WSJ What’s News - The Wall Street Journal

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A New Milestone for U.S. Debt: $40 Trillion Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Aug. 19. Today the total U.S. debt passed $40 trillion. WSJ economics reporter Matt Grossman discusses what that means for how the government functions. Plus, a successful trial of a mRNA vaccine for melanoma could mean potential new treatments for a deadly cancer–and news of the trial results more than doubled Moderna’s stock price. And the Federal Trade Commission says retailers have to let shoppers know when they’re using their personal data to raise prices. Dave Michaels, who covers corporate law enforcement for the Journal, explains how personalized pricing works, and how the FTC is looking to rein it in. Alex Ossola hosts.

How Governments in the U.S. and Europe Are Stalling the AI Buildout

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China Braves the Ice to Unlock New Arctic Trade Route Aug 19, 2026

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A.M. Edition for Aug. 19. President Trump hits pause on 50% tariffs that had been set to hit a range of Canadian products – buying more time for trade negotiators to reach a deal with Ottawa. Plus, OpenAI’s second quarter sales disappoint as rival Anthropic sees its revenue double. And a Chinese cargo ship sets sail for the Arctic in a move that WSJ foreign correspondent Sune Rasmussen says could upend global trade. Luke Vargas hosts.

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Worldwide Bond Selloff Accelerates Aug 18, 2026

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P.M. Edition for Aug. 18. Government bonds are getting hammered in the U.S. and overseas. WSJ markets reporter Sam Goldfarb discusses how the AI boom is playing a part in driving yields of the 30-year Treasury and other long-term bonds to their highest levels in decades. Plus, Disney steps up a fight with the FCC over a challenge to ABC’s broadcast licenses. We hear from media reporter Joe Flint about why Disney sued the government agency, the latest front in the battle between the two that started last year. And there’s a secret word game that Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan plays with Wall Street analysts. Is your vocabulary as good as his? Try our quiz. Alex Ossola hosts.

The AI Therapist: A WSJ Podcast Series

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Meta Is Back on Trial in California Aug 18, 2026

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A.M. Edition for Aug. 18. Opening arguments are set to begin today in a hugely consequential trial accusing Meta of contributing to a crisis in youth mental health and which could cost the social media giant more than $1 trillion. WSJ reporters Meghan Bobrowsky and Erin Mulvaney preview what to expect as proceedings get underway. Plus, retail giant Costco prepares to enter the Medicare market. And minerals companies lean into red, white and blue branding in a bid to score U.S. federal funding. Luke Vargas hosts.

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Big Tech's AI Bill Is $3 Trillion Bigger Than It Looks Aug 17, 2026

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P.M. Edition for Aug. 17. Wall Street Journal reporter Peter Rudegeair discusses why the top technology companies have huge AI spending commitments that aren’t reflected on their balance sheets. WSJ’s Jared Malsin explains how renewed Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping are threatening another critical chokepoint for global energy as the Iran war spills into neighboring countries. And U.K. correspondent Max Colchester unpacks how the death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday is reigniting Britain’s culture wars. Sabrina Siddiqui hosts.

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Drones From the Ukraine War Are Spilling Into Europe Aug 17, 2026

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A.M. Edition for Aug. 17. For the second time in three days, NATO warplanes on Sunday were forced to shoot down a drone in alliance airspace. WSJ Brussels bureau chief Daniel Michaels says that while electronic jamming could make the drone incursions an accident, some countries fear Russia is deliberately probing European air defenses. Plus, the Colorado River’s water crisis worsens as Lake Powell joins Lake Mead at record lows. And we’ll look at the race among job seekers to write AI experience into their résumés. Luke Vargas hosts.

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Are Mental-Health Chatbots Safe? Aug 16, 2026

Show notes

The promise for AI mental-health tools is clear: bringing support to people who need it, when they need it. But these chatbots can come with risks. How do they respond when someone is in crisis, or thinking about harming themselves? In Part Two of our special series “The AI Therapist,” WSJ What’s News host Alex Ossola digs into the guardrails that companies are installing in their AI tools—and the questions as to whether they’re enough.

Episode 1 of The AI Therapist: When People Turn to Chatbots for Mental Health

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: Inflation Cools, Oil Refiners Push Stocks Up, Reddit Joins S&P 500 Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

What’s the latest on inflation? And what’s pushing shares of old-school energy companies higher? Plus, why is Reddit joining the S&P 500? Host Shradha Dinesh discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.

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Investors Are Holding $3 Trillion in Cash. Money Managers Aren’t Happy. Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Aug. 14. Money managers have a problem: Clients are holding near-record amounts in cash—by one estimate more than $3 trillion. Miriam Gottfried, a reporter and co-host of WSJ’s Take On the Week podcast, explains why this is happening and what financial planners are pushing their clients to do instead. Plus, two pieces of data—July retail sales and the preliminary August reading of the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey—came in lower than expected. WSJ economics reporter Matt Grossman says that is painting a picture of a weaker U.S. economy. And AI slop is everywhere, making it hard to know what’s real online. We hear from WSJ personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen about the inspiration for her recent special Tech News Briefing podcast series, “AI and the Blurring of Reality.” Alex Ossola hosts.

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Tyson Pulls Back From the Beleaguered Beef Business Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Aug. 14. Meatpacking giant Tyson Foods is planning to close a major beef processing plant, its latest bid to cut costs as the industry tries to cope with a yearslong cattle shortage. Plus, President Trump turns to tariffs to try and reshore drone production. And WSJ South Asia bureau chief Tripti Lahiri takes us inside the frantic scramble for work in India, where thousands of young people are competing for each new job. Luke Vargas hosts.

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