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
Finally, a Deal
Is it perfect? No, of course not.
24 min
1527
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
1528
A Republican in Georgia on the Party's Civil War
And why this internecine fighting shouldn’t surprise you.
22 min
1529
What Is ICE After Trump?
There’s zero chance President-elect Joe Biden will abolish ICE. Can he transform it?
23 min
1530
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
1531
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
1532
Who Gets the Vaccine First?
The answer: it depends.
19 min
1533
TBD | Everybody Sues Facebook
This isn’t the first antitrust suit against a big tech company, but it is the most ambitious.
20 min
1534
What if the U.S. Just Didn’t?
America has an opportunity to take a back seat and embrace global collaboration.
23 min
1535
What Does the Teachers Union Want?
It’s actually pretty simple.
22 min
1536
How Cherokee Nation Is Beating Back COVID
Pandemic preparation done right.
23 min
1537
The NFL vs. COVID-19
A “rub some dirt in it” approach to the pandemic.
23 min
1538
TBD | How Hackers Hold Schools for Ransom
When classes move online, hackers see an opportunity.
20 min
1539
Making a Vaccine Go Viral
How do we get people to trust this thing?
20 min
1540
Biden’s Window of Opportunity With Iran
A nuclear scientist’s assassination started a ticking clock.
20 min
1541
Can Janet Yellen Save the Economy?
The progressivism of Biden’s choice for Treasury secretary.
22 min
1542
A Contract Tracer on Her Overwhelming Job
“What scares me is -- what are we going to be left with?”
25 min
1543
A Small Business Finds Opportunity In Crisis
One Chicago retailer tries to turn his boutique into a beacon of hope.
22 min
1544
A House Democrat Reflects on Her Defeat
“We pounded them on covid and they pounded us on socialism.”
28 min
1545
Georgia Runoffs Put Each Party to the Test
Can Republicans and Democrats turn out their base without Trump on the ballot?
23 min
1546
TBD | Inside Biden’s COVID Team
One of the president-elect’s coronavirus advisers says Trump’s refusal to concede is costing lives.
20 min
1547
The Perils of Prosecuting Trump
What would accountability look like for the president and his enablers?
25 min
1548
What Biden Learned From the Last Crash
Make a deal you can sell. And, when in doubt, send people checks.
23 min
1549
El Paso’s COVID Spike Didn’t Have To Happen
Multiple leadership failures paved the way for uncontrollable viral spread.
22 min
1550
Worst. Transition. Ever.
Who could have predicted this? Well, a lot of people.
26 min