WSJ What’s News

Latest Episodes:

Did Wisconsin Democrats Just Halt a Left-Wing Surge? Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Aug. 12. Centrist David Crowley scores an electoral upset in Wisconsin, narrowly defeating Democratic socialist Francesca Hong in a race to secure the Democratic nomination for governor. WSJ’s Damian Paletta says Crowley’s victory could mark a turning point for progressives. Plus, New York City launches a sweeping investigation into four prediction markets – probing Polymarket, Kalshi, Coinbase and Gemini Titan for alleged deceptive marketing practices and the targeting of minors. And could one of Hollywood's oldest studios be relocating from Tinseltown to Music City? Luke Vargas hosts.

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A Secret Military Jet and a Catering Truck: How Trump Evaded an Iranian Threat Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Aug. 11. President Trump didn’t fly out of Turkey in his new Air Force One last month, instead using an elaborate decoy operation. WSJ chief political correspondent Josh Dawsey runs through the new details about how and why that happened. Plus, the University of Michigan says it will drop first-semester grades for freshmen next school year. Doug Belkin, who covers higher education for the Journal, discusses how it will work and why the university made this decision. And some of the top officials in global soccer are calling for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign. We hear from WSJ sports editor Joshua Robinson about what the drama could mean for future competitions. Alex Ossola hosts.

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American Tourists Are Everywhere Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Aug. 11. Anthropic tries to shore up pre-IPO investor confidence amid growing public backlash against AI. Plus, Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary pits the party’s establishment against the far left. And WSJ’s Chelsey Dulaney explains how American tourists with an insatiable wanderlust are boosting Europe’s economies – whether locals like it or not. Luke Vargas hosts.

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New Rules Are Coming for Food Companies’ Ingredients Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Aug. 10. The FDA has laid out new rules intended to make the food system more transparent, part of an overhaul promised by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. WSJ reporter Liz Essley Whyte discusses how the new rules would work and why guidelines for ultraprocessed foods didn’t come today. Plus, as Iran strengthens its demands in negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf states have begun accepting a new reality: that Tehran will control the strait for the foreseeable future. We hear from WSJ Middle East correspondent Benoit Faucon about what they are doing about it. And more than 70 people have been killed in a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia. Alex Ossola hosts.

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U.S. Sanctions Aren’t Touching Russia’s Hottest Startup Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Aug. 10. Iran dials up its demands in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, Meta embraces open-weight AI models in a bid to blunt the appeal of cheaper Chinese competition. And WSJ finance editor Alex Frangos breaks down how a payment network backed by the Russian government reveals the limits of Western efforts to economically isolate Moscow. Luke Vargas hosts.

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The AI Therapist: When People Turn to Chatbots for Mental Health Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

The millions of Americans living with mental illness—as well as people dealing with life’s everyday stresses—often struggle to see a therapist when they need one. That’s a big reason why many people have started turning to AI tools such as ChatGPT for emotional support. But as a number of high-profile lawsuits show, that can sometimes lead to devastating outcomes. Companies creating AI for mental health say they can do better. What’s News host Alex Ossola and WSJ audio producer Pierre Bienaimé explore the growing field of these purpose-built tools, and how people are already using them, in Part 1 of our special series “The AI Therapist.”

Correction: An earlier version of this podcast incorrectly stated that human therapists are required to report to authorities when someone says that they want to hurt themselves or hurt someone else. The requirements for reporting vary depending on how serious and immediate the threat is. (Corrected on Aug. 13)

Further Reading:

Chatbots Are Replacing Therapists With Little Scientific Evidence Behind Them

Teens Seek Mental-Health Help From Chatbots. That’s Dangerous, Says New Study.

How AI Advice Is Undermining Eating-Disorder Therapy

When There’s No School Counselor, There’s a Bot

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What’s News in Markets: Dow Hits 54,000, Chip Stocks Waver, SpaceX Rebounds Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

What sent the Dow to a new record high? And why did chip stocks stumble despite blockbuster earnings? Plus, who’s behind SpaceX’s most recent rally? Host Imani Moise discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.

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U.S. Shed Jobs in July, Lowering Expectations of a Fed Rate Hike Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Aug. 7. The U.S. lost 23,000 jobs last month, surprising economists who had expected a gain. WSJ economics reporter Matt Grossman discusses the sectors that saw the biggest losses and gains, and what this latest report means for the Fed. Plus, an appeals court rules that construction on President Trump’s planned White House ballroom must stop. And as New York City has rolled out its new pied-à-terre tax, wealthy homeowners are pushing back. We hear from Journal real estate reporter Rebecca Picciotto about the ways they’re doing it, from lawsuits to potential loopholes. Alex Ossola hosts.

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A Landmark Child Safety Verdict Against Meta Just Got More Expensive Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Aug. 7. A New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay more than $900 million—upping the cost of a landmark child safety verdict. Plus, new U.S. intelligence finds Russia could try to launch a limited assault on a NATO ally in coming years. WSJ national security reporter Lara Seligman says that comes amid a shortfall in critical munitions the military would need in a potential future war. And WSJ’s Bertrand Benoit reports that while most of Europe has embraced seven-day retail, Germany has largely stuck to its longtime ban—until now. Luke Vargas hosts.

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Why AI Models Keep Hacking Other Companies Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Aug. 6. Meta said today one of its AI models hacked a third-party service during cybersecurity testing. WSJ tech reporter Sam Schechner discusses why these incidents are becoming more common. Plus, billionaire Dan Gilbert has already revived Detroit’s downtown. Now he’s set his sights on a $1.6 billion project that would transform the city’s waterfront—but, as Journal real estate reporter Nicholas Miller explains, it’s a gamble for him, and for the city. And SpaceX investors brace for more volatility after $100 billion of the company’s shares were unlocked today. We hear from markets reporter David Uberti about what investors should expect. Alex Ossola hosts.

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