Apple News Today

The Apple News Today team is off for the holiday weekend. But we are bringing you something special in place of our usual daily show: a narrated News+ article from Popular Mechanics that we’re making free for everyone.

It examines why thousands of cities across the country are shrinking — and what ghost towns of the past can teach us about what happens when thriving places start to fall silent.

Subscribers to Apple News+ can get narrated articles like this one every day. Your News+ subscription includes access to more than 500 publications, 100,000 recipes, premium local news, exclusive daily puzzles, and much more. Click here to start your free trial today.

This episode originally aired on Sept 18, 2025. 

From Apple News In Conversation: The Constitution has been amended 27 times, but the last meaningful change was over half a century ago. In historian Jill Lepore’s book We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution, she argues that the near impossibility of amendment in recent decades underlies many of today’s political crises, from polarization to battles over the courts. Lepore spoke with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu about the history of constitutional revision and why the amendment process matters for the future of American democracy.

President Trump has made an estimated $2 billion since taking office. Reuters details how the deals came together.

Gas prices this summer are lower than experts predicted. Politico explains why the forecasts missed the mark.

Is midtown Manhattan about to host Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding? The Atlantic discusses how speculation is in overdrive — by Swift’s own design.

Plus, a heat wave is bearing down on the eastern U.S., how Americans are feeling about the nation’s legacy, and you can now book a place to watch the U.S. men’s soccer team in the next round.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

The Supreme Court wrapped its 2025–2026 term. Justin Jouvenal of the Washington Post breaks down the key moments in a consequential set of decisions.

The justices upheld two state laws that bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Brooke Migdon from The 19th explains what the ruling means for trans athletes across the country.

The federal government will cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs under Medicare for an 18-month period. The Washington Post’s Christopher Rowland joins to discuss how the program works.

Plus, Trump earned more than a billion dollars from crypto last year, New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean returned to Congress after a four-month absence due to depression, and LeBron James is leaving the Lakers.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

On the final day of its term, the Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s proposed limits to birthright citizenship. It allowed states to ban transgender women and girls from participating in women's and girl’s sports. And the Supreme Court struck down long-standing campaign finance restrictions.

The Washington Post’s Julian Mark examines one of the Supreme Court’s other big rulings this week, which significantly expands presidential power.

Europe is sweltering through a record-breaking heat wave. Bloomberg’s Joe Wertz breaks down how it’s shifting the way Europeans think about climate change and summer.

The Ebola outbreak in Congo has surpassed 1,000 infections and could rival the largest outbreak ever recorded. Wired’s Isabella Ward explains why a promising vaccine to fight the current strain had previously been shelved.

Plus, another notable NBA player was implicated in a gambling scheme, a dramatic day of World Cup knockout games, and Philadelphia’s historical reenactors are gearing up for the biggest summer of their careers.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick and Cecilia Lei.

The Supreme Court just expanded President Trump’s power over federal agencies that were long considered independent. NPR explains what to know.

Search-and-rescue crews are racing to find survivors in earthquake-ravaged Venezuela. The BBC reports on how families have joined in to look for their loved ones.

Texas is the first state to require Bible readings in public schools. The Houston Chronicle reports that the new standards take effect this fall.

World Cup group play is over. Paul Tenorio of The Athletic joins to break down the round of 32.

Plus, officials in France reported an additional 1,000 deaths from the deadly heat wave hitting Europe, Iran said it has the right to control the Strait of Hormuz in a challenge to the peace deal with the U.S., and Serena Williams is returning to Wimbledon for the first time since 2022.Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

From Apple News In Conversation: When New Yorker staff writer Jay Caspian Kang sat down to do his taxes, one question surfaced: Should he still be saving for his 9-year-old daughter’s college fund? What followed was a deeply reported series about the growing crisis in American higher education and the forces behind it — from AI to soaring tuition to a collapse in public trust in institutions. Kang speaks with Apple News In Conversation guest host David Greene about what colleges are actually for, whether they’re still delivering on their promises, and what the future of higher education might look like.

The Supreme Court handed the Trump administration two sweeping immigration victories on Thursday. NPR’s Nina Totenberg joins to break down both decisions and what they mean.

Recovery efforts are underway in Venezuela after rare back-to-back earthquakes killed hundreds and leveled buildings. NBC News reports on the conditions rescuers are facing.

Plus, Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility is officially closed, the heat wave bearing down on Europe, and why losing their next game might be a good thing for two teams in the World Cup.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

Back-to-back earthquakes have devastated Venezuela. Reuters has the latest.

America’s 250th birthday is just around the corner but the planning has gotten complicated. Anna Kramer of NOTUS explains how two competing groups ended up organizing celebrations simultaneously.

President Trump abruptly canceled the signing of a bipartisan housing bill. Mary Clare Jalonick of the Associated Press breaks down why.

Plus, a Trump-backed conservative businessman and lawyer will be the next president of Colombia, and the lucky soccer fans getting paid to watch every World Cup game.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

Congress is on the verge of sending the first major housing bill in more than 30 years to the president’s desk. The Hill’s Helen Huiskes breaks down what the legislation does.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings in roughly a dozen cases before July 4. The Wall Street Journal’s James Romoser joins to discuss the decisions that will test Trump’s power.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is rallying support against a ballot measure that would tax the wealth of billionaires in the state. Politico’s Jeremy B. White explains the unlikely coalition Newsom is building to fight the proposal.

Plus, the Senate rebuked Trump over the Iran war, sentences were handed down against Texas immigration protesters, and a look at last night’s NBA draft.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.