Apple News Today

We’re bringing you something special this week in place of our usual daily show. Every day, we are making one of the stories that listeners loved this year free for everyone. Today it’s The Highlight by Vox on why Americans are moving in with strangers twice their age, written by Rachel Cohen and narrated by Jaime Lamchick for Apple News+.

This episode from our Apple News In Conversation archives is our most-listened-to interview of the year. It was originally published in June 2025.

In his 22-year career in the FBI, undercover agent Scott Payne infiltrated some of the most dangerous criminal and extremist groups in America, from a motorcycle gang called the Outlaws to a white-supremacist group known as the Base. Payne shares his firsthand case accounts of gathering intelligence and stopping illegal activity in his memoir, Code Name: Pale Horse; How I Went Undercover to Expose America’s Nazis. His story is also featured on the latest season of the Slate podcast White Hot Hate. Payne sat down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to talk about some of his most harrowing moments on the job and the growing threat of extremism in the U.S.

It’s the first holiday season since President Trump’s tariffs came into effect. NBC’s Kayla Steinberg explains why some shoppers received a big surprise on their online orders.

Congress left Washington for the holidays after one of the least productive years in modern history. NPR’s Barbara Sprunt breaks down the factors that have caused the stagnation.

Former ICE officials say families are being detained for prolonged periods of time to speed up deportations. Anna Flagg of the Marshall Project joins to discuss how Trump administration policies have swept thousands of children into custody.

Plus, the State Department recalled more than two dozen diplomats from around the world, tricky weather will complicate travel during the holidays, and how to avoid being singled out by the TSA.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

The Department of Justice released a trove of heavily redacted documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. The Atlantic’s Charlie Warzel explains why they left many people unsatisfied.

The U.S. military pursued a third oil tanker near Venezuela after taking previous action against two other ships. Benoit Faucon of the Wall Street Journal breaks down the latest escalation in the region.

Some conservatives say they will support a run by Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election if he enters the race. Jonathan Cooper with the Associated Press joins to discuss how one organization is already laying the groundwork for a potential Vance campaign.

Plus, why flood-infrastructure grants were held up as Washington state dealt with record rainfall, how a power outage left robotaxis stranded, and the blue pit viper that supercharged the box office.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

From Apple News In Conversation: The end of the year is a moment to reflect on the art and culture that stood out. Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu sat down with two culture critics — Sam Sanders, the host of The Sam Sanders Show on KCRW, and Anne Helen Petersen, creator of the podcast and newsletter Culture Study — to break down their top releases. They talk about the music, film, and TV they loved most in 2025. Plus, our listeners share their own picks for this year’s can’t-miss shows and albums.

Police say the man suspected of carrying out the deadly mass shooting at Brown University is dead. NBC News reports on how he is also suspected of the killing of a professor at MIT.

A Russian envoy is set to meet with U.S. officials over the weekend in Miami for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal’s Max Colchester explains why many European leaders are now preparing their citizens for a potential conflict with Russia.

Trump has issued more executive orders in 2025 than his entire first term. Emily Davies of the Washington Post joins to discuss how the president has turned to executive orders as policy and communications tools.

Plus, the Kennedy Center might soon be renamed, the Trump administration says it’s cutting funding of transgender care for minors, and a look back at some of the best movies, music, and TV from the past year.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

In a prime-time address, President Trump said the economy has vastly improved since he took office. The Washington Post’s  Jacob Bogage joins to discuss why everyday Americans don’t feel the same way.

Trump wants a former county clerk who was convicted of tampering with voting machines freed from prison. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez of The Atlantic explains why that’s unlikely.

A statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Emancipation Hall in Washington, D.C, has been replaced by one of civil-rights hero Barbara Rose Johns. NPR’s Rachel Treisman tells her story.

Plus, why four Republicans defied House Speaker Mike Johnson to force a vote on ACA subsides, NASA has a new administrator after a yearlong confirmation process, and the Oscars are headed exclusively to YouTube.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

House Republican leadership says there will be no vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire. Politico’s Jordain Carney joins to discuss why the GOP hasn’t been able to rally behind a health-care strategy.

Funeral services for some of the Bondi Beach victims were held in Sydney, and an alleged gunman has been charged with 59 offenses. The Washington Post reports on why the black flag of ISIS keeps showing up at scenes of immense violence.

Authorities in Rhode Island released a new image and video of a person of interest in the Brown University shooting. Jennifer McDermott of the Associated Press details why some Providence residents are frustrated with the investigation.

Plus, officials in Los Angeles officially filed charges in the killing of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, the Department of Defense says it won’t publicly release the video of a controversial boat strike, and why more people are listening to Christmas music for longer periods of time.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

Authorities in Los Angeles will soon consider charges in the killing of iconic film director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer. Politico reports on Reiner’s life as a political activist.

Jimmy Lai, a major pro-democracy leader in Hong Kong, was convicted of collusion and sedition. Hong Kong Free Press editor Tom Grundy breaks down the case and its implications.

An investigation revealed how major dollar-store chains routinely overcharge customers. The Guardian’s Jocelyn Zuckerman explains how shelf prices don’t always match what shows up at the register.

Plus, a JetBlue flight narrowly averted a collision with a U.S. military plane, how the victims of the Brown University shooting are being remembered, and why the man being hailed as a hero for disarming a shooter in the Bondi Beach attack says he’d do it all again.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

Australians are in shock after two gunmen opened fire at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing at least 15 people. CBS News reports that the suspects are a father and son.

Talks over ending the war between Russia and Ukraine accelerated over the weekend. The Wall Street Journal’s Laurence Norman details why big differences remain for both sides.

Authorities in Rhode Island are still searching for a suspect in the deadly mass shooting on the campus of Brown University. The Washington Post reports that the initial person of interest has been released.

Plus, more rain is on the way as Washington state battles severe flooding, the surprising return of a 44-year-old NFL quarterback, and legendary actor Dick Van Dyke’s message on his 100th birthday.

Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.