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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2001
Sins of the Fathers
What will accountability look like for the Catholic Church?
17 min
2002
The Gun-Owning Doctors Changing the Gun Debate
The NRA told them to stay in their lane. They replied, “This IS our lane.”
20 min
2003
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
2004
Venezuela’s Crisis Deepens
Vice President Pence reaffirmed American support for Venezuela. How far will it go?
18 min
2005
The Laquan McDonald Case Isn’t Over
Here's how it's shaping Chicago's contentious mayor's race.
15 min
2006
Who Wants to Be a (Heavily Taxed) Millionaire?
America’s one-percenters weigh their options: Higher taxes, or mobs with pitchforks?
23 min
2007
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
2008
The Fight to Change Frat Culture
If financial pressures won’t force frats to change, will the courts?
13 min
2009
Utah’s Medicaid Battle
Voters approved an expansion of the health care program. Lawmakers rolled it back.
18 min
2010
A Cautionary Green New Deal Tale
What lessons should Americans take from California’s high speed rail boondoggle?
12 min
2011
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
2012
The Democratic Divide Over Israel
Republicans saw a chance to pit the Democrats against one another and jumped at it.
15 min
2013
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
2014
How to Get Away With Highway Robbery
A South Carolina newspaper takes a closer look at civil asset forfeiture.
18 min
2015
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
2016
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
2017
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
2018
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
2019
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
2020
Anti-Vaxxers Brought Back the Measles
Why the spread of a preventable disease in the Pacific-Northwest should scare Texans.
14 min
2021
Don't Call Him El Chapo
The myth of El Chapo has overpowered the hard truths his trial is revealing.
11 min
2022
Howard Schultz and the Ghost of Ross Perot
A billionaire flirts with a third party presidential run and everybody loses their mind.
15 min
2023
How Big Tech Is Bleeding American Journalism
Is it time for major media companies to boycott Facebook?
17 min
2024
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
2025
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