The Journal.

A little-known trade provision is ending, and it will likely upend business for e-commerce companies and raise prices for consumers. De minimis has allowed companies to avoid duties on shipments to the U.S. that are worth $800 or less. It’s a program that many companies, especially e-commerce giants, Shein and Temu, have taken advantage of to keep prices low. WSJ’s Shen Lu explains how President Donald Trump has now ended that program for products from China and Hong Kong. We also speak with the CFO of shoe company Kuru about how the new rules could change their business. Jessica Mendoza hosts. 

Further Listening:

-Shein: Fast Fashion, Slow IPO 

-The Billionaire Caught Between Trump and China 

-China Unleashes a Trade War Arsenal 

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In our capstone episode, Kate Linebaugh and Molly Ball break down Trump's first 100 days in office with WSJ’s Aaron Zitner, digging into the highs and lows, where things stand with voters and what’s next for the administration and the country.  

Further Listening:

-Canada’s New Leader Is Ready to Take On Trump 

-Trump 2.0: Where is the Economy Headed 

-Taking Stock of the ‘Sell America’ Trade 

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Before committing suicide live on X, Arnold Haro had a request: "If I die, I hope you guys turn this into a meme coin." His dying wish came true. Haro’s followers created a meme coin that skyrocketed in value to $2 million. WSJ's Kevin Dugan digs into a seedy online world where anything can be turned into crypto. Annie Minoff hosts.

Further Listening:

- Inside the Trump Crypto Bromance  

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The Davos conference brings together the world’s elites to try to make the world a better place. But according to some current and former employees, the leader of the organizing body behind Davos fosters a toxic workplace. WSJ’s Shalini Ramachandran discusses her investigation into the World Economic Forum and the impact of a recent anonymous whistleblower letter. Annie Minoff hosts. 

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Mark Carney, a former banker, won Canada’s national election on Monday. Carney ran on an anti-Trump platform, and he's promised to try to decouple his country’s economy from its biggest trading partner and, lately, its biggest threat. WSJ’s Vipal Monga explains how Trump’s trade war and threats to annex Canada have upended the election. Annie Minoff hosts. 

Further Listening:

- Why Justin Trudeau Stepped Down 

- Guns and Death Threats in Canada's Baby-Eel Fisheries 

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Suleiman al-Youssef’s son, Shadi, has been missing since the beginning of the Syrian civil war. After the Assad regime was overthrown, Suleiman found new hope when he discovered a video of a man who looked like his son outside the country’s most notorious prison. WSJ’s Ben C. Solomon on Suleiman’s search for his son and Syria’s thousands of other missing loved ones like him. Kate Linebaugh hosts.

Further Listening:

- Assad’s Regime Falls. What’s Next For Syria? 

- Ten Days That Shifted Power in Syria 

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Andy Wirth and Tony Harris moved halfway across the world to help build Neom: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s futuristic new city in the Saudi desert. But what they found wasn’t the desert utopia of Neom’s marketing. Instead, they found a project bleeding cash, led by a screaming CEO, where very little was actually being built. 

WSJ’s Rory Jones and Eliot Brown explain how Neom fell years behind schedule – and went billions of dollars over-budget – thanks to a culture of runaway spending and never telling the boss “no.” Hosted by Ryan Knutson. 

Further Listening:

- Neom, Pt 1: Skiing in the Desert 

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In 2017, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious, young leader, Mohammed bin Salman, unveiled Neom: a futuristic new city Saudi Arabia would build in the desert. Neom would be a hotspot for tourism like the French Riviera, a center of innovation like Silicon Valley, and a global melting pot like Dubai. It would help transform the Saudi economy. But over the years, that already bold plan grew even more ambitious.  

In the first of two episodes about Neom, WSJ’s Rory Jones and Eliot Brown explain how an effort to pivot the Saudi economy away from oil grew to encompass plans for a desert ski resort and skyscrapers the length of Connecticut. Plus we hear from two people who uprooted their lives and moved to Neom to help make MBS’s dream a reality. Hosted by Ryan Knutson. 

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President Trump’s deportations, tariffs, federal layoffs and funding suspensions have generated nonstop headlines and frayed confidence, yet left surprisingly little trace on the economy. Hiring, spending and inflation look a lot like they did under Joe Biden. As Trump’s first 100 days draw to a close, Kate Linebaugh and Molly Ball explore the state of the U.S. economy with Chief Economics Commentator Greg Ip and try to understand what might be coming next. 

Further Listening:

- Taking Stock of the ‘Sell America’ Trade 

- Inside the Harvard vs. Trump Battle 

- How Frog Embyros Landed a Scientist in ICE Detention 

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Something strange happened in the US financial system earlier this week: the stock market, the bond market, and the value of the dollar all slumped. This volatility andrecent threats to fire Fed chief Jerome Powell are unnerving foreign investors, who are flocking to a new phenomenon called the Sell America trade. WSJ’s Chelsey Dulaney explains what Sell America means for decades of American finance primacy. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

-Trump’s Tariffs Force a New Era in Global Trade 

-Trump Allies Draft Plans to Rein in the Fed  

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President Donald Trump has been on an escalating campaign to reorder elite higher education. The administration’s Anti-Semitism Task Force has frozen billions of dollars in federal funding after Harvard refused to comply with their demands. WSJ’s Douglas Belkin on the showdown between America’s most prominent university and the U.S. president. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Trump's College Crackdown 

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Earlier this year, Harvard scientist Kseniia Petrova landed at Boston Logan Airport with samples of frog embryos in her luggage. Those samples cost Petrova her visa and kickstarted an asylum claim that landed her in an ICE detention facility in Louisiana. WSJ’s Michelle Hackman explains that Petrova’s case represents an aggressive shift in the Trump administration’s stance towards immigrants with visas. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

-Trump 2.0: Trade Wars and Deportation Battles  

-A New Phase in Trump’s Immigration Fight 

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On Monday morning, Pope Francis died at 88. The first South American to hold the office, he was known for his commitment to social and economic justice. WSJ’s Margherita Stancati discusses Francis’ legacy and explains what happens next for the Catholic Church. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening: 

- The Return of Religious Films to Hollywood 

- The Mormon Church's $100 Billion Secret Fund 

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When Colorado became one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, a community called Pueblo stepped forward hoping to become the 'Napa Valley of Cannabis'. WSJ’s Julie Wernau visited the town to explore the cannabis boom that promised new jobs and tax revenue, and found an industry that had gone bust, with local residents struggling to find a way forward. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

-The Highs and Lows of Diversifying the Cannabis Industry 

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Mark Zuckerberg is in court defending Meta against a Federal Trade Commission case that alleges the company wields an illegal monopoly in social media. It's a trial that could force the tech giant to potentially break itself up by selling Instagram and WhatsApp. WSJ’s Dana Mattioli explains how Zuckerberg’s efforts to get close to President Donald Trump hasn’t kept the company safe, while Jan Wolfe is in D.C. court watching the play-by-play. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- FTC Chair Lina Khan on Microsoft Merger, ChatGPT and Her Court Losses 

- 'The Facebook Files' from The Journal. 

- Why the FTC is Challenging a $25 Billion Supermarket Merger 

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After years of trying to revive his flailing social media company, Elon Musk has pulled off a turnaround at X. It comes after Musk decided to merge X with his artificial intelligence company xAI. The deal values the combined business at over $100 billion. WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy explains how Musk has pulled the app formerly known as Twitter back from the brink of bankruptcy, thanks in part to his proximity to President Donald Trump. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- The Musk-Twitter Saga -- from The Journal. 

- Trump 2.0: The Musk-Trump Bromance

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The Hong Kong-based company CK Hutchinson, led by billionaire Li Ka-shing, recently announced a deal to sell majority stakes in two ports on the Panama Canal. The deal with a consortium of investors led by BlackRock pleased President Donald Trump, after he had expressed interest in regaining control over the canal. But, as WSJ’s Rebecca Feng reports, the $22.8 billion deal also angered Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who saw the ports as a bargaining chip with the United States. Allison Pohle hosts.  

Further Listening:

- China Unleashes a Trade War Arsenal 

- The Trade War With China Is On 

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Telehealth companies make hair loss drugs easy to get. They also don’t have to disclose side effects in ads. WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler reports that some young men say they are suffering serious health consequences, and that they didn’t understand the risks. Kate Linebaugh hosts. 

Further Listening: 

- Testosterone Clinics Sell Virility. Side Effects Sometimes Included. 

- ‘Uncontrolled Substances’ from The Journal. 

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After decades of fighting Coca-Cola to be the nation’s favorite soda, Pepsi dropped to third place, after Dr Pepper. Now PepsiCo needs to win back soda drinkers . WSJ’s Laura Cooper reports that after years of focusing on potato chips and energy drinks, the company’s new beverage head Ram Krishnan is trying to refocus PepsiCo on drinks, in part with an agreement to purchase prebiotic soda brand Poppi. Allison Pohle hosts.  

Further Listening:

- ‘It Came out of Nowhere’: The Rise of Dr Pepper 

- The Fight to Kick Soda Out of Food Stamps 

- PepsiCo’s New Healthy Diet: More Potato Chips and Soda 

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Kate Linebaugh and Molly Ball go behind the scenes of the administration’s tariff pause. We dive deep with WSJ’s Josh Dawsey, exploring the tension in the days after the announcement and what really changed the president’s mind. Plus, your questions!

Further Listening:

- China Unleashes a Trade War Arsenal 

- The Tariff Trade Off: Jobs vs. Higher Prices 

- Wall Street Speaks Out Against Tariffs 

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In the early days of President Trump’s second term, China was ready to negotiate on trade. Then came Liberation Day. Now China is ready with a trade war arsenal taking aim at U.S. companies. WSJ’s Lingling Wei explains how China is gearing up for an extraordinary conflict with no immediate exits. Kate Linebaugh hosts.

Further Listening:

- Trump’s Tariffs Force a New Era in Global Trade  

- The Trade War With China Is On 

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President Trump has a new vision for the Environmental Protection Agency that significantly rolls back environmental regulations. Kate Linebaugh speaks to the man overseeing that vision— Administrator Lee Zeldin, about his plans and new approach to environmental governance. 

Further Listening:

- The Fight Over Fluoride 

- Hot, Dry and Booming: A Texas Climate Case Study 

- Why Microsoft Wants Three Mile Island's Nuclear Power 

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President Trump is ramping up his long-planned tariff war, promising to restore “Boomtown USA.” Before the start of the president’s first term, one small town made a bid to revive its manufacturing glory days. After a foreign company came to town, it made some headway. WSJ’s Chao Deng explores the story of Newberry, South Carolina.

Further Listening:

- Wall Street Speaks Out Against Tariffs 

- Trump 2.0: Trade Wars and Deportation Battles 

- Trump’s Tariffs Force a New Era in Global Trade 

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Last week, U.S. stocks lost $6.6 trillion in value during a two-day washout after President Trump announced large tariffs on countries around the world. As markets continue to swing, Wall Street leaders are speaking out, including billionaire investor Bill Ackman and JPMorgan Chase executive Jamie Dimon. Host Kate Linebaugh talks with Gregory Zuckerman about the market chaos and how investors are responding. 

Further Listening:

-Trump’s Tariffs Force a New Era in Global Trade 

-Trump 2.0: Trade Wars and Deportation Battles 

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For decades, the majority of Americans have been drinking tap water with added fluoride to improve oral health. But WSJ’s Kris Maher says that backlash to fluoride is spreading. Nearly 20 communities have halted the practice since October and Utah has now banned adding fluoride to water across the state. This comes after a landmark ruling by a federal judge that the mineral poses an “unreasonable” risk, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spoken out against it. Ryan Knutson hosts. 

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Further Listening:

-The Fight to Kick Soda Out of Food Stamps  

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Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball unpack the administration’s onslaught of new tariffs and break down what election results in Florida and Wisconsin mean for each party. Plus, they speak with WSJ’s Michelle Hackman about Trump’s aggressive immigration efforts including student deportations.

Further Listening:

-Trump’s Tariffs Force a New Era in Global Trade 

-Trump 2.0: Group Chat Fallout 

-Three Federal Workers Hit by DOGE 

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Yesterday, in the Rose Garden, President Trump sent out a clear message: the era of globalization is over. Trump announced sweeping tariffs on trillions of dollars of imports. The new duties immediately shook Wall Street and sent stocks plummeting. WSJ’s White House economic policy reporter Brian Schwartz explains how President Trump has wanted this day to happen for decades. And we talk to an American business owner who is deeply worried about what these tariffs mean for his company’s survival. Kate Linebaugh hosts.

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Further Listening:

- The Trade War With China Is On 

- Trump’s Tariff Whiplash  

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Charlie Javice sold her financial aid startup Frank to JPMorgan Chase for $175 million. But soon after the ink on the deal was dry, the bank discovered that their new acquisition was not at all what it seemed. WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy explains how a trial about fraud committed against JPMorgan resulted in the bank feeling the heat. Kate Linebaugh hosts. 

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Further Listening: 

- A $175 Million ‘Huge Mistake’ 

- JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon on What’s Next for the Economy 

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Gap Inc. was once the king of mall-brand fashion. In recent years though, its Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta chains have been outmaneuvered by discount stores like Target and fast-fashion brands like Zara and Shein. Ryan Knutson speaks with the new CEO Richard Dickson who is translating his previous experience resurrecting the Barbie brand into a new era for the iconic clothing seller.   

Further Listening:

• Rent the Runway’s CEO on How it Survived the Pandemic
• Shein: Fast Fashion, Slow IPO
• How Target Got Off Target

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Last year, a popular Utah influencer with six children went to prison for child abuse. Now the state has put a new law into place to protect the children in these videos. WSJ’s Zusha Elinson on the Ruby Franke scandal and her daughter’s efforts to keep it from happening again.

Further Reading:

- A Former Child Star Is Taking On the Dark Side of Utah’s Mommy Bloggers 

Further Listening:

- The Rise of the Tween Shopper 

- Readers Can’t Get Enough of BookTok. Publishers Are Cashing In. 

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A family of deep-cover Russian spies hiding in the heart of Europe. A Slovenian spycatcher with a daunting mission. After months of reporting, WSJ's Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson unspool the story of the global hunt for Vladimir Putin's sleeper agents, and how it culminated in the biggest game of hostage diplomacy since the Cold War.

Further Reading:

-The Global Hunt for Putin’s ‘Sleeper Agents’ 

-Inside the Secret Negotiations to Free Evan Gershkovich 

Further Listening:

-The Historic U.S.-Russia Prisoner Swap 

-Inside Russia’s Spy Unit Targeting Americans 

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A journalist was added to a text thread with high-level Trump administration officials revealing plans for the timing and weapons to be used in a military strike against Houthi militants. Administration officials disputed that any classified information about the military operation had been shared. WSJ’s Nancy Youssef joins the chat with Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss the fallout of the group chat pinged ‘round the world. 

Further Reading:

-An Annotated Analysis of Signal Group Chat With Top Trump Officials 

-Hegseth Comes Under Scrutiny for Texting Strike Details as Fallout Grows 

-Democrats Are Taking Their Anger Out on Chuck Schumer 

Further Listening:

-Trump’s Attack on Big Law 

-Trump’s College Crackdown 

-Trump 2.0: A Showdown with the Judiciary 

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President Trump’s unprecedented effort to shrink the federal labor force is impeding work at government sites across the country. Three laid-off federal employees tell their story and WSJ’s Lindsay Ellis reports on the wider impact of the layoffs.

Further Listening:

- Inside DOGE's Campaign of Secrecy 

- Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart 

Further Reading:

- The Collateral Damage of Trump’s Firing Spree 

- The Federal Workers Who Are Not Quite Fired, Not Quite Working 

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The White House is waging a pressure campaign against some of the country’s most prominent law firms. WSJ’s Erin Mulvaney on how the firm Paul, Weiss came to the decision to make a deal with President Trump.

Further Reading:

-Trump Signs Order Targeting Law Firm Jenner & Block 

-Law Firms Scramble to Avoid Being Trump’s Next Target 

-Why Law Firm Paul Weiss Pleaded Its Case With Trump, and Not With a Court 

Further Listening:

-Trump 2.0: A Showdown With the Judiciary 

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After nearly three decades as creative director, Donatella Versace is stepping down from her role at her family’s fashion house. The announcement comes after years of clashes between the designer and the American businessman who acquired her family’s brand. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner unpacks the drama and discusses what it means for the fashion house. 

Further Reading:

-Inside the Versace Clash Between Donatella and the ‘American Cowboy’ CEO 

-Donatella Versace to Step Down as Chief Creative Officer of Versace 

-The Plan to Revive Michael Kors and Versace Tanked Their Sales Instead

Further Listening:

-The Resurrection of Abercrombie & Fitch 

-Old Navy Tried to Make Sizes for All. It Backfired. 

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Columbia University gave in to President Trump’s demands after he revoked roughly $400 million in federal funding. WSJ’s Douglas Belkin explains how the university made its decision, and the impact that may have on campuses across the country.

Further Reading: 

- Universities Sprint from ‘We Will Not Cower’ to Appeasing Trump 

- Columbia Yields to Trump in Battle Over Federal Funding 

Further Listening: 

- Pro-Palestinian Protests and Arrests at U.S. Colleges  

- The 2024 College Financial Aid Mess 

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After it was approved in 2019, Spravato, a depression treatment derived from the club drug ketamine, was looking like a dud. But recently it has taken off, and it surpassed $1 billion in annual sales last year for its maker, Johnson and Johnson.

Further Listening:

-A Lawyer Says He Doesn't Need Help for Psychosis. His Family Disagrees. 

-America's Maternal Mental Health Crisis 

Further Reading:

-J&J’s Ketamine-Derived Drug Is Taking Off 

-Big Pharma Walked Away From Mental Health. Why Some Are Coming Back. 

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A battle has been brewing between President Trump and the judicial system as courts delay some of the administration's rapid fire executive orders. WSJ’s Jess Bravin joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss the recent clashes between Trump and the courts. 

Further Reading:

- Chief Justice Roberts Criticizes Trump’s Call to Impeach Judges 

- Trump Escalates Push Against Legal Norms 

- A Presidency of Upheaval Emboldens Trump 

Further Listening:

- A New Phase in Trump’s Immigration Fight 

- Trump 2.0: The Uncertainty Economy 

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Greenland could satisfy the world’s hunger for minerals, if miners could just start digging. WSJ’s Sune Rasmussen explains why Greenland’s minerals remain mostly untapped, and what bringing these rare earths to the surface could mean to the global supply chain.

Further Reading:

- Greenland Has the Makings of a Mining Boom. So Where Is Everyone? 

- Greenlanders Reject Trump’s Overtures at the Ballot Box 

Further Listening:

- Why Trump Wants Ukrainian Minerals 

- Why an Arctic Treasure Is Spurring Hope and Dread 

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Immigrants who took advantage of a Biden-era program to enter the U.S. are now being targeted by the Trump administration, including people who fled the Russia-Ukraine war. WSJ’s Michelle Hackman explains how the program came to be and how Trump cancelled it.

Further Reading:

- They Thought They Came to the U.S. Legally. Now They’re at Risk for Deportation. 

- What Green Card and Visa Holders Need to Know About Recent Deportations 

Further Listening:

- Trump's Immigration Overhaul 

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Walmart has been America’s largest retailer by revenue for over three decades. But that title might change hands this year, with Amazon hot on the supercenter’s heels. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer explains how Walmart has fought hard to keep its crown. 

Further Reading:

-How Walmart Built the Biggest Threat Amazon Has Faced 

-Walmart’s Reign as America’s Biggest Retailer Is Under Threat 

Further Listening:

-The 20,000 Steps to a Walmart Manager’s Six-Figure Salary 

-What Walmart’s Aisles Say About the American Consumer 

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Matthew Van Andel’s ordinary life unraveled when he accidentally downloaded a trojan horse that gave a hacker access to his entire computer. But the hacker didn’t just get Van Andel’s information. It also got his employer: Disney. 

Further Reading:

-A Disney Worker Downloaded an AI Tool. It Led to a Hack That Ruined His Life. 

-How to Keep Hackers From Destroying Your Digital Life 

Further Listening:

-Six Days of Chaos at MGM's Casinos 

-Hack Me If You Can 

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Gloria Allred’s lifelong crusade against men accused of sexual misconduct has made her a high profile feminist lawyer. But little is known about what happens between Allred and her clients, mostly women, behind the scenes. WSJ’s Khadeeja Safdar reports. 

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Further Reading:

-The High-Pressure Tactics Attorney Gloria Allred Uses—On Her Own Clients 

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The Federal Reserve has been focused on cooling inflation and achieving a so-called soft landing. President Trump’s trade policies have sent markets reeling and fears of a recession are on the rise. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss Trump’s economic vision. Plus, the Trump administration is moving to deport a permanent legal resident of the United States and the possibility of a government shutdown has Democrats in a pickle.

Further Listening: 

- What’s Going On With the Economy 

- Tesla Has a Problem: Elon Musk 

- The Fight to Kick Soda Out of Food Stamps 

Further Reading:

- How Trump 2.0 Is Shifting Its Tone on Markets 

- A Presidency of Upheaval Emboldens Trump 

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In 2023, crypto exchange Binance and its CEO and founder, Changpeng Zhao, pleaded guilty to violating U.S. money laundering laws. Now, an investigation finds that representatives of President Trump’s family have been in talks to take a financial stake in the U.S. arm of Binance. At the same time, Zhao has pushed the Trump administration to grant him a pardon. WSJ’S Rebecca Ballhaus brings exclusive reporting. 

Further Reading:

- Trump Family Has Held Deal Talks With Binance Following Crypto Exchange’s Guilty Plea 

- How the Trumps Turned an Election Victory Into a Cash Bonanza   

Further Listening:

- Love Trump? Now You Can Buy His Meme Coin 

- Inside the Trump Crypto Bromance 

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Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said he wasn’t going to rule out a recession in the U.S.'s future. WSJ's Ashby Jones explains the cracks starting to appear in the economy and Brian Schwartz reports on how the White House is managing those cracks.

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Further Reading:

-Trump’s Economic Messaging Is Spooking Some of His Own Advisers 

-Inflation Cooled to 2.8% in February, Lower Than Expected 

-CEOs Don’t Plan to Openly Question Trump. Ask Again If the Market Crashes 20%. 

Further Listening:

-The Trade War With China Is On 

-Trump’s Tariffs Cause Chaos in Auto Industry 

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Elon Musk’s politics have eroded Tesla’s appeal among some core buyers of electric vehicles. Some customers have started getting rid of their Teslas, and the company’s sales are down worldwide. Meanwhile, Musk is looking at new ways to expand Tesla’s business. WSJ’s Becky Peterson explains how Tesla’s fortunes are falling as Musk rises in Trump world.

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Further Reading:

-Tesla’s Fortunes Fall as Musk Rises in Trump World 

-Tesla Caps Roller-Coaster Year With Mixed Fourth-Quarter Earnings 

Further Listening:

-Trump 2.0: The Musk-Trump Bromance 

-Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart 

-Tesla's Multibillion-Dollar Pay Package for Elon Musk 

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Not much has gone right for Walgreens. Facing tough headwinds, the brand has been playing catch up to other U.S. pharmacy retailers for years. WSJ’s Joseph Walker on what went wrong for Walgreens and the private equity deal that could sell the company for parts.

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Further Reading:

- Walgreens Goes From $100 Billion Health Giant to Private-Equity Salvage Project 

- The Walgreens Billionaire Watching His Empire Come Apart 

Further Listening:

- How Target Got Off Target 

- What Went Wrong at Bed Bath & Beyond? 

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again movement is leading an effort to stop people from spending food stamps on soda. WSJ’s Laura Cooper explains how one state is leading the charge and how beverage companies are pushing back.

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Further Reading:

-RFK Jr. And His Allies Target Trump’s Beloved Soda 

Further Listening:

-PepsiCo’s New Healthy Diet: More Potato Chips and Soda
-Who Wants Non-Alcoholic Beer? Everyone, Apparently. 

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President Trump delivered a celebratory speech to Congress, declaring that he had swiftly notched several wins for the American people. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia joins Kate Linebaugh and Molly Ball to discuss the roadmap Trump laid out and what it means for the next few years.

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Further Listening:

-The Trade War With China Is On 

-Trump's Tariffs Cause Chaos in Auto Industry 

-Inside DOGE's Campaign of Secrecy 

Further Reading:

-An Annotated Fact-Check and Analysis of Trump’s Speech to Congress 

-How Trump’s Polite Meeting With Zelensky Descended Into Acrimony 

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Sonos, the high-end speaker company, continues to reel from its disastrous app update last May. The company lost revenue and approximately $600 million in market capitalization. Then came the layoffs and a CEO exit. WSJ’s Ben Cohen explains. 

See The Journal live! Take our survey! 

Further Listening:

- The Glitch That Crashed Millions of Computers 

- The Snowballing Problems at Vail Resorts 

Further Reading:

- The $500 Million Debacle at Sonos That Just Won’t End 

- Sonos Finally Hits the Hard Reset Button 

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In the last month, the Trump Administration has levied 20% tariffs on imports from China. We speak to the CEO of an American home goods company about the impact of the trade war. WSJ’s Hannah Miao explains how it’s already affecting manufacturers and the economy in China.

See The Journal live! Take our survey! 

Further Reading:

- The Tariff Pain Is Getting Real for Chinese Companies 

- Chinese Manufacturers Speed Up Efforts to Dodge Trump Tariffs 

Further Listening:

- Why Trump Wants Ukrainian Minerals 

- Trump 2.0: Shaking Up Europe 

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President Trump’s 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada took effect first thing Tuesday. The American auto industry will be hit hard by these tariffs since many parts and materials come from Mexico and Canada. WSJ’s Mike Colias and a U.S. a uto parts supplier talk about the impact of the tariffs. 

Further Listening:

-Trump’s Tariff Whiplash 

-How One Business Is Getting Ahead of Trump’s Tariffs 

Further Reading:

-Auto Executives Try to Sway Trump on Tariffs, EV Subsidies 

-Tariff Threat Prompts Automakers to Find New Suppliers, Consider Higher Prices 

-Canada and Mexico Gambled on a Free Trade Future. The Bet Is Turning Sour. 

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The Zizians, a cult-like group of militant vegans, has been connected to six killings across the country. The violence has sent shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley. WSJ’s Zusha Elinson explains how the Zizians splintered from a Bay Area intellectual movement concerned with AI safety.

Further Reading:

-A Silicon Valley Intellectual Society Kicked Them Out. Now They’re Tied to a Killing Spree. 

-How a Fervent Belief Split Silicon Valley—and Fueled the Blowup at OpenAI 

Further Listening:

-The Fall of Crypto’s Golden Boy 

-The Story Behind the Stabbing of a San Francisco Tech Exec 

-The Biotech Founder Facing Murder Charges  

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In the first few minutes of the Trump presidency, Elon Musk’s programmers made a surprise incursion into a key personnel agency. Since then, DOGE programmers operating in the shadows have burrowed into systems across the government, resulting in thousands of layoffs. WSJ’s Scott Patterson explains how DOGE has entered vast parts of the federal bureaucracy. 

Further Reading:

-Inside DOGE’s Clash With the Federal Workforce 

-DOGE Claims It Has Saved Billions. See Where. 

Further Listening:

-Trump 2.0: The Musk-Trump Bromance 

-Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart 

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Lawmakers in the House of Representatives narrowly passed a budget resolution this week that serves as a first draft of the “big, beautiful bill” President Trump has been seeking. WSJ’s Siobhan Hughes joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss how Congress is working with Trump. Plus, we take a look at what impact recent rulings from the judicial branch might mean for Trump's agenda. 

Further Reading:

- The Weight of Trump’s Agenda Sits on Mike Johnson’s Shoulders 

Further Listening:

- Why Trump Wants Ukrainian Minerals 

- Trump 2.0: Shaking Up Europe 

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Paramount Global is wrestling with whether to settle President Trump’s lawsuit against its CBS unit. At the same time, the company is waiting for regulatory approval from the Trump administration for its merger with Skydance Media. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel explains.  

Further Reading:

-CBS Owner Discusses Settling Trump Suit, With Merger Review on Tap 

-FCC Requests ‘60 Minutes’ Harris Interview Material as It Reviews Paramount-Skydance Merger 

-Paramount Executives Ask: Could They Be Sued for Settling Trump’s $20 Billion CBS Lawsuit? 

Further Listening:

-Mayhem at Paramount as Merger Looms 

-Why Buying Paramount Global Won’t Be Easy 

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If you landed on a flight from Europe to New York recently, you might have been an unwitting participant in a high-stakes, high-altitude gold trade. WSJ’s Joe Wallace explains what's going on with the gold market, and why gold bars have been flying commercial. 

Further Reading:

-Why Dealers Are Flying Gold Bars by Plane From London to New York 

Further Listening:

-Trump's Tariff Whiplash 

-The Underground Battle for Colombia's Richest Gold Mine 

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As the U.S. fights a persistent bird flu outbreak, the cost of eggs has skyrocketed. The owner of a brunch cafe tells us about the impact of high-priced eggs on his business and WSJ’s Patrick Thomas unpacks one possible fix that the egg industry wouldn't consider – until now.

Further Reading:

- Soaring Egg Prices Reignite Debate Over Bird Flu Vaccinations 

- At the ‘Wall Street of Eggs,’ Demand Is Surging 

- First Cows, Now Cats. Is Bird Flu Coming for Humans Next?

Further Listening:

- Bird Flu and the High Price of Eggs 

- Farm-to-Table Pioneer on Why We Still Need Better Food 

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The Trump administration is pushing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to hand over mineral rights worth hundreds of billions of dollars to the U.S. Zelensky said a deal is possible but he wants better terms. WSJ's James Marson explains why these minerals are so valuable and what this potential deal could mean for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Further Listening:

- Trump 2.0: Shaking Up Europe 

- Ukraine's $30 Billion Problem 

Further Reading:

- A Guide to U.S.-Russia Talks on Ending the War in Ukraine 

- Ukraine’s Zelensky Wants Better Terms on Minerals Deal Demanded by Trump 

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For decades, Germany has relied on manufacturing and exports – a model that made it the world’s third largest economy. But that model is breaking down, and the country’s leaders are offering few alternatives in the upcoming election. WSJ’s Tom Fairless and Bertrand Benoit discuss Germany’s downturn and what can be done about it.

Further Reading: 

- Germany’s Economic Model Is Broken, and No One Has a Plan B 

- Why Germany’s Confidence Is Shattered and Its Economy Is Kaput 

Further Listening: 

- Trump 2.0: Shaking Up Europe 

- Germany’s Difficult Breakup with Russian Energy 

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The Trump Administration turns its focus to Europe as President Trump signals a willingness to cooperate with Russia. WSJ’s Alex Ward joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss what that means for an end to the war in Ukraine.

Further Reading:

-Trump’s Turn to Russia Spooks U.S. Allies Who Fear a Weakened NATO 

-Trump’s Attack on Zelensky Signals New World Order Taking Shape 

Further Listening:

-Trump 2.0: The Musk-Trump Bromance 

-R.I.P. CFPB? 

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A controversy among YouTube influencers has led to a series of lawsuits accusing browser extensions like PayPal Honey of swiping their commissions. PayPal said it disagrees with the claims in these lawsuits and look forward to defending itself. The litigation shines a light on the sometimes murky world of affiliate marketing, a $12 billion business. 

Further Reading:

-Creators Insist Coupon Browser Extensions Are Stealing Their Money. Will the Courts Agree? 

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In recent years, most home insurers were fleeing areas of California with high risk for wildfires. But State Farm was there, dominating the market. Then, just months before the devastating L.A. fires, the company dropped 30,000 homeowners from their books. WSJ’s Jean Eaglesham explains how the risk that State Farm unloaded is now a problem for the rest of California. 

Further Reading:

-State Farm Was All In on California – Until it Pulled the Plug Before the Fires 

-Insurers’ Rule Change Puts California Homeowners on the Hook for L.A. Fire 

Further Listening:

-Their L.A. Neighborhood Burned. Two Residents Find What’s Left.  

-Insuring a Home in California Is Getting Harder 

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John Barnett worked at Boeing for nearly 30 years. Before he left the company, he filed a whistleblower complaint, alleging he was retaliated against for raising safety concerns. Last March, after two days of testimony, he was found dead in his truck. Police ruled his death a suicide. We tell the story of Barnett’s life, and death, as a Boeing whistleblower. 

Further Reading:

- Boeing CEO Apologizes to MAX Crash Families, Calls Culture ‘Far From Perfect’

- The Disarray Inside Boeing’s 737 Factory Before the Door Plug Blowout 

- Can Boeing Be Fixed? Aerospace Leaders Offer a Repair Manual 

Further Listening:

- The Failures Inside Boeing's 737 Factory 

- A Hole in a Plane and a Headache for Boeing 

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We’re off for Presidents Day, but we wanted to reshare this episode.

Walmart is offering higher pay, bonuses and more stock options this year to retain and attract managers. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer spent a day with one manager, Nichole Hart, to understand why the job is commanding such a high salary these days, and why Hart logs about 20,000 steps a day.

This episode was originally published in May 2024.

Further Reading:

-A Day in the Life of a Walmart Manager Who Makes $240,000 a Year 

-Walmart Takes On Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods With New Premium Brand 

Further Listening:

-What Walmart’s Aisles Say About the American Consumer 

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At the beginning of his presidency, Donald Trump suspended most U.S. foreign aid, causing vast confusion and concern around the world. One affected program was PEPFAR, the bipartisan initiative that works to fight HIV/AIDS globally. WSJ’s Nicholas Bariyo from Uganda and Michael M. Phillips from Kenya report. And we hear from Karl Hoffman, the CEO of the public health organization HealthX Partners. 

Further Listening:

-Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart 

Further Reading:

-Trump Aid Whiplash Hits Refugees, AIDS Patients Worldwide 

-Trump Order Freezing Foreign Aid Halts Programs Worldwide, Prompts Confusion and Rush for Waivers 

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It’s been a busy month in D.C. for Elon Musk. WSJ’s Tim Higgins joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss what Musk’s strategies as a CEO can tell us about his plans for DOGE and the federal government. Plus, we get into Trump’s relationship with the judiciary and take a question from a listener about American expansionism. 

Further Reading:

-Musk Brings His Business Playbook to Washington: Move Fast and Claim Victory 

-DOGE, Musk and Trump—Our Reporters Answered Your Questions 

Further Listening:

-R.I.P. CFPB? 

-Trump 2.0: Less Foreign Aid, More Tariffs 

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Dating app companies are seeing a decline in demand, so they’re looking to recruit a new matchmaker: AI. WSJ’s Belle Lin reports on Grindr’s big bet that its new AI “wingman” will help its users find love. And we talk to someone who tried it. 

Further Reading:

- Grindr Aims to Build the Dating World’s First AI ‘Wingman’ 

Further Listening:

- The Price of Dating Apps  

- ‘Love Is Blind’ Is Back. Not All the Drama Is On-Screen 

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Netflix’s hit reality show “Love is Blind” returns this Friday with its eighth season. But behind the scenes, there is a legal battle brewing over the treatment of cast members looking for love. We spoke to a former participant and others in the industry about how this could change reality TV. 

Further Reading:

-How ‘Love Is Blind’ Helped Netflix Crack the Reality-TV Code 

Further Listening:

-James Bond Is Missing. He's Trapped in a Fight With Amazon. 

-Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows 

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The Trump administration's newly installed acting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau chief Russell Vought is closing the agency and has ordered staff to halt all work. WSJ’s Brian Schwartz explores what the agency does and why it’s become the next target for Trump allies like Vought and Elon Musk.

Further Listening:

- Trump 2.0: Less Foreign Aid, More Tariffs 

- Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart 

- Trump’s Tariff Whiplash 

Further Reading:

- CFPB to Close Office After Vought Tells Staff to Halt All Supervision 

- Russell Vought Taking Over as New Acting Head of CFPB 

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Denver was named the winner of a new women’s pro soccer franchise last month, in part because it plans to build one of the first stadiums exclusively for the league. WSJ’s Rachel Bachman explains the seismic shift in women’s sports - and the big money that is coming with it.

Further Reading:

-The Force in Women’s Sports That’s Even More Powerful Than Caitlin Clark 

-No One Wanted to Finance Their Stadium. Now Every Game Is a Sellout. 

Further Listening:

-Can the WNBA Cash in on the Caitlin Clark Effect? 

-The Kiss Rocking Women’s Soccer 

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If you’ve watched any professional sports this year, chances are you’ve seen ad after ad pushing parlay bets. WSJ’s Katherine Sayre explains how parlays became big business for sports betting companies. 

Further Listening:

- How a Psychiatrist Lost $400,000 on Gambling Apps 

- Disney Gets Into Gambling  

Further Reading: 

- America Has Fallen in Love With Long-Shot Sports Bets 

- This Year’s Big NFL Winners: Fans, Not Sportsbooks

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WSJ’s Joel Schectman joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to explore the dismantling of USAID and what it means for America’s future as a global leader. Plus, Trump's tariffs, a Gaza proposal and remaking the CIA.  

Further Listening: 

- Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart 

- Trump’s Tariff Whiplash 

Further Reading:

- How Trump Gutted America’s $40 Billion Aid Agency in Two Weeks 

- CIA Offers Buyout to Entire Workforce as Part of Trump Makeover 

- Democrats Have a New Leader but Haven’t Come to Grips With Failure 

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President Donald Trump wants the world's richest man, Elon Musk, to shrink the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency. And one of DOGE's first targets? USAID, the agency that focuses on foreign assistance. We talk to a USAID worker who is out of work this week and to WSJ’s Brian Schwartz about how powerful Musk and DOGE have become.

Further Reading:

-How Trump Gutted America’s $40 Billion Aid Agency in Two Weeks 

-Trump Hints at Curbs on Musk’s Powers After Billionaire Shakes Up Washington 

Further Listening:

-DOGE: The Plan to Downsize the Government 

-Is DEI Done? 

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Vail Resorts is the king of the mountain. But recently, the ski company has been facing issues with overcrowding and labor disputes. WSJ travel reporter Allison Pohle on how Vail Resorts might be a victim of its own success.

Further Reading:

- Vail Resorts Has an Epic Problem 

- Vail Resorts Shareholder Calls for Overhaul, Ouster of Executives Including CEO 

Further Listening:

- How Target Got Off Target 

- A Surprise Turkey and 200 Lemons: Everyday Stories From the Pandemic  

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Today, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cleared a major hurdle to becoming the nation's chief health officer. WSJ’s Liz Essley Whyte on Kennedy’s history and the heated lead-up to a full Senate vote.

Further Reading:

-RFK Jr. Clears Committee Vote, Putting Him on Track to Become Health Secretary 

-RFK Jr. Backs Vaccines and Trump’s Agenda in Senate Testimony 

-How RFK Jr. Transformed From Green Hero to Vaccine Skeptic 

Further Listening:

-Even Doctors Are Frustrated With Health Insurance 

-PepsiCo’s New Healthy Diet: More Potato Chips and Soda 

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The White House announced wide-ranging tariffs against the U.S.'s biggest trading partners: Mexico, Canada and China. At the last minute, both Canada and Mexico negotiated a pause. WSJ’s Gavin Bade unpacks the significance of the tariffs and the latest updates. 

Further Reading:

-Trump Slaps Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China in Opening Salvo of Trade War 

-Trump Aides Hunt for 11th-Hour Deal to Dial Back Canada-Mexico Tariffs 

Further Listening:

-Trump 2.0 A Whiplash on Federal Spending 

-Trump 2.0: A Fast Start to a Second Term 

-How One Business Is Getting Ahead of Trump’s Tariffs 

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The collision of American Airlines flight 5342 and an Army helicopter is the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in 23 years. But there were warning signs. WSJ's Benjamin Katz reports on recent safety concerns about D.C.'s increasingly busy airspace and explains where the investigation goes next.

Further Listening:

-Your Flight Delay Is Probably New York's Fault 

Further Reading:

-How a Plane and a Helicopter Collided in a Crowded Airspace Around Reagan Airport 

-Washington’s Jam-Packed Airspace Has Prompted Warnings for Years 

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Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball round up the week’s news including nomination hearings, inspectors general firings and the airplane crash in D.C. Plus, they speak to WSJ’s Washington coverage chief Damian Paletta about the administration's freeze on potentially trillions of dollars in government financial assistance.

Further Listening:

- Trump 2.0: A Fast Start to a Second Term 

- Trump’s Immigration Overhaul 

Further Reading:

- White House Budget Freeze Tried to Flip Script on Busted Budget Process 

- Trump Blames DEI, Democrats for Deadly Plane Crash 

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In 2021, President Donald Trump sued Meta after his accounts were suspended in the wake of the January 6 riot. WSJ’s Rebecca Ballhaus explains why Mark Zuckerberg agreed to settle for $25 million yesterday.

Further Reading: 

- Meta to Pay $25 Million to Settle 2021 Trump Lawsuit 

- Meta Ends Fact-Checking on Facebook, Instagram in Free-Speech Pitch 

- ABC News to Pay $15 Million to Settle Donald Trump Defamation Lawsuit 

Further Listening: 

- Corporate America's Embrace of Trump 2.0 

- The End of Facebook’s Content Moderation Era 

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Last week, the Chinese company DeepSeek debuted a new AI model -- and overturned years of conventional wisdom about what it takes to build great AI. The shock unleashed a $1 trillion bloodbath on Wall Street. WSJ’s Stu Woo and WSJ’s Gunjan Banerji unpack DeepSeek's achievement and the market chaos it unleashed.

Further Reading:

-How China’s DeepSeek Outsmarted America 

-The Day DeepSeek Turned Tech and Wall Street Upside Down 

Further Listening:

-The Company Behind Chat GPT 

-The Hidden Workforce That Helped Filter Violence and Abuse Out of ChatGPT 

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Some of the world’s most prominent names in technology are pledging billions to build artificial-intelligence infrastructure in the U.S. in a joint venture called Stargate. Notably missing? Microsoft. WSJ’s Tom Dotan explains how the partnership that launched the AI boom has deteriorated.

Further Reading:

- Tech Leaders Pledge up to $500 Billion in AI Investment in U.S. 

- OpenAI’s Stargate Deal Heralds Shift Away From Microsoft 

- Musk Pours Cold Water on Trump-Backed Stargate AI Project 

Further Listening:

- Artificial: The OpenAI Story 

- What's the Worst AI Can Do? This Team Is Finding Out. 

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President Donald Trump has wasted no time in dismantling DEI programs in the federal government and pressuring private companies to do the same. As WSJ's Chip Cutter reports, Trump’s actions could reshape corporate America.

Further Listening:

- Corporate America's Embrace of Trump 2.0 

- One Man’s Campaign Against DEI

Further Reading:

- How Trump’s Assault on DEI Will Ripple Across Corporate America 

- Why Costco Isn’t Joining the Backlash Against DEI 

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An iconic chain that became known for its fun cocktails and family dining, TGI Fridays has seen a sharp decline in recent years, leading to a bankruptcy filing in November. WSJ’s Heather Haddon explains the company’s unraveling and a former CEO talks about his plans to keep the chain alive.

Further Listening:

- Red Lobster's New CEO Plots Its Comeback 

- McDonald’s Wants To Offer Quality And Value. Can It Do Both? 

Further Reading:

- The Epic Mess at TGI Fridays 

- TGI Fridays Ex-CEO Blanchette to Take Over Chain’s Management 

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Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball are back! This time to unpack the new administration's first 100 days. Today, we discuss President Trump’s slew of executive orders and what they tell us about the next four years. Plus, they speak to WSJ’s Sadie Gurman about changes taking shape at the Justice department. 

Further Listening:

- Trump Declares a ‘Golden Age’ for America 

- Trump’s Immigration Overhaul  

Further Reading:

- Trump’s Immigration Playbook: Breaking Down His Moves This Week 

- Trump Takes Office Determined to Bend Government to His Singular Will 

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The crypto industry has hailed President Trump as a savior. But shortly before his inauguration, Trump made a surprise move that shook the crypto world. WSJ’s Vicky Ge Huang explains the president’s new cryptocurrency and why it has ruffled feathers.

Further Reading:

-$TRUMP Is Already Worth Billions. What to Know About the Meme Coin. 

-Crypto Thought Trump Would Bring It Legitimacy. Then He Launched a Meme Coin. 

Further Listening:

-Bitcoin Hit $100k. What's Next? 

-Inside the Trump Crypto Bromance 

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Shortly after taking office on Monday, President Trump signed several immigration executive orders. WSJ’s Michelle Hackman reports on the new administration’s plans to curtail legal and illegal immigration and on the new border czar who’s leading the efforts.

Further Listening:

- Trump Declares a ‘Golden Age’ for America 

- Why Biden Is Cracking Down on Asylum at the Border 

Further Reading and Watching:

- Why Trump’s Immigration Plans Will Upend U.S. Agriculture 

- The Trump Border Czar Who Wants to Combine MAGA With Realism 

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President Trump tried to ban TikTok during his first term, but now he’s being hailed as the app’s savior. WSJ’s Georgia Wells explains the saga to make a deal with the Chinese-owned social media app. 

Further Reading:

-TikTok Restoring Service for U.S. Users, After Trump Signals He Will Save It 

-What Happens Now That TikTok’s Gone Dark? 

Further Listening:

-The TikTok Ban Goes to the Supreme Court 

-Readers Can’t Get Enough of BookTok. Publishers Are Cashing In. 

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Today, Donald Trump was sworn in as president for a second time. WSJ’s Natalie Andrews discusses Trump’s inaugural address. And we hear from Trump supporters who gathered in Washington D.C. to celebrate. 

Further Listening:

-The Scramble Is on to Fill Trump’s Cabinet 

-What a Republican Congress Could Mean for Trump

Further Reading:

-President Declares New 'Golden Age' for the U.S. 

-Trump Trashed Washington for Years. Now He’s Vowing to Make Over the City. 

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In a special video edition of The Journal, WSJ's Ryan Knutson sits down with Ben Shapiro of The Ben Shapiro Show and Preet Bharara of Stay Tuned with Preet in the Spotify mobile studio in Washington DC. We discuss how new media has shaped politics and how politics has shaped a new era of media. 

Further Listening: 

• Corporate America’s Embrace of Trump 2.0
• The End of Facebook’s Content Moderation Era

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CEOs of major companies are preparing for a second Trump administration, taking trips to Mar-a-Lago and contributing millions to his inauguration fund. WSJ's Chip Cutter explains corporate America's new strategy for engaging with the incoming U.S. president.

Further Reading:

-The CEOs Who Are Tearing Up the Policies Trump Hates 

-Corporate America Drew Back From DEI. The Upheaval Isn’t Over. 

Further Listening:

-DOGE: The Plan to Downsize the Government 

-How One Business Owner Is Getting Ahead of Trump's Tariffs 

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On Wednesday, mediators announced a deal between Israel and Hamas to pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip, opening up a pathway to end the 15-month war. But Israel has yet to finalize the deal. WSJ’s Anat Peled unpacks what we know about the deal and the sticking points to getting it done. 

Further Listening:

-The Risk of an All-Out War in the Middle East 

-What the Ceasefire in Lebanon Means for the Middle East 

-The Brutal Calculation of Hamas's Leader

Further Reading:

-Israel, Hamas Agree to Deal to Pause Fighting in Gaza 

-Netanyahu Strikes Cautious Tone on Gaza Cease-Fire as He Tries to Hold Government Together
-Israel Delays Cabinet Vote on Cease-Fire Deal, Blames Hamas for Reneging 

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After harrowing probes in the 1990s, Swiss banks thought they’d come to terms with their WWII-era ties to Nazis. But WSJ’s Margot Patrick explains how documents newly unearthed from bank archives include shocking revelations. 

Further Reading:

-Nazi Ties to Credit Suisse Ran Deeper Than Was Known, Hidden Files Reveal 

Further Listening:

-What Just Happened at Credit Suisse? 

-The Financial Legacy of the Nuclear Tests on Bikini Atoll 

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How close is artificial intelligence to building a catastrophic bioweapon or causing other superhuman damage? WSJ's Sam Schechner reports on the team at Anthropic testing for AI dangers. And the team leader, Logan Graham, explains how the tests work. 

Further Listening:

-Artificial: The OpenAI Story 

-The Big Changes Tearing OpenAI Apart 

Further Reading:

-Their Job Is to Push Computers Toward AI Doom 

-AI Startup Anthropic Raising Funds Valuing It at $60 Billion 

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The Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles has been decimated by some of the worst fires in U.S. history. On Friday, WSJ’s Katherine Sayre accompanied two residents who went back to see what is left of their homes.

Further Reading:

-The Palisades Residents Who Took Long Journeys to See What’s Left of Their Lives 

-Their Wealth Is in Their Homes. Their Homes Are Now Ash. 

Further Listening:

-The Race to Save an Iconic Train From Falling Into the Ocean 

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Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments challenging the federal law that requires TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, to either shut down or find a new owner. WSJ’s Jess Bravin breaks down the arguments from each side.

Further Listening:

-How TikTok Became The World’s Favorite App 

-A TikTok Star Wrestles With the App's Possible Ban 

-What's Up With All the TikTok Bans? 

-House Passes Bill to Ban TikTok
 

Further Reading:

-Supreme Court Questions TikTok’s Arguments Against Ban 

-How TikTok Was Blindsided by U.S. Bill That Could Ban It 

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced this week that Facebook, Instagram and Threads would dramatically dial back content moderation and end fact checking. WSJ’s Jeff Horwitz explains what that means for the social media giant.

Further Reading:

-Social-Media Companies Decide Content Moderation Is Trending Down 

-Meta Ends Fact-Checking on Facebook, Instagram in Free-Speech Pitch 

Further listening:

-Meta Is Struggling to Boot Pedophiles Off Facebook and Instagram 

-Is Fighting Misinformation Censorship? The Supreme Court Will Decide. 

-The Facebook Files 

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Once fierce rivals, Japanese car giants Honda and Nissan recently announced their plans to merge in 2026. The deal would create the world’s 3rd largest automaker. WSJ’s Sean McLain reports on why Nissan struggled in recent years and the challenges the merged company would face.

Further Listening:

-Inside Carlos Ghosn's Escape From Japan 

-The Future of Self-Driving Cars Is Here 

Further Reading:

-Nissan Needs a Honda Rescue. What Went So Wrong? 

-Honda, Nissan Plan to Create World’s No. 3 Automaker in 2026 Merger 

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would resign. He is the latest global progressive leader to fall from power. WSJ’s Vipal Monga reports on Trudeau’s legacy and downfall.

Further Listening:

-A Murder That Sparked a Diplomatic Crisis 

-Canada’s Trucker Protests 

Further Reading:

-Trudeau to Resign as Voters Sour on His Vision for Canada 

-The Populist Vying to Lead Canada and End a Decade of Liberalism 

-The Progressive Moment in Global Politics Is Over 

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Netflix was known for its “no rules” culture that executives say attracted the best talent. But as it’s grown, the company has pulled back on some of that freedom, including its generous parental leave. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel explains why Netflix is changing the culture that fueled its success, and what it means for employees.

Further Reading:

-Netflix’s Extraordinary Parental Leave Was Part of Its Culture. That’s Over. 

-Netflix Is Rethinking Employee Freedom, a Core Tenet of Its Vaunted Culture 

Further Listening:

-Netflix Turns to Ads 

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After decades of manufacturing in the United States moving overseas, there are calls to bring it back. But doing that is not straightforward. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner and the founder of American Giant explain how that company produced inexpensive T-shirts in the U.S.

Further Reading:

-How a $12.98 T-Shirt Is Made in America—at a Profit  

Further Listening:

-How One Business Owner Is Getting Ahead of Trump's Tariffs 

-China, an Alabama Business and a 20-Year Battle 

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Gunmen of the Gulf Clan, a drug-trafficking militia in Colombia, are seizing tunnels inside one of the largest gold motherlodes in Latin America. The mine belongs to Zijin Mining Group, a Chinese company, which says it has surrendered nearly two-thirds of its tunnels and lost an estimated $200 million worth of gold in 2023. WSJ's Juan Forero reports.

This episode has been updated to include comment from the Gulf Clan.

Further Reading:

-A Drug Gang Stole 3 Tons of Gold in a Scam So Perfect It’s Still Going 

Further Listening:

-Smuggling Migrants Toward the U.S. Is a Booming Business 

-Why Black Lung Is Rising in Coal Country 

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Last year, China’s foreign minister, Qin Gang, suddenly disappeared. Qin was a rising star in Chinese politics and a protegé of China’s strongman leader, Xi Jinping. In the first episode of our three-part investigation, we chart Qin’s rise and begin to untangle the mystery of his disappearance. This series was originally published in October.

Further Listening:
- Episode 2: The Affair - Apple | Spotify
- Episode 3: The Downfall - Apple | Spotify

We'll be back with something new on January 2.

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Mariah Carey released "All I Want for Christmas Is You" in 1994 to moderate success. Today, the song is a megahit and Christmas playlist staple. What happened? WSJ's John Jurgensen called up the "Queen of Christmas" to find out. This episode was originally published on December 11, 2020.

We'll return with something new on January 2.

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James Bond is one of Hollywood's most famous characters. So when Amazon bought the rights to distribute Bond, executives had big plans for the brand’s intellectual property. But so far, Amazon hasn't made a single Bond movie. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel takes us inside the feud that’s tying up the franchise. 

Further Reading:

-Where Is James Bond? Trapped in an Ugly Stalemate With Amazon 

Further Listening:

-Why Hollywood Is Betting Big on 'Wicked'

-Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows 

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The killing of a top health insurance executive outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel this month triggered an outpouring of public anger at private health insurance companies. WSJ’s Julie Wernau reports that many doctors are among the aggrieved. And two doctors explain how dealing with health insurers is getting worse.

Further Listening:

- The Suspect in the UnitedHealth Killing 

Further Reading:

- Doctors Say Dealing With Health Insurers Is Only Getting Worse 

- Clues Left by a Killer Echo Widespread Anger at Health Insurers

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BookTok, the corner of TikTok that’s all about books, has shaken up the publishing world. Over the last few years, the platform has pulled in new readers, especially in the romance and fantasy genres. And now some of the largest publishers in the U.S. are finding new talent and rethinking their strategies because of TikTok. We hear from an author, a bookstore owner and a publisher about how TikTok has transformed the book industry.

Further Listening:

-The Rise of the Tween Shopper 

-Inside One Publisher’s Fight Against Book Bans 

-Scholastic's Succession Drama 

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After nearly a decade and $10 billion in development, General Motors is ending its robotaxi program. WSJ’s Christopher Otts explains why Cruise wasn’t working for the legacy car company.

Further Reading:

-General Motors Scraps Cruise Robotaxi Program 

-GM’s Self-Driving Car Unit Skids Off Course 

Further Listening:

-How Waymo Won Over San Francisco 

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Intel—the company whose chips were “inside” your ‘90s desktops—has fallen behind in recent years. Now, the CEO hired to turn things around is suddenly out. WSJ’s Asa Fitch explains how the once-dominant chip brand lost its edge.

Further Reading:

- He Was Going to Save Intel. He Destroyed $150 Billion of Value Instead. 

- Intel Co-CEOs Outline Strategy Following Pat Gelsinger’s Ouster 

Further Listening:

- America’s Answer to the Chip Shortage 

- Why Washington Went to Wall Street to Revive the Chips Industry 

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Since the war in Ukraine began, strange attacks have been happening across Europe, including a plot to set DHL packages on fire. WSJ’s Bojan Pancevski on Russia’s escalating shadow war in Europe.  

Further Reading:

-Chinese Ship’s Crew Suspected of Deliberately Dragging Anchor for 100 Miles to Cut Baltic Cables 

-Russia Suspected of Plotting to Send Incendiary Devices on U.S.-Bound Planes 

-The Misfits Russia Is Recruiting to Spy on the West 

Further Listening:

-Elon Musk’s Secret Conversations with Vladimir Putin 

-How Ukraine Built a Weapon to Control the Black Sea 

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This week, a federal judge blocked a proposed $20-billion merger between the U.S.’s two largest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons. WSJ’s Patrick Thomas reports on what happened in the trial, why the two chains turned on one another and what’s next for the grocery business.

Further Listening:

- The Fight for 7-Eleven 

- Why the FTC is Challenging a $25 Billion Supermarket Merger 

Further Reading:

- Albertsons Sues Kroger, Terminates Merger After Judge Blocks Supermarket Megadeal 

- Kroger-Albertsons Merger Blocked by Court, Handing Victory to Biden Antitrust Enforcers 

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Last week, the price of Bitcoin reached $100,000 per coin, an all-time-high as President-elect Donald Trump promises his administration will be crypto-friendly. WSJ’s Alexander Osipovich breaks down the outlook for cryptocurrency.

Further Reading:

-Bitcoin Hits $100,000, Lifted by Hopes of a Crypto-Friendly Washington 

-Crypto Players Celebrate SEC Pick, Bitcoin Touches $100,000 

Further Listening:

-Inside the Trump Crypto Bromance 

-Coinbase’s CEO on the Future of Crypto 

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After a manhunt lasting nearly a week, authorities have arrested and charged a suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson. WSJ’s Joshua Chaffin unpacks what we know about the alleged killer, his possible motivations, and the public rage that has bubbled up as the search continued. 

Further Reading:

- Suspect in UnitedHealth Killing Was Ivy Leaguer With Anticapitalist Leanings 

- Manhunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer Meets Unexpected Obstacle: Sympathy for the Gunman 

- Murder at Dawn: A Top Executive’s Final Moments in Manhattan 

Further Listening:

- The Story Behind the Stabbing of a San Francisco Tech Exec 

- Why So Many Emergency Rooms Are Failing Kids in America 

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After decades of brutal dictatorship in Syria, the regime of Bashar al-Assad fell in a matter of days. WSJ’s Yaroslav Trofimov reports on the rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani and how regional players are responding to political change in Syria.

Further Listening:

- What the Ceasefire in Lebanon Means for the Middle East 

- Ten Days That Shifted Power in Syria 

Further Reading:

- The 11-Day Blitz by Syrian Rebels That Ended 50 Years of Assad Rule 

- Assad’s Downfall Marks a New Realignment in the Middle East 

- How a Syrian Rebel Went From an American Jail to Seizing Aleppo 

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Last month, Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian,” a piece of conceptual art that consists of a banana duct taped to a wall, sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $6.2 million. WSJ’s Kelly Crow traces the banana’s origins from Art Basel Miami in 2019 to the top of the art market this year.

Further Listening:

- A Russian Billionaire, an Art Dealer and an Epic Feud 

- The Basquiat Sisters on Managing One of Art's Hottest Brands

Further Reading:

- A $6.2 Million Banana and the Unexpected Return of the Art Market 

- Someone Just Paid $6.2 Million for a Banana Duct-Taped to a Wall 

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Target used to be a cheap and chic place to shop, but now the retailer is in a sales funk, losing market share to competitors like Walmart, Costco, and Amazon. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer explores what happened to the beloved box store’s numbers and the strategies executives may be discussing to get back on target.  

Further Reading:

-Target’s Slide From Cheap Chic to Dull Chore 

Further Listening:

-What Went Wrong at Bed Bath & Beyond? 

-Old Navy Tried to Make Sizes for All. It Backfired. 

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President-elect Donald Trump has proposed radically downsizing the federal government, and two of his allies are going to be in charge: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. WSJ’s John McCormick walks us through the plans for DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency.

Further Reading:

- Musk, Ramaswamy Want Federal Workers in the Office Full Time. There’s a Hitch. 

- Vivek Ramaswamy’s Marching Orders: Cut Trillions for Trump 

Further Listening:

- Uncovering Elon Musk's Secret Political Donations 

- The Scramble Is on to Fill Trump’s Cabinet 

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As President-elect Donald Trump lays out his plan for increasing tariffs on goods made in China and Mexico, some U.S. businesses are stockpiling. Small business owner Jason Junod explains what he thinks the impacts of the proposed tariffs will be, and why he hasn’t been able to go fully “Made in America.”

Further Reading:

-American Companies Are Stocking Up to Get Ahead of Trump’s China Tariffs 

-Trump Fires Salvo on North American Trade Pact 

Further Listening:

-China, an Alabama Business and a 20-Year Battle 

-Why China Is Risking a Trade War 

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To ease flight delays and staffing shortages in the New York City area, the FAA shifted oversight of Newark Airport’s airspace to Philadelphia earlier this year. But WSJ’s Andrew Tangel reports that problems remain and new risks have surfaced. 

Further Listening:

-How Spirit Airlines Landed in Bankruptcy 

-How Southwest Airlines Melted Down 

Further Reading:

-Why Fixing New York Air Traffic Has Been a Bumpy Ride 

-To Ease Newark Flight Delays, the FAA Turned to Philly. Here’s Why. 

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Happy Thanksgiving! This episode was originally published in November 2023. Ocean Spray’s farmers are responsible for 65% of the world’s cranberries. It’s not a publicly traded company. It’s not a traditional private company, either. It’s a cooperative founded nearly a century ago and owned by roughly 700 families. WSJ’s Ben Cohen tells the story of how the cranberry got into the can and how the company is planning for a future beyond your Thanksgiving table. 

Further Reading:

-These People Are Responsible for the Cranberry Sauce You Love to Hate 

Further Listening:

-Are Rotisserie Chickens 'Inflation-Proof'? 

-The Twinkie: From Bankruptcy to Billions 

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Israel and Lebanon have reached a ceasefire agreement that ends more than a year of fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah. WSJ’s Jared Malsin takes us inside the deal and explores what it could mean for the region.

Further Reading:

-Israel Says Cease-Fire Takes Effect in Lebanon 

-Israel Approves Cease-Fire With Lebanon Aimed at Ending Hezbollah Conflict 

Further Listening:

-The Risk of an All-Out War in the Middle East 

-Exploding Pagers and the Risk of a Spreading War 

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After two weeks of uncertainty, Donald Trump nominated Scott Bessent, a longtime Wall Street investor, as his next Treasury secretary. The pick capped a behind-the-scenes battle one advisor called a “knife fight.” WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia takes us inside the decision, explores why Bessent triumphed and unpacks what his tenure could mean for the U.S. economy.

Further Reading:

-How Scott Bessent Won the ‘Knife Fight’ to Be Trump’s Treasury Secretary 

-Scott Bessent Sees a Coming ‘Global Economic Reordering.’ He Wants to Be Part of It. 

Further Listening:

-Gaetz, Bondi and Trump's Department of Justice 

-The Scramble Is on to Fill Trump's Cabinet 

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The movie musical “Wicked” collected a blockbuster $114 million in its opening weekend. Over the past year, Universal and its parent company Comcast have launched an all-out marketing blitz to blanket the world in “Wicked.” WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel reports on how it is the new Hollywood playbook.

Further Listening:
- The Curtain Closes on Phantom of the Opera 

- The Rise of the Minions 

- Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows 

Further Reading:

- Inside Hollywood’s Big ‘Wicked’ Gamble 

- ‘Wicked’ Flies High on Big Screen, With $114 Million Opening Weekend 

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After recognizing his nomination was facing an uphill battle, former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration for U.S. Attorney General. WSJ's Sadie Gurman describes how president-elect Donald Trump's first pick unraveled and why he chose former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the role instead.

Further Reading:

-Trump Picks Pam Bondi for Attorney General After Gaetz Withdraws 

-Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Consideration as Trump's Attorney General 

-Matt Gaetz Had Sex With 17-Year-Old, Witness Told House Ethics Committee 

Further Listening:

-The Scramble Is on to Fill Trump’s Cabinet

-What a Republican Congress Could Mean for Trump 

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When TNT lost the rights to broadcast NBA games this year, fans worried that the network’s long-running popular show “Inside the NBA” would also end. But, as WSJ’s Joe Flint explains, a complicated trade has allowed the show to live on. 

Further Listening:

- The NBA’s Media Rights Are Up For Grabs. Billions Are At Stake. 

- The Media Mogul Taking an Ax To Hollywood 

Further Reading:

- Warner Bros. Discovery, NBA Settle Legal Battle Over TV Rights 

- Warner’s TNT Sues NBA, Alleging Breach of Media-Rights Contract 

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For years, Spirit Airlines soared with a low-cost, no-frills business model. This week, it came in for a bumpy landing. WSJ's Alison Sider explains how the big airlines learned to compete with Spirit––and helped put the carrier in bankruptcy.

Further Listening:

-The Love Triangle Over Spirit Airlines 

-Frontier, Spirit and the Future of Low-Cost Airlines 

Further Reading:

-How Spirit Airlines Went From Industry Maverick to Chapter 11 Bankruptcy 

-Discount Airline Spirit Files for Bankruptcy 

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Earlier this year, Canadian convenience store company Alimentation Couche-Tard put in a bid to acquire 7-Eleven. Then, management from inside 7-Eleven’s parent company, Seven & i, proposed a record-breaking buyout to counter. WSJ’s Jinjoo Lee on the drama around who will own the world’s largest convenience store chain. 

Further Listening:

-The Fight Over U.S. Steel and the Community Caught in the Middle 

-Why the FTC is Challenging a $25 Billion Supermarket Merger 

Further Reading:

-The Fight for 7-Eleven Isn’t Just About Money 

-Talk of a 7-Eleven Takeover Has Japan Worried About the Rice Balls 

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Grocery bills are going up for a lot of reasons. One has to do with how food gets on grocery store shelves. WSJ’s Jesse Newman explains a hidden layer of fees that are getting passed down to the consumer. 

Further Reading:

- The Mysterious Fees Inflating Your Grocery Bill 

- After Years of Raising Prices, Food Companies Hit Consumers’ Limits 

Further Listening:

- The Twinkie: From Bankruptcy to Billions 

- Food Fight: PepsiCo vs. Carrefour 

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The Onion, the satirical news outlet, wants to buy Infowars, the platform conspiracy theorist Alex Jones used to defame families of the Sandy Hook massacre. Onion CEO Ben Collins shares why and John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, explains what it means to Sandy Hook families and the fight against disinformation.

Further Reading:

-The Onion Is Buying Alex Jones’s Infowars Site 

-Alex Jones Files for Bankruptcy Following Sandy Hook Trial Losses 

Further Listening:

-How Much Will Alex Jones Pay for his Sandy Hook Lie? 

-What One School District Is Doing About Rising Gun Violence 

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Leaders from around the world are meeting in Azerbaijan for the U.N.’s COP29 climate conference. With Donald Trump’s recent election victory looming over the event, the U.S.’s role will be diminished. WSJ’s Matthew Dalton explains why this moment might be China’s chance to shine.

Further Listening:

-The Oil Giant Hosting This Year’s U.N. Climate Summit 

-The Fight Over Climate Change's Price Tag 

Further Reading:

-Trump Victory Leaves China Calling the Shots at COP29 Climate Negotiations 

-Welcome to Baku, a City Built on Oil Hosting the World’s Climate Conference 

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The famous investor and muti-billionaire CEO of Berkshire Hathaway is doing something unusual: selling stocks and hoarding cash. WSJ’s Spencer Jakab breaks down possible reasons why and what everyday investors can learn from his choices.

Further Reading:

- Does Warren Buffett Know Something That We Don’t? 

- A $150 Billion Question: What Will Warren Buffett Do With All That Cash? 

Further Listening:

- Charlie Munger: Curmudgeon, Sage and Investing Legend 

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After abortion access wins in 2022, Democrats made a bet that voters backing abortion on states’ ballot measures would also back Democratic candidates. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto explains why that bet turned out to be wrong.

Further Listening:

The Scramble Is on to Fill Trump’s Cabinet 

What a Republican Congress Could Mean for Trump 

Further Reading:

Voters Continued to Back Abortion Rights. It Didn’t Help Democrats. 

A State-by-State Guide to Abortion Access in the U.S. 

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The incoming Trump administration has just named its White House chief of staff and more appointments will be coming soon. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia on who is in the running and how this transition could be different from 2016.

Further Reading:

-The Scramble Is On to Fill Out Trump’s Cabinet  

-Lutnick Consults With Musk, Kushner, Wall Street in Rush to Staff Trump White House  

-Meet the Wall Street Bigwig Who Has Become Trump’s Headhunter in Chief  

Further Listening:

-Red, White and Who? Why Trump Won and Where Democrats Go Next 

-What a Republican Congress Could Mean for Trump 

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The race is over! Molly Ball and Ryan Knutson dive into the election results to understand what the electorate is feeling. Plus, where did it all go wrong for Democrats and what will day one of a Trump presidency look like?

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? It’s Trump. 

- Red, White and Who? An Electoral College Blowout? 

Further Reading:

- How Trump Won the Economy-Is-Everything Election 

- Trump Win Marks a Blow to Biden’s Legacy 

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Former president Donald Trump is now president-elect. But that wasn’t the only win this week for the GOP. Republicans have also secured a majority in the Senate, and they’re poised to win the House of Representatives. WSJ’s Siobhan Hughes breaks down what this Republican trifecta could look like.

Further Reading:

-Republicans Poised to Keep Control of House After Winning Senate 

-How Republicans Regained Control of the Senate 

Further Listening:

-Red, White and Who? It's Trump. 

-How Donald Trump Pulled Off a Historic Comeback 

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Republican former president Donald Trump defeats Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, reclaiming the White House. WSJ’s Alex Leary reports on Trump’s winning strategy and the campaign that fueled it.

Further Listening:

-Red, White and Who? Playlist 

Further Reading:

-Trump Defeats Harris, Marking Historic Comeback 

-How Donald Trump Won—by Being Donald Trump 

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After flipping Georgia, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, Donald Trump will become the 47th President of the United States. In the early hours of the morning, Molly Ball and Ryan Knutson discuss election night and Trump's victory.

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? An Electoral College Blowout? 

- Red, White and Who? The Undecided Voters Who Could Decide The Election 

Further Reading:

- Live Coverage from WSJ 

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Election night is here, and the U.S.–and the world–is watching as the votes come in. WSJ's Politics Editor Ben Pershing walks us through what he's keeping a close eye on, and how long it might take before a winner is called.

Further Reading:

-Election Day 2024 Live: It's Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump as America Votes 

-A (Don’t Hold Us to It) Hour-by-Hour Guide to Election Night 

Further Listening: 

-Harris, Trump and the Inflation Election 

-Red, White and Who? An Electoral College Blowout? 

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Tomorrow is Election Day, and both Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump have campaigned on bringing down inflation. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos breaks down how both candidates’ plans will impact everyday costs.

Further Listening:

-Why Trump and Harris Aren’t Talking About the $1.8 Trillion Deficit 

-Red, White and Who? Playlist 

Further Reading:

-Economists Warn of New Inflation Hazards After Election 

-Inflation Continues Its Bumpy Decline With Mixed September Reading 

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For decades, activists and lawmakers have tried to change the way child care works in the U.S. But they haven’t had much success. More recently, a fight has been brewing at the local level. This Tuesday, several places around the country will vote on whether to subsidize childcare. WSJ’s Harriet Torry explains what that could mean for one county in Texas.

Further Reading:

-Are American Taxpayers Ready to Foot the Bill for Child Care? 

-Child Care, Rent, Insurance: Where Inflation Hits Hardest Now 

Further Listening:

-How Employer-Funded Child Care Can Work 

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Rachel Humphreys and Molly Ball share dispatches from two major campaign events with Ryan Knutson. Molly analyzes the closing arguments and outlines what to expect on election day. Plus, we finally answer listeners’ most asked question: What’s up with the electoral college? 

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? The Undecided Voters Who Could Decide The Election 

- Red, White and Who? The Desperation Stage 

Further Reading:

- America Is Having a Panic Attack Over the Election 

- Pennsylvania Has Already Become Ground Zero for Election-Fraud Claims 

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After a rocky start, self-driving car company Waymo seems to have won over riders in San Francisco. WSJ’s Meghan Bobrowsky talks about the company’s push to convince the public its robotaxis are safe and the challenges of replicating that progress elsewhere.

Further Reading:

-How San Francisco Learned to Love Self-Driving Cars 

-America’s Most Tech-Forward City Has Doubts About Self-Driving Cars 

Further Listening:

-The Future of Self-Driving Cars Is Here 

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For four generations, the Merwin family has worked in Boeing’s factories in Washington state. But for the last six weeks, Tony Merwin and his son Patrick have been on strike, along with 33,000 machinists. They explain why they’re demanding higher wages and pension benefits. 

Further Reading:

-For This Boeing Family, the Job Is the Same. The Payoff Isn’t 

-Boeing Strike Extended After Union Machinists Reject Contract 

-Boeing’s CEO Is Shrinking the Jet Maker to Stop Its Crisis From Spiraling 

Further Listening:

-Why 33,000 Boeing Workers Walked Off the Job 

-Boeing's Long Flight Delay – in Space 

-Boeing Agrees to Felony Plea. Now Its Future Is Up in the Air. 

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During the Trump administration, Chris Krebs was the top cybersecurity official at the Department of Homeland Security. He spoke with WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler at WSJ Tech Live about the upcoming U.S. election and growing cyber threats from foreign governments.

Further Listening:

-The Chinese Hackers Spying on U.S. Internet Traffic 

-Red, White and Who? Playlist 

Further Reading:

-China-Linked Hackers Breach U.S. Internet Providers in New ‘Salt Typhoon’ Cyberattack 

-U.S. Wiretap Systems Targeted in China-Linked Hack 

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For the past two years, tech billionaire Elon Musk has been having regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. WSJ’s Thomas Grove reports on what we know about the nature of their conversations and why that contact raises potential national security concerns for some in the current administration.

Further Reading:

- Elon Musk’s Secret Conversations With Vladimir Putin 

- Musk Says He Thwarted Attack on Russian Fleet in Ukraine’s Crimea 

Further Listening:

- Uncovering Elon Musk's Secret Political Donations 

- The Russian Military is Using Elon Musk’s Starlink 

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Hans Zimmer, Academy Award-winning composer, and Golnar Khosrowshahi, CEO of Reservoir Media, discuss AI in the music industry, why human creation is still unique and whether or not Zimmer approves of “The Journal” theme music.

Further Listening:

-Artificial: The OpenAI Story

-When AI Comes for Your Art

Further Reading:

-Hans Zimmer, Movie Maestro

-Music Labels Take On AI Startups With New Lawsuits

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Five undecided voters in swing states speak to Rachel Humphreys about how they're feeling as election day looms. Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball unpack the stakes. Plus, will betting markets predict the winner?

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? The Desperation Stage 

- How Betting on U.S. Politics Is Getting Big 

Further Reading:

- Trump Takes Narrow Lead Over Harris in Closing Weeks of Race 

- Meet the Traders Making Money Off the Trump Shooting and Biden’s Stumbles 

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Mike Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, was arrested and charged with running an international sex-trafficking ring. WSJ’s Khadeeja Safdar describes the alleged crimes and the potential fallout for the company.

Further Reading:

-Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries Is Arrested, Charged in Sex-Trafficking Case 

Further Listening:

-The Resurrection of Abercrombie & Fitch 

-JPMorgan's $75 Million Jeffrey Epstein Settlement 

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Across the country, elections officials are bracing for a potentially contentious election day. At the same time, a network of conservative election integrity groups are preparing to challenge the result. WSJ's Rebecca Ballhaus reports on the billionaire-funded effort to contest the election, and WSJ's Jim Carlton reports how Maricopa County, Arizona is preparing for the worst.

Further Reading:

-The Secretive Billionaire Network Funding ‘Stop the Steal’ 2.0 

-‘It Feels Very Dystopian.’ Republican County Officials Brace for Election Deniers—Again 

Further Listening:

-Red, White and Who? The Desperation Stage  

-Uncovering Elon Musk's Secret Political Donations 

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For 17 days last year, unidentified drones swarmed an area in Virginia that is home to a military base and other sensitive intelligence sites. WSJ’s Gordon Lubold looked into why it was so difficult for U.S. officials to stop them. 

Further Reading:

-Mystery Drones Swarmed a U.S. Military Base for 17 Days. The Pentagon Is Stumped. 

Further Listening:

-How Ukraine Built a Weapon to Control the Black Sea 

-Cheap Drones Are Transforming the Battlefield 

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Clouds are gathering over the Sunshine State’s housing market. Especially along the state’s Gulf Coast, housing inventory is up and buyer interest is slowing. WSJ’s Deborah Acosta talks through the cooling-off of one of America’s biggest housing booms and what it says about what it means to live in Florida now.

Further Listening:

- Is Asheville No Longer a 'Climate Haven? 

- Years After Surfside Collapse, Florida Condos Are In Crisis 

Further Reading:

- The Great Florida Migration Is Coming Undone 

- Why the Tampa Area Is So Vulnerable to a Hurricane 

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Last year, China’s foreign minister, Qin Gang, suddenly disappeared. Qin was a rising star in Chinese politics and a protegé of China’s strongman leader, Xi Jinping. In the first episode of our three-part investigation, we chart Qin’s rise and begin to untangle the mystery of his disappearance.

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In the second episode of our investigation, we examine the life and career of Fu Xiaotian: the prominent Chinese TV host who had an affair with Qin Gang. Like Qin, Fu was sharp and ambitious, but her high-flying career would come to an abrupt halt. And like Qin, she would also mysteriously disappear. 

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In our final episode, we get a break in the case of the missing minister: According to our sources, Chinese officials were told that Qin disappeared due to an explosive allegation. We dig into that story and its consequences for Fu and for Qin – Xi Jinping’s trusted aide. 

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With millions of votes already cast, the race is on for each campaign to get their supporters to the polls. Ryan Knutson talks with Molly Ball about the different strategies Trump and Harris are taking, and why election denial is such a big issue in Arizona. Plus, Rachel Humphreys speaks to a Gen Z Voter.

Further Listening: 

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? Foreign Policy and the Rise of Donald Trump Jr. 

- Red, White and Who? Veep Veep! All Eyes on Vance and Walz 

Further Reading:

- Republicans Rush to Bolster Trump’s Ground Game 

- Kari Lake’s 2022 Fraud Claims Are Costing Her in 2024 

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Lilly Ledbetter, equal pay trailblazer, died on Saturday. WSJ’s Joseph De Avila reports on how Ledbetter faced pay discrimination at her job and sued her employer, taking her case all the way to the Supreme Court. And WSJ’s Lauren Weber discusses the persistence of the gender pay gap. 

Further Reading:

-Fair-Wage Advocate Lilly Ledbetter Dies at 86 

-Data Show Gender Pay Gap Opens Early 

Further Listening:

-The TikTok That Changed College Hoops 

-What Corporate America Can Learn From Coke’s Reckoning With Race 

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Investigators say that Arion Kurtaj’s life in cybercrime began at age 11, and ultimately led to his participation in the hacks of major companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Uber. WSJ’s Robert McMillan explains how Kurtaj’s case has brought worries about a new breed of fearless young hackers.

Further Reading:

-This Teenage Hacker Became a Legend Attacking Companies. Then His Rivals Attacked Him. 

-Hackers Leaked ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Footage, Rockstar Games Says 

Further Listening:

-Hack Me If You Can, Part 1: The Making of a Russian Hacker 

-How North Korea’s Hacker Army Stole $3 Billion in Crypto 

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Over the summer, an outbreak of listeria in Boar’s Head products killed 10 people and sickened dozens more. In the months after the crisis, the family that runs the company has said little. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer dug through court documents to piece together a decades-long story of a family fighting over ownership of a deli meat empire.

Further Reading:

- Inside the Half-Century Feud Dividing the Boar’s Head Family 

- Boar’s Head Closing Virginia Factory Tied to Deadly Listeria Outbreak 

Further Listening:

- Farm-to-Table Pioneer on Why We Still Need Better Food 

- Food Fight: PepsiCo vs. Carrefour 

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TD Bank’s U.S. entity pleaded guilty and agreed to pay more than $3 billion in penalties, acknowledging it failed to properly monitor money laundering by drug cartels and other criminal groups. WSJ’s Dylan Tokar unpacks the investigation that led to such a historic deal.

Further Listening: