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.
1
How Pelosi Holds the Line on Impeachment
Understanding the House Speaker’s immense power.
22 min
2
Strange Alliances on the Supreme Court
The justices defied partisan expectations this week.
21 min
3
For Women’s Soccer, An Elusive Goal
U.S. women’s national soccer team wants to win -- on the field and in the courts.
21 min
4
What Bernie Gets Wrong About Socialism
As it turns out, his big speech about democratic socialism focused on something that’s incorrect.
20 min
5
How Facebook Made an Enemy of Nancy Pelosi
Facebook’s stance on the doctored Nancy Pelosi video says a lot about how the social media giant is approaching the 2020 elections.
18 min
6
It’s Mitch McConnell’s Swamp. We Just Live in It.
How did the Senate Majority Leader and Elaine Chao pave a path for $78 million dollars worth of grants to find their way back to Kentucky?
18 min
7
Elizabeth Warren Is Not Here to Charm You
She’s here to educate and empower you. Will it work?
22 min
8
Why Gun Bills in Virginia Always Die
A delegate whose life was changed by gun violence talks about all the forces at work to stop new gun laws from going into effect.
22 min
9
Who Wants to Tax a Millionaire?
America’s one-percenters weigh their options: Higher taxes, or mobs with pitchforks?
17 min
10
A Health Care Tale of Two States
Washington and Connecticut attempted their own health care reforms – what does it tell us about the future of Medicare for All?
16 min
11
The Crowd-Funded Border Wall Is Not a Joke
Don’t underestimate a few hundred thousand MAGA voters and a GoFundMe campaign.
14 min
12
The GOP Operative Haunting Republicans From the...
How Tom Hofeller’s archives could upend gerrymandering and the U.S. census.
20 min
13
The Basketball Coach Who Won’t Hire Men
Notre Dame’s Muffet McGraw wants to see a revolution in sports -- and beyond.
18 min
14
Why Can’t California Fix Its Housing Crisis?
Lawmaking isn’t just broken in Washington.
21 min
15
Mueller Would Like You to Read His Report, Please
The outgoing special counsel breaks his silence to make a simple request.
20 min
16
Brexiteers Receive Milkshakes and Results
The big winners of Britain’s EU election: lactose and a firm stance on Brexit.
20 min
17
Why Trump Keeps Losing in Court
Is the President’s legal luck about to change?
16 min
18
The "American Taliban" Goes Free
How John Walker Lindh’s case kept the American people in the dark about extremism and state-sanctioned torture.
21 min
19
Losing the Abortion Fight in Georgia
What it’s like to fight for abortion rights—and then lose them.
22 min
20
Smile! You're on Amazon's Camera
Law enforcement agencies are helping Amazon perfect its facial recognition technology—but at what cost?
23 min
21
Billionaire Gifts Can’t Fix College Debt
The gift from Robert F. Smith is a generous one, but it shows how the system of paying for college needs an overhaul.
18 min
22
Why No One Takes Bill de Blasio Seriously
He doesn’t like big, wicked problems as New York City mayor. Why would he like them as president?
20 min
23
Who Got Hacked in Florida?
And why don’t election officials want the public to know?
19 min
24
Harvard's Harvey Weinstein Mess
Is it fair to lose your position as faculty dean because of your association with Harvey Weinstein?
18 min
25
John Bolton’s One-Man Show
Is the National Security Advisor hurtling us towards a new war?
22 min
26
The Trade War Escalates
Trump raised tariffs on China, again. China raised them right back.
16 min
27
A Battle Over Abortion in Alabama
Will the state's Republicans stay united long enough to take on Roe v. Wade?
23 min
28
The Progressive Critic Inside the Church
20 min
29
The Mayoral Scandal Gripping Baltimore
A children’s book brought down Charm City’s top official.
18 min
30
The Constitutional Tug-of-War Is Just Getting S...
What happens when branches of government battle it out?
17 min
31
(Fixed) An ERA Advocate On Why She’s Optimistic
Congress finally gave supporters a hearing. That hasn’t happened in years.
22 min
32
Why Don’t Democrats Want to Run for Senate?
If they’re going to lose anyway, they’d rather aim for the White House.
17 min
33
The Bank That Holds Trump’s Financial Secrets
A banker, a borrower, and a bad bullshitometer.
20 min
34
The Battle Over the Mueller Report
William Barr showed up to Congress to defend his reading of the Mueller report. But Mueller’s letter beat him there.
17 min
35
What Does Joe Biden Owe to Anita Hill?
He’s talking about his feelings. Why isn’t he talking about his power?
19 min
36
An Uprising at Brigham Young
How Mormon students are bucking the severe code of conduct at Brigham Young University
20 min
37
Inside the Crisis at the NRA
Here’s how a small group of people used the NRA’s millions to enrich themselves.
16 min
38
How Black Feminists Exposed the Alt-Right Online
They were some of the first to fight back. Why didn’t we learn from them?
16 min
39
This Immigration Judge Has a Fix for Immigratio...
The system has remained broken for so long because nobody wants to address the key issue.
15 min
40
How to Break the Census
The Trump administration’s proposed citizenship question could bring down response rates and make U.S. Census data unreliable.
16 min
41
He Got a Pardon. Now He’s Administering Them.
After getting his second chance, Brandon Flood is the face of clemency in Pennsylvania.
15 min
42
The Case for Impeachment
Why it makes political sense for House Democrats to draw up articles against the President.
15 min
43
Are You There, Congress? It’s Me, Mueller.
No collusion. No obstruction. One recommendation.
23 min
44
A Fox Guarding the Henhouse at the Interior Dep...
Deregulation is shrinking salmon runs and killing migratory birds. But it’s great for business.
19 min
45
What Ilhan Omar Gets Right
Muslim Americans should insist on their humanity. But that won’t end Islamophobia.
18 min
46
Trump’s Plan to Politicize the Fed
What could happen if our central banking system becomes a political football?
19 min
47
Democrats Could Lose Wisconsin Forever
Did one Supreme Court race just settle how Wisconsin will be governed for years to come?
15 min
48
Mexico Fuels the Humanitarian Crisis on the Border
The Mexican president wanted to liberalize immigration policies in his country, instead he made things worse.
16 min
49
The Trash Crash
How America got into a recycling crisis—and how it’s getting out.
15 min
50
Bernie Hasn’t Really Changed
It’s why people love him. And it might be his downfall.
16 min
51
When A Border Wall Isn't Enough
This Arizona border town already has a wall. The Trump administration still isn’t satisfied.
13 min
52
California Weighs When Police Can Use Deadly Force
The death of Stephon Clark sparked outrage, protests, and a bill that could change policing in America.
17 min
53
Brexit Isn’t Over and Everything Hurts
Why Britain can’t just “get it sorted.”
20 min
54
Liberals Treat Puerto Ricans Like Second-Class ...
U.S. policies toward Puerto Rico have long been exploitative. Trump’s rhetoric just makes it plain.
19 min
55
Security Clearances Were Hard to Get. Then Trum...
How Trump made a mockery of the White House security clearance.
16 min
56
Mick Mulvaney Is Trump’s Chief Enabler
The ultra-conservative has a knack for slashing regulations and starting fights.
19 min
57
Is the Measles Panic Warranted?
There’s a fine line between getting the word out on measles and fanning the misinformation flames.
22 min
58
A Pilot on Whether He’ll Ever Trust Boeing Again
The Ethiopian crash looks different when you’ve been in a cockpit.
20 min
59
Is the Court Ready to Curb Gerrymandering?
How Brett Kavanaugh could deliver liberals a voting rights win.
16 min
60
Trump is Trying to Kill Obamacare, Again
The president was having a good week and then he began talking about health care.
19 min
61
New York City’s School Segregation Problem
Why the inequities at one elite high school resonate across the country.
18 min
62
About That Mueller Report
The special counsel is not here to save you.
26 min
63
How Long Will It Take the Death Penalty To Die?
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s moratorium on executions is largely symbolic.
22 min
64
When Are We Going to Start Planning For Floods?
It’ll take an absolute catastrophe.
18 min
65
Court Packing Is Not That Extreme
It’s an accident of history that the Supreme Court has nine seats.
18 min
66
How the Internet Makes Murderers
Right-wing extremism lives online now. Can law enforcement follow it there?
23 min
67
Why is Beto Running?
The former Congressman isn’t bringing anything unique to an already crowded 2020 field.
14 min
68
How to Dodge a Presidential Pardon
The groundwork Mueller laid nearly two years ago is on display today.
16 min
69
The Side Door Into College
Rich families wanted a guarantee. What they got was an FBI investigation.
21 min
70
Big Banks Say “No” to Private Prisons
Protesters chanted in front of Jamie Dimon’s house and got results.
16 min
71
Joe Biden's Laundered History
We all know Uncle Joe, but do we know Joe Biden?
19 min
72
Is Mark Zuckerberg Gaslighting You?
What to think of the Facebook founder’s latest blog post.
20 min
73
The Scandal Catching Up to Justin Trudeau
Could this imbroglio prompt the rise of Canada’s far right?
17 min
74
Listening to Ilhan Omar
The congresswoman has a case to make.
18 min
75
Things That Should Scare You More Than Momo
YouTube’s algorithm is the real boogeyman.
12 min
76
The National Emergency Isn’t Really Trump’s Fault
It’s a natural escalation of constitutional hardball.
20 min
77
Reconsidering Michael Jackson
How could a documentary change everything when a criminal trial changed nothing?
24 min
78
Sins of the Fathers
What will accountability look like for the Catholic Church?
17 min
79
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
80
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
81
Venezuela’s Crisis Deepens
Vice President Pence reaffirmed American support for Venezuela. How far will it go?
18 min
82
The Laquan McDonald Case Isn’t Over
Here's how it's shaping Chicago's contentious mayor's race.
15 min
83
Who Wants to Be a (Heavily Taxed) Millionaire?
America’s one-percenters weigh their options: Higher taxes, or mobs with pitchforks?
23 min
84
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
85
The Fight to Change Frat Culture
If financial pressures won’t force frats to change, will the courts?
13 min
86
Utah’s Medicaid Battle
Voters approved an expansion of the health care program. Lawmakers rolled it back.
18 min
87
A Cautionary Green New Deal Tale
What lessons should Americans take from California’s high speed rail boondoggle?
12 min
88
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
89
The Democratic Divide Over Israel
Republicans saw a chance to pit the Democrats against one another and jumped at it.
15 min
90
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
91
How to Get Away With Highway Robbery
A South Carolina newspaper takes a closer look at civil asset forfeiture.
18 min
92
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
93
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
94
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
95
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
96
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
97
Anti-Vaxxers Brought Back the Measles
Why the spread of a preventable disease in the Pacific-Northwest should scare Texans.
14 min
98
Don't Call Him El Chapo
The myth of El Chapo has overpowered the hard truths his trial is revealing.
11 min
99
Howard Schultz and the Ghost of Ross Perot
A billionaire flirts with a third party presidential run and everybody loses their mind.
15 min
100
How Big Tech Is Bleeding American Journalism
Is it time for major media companies to boycott Facebook?
17 min
101
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
102
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
103
Congress Does Something
Could Thursday mark the beginning of the end of the government shutdown?
18 min
104
Kamala Harris & the Rise of Progressive Prosecu...
Why doesn’t the reform-minded set accept Harris as one of their own?
21 min
105
The Women Fleeing Saudi Arabia
What it’s like to escape when your every movement is policed by men.
19 min
106
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Flips the Script
She doesn’t need to be authoritative, or vaguely androgynous, or even right. How does AOC pull that off?
20 min
107
The L.A. Teachers' Strike
The second-largest school district in the country is having a battle royale over charter school expansion.
24 min
108
The Gymnast Who Went Megaviral
Remember when U.S. women’s gymnastics used to be joyful?
19 min
109
Pardons, Presidential Power, and Worry About Bi...
What can history tell us about how William Barr will handle the Mueller investigation?
24 min
110
The Three-Headed Beast Leading U.S. Foreign Policy
You’ve got President Trump, Mike Pompeo, and John Bolton. And they’re all pulling in different directions.
15 min
111
The Threat of National Emergency
Can President Trump get his wall by circumventing Congress?
18 min
112
How We Became Shutdown Nation
It doesn’t have to be like this.
18 min
113
Clemency for Cyntoia Brown
She was serving a notably harsh sentence. But what does it mean that she was freed after a publicity blitz and a celebrity assist?
15 min
114
Battling 2020 Fatigue
Each election is an experiment. Approach it like a scientist, armed with a few hypotheses.
20 min
115
The Republican Party Shake-Out in Kansas
What do you do when your party leaves you behind?
17 min
116
We're Back Monday, January 7th
Every weekday morning. 5AM. Don't start your day without knowing What Next!
1 min
117
We're in the New York Times
No big deal.
1 min
118
Jeff Flake Takes Another Stand
Conservatives are beginning to check the Trump administration. Is it too little, too late?
19 min
119
The Gun Owning Doctors Changing the Gun Debate
A pediatric surgeon recommends new ways to think about gun safety. Not only because he has seen the damage that a gun can do, but because he owns guns himself.
26 min
120
Sins of the Fathers
What will accountability look like for the Catholic Church?
17 min
121
The Wildfires to Come
Stephen Pyne has made fire his life’s work. He put them out for 15 summers and has thought about them ever since. Today on the show – the conversation we’re not having about wildfires.
16 min
122
The Legacy of the Last Florida Recount
How we learned all the wrong lessons from the 2000 election and landed right back in Broward County.
18 min
123
Sessions’ Last Act Deals Blow to Police Reform
Just as he was getting kicked out the door, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions wanted to do one last thing: strongly limit the strength and use of consent decrees moving forward.
17 min
124
What to Watch After Sessions’ Ouster
Are we about to see Bob Mueller use his voice?
18 min
125
What Won for the Democrats?
Democrats ran all sorts of different campaigns and won (or lost) in all sorts of different ways. Is there a lesson they could take from the midterms and carry into the next election?
19 min
126
Happy Election Day?
We asked the pros for tips and tricks for watching election night returns.
25 min
127
What Story Will This Election Tell Us?
What signals and trends should you be on the look out for and what will that tell us about how we understand ourselves as a country?
14 min
128
They Forecast a Hate Wave in 2008
Ten years ago, a team of government analysts noted a surge in right-wing extremism. Instead of taking action, conservatives took offense.
19 min
129
The State of Red State Democrats
President Trump wanted to make this the election of the caravan. So with only days to go until midterms how will Trump’s immigration rhetoric shape close races?
20 min
130
Understanding the Crisis in Yemen
We spent weeks riveted by the Khashoggi disappearance. What about Saudi Arabia’s hand in the war to its south?
17 min
131
"And Subject to the Jurisdiction Thereof..."
There's a clause in the 14th amendment that people wanting to change it continue to come back to: "and subject to the jurisdiction thereof." Today on the show, Professor Garrett Epps of The Atlantic joins us to explain why its absurd for Trump to think he can end birthright citizenship with an executive order.
12 min
132
Words Matter
Does anyone know how to weed out the social media platforms that allow hate speech to bloom?
15 min
133
The Blame Game
Can we chalk up this week’s bomb scares to heated political rhetoric?
22 min
134
Does Corruption Matter?
Evidence points to no. Not really.
13 min
135
Midterm Trolls - Online and Off
US Cyber Command launched its first cyber operation to deter Russian interference in the 2018 midterm elections, but is it too late? Clint Watts, the author of Messing With the Enemy, "Oh yeah."
17 min
136
Turkey Makes the Most of Its Moment
President Erdogan’s angle on the Khashoggi crisis.
21 min
137
The Health Care Turnabout
Andrew Gillum began his candidacy as a "Medicare for All" supporter. His subtle slide from that position to another is a small, but telling one. Today on the show, the health care debate in the lead up to midterms.
16 min
138
Just an Old Sweet Song
The Georgia governor’s race highlights a struggle playing out across the country: voter turnout versus voter suppression.
21 min
139
Now Is a Good Time to Cheat on Your Taxes
Budget cuts have crippled the IRS allowing tax cheats to run rampant.
16 min
140
From One Caravan to Another
Mary Harris is joined by Vox’s Dara Lind to discuss how the latest caravan from Honduras is shining a light on the danger and red tape facing asylum seekers.
20 min
141
Could the Saudi Monarchy Fall Over This?
Why the death of Jamal Khashoggi is “catastrophic” for Saudi Arabia and the relative stability of the Middle East.
25 min
142
Trailer: Introducing What Next
2 min