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
1826
Civil Rights Cold Cases Find Teenage Allies
A student-teacher duo put their curriculum to the test and passed legislation that would help solve civil rights crimes.
23 min
1827
Venezuela’s Crisis Deepens
Vice President Pence reaffirmed American support for Venezuela. How far will it go?
18 min
1828
The Laquan McDonald Case Isn’t Over
Here's how it's shaping Chicago's contentious mayor's race.
15 min
1829
Who Wants to Be a (Heavily Taxed) Millionaire?
America’s one-percenters weigh their options: Higher taxes, or mobs with pitchforks?
23 min
1830
Meet the EPA’s Ghost-Writer
For years, one scientist has been saying the U.S. should loosen rules around toxins. Now, he’s writing a new government standard.
20 min
1831
The Fight to Change Frat Culture
If financial pressures won’t force frats to change, will the courts?
13 min
1832
Utah’s Medicaid Battle
Voters approved an expansion of the health care program. Lawmakers rolled it back.
18 min
1833
A Cautionary Green New Deal Tale
What lessons should Americans take from California’s high speed rail boondoggle?
12 min
1834
Has Anything Changed Since Parkland?
There were marches, there were town halls, there were midterms. Are we any closer to solving our gun violence problem?
15 min
1835
The Democratic Divide Over Israel
Republicans saw a chance to pit the Democrats against one another and jumped at it.
15 min
1836
When a Border Wall Isn’t Enough
This Arizona border town already has a wall. The Trump administration still doesn’t think that’s enough.
12 min
1837
How to Get Away With Highway Robbery
A South Carolina newspaper takes a closer look at civil asset forfeiture.
18 min
1838
How an Abortion Bill Started the Mess in Virginia
Are we about to see a lot more bare-knuckled politicking as states try to expand access to abortions?
13 min
1839
How Trump’s Inaugural Committee Got Into Trouble
Inaugurations are always a little unseemly. But Trump’s crew seemed unbothered by the appearance of influence-peddling. And now prosecutors want receipts.
12 min
1840
Which State of the Union? Which Medicare for All?
Trump's speech often meandered from pleas for bipartisanship to accusations of “ridiculous partisan investigations.” What do we make of this state of the union?
21 min
1841
Larry Krasner and the System That Fought Back
He campaigned on a promise to reform Philadelphia’s criminal justice system. Putting theory into practice has been challenging.
16 min
1842
The Ferguson Effect
Protesters organized into a grassroots campaign to unseat a 7 term incumbent and replace him with the first black St. Louis County prosecutor.
13 min
1843
Anti-Vaxxers Brought Back the Measles
Why the spread of a preventable disease in the Pacific-Northwest should scare Texans.
14 min
1844
Don't Call Him El Chapo
The myth of El Chapo has overpowered the hard truths his trial is revealing.
11 min
1845
Howard Schultz and the Ghost of Ross Perot
A billionaire flirts with a third party presidential run and everybody loses their mind.
15 min
1846
How Big Tech Is Bleeding American Journalism
Is it time for major media companies to boycott Facebook?
17 min
1847
The Gun Rights Case Headed to the Supreme Court
In the fight to expand Second Amendment rights, a New York City gun law could be the first domino to fall.
16 min
1848
The Opposition Comes for Venezuela’s Maduro
Venezuela has been in crisis for years. Why is a network of exiled politicians sending people into the streets now?
19 min
1849
Congress Does Something
Could Thursday mark the beginning of the end of the government shutdown?
18 min
1850
Kamala Harris & the Rise of Progressive Prosecu...
Why doesn’t the reform-minded set accept Harris as one of their own?
21 min