What Next | Daily News and Analysis

Latest Episodes:

Trump’s Spiraling Legal Fees Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

With every indictment, Donald Trump’s legal fees grow—but so do his campaign donations. Money is leaving faster than its arriving—how long can he keep this up?

Guest: Ben Kamisar, deputy political editor for the NBC political unit.

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Tech's Mask Off Moment Aug 13, 2023

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When conservative writer Richard Hanania’s old posts, originally published under a pseudonym, came to light, people were shocked at just how racist and reactionary they were. Perhaps less shocking were the tech moguls who were revealed to be supporting him.

Guest: Anil Dash, technologist and writer, and the head of Glitch

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next TBD. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

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Can Smart Guns Save Lives? Aug 11, 2023

Show notes

A “smart gun” is designed to only work in the hands of the gun’s proper owner. With the first smart gun potentially coming to market later this year, can the tech deliver on its promise?

Guests:

Champe Barton, reporter at The Trace

Kai Kloepfer, founder and CEO of Biofire

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next TBD. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

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Justice for the Gilgo Beach Murder Victims Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

In December of 2010, four bodies were discovered in Gilgo Beach, Long Island. Nearly 13 years later, police now say they’ve identified the killer.

Though the victims’ family members are relieved, they’re also left wondering what took so long.

Guest: Robert Kolker, author of Lost Girls.

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Haiti’s Kidnapping Crisis Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

What’s behind a recent uptick in kidnappings and gang violence in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, and how did Kenya end up being the country stepping up to help?

Guest: Jacqueline Charles, Caribbean correspondent at The Miami Herald.

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Judges on the Trump Trials Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

Who are the judges presiding over Donald Trump’s trials and what can the prosecution—and defense—expect, based on what’s happened already?

Guest: Mark Joseph Stern, senior writer covering courts and the law for Slate Magazine

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Florida Public Schools' New Anti-Woke Partner Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

In July, Florida approved the use of Prager U materials in its classrooms. The organization claims its videos offer an alternative to the prevailing left-wing ideology in the classroom. Its founder told a sympathetic audience that what they offer is indoctrination. What impact could these videos have in public schools? And where could they be heading next?

Guest: John Knefel, senior writer for Media Matters for America.

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Another Summer of COVID Aug 06, 2023

Show notes

After a quiet spring, COVID is surging back for the fourth consecutive summer. So, is this just life now?

Guest: Katherine Wu, staff writer at the Atlantic

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Tesla's Big Lie Aug 04, 2023

Show notes

Tesla sold a vision of how electric vehicles would work: just like gas-powered cars, but cleaner, better. But as a scandal about misrepresented battery life and driving range unfolds, and the price of their cars remains high, it increasingly looks like the transition will be anything but seamless—if it happens at all.

Guest: Edward Niedermeyer, author of Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors.

You can check out Reuters reporting on Tesla’s range scandal here.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next TBD. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

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It’s Hot as Hell. Why Are Pools Closed? Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

The temperature is going up, but the number of open, public pools isn’t. It’s not just a summer bummer; it’s turning into a public health crisis.

Guest: Mara Gay, member of the New York Times editorial board, focused on New York State and local affairs.

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