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
1
Is the Peanut Allergy Dead?
Researchers reversed long-standing guidance about giving kids peanuts. It worked – a lot.
22 min
2
Why So Many Racist Group Chats?
From the chats to the policy proposals, no one’s hiding that the goal is a whiter America.
23 min
3
The Trump Doctrine in Latin America
Why Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado made sure to thank the president.
29 min
4
Are Democrats Already Fumbling a Win?
What weird state-wide races in Virginia tell us about 2026.
29 min
5
TBD | Why Bands Are Leaving Spotify
Xiu Xiu explains their decision to leave the streaming platform following Daniel Ek's investments in defense tech.
17 min
6
TBD | Inside the MAGA Content Mill
How to make a city full of inflatable frog suits look like it needs the National Guard.
23 min
7
He Wrote About Anti-Fascism—Then Fled the Country
How a book Mark Bray wrote in 2017 led to death threats and Bray relocating his family to Spain.
31 min
8
Time for a Blue-State “Soft Secession”?
If the federal government is deadset on punishing states run by Democrats, what options do those states have?
22 min
9
Everything’s Coming Up Bari
Is Weiss perpetually on the rise, or is media coming down to her level?
25 min
10
Amicus | Dear Justice Kavanaugh, “I’m American,...
Why Brett Kavanaugh’s unconstitutional freestyling on racial profiling just landed all of us in deep trouble.
48 min
11
TBD | A.I. for Cops
Silicon Valley wants your police department to use artificial intelligence. Do you?
24 min
12
Bonus: SchadenFriday: Portland Puts A Frog On It
Looking for the silver-linings in a Portlandic “war zone.”
6 min
13
TBD | The People Suing ICE
21 min
14
The People Joining ICE
As much of the government faces layoffs, slashed funding, and a shutdown, ICE’s budget has been tripled, and they’re casting a wide net for new recruits.
23 min
15
Inside the Portland “War Zone”
They blew up the Chicken Man in Portland last night…
26 min
16
Is the Gaza Deal Real?
Donald Trump’s premature announcement demonstrated just how much leverage he has over the situation.
26 min
17
When You’re A Justice They Let You Do It
Conversion therapy, racial redistricting, the president’s power to fire anyone he wants—are the conservatives lining ‘em up to knock ‘em down?
27 min
18
TBD | Saudi Arabia Gets into EA’s Games
What state investment in the video game company means for the industry.
20 min
19
TBD | Who Owns TikTok Now?
25 min
20
Actually the Government Shut Down Months Ago
Time to find out if claiming you have total power over the government means that people blame you when it shuts down.
30 min
21
The Department of War…From Within
A meeting with the top brass that didn’t even need to be an email.
26 min
22
Trump’s Revenge Tour Is Here
How the president’s flimsy case against the former FBI director is going to make accountability that much harder in the future.
25 min
23
The Gaza Flotilla That’s Under Attack
Explosions have rocked the boats while they are still days away from Gaza’s shore.
25 min
24
TBD | Trapped in a Tesla
Teslas are trapping passengers inside after crashes. Regulators are starting to notice.
24 min
25
Bonus: The Senator Calling Trump’s Bluff
“Providing him more fuel and more money to do illegal things is not a winning strategy.”
4 min