The Supreme Court is heading into the final stretch of its current session and there are a number of cases with major social implications yet to be decided. But as we wait for decisions on student loan forgiveness and affirmative action, another major issue is hanging over the court. WSJ’s Jess Bravin discusses ProPublica’s recent investigations into alleged ethical misconduct of Supreme Court justices and what they could mean for the institution.

Further Reading:

- OPINION: Justice Samuel Alito: ProPublica Misleads Its Readers 

- Harlan Crow’s Gifts, Financial Ties With Justice Thomas Under Fresh Scrutiny by Democrats 

- Chief Justice John Roberts Asked to Address ‘Ethical Standards’ at Supreme Court 

Further Listening:

- Will Student Debt Get Canceled? The Supreme Court Decides. 

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Superheroes have conquered Hollywood. They generate billions of dollars at the box office and have pushed other movies to the margins. That revolution has been led by Marvel Studios. 

In a new four-part series, WSJ’s Ben Fritz goes behind the scenes and reports on how Marvel, a once-troubled comics publisher, soared to the top of the movie business. It’s a tale of rivalries, spite, little-known deals and incredible luck. 

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In May, Taco Bell filed a petition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, claiming that ‘Taco Tuesday’ is a common phrase and that any restaurant should be able to use it. The trademark owners—Taco John’s and Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar— have both moved to fight back in court to protect their exclusive rights. WSJ’s Joseph De Avila breaks down the clash of the taco titans.

Further Reading:

- The Battle for Taco Tuesday Gets Heated 

- The Long Fight Over ‘Taco Tuesday’ 

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It was a weekend of chaos in Russia, as forces of the paramilitary Wagner Group marched towards Moscow in a short-lived revolt. WSJ's Yaroslav Trofimov describes what happened and explains why this is the biggest threat to President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power.

Further Reading:

- After Weekend of Chaos in Russia, Questions Remain Over Fate of Wagner 

- Why Wagner Chief Prigozhin Turned Against Putin 

Further Listening:

- The Grim Story of a Russian Prisoner Turned Recruit 

- ‘Putin’s Chef’ Now Serving Up Gains for Russia in Ukraine 

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Long-dormant mortgages are coming back to bite. Homeowners around the country are facing large bills and even foreclosure threats from investors who own their second mortgages, often made more than a decade ago. We talk to WSJ’s Ben Eisen and a homeowner about why these seemingly dead mortgages are now coming back to life.

Further Reading:

- Zombie Mortgages Could Force Some Homeowners Into Foreclosure 

Further Listening:

- Investors are Buying Up Homes. Cincinnati is Pushing Back  

- The Downfall of a Real Estate Empire 

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North Korean hackers have stolen more than $3 billion over the past 5 years. The U.S. government says a big share of that is being funneled into the country’s nuclear missile program. WSJ’s Robert McMillan discusses how these hackers have reached the top of the crypto hacking game.

Further Reading:

- How North Korea’s Hacker Army Stole $3 Billion in Crypto, Funding Nuclear Program 

Further Listening:

- How Investigators Cracked a $3.4 Billion Crypto Heist 

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Cracks are forming in a prestigious Wall Street institution: Goldman Sachs. Most bank CEOs make big decisions with a cadre of executives. But Goldman maintains a partnership with about 420 members, many of whom like to have a say in how the firm is run. WSJ’s AnnaMaria Andriotis explains why CEO David Solomon has come under fire from partners who complain about bonuses, strategy and that DJ side gig.

Further Reading:

- Goldman Sachs Is at War With Itself 

- Goldman Sachs’s 80 New Partners Are the Happiest People on Wall Street Today 

- Goldman Sachs Doesn’t Want to Be Everyone’s Bank, but It Has to Be Someone’s 

Further Listening:

- Goldman Sachs and the 1MDB Scandal 

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As wildfires increase in severity and frequency, thousands of homes in California have been destroyed and insurance companies' earnings have taken a hit. Now, two companies, State Farm and Allstate, have announced they will no longer offer new home insurance policies in the state. We speak to one homeowner and WSJ’s Jean Eaglesham about why the situation has escalated. 

Further Reading:

- Home Insurers Curb New Policies in Risky Areas Nationally 

- Allstate Stops Selling New Home-Insurance Policies in California, Citing Wildfire Risks 

- State Farm Halts Home-Insurance Sales in California 

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We’re off today, but we still have an episode for you!

In 1838, the Jesuits who founded Georgetown University sold 272 slaves to pay off the school's debts and keep the college afloat. Nearly 200 years later, the Jesuits want to make amends. But as Lee Hawkins explains, the path to racial healing can be a messy one. This episode originally published in May 2022.

Further Reading:

- For Georgetown, Jesuits and Slavery Descendants, Bid for Racial Healing Sours Over Reparations 

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George Soros, the legendary investor, philanthropist and right-wing target, is handing control of his $25 billion empire to his fourth child—Alexander Soros, a former party boy and self-described center-left thinker. WSJ’s Gregory Zuckerman on how Alex Soros plans to deploy his family’s vast fortune.

Further Reading:

- George Soros Hands Control to His 37-Year-Old Son 

- The Soros Era Is Over on Wall Street 

Interested in other succession stories? Listen to:

- The World's Richest Person Is Planning for Succession 

- Scholastic's Succession Drama 

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