When it comes to the past year, we’ve all lost something -- or someone. Time with friends and family. A job. A loved one. But when we think about the 530,000 people in the U.S. who died because of COVID-19, the magnitude makes it hard to see the individuals. Today, we remember one loss, out of many.
Guests: Alicia Montgomery, executive producer of podcasts at Slate, and her cousin, Yvonne Tilghman.
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Our Year: 1 Out of 530,000

The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning.

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Crossing the Darién Gap, a 66-mile stretch of jungle in Panama, was hard enough before right-wing influencers began showing up with cameras, trying to bait would-be migrants into providing pro-Trump soundbites. 

Guest: Ken Bensinger, New York Times political reporter covering right-wing media and national campaigns.

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Conservative Candid Camera in the Darién Gap

In a last minute twist, Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire with Israel. But targeted airstrikes are already underway in Rafah. With its infrastructure in shambles, Gaza is facing famine – and worse. What’s next for Gaza’s people? 

Guest: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for the Economist.

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Hamas Agreed to a Ceasefire. Now What?

Marjorie Taylor Greene is calling for Mike Johnson’s job—again. But unlike Kevin McCarthy before him, Johnson has support from a surprising place.

Guest: Jim Newell, Slate’s senior politics writer.

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Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther.
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Why Democrats Will Save Mike Johnson’s Job

The California Journalism Preservation Act would make companies like Google and Meta pay publishers for the news content appearing in their feeds and search results—and force news organizations to spend that money on their journalists. How have similar laws worked in Canada and Australia? And could it solve journalism’s on-going revenue problem?

Guest: Matt Pearce, former LA Times journalist, the president of Media Guild of the West.


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TBD | Can California Save Journalism?

Bird flu isn’t new, you may even remember past outbreaks. But showing up in milk? 

Is America ready if it leaps to spreading among humans?

Guest: Katelyn Jetelina, epidemiologist, senior advisor to the CDC 

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Our Year: 1 Out of 530,000

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