WSJ What’s News

Latest Episodes:

The New Corporate Playbook for How to Do a Layoff Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Nov. 17. As companies are laying off thousands of workers, they’re using new tactics like texting and emails and listen-only video calls to communicate to workers that they’ve lost their jobs. Chip Cutter, who covers workplace issues for the Journal, discusses what’s driving these new strategies and how workers are responding. Plus, the head of FEMA has resigned after about seven months on the job. And “Baby Shark Dance”—every toddler’s favorite jam—is YouTube’s most watched video ever. But that mind-blowing popularity hasn’t translated to major sales for the South Korean company behind it. Alex Ossola hosts.

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Alternative Indicators: What Big-Rig Truck Sales Reveal About the U.S. Economy Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Is U.S. manufacturing driving off a cliff or into the sunset—and taking the economy with it? Look no further than sales of heavy trucks. Trucking companies buy more of these big rigs when they expect they will have more stuff to ship, so declines in heavy truck sales often match up to economic contractions dating back to the 1960s. Now the data show that sales have been going downhill since 2023, falling off more dramatically since June of this year. Host Alex Ossola talks with Bob Tita, who covers manufacturing for The Wall Street Journal, and Avery Vise, vice president of trucking for data analysis and forecasting firm FTR Transportation Intelligence, about what that says about this moment in the economy, and what might be clouding the picture.

Alternative Indicators: Can Nevada Employment Predict Where the Economy is Headed?

Alternative Indicators: What’s Dr. Copper’s Prognosis for the U.S. Economy?

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Trump Reverses Course to Back Release of Epstein Files Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Nov. 17. The White House throws its weight behind the House vote to release DOJ files related to Jeffrey Epstein. WSJ’s Scott Patterson explains what’s behind President Trump’s surprising reversal. Plus, good news for travelers: the FAA is set to lift flight restrictions today. And WSJ Paris bureau chief, Stacy Meichtry on why France is seeing a disturbing wave of museum heists and details the frightening fate of priceless crown jewels. Caitlin McCabe hosts.

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Are We in a Fast-Casual Restaurant Recession? Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

Gen Z and Millennials are tightening their purse strings, and the first businesses on the chopping block are fast-casual dining spots. The usual fan favorites like Chipotle, Sweetgreen and Cava are suddenly falling out of favor with young American consumers. WSJ reporters Heather Haddon and Matt Grossman discuss how these companies are responding, and what this shift says about the broader economy. Caitlin McCabe hosts.

Further Reading

Chipotle’s Big Bet on Younger Consumers Is Unraveling

Are the Economy’s Salad Days Over?

Chipotle Says Gloomy Consumers Are Buying Fewer Burritos

Fast-Casual Chains Struggle as Diners Ditch Pricey Bowls for Cheaper Eats

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What’s News in Markets: Meaty Issues, Tech Troubles, Media Shake-Ups Nov 15, 2025

Show notes

What beefy problems were Tyson and vegan alternative Beyond Meat dealing with this week? And what sent tech stocks sliding this week? Plus, how did two media giants fare while a potential deal for some or all of Warner Bros. Discovery continues to unfold? Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.

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A Walmart Lifer Will Become the Retail Giant’s Next CEO Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Nov. 14. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon is stepping down after more than a decade at the helm, and longtime executive John Furner will take his place. WSJ reporter Chip Cutter discusses how McMillon reshaped the U.S.’s biggest private employer, and what it means for its strategy with Furner in the top spot. Plus, how does online retailer Quince seem to always have what you’re looking for? Chavie Lieber, who covers fashion and culture for the Journal, goes inside the company’s strategy and how it’s able to sell high fashion “dupes” at a fraction of the price. And the U.S. has struck a trade deal with Switzerland after a charm offensive from the country’s business executives that lowers the tariffs on Swiss goods from 39% to 15%. Alex Ossola hosts.

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2026 Graduates Face Worst Jobs Market in 5 years Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Nov. 14. Traders are dumping tech shares and riskier assets amid fears that delayed government data could shift expectations for a Fed rate cut in December. Plus, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents set their sights on North Carolina as the Trump administration's immigration crackdown continues. And, WSJ economics editor Alex Frangos explains why next year’s graduates face the worst job market in five years. Kate Bullivant hosts.

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China-Backed Hackers Use Anthropic AI to Automate Cyberattacks Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Nov. 13. AI startup Anthropic said China’s state-sponsored hackers used its tools to automate cyberattacks against corporations and governments. WSJ’s Sam Schechner reports on the inflection point for hackers’ use of AI. Disney’s shares fell after a quarterly earnings report that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations. And California is eyeing a first-of-its-kind tax on billionaires. WSJ’s Paul Kiernan unpacks the ballot initiative for a wealth tax that’s already run into steep opposition. Sabrina Siddiqui hosts.

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U.S. Government Reopens, But Slowly Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Nov. 13. The U.S. government is back in business, but as WSJ’s Ken Thomas explains, don’t expect things to run at full tilt just yet. Plus, Democrats release a tranche of new emails from Jeffrey Epstein, in which the late financier discussed Donald Trump. And, WSJ’s Stu Woo details how a Chinese AI company worked around U.S. rules to access Nvidia’s highly coveted chips. Caitlin McCabe hosts.

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The House Prepares to Vote On Bill to End the Government Shutdown Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Nov. 12. The House of Representatives is set to vote this evening on a spending bill that would end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. WSJ reporter Anvee Bhutani walks us through what’s in the bill. Plus, Federal Reserve officials are divided as to whether it’s inflation or the labor market that is the bigger threat to the U.S. economy, stoking division ahead of the Fed’s December meeting. Journal chief economics correspondent Nick Timiraos explains what the disagreements mean for a possible rate cut. And the U.S. has minted its last pennies. Alex Ossola hosts.

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