening?
26 min
1325
TBD | Apple and Epic’s Battle Royale
After three weeks of testimony, the future of mobile gaming is caught in limbo.
16 min