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.

Daily News
News Commentary
Politics
1376
TBD | Where the Far Right Is Meeting Now
Extreme groups have been banned from mainstream social media platforms. Is that a good thing?
16 min
1377
Don’t Forget Georgia
An assault on the Capitol notwithstanding, American democracy is still kicking.
27 min
1378
Working Through L.A.’s COVID Nightmare
One EMS doctor’s struggle to stay optimistic.
23 min
1379
The Best Way to Punish Trump
There are a few options on the table. None is perfect.
27 min
1380
He Saw the Storm Coming
This former DHS official warned that right-wing extremism was rising more than a decade ago.
24 min
1381
TBD | Deplatforming the President
With just 12 days left in his term, the social media giants have relieved the president of his megaphone.
17 min
1382
Inside the Capitol Under Siege
“The real fear came from the lawlessness of it.”
26 min
1383
One Last Absurd Attempt to Overturn the Election
It’s not going to work, but it’s going to chip away at our democracy anyway.
20 min
1384
The Vaccine Rollout Hits Some Bumps
A more infectious variant puts the states’ plans (or lack thereof) under even more pressure.
23 min
1385
All Eyes on Georgia
Run-off elections usually aren’t this big.
24 min
1386
Larry Kramer Wouldn't Be Quiet
How Kramer's uncompromising activism is a lesson for this moment.
22 min
1387
Remembering RBG
Justice Ginsburg’s theory of change was a slow one.
25 min
1388
Grief, Comedy, and COVID
Dying from the coronavirus isn't funny. Laurie Kilmartin is.
23 min
1389
Teaching Is Hell Right Now
“Remote learning” was hard. “Hybrid learning” is worse.
19 min
1390
A History of Violent Protest
Big structural change in America doesn’t happen without violence.
26 min
1391
He Saw the Coronavirus Coming
Where this pandemic originated, and how we can prevent the next one.
20 min
1392
Finally, a Deal
Is it perfect? No, of course not.
24 min
1393
Could the U.S. Have Stopped Russia’s Hack?
Security experts have called for a clear cyber warfare policy for decades. The U.S. still hasn’t worked one out.
20 min
1394
A Republican in Georgia on the Party's Civil War
And why this internecine fighting shouldn’t surprise you.
22 min
1395
What Is ICE After Trump?
There’s zero chance President-elect Joe Biden will abolish ICE. Can he transform it?
23 min
1396
Florida’s Fight for COVID Data
Ron DeSantis appears to be in denial about the extent of the pandemic and what his administration could do to minimize viral spread.
22 min
1397
TBD | Was This Google Ethicist Fired for Doing ...
A leader in the field of ethical AI was abruptly let go by the search giant.
20 min
1398
Who Gets the Vaccine First?
The answer: it depends.
19 min
1399
TBD | Everybody Sues Facebook
This isn’t the first antitrust suit against a big tech company, but it is the most ambitious.
20 min
1400
What if the U.S. Just Didn’t?
America has an opportunity to take a back seat and embrace global collaboration.
23 min