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
1376
What Happened to Simone Biles?
Winning at all costs takes its toll.
24 min
1377
So... What Is COVID Now?
The race between variants and vaccination rates is heating up.
28 min
1378
On the Front Lines of California’s Wildfires
The state is relying on incarcerated women to face down an existential threat.
31 min
1379
TBD | How Spyware Mercenaries Hack Your Phone
A new spyware technology has the cybersecurity world scrambling to catch up.
27 min
1380
The Rise of Kristi Noem
South Dakota’s governor is taking a page out of Trump’s playbook.
23 min
1381
Punishing the Capitol Rioters
What will accountability look like for the events of January 6th?
23 min
1382
The Right Wing War on Vaccines
From hesitancy to hostility.
27 min
1383
The Unhoused Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal”
How NYC is going backwards on housing.
25 min
1384
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
1385
When the Culture War Comes for Your Job
It started with a Facebook group and ended with violent threats.
28 min
1386
Texas Democrats' Last Stand?
This walkout might be more delaying tactic than strategy.
25 min
1387
How Exxon Gets Its Way
Inside the oil giant’s lobbying practices.
22 min
1388
Drugs and the Olympics
Who is served by the current anti-doping system if it knocks out an athlete like Sha’Carri Richardson?
25 min
1389
TBD | So, What Happens to WFH Now?
White-collar workers are heading back to the office. Will anything be different after a year and a half away?
25 min
1390
It Didn’t Start With Nikole Hannah-Jones
UNC has a troubled history of racism.
30 min
1391
SCOTUS Lurches to the Right
The conservative justices made good on their agenda this term.
30 min
1392
The War Over Critical Race Theory
CRT doesn’t mean what you think it does.
28 min
1393
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
1394
What’s Kyrsten Sinema’s Deal?
The Arizona senator’s political choices are perplexing to say the least.
26 min
1395
What Really Happened in the Miami Tower Collapse
Why a 13-story condo in Florida came crashing down.
24 min
1396
#FreeBritney Is Just the Beginning
Once someone is placed under a guardianship like Spears,’ it’s almost impossible to get out.
25 min
1397
Will the NFL Finally Support Gay Players?
Standing behind Carl Nassib is going to take more than a tweet.
30 min
1398
TBD | Welcome to Bitcoin Beach
Can El Salvador’s seaside crypto experiment really work as a national policy?
19 min
1399
Delta Variant: BFD or NBD?
Dueling messages reveal a split over the best way to boost vaccinations.
23 min
1400
Are the Democrats Blowing It on Voting Rights?
A piecemeal approach might have been more effective.
24 min