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.
1526
The Antifa Myth
What happened when a small town got itself ginned up about a threat that never came.
18 min
1527
A Momentous Vote in Minneapolis
One city council member on how he came around to the idea of disbanding the police.
17 min
1528
Ferguson Revisited: The Worst Night
Years after the death of Michael Brown, we reflect on one of the worst nights in Ferguson and ask, “What didn’t we see?”
22 min
1529
Pandemic & Protest
Activism always comes with risk. This time, the risks look a little different.
22 min
1530
TBD | Your Delivery Habit Isn't Helping
Apps like DoorDash and Grubhub are doing more harm than good.
18 min
1531
Larry Kramer Wouldn't Be Quiet
How Kramer's uncompromising activism is a lesson for this moment.
22 min
1532
A History of Violent Protest
Big structural change in America doesn’t happen without violence.
22 min
1533
Caught Between COVID and DACA
Will the Supreme Court decide to end the program that protects this doctor from deportation?
25 min
1534
Minneapolis Was a Powder Keg
All it needed was a match.
20 min
1535
TBD | Trump and Twitter Go to War
Twitter fact checked the president’s tweets. Two days later, he issued an executive order that aims to redefine free speech online.
18 min
1536
Are We Headed for a Cold War With China?
The relationship between the US and China is getting increasingly frosty.
19 min
1537
How the US Can Dodge A Depression
There’s still time to avoid even more disaster.
21 min
1538
When Coronavirus Came to Navajo Nation
“It was like wildfire.”
13 min
1539
TBD | What Is Elon Musk Thinking?
A public battle over the closure of a Tesla plant shows what happens when big tech goes up against local government.
17 min
1540
A Summer Without Camp
You can’t roast a marshmallow over Zoom.
19 min
1541
On A Wild Goose Chase for Masks
Unprecedented demand and relaxed government rules create some big winners -- and a lot of losers.
25 min
1542
Can We Even Trust the Testing Data?
Nationwide data collection is critical here. The CDC hasn’t distinguished itself.
22 min
1543
How Much Trouble Is Senator Richard Burr In?
He told the public not to worry about the coronavirus. Then he sold his stock.
20 min
1544
TBD | Decoding the Flood of COVID Data
How to turn data into decisions.
17 min
1545
Inside a COVID-19 Vaccine Trial
"People are working 24/7... it's just crazy."
19 min
1546
Will Michael Flynn Get Away With It?
There’s a reason many former prosecutors and lawyers have expressed outrage over the Department of Justice’s decision to drop Michael Flynn’s case.
24 min
1547
Italy Emerges From Lockdown. Slowly.
“Sometimes, I forget that it's still very dangerous to be out. We can get sick again.”
17 min
1548
The Shooting of Ahmaud Arbery
Why did it take local officials more than two months to make any arrests?
19 min
1549
TBD | Should You Get an Antibody Test?
A layperson and a scientist talk us through what they’re good for.
22 min
1550
Will the Post Office Go Bust?
After years of financial problems, will the coronavirus put an end to the Postal Service?
18 min