Slate News

Liz Cheney rose through Republican leadership based on her conservative bona fides, but thanks to her prominent role in the Jan 6th committee, she’s gained donors and admirers from across the aisle. Her constituents back in Wyoming aren’t so enthusiastic though, throwing her future in Congress into doubt.   Guest: Bob Beck, news director of Wyoming Public Radio. If you enjoy this show, please cons...

Emily Bazelon talks with author Vanessa Hua about  her new historical fiction book,  Forbidden City . The novel tells the story of sixteen-year-old revolutionary Mei who becomes a dancer in Chairman Mao’s inner circle. Emily and Vanessa talk about Vanessa’s inspiration for the novel, the complicated dynamics between Mei and Chairman Mao, and whether we’ll hear more from Mei.  Tweet us your questio...

Toronto’s Quayside project is a telling example of how smart cities have failed. Could it also show how to make them better? Guest: Ben Green , Jennifer Keesmaat Host: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Felix Salmon , Emily Peck , and Elizabeth Spiers discuss Amazon’s acquisition of One Medical, the complications of start-ups offering loans to employees against their stock options, and Evan Osnos’ New Yorker article on the rise of the superyacht.   In the Plus segment: Why are Facebook and Instagram so bad now?   Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

The continent's deadly heat wave is only the tip of the melting iceberg. Guest: Henry Grabar Host: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Josie Duffy Rice discuss Europe’s deadly heat wave, Joe Manchin’s balk at climate legislation, and the inevitable tragedies already happening post- Roe. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Lindsay Whitehurst, Camille Fassett, and Jasen Lo for the Associated Press: “ Social Programs Weak in Many States With Tough Abortion Laws ” The...

Is there any climate-saving legislation that could win the vote of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin?  Guest: Jim Newell , senior politics writer at Slate. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Si...

Animals navigate the world using echolocation, ultraviolet vision, and a sensitivity to sounds and scents that humans can only imagine. That means things like light pollution or the noise of a highway can impact them in ways we might not readily consider. But with an empathic ear—and eye, and nose—we can make small changes to be much better neighbors to our fellow species. Guest: Ed Yong , science...

Abortion is now illegal in eight states, and more trigger laws banning the procedure are expected. The new state policies usher in an era of criminalized abortion. In Missouri, one liberal prosecutor is still struggling to predict how strictly these laws will be enforced. Guest: Jean Peters Baker , elected prosecutor of Jackson County, Missouri. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up f...

Joe Biden broke through the Democratic primaries as the safe choice, the one to beat Trump and get stuff done by reaching across the aisle. But two years into his presidency, his approval rating has plunged, his own party has stymied most of his agenda, and the most effective political body in Washington is the conservative-majority Supreme Court. What’s Biden’s plan here? Guest: Perry Bacon Jr. ,...

Thenmozhi Soundararajan was scheduled to give a talk at Google for Dalit History Month. It led to vicious attacks against her from some of its employees. Guest: Thenmozhi Soundararajan Host: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Felix Salmon , Emily Peck , and Elizabeth Spiers discuss Elon Musk vs Twitter, the big banks getting big texting fines, and the ethically questionable academic study funded by Uber.   In the Plus segment: The Gates Foundation   Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dahlia Lithwick is joined by former Attorney General Eric Holder as Amicus begins its summer season while the Supreme Court is in recess. General Holder describes his feelings when, as President Barack Obama’s Attorney General, he realized he could not in good conscience take part in the long-held tradition of the AG arguing an “easy case” before the Supreme Court. The issue? That same court had j...

Dysfunction is nothing new to Twitter. But Elon Musk pulling his offer to buy the company adds a new layer of chaos. Guest: Alex Kantrowitz Host: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Mark Leibovich discuss Biden’s 2024 plans, the establishment Republicans who stand by Trump, and Herschel Walker’s alarming Senate campaign. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trump's Washington and the Price of Submission , by Mark Leibovich Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “ History Will Judge...

The Proud Boys started as a loose coalition of men who filtered misogyny and racism through an ironic, “just joking” veneer. But once Donald Trump told them to “stand back and stand by” from the debate stage, it became clear that something more serious was happening. After taking part in the Jan. 6 insurrection, the Proud Boys have become even more active in GOP politics, choosing candidates, and...

Doctors feel confident they can deal with the ongoing monkeypox outbreak. But, once again, our public health agencies have been stumbling to get a hold of this virus before it spreads widely. Guests: Matt Ford and Shannon Palus , Slate senior editor. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes...

Persistent Russian missile strikes since February and an ongoing blockade have silenced Odesa’s normally busy port—but not its 19th century opera house. Performances now end with a singing of the Ukrainian national anthem. Guest: Ekaterina Tsymbalyuk , a soloist at the Odesa Opera. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on a...

As anti-gay and anti-trans politics become more mainstream, the Trevor Project has a unique perspective. They run a hotline where queer kids are talking about how Republican rhetoric is meeting reality. Bullying once thought to be confined to high schools has made its way to mainstream politics.  Guest: Sam Ames , civil rights lawyer and director of advocacy and governmental affairs at The Trevor...

There's still a lot unknown about COVID's new wonder drug. Guest: Rachel Gutman-Wei Host: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Felix Salmon , Emily Peck , and Elizabeth Spiers discuss this week’s good jobs report versus the bad economic vibes, Boris Johnson’s ousting as Prime Minister, and the stark decline in the quality of air travel.   In the Plus segment: What are the odds that two former FBI directors would be audited?   Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Dahlia L​​ithwick hosts Amicus’ annual term-ending breakfast table conversation, featuring Slate’s own Mark Joseph Stern, Professor Katherine Franke and Professor Nikolas Bowie . They dig into the biggest decisions of the term, and step back to survey where the court is headed, and where it’s already been.  Sign up for Slate Plus now to listen and support our show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Climate change is causing unprecedented severe weather. Is the agency prepared for it to get worse? Guest: Craig Fugate and Ashley Nerbovig Host: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the Supreme Court’s gutting of administrative authority in West Virginia v. EPA, the case coming next term that could upend U.S. elections, and the Highland Park shooting. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Julian Davis Mortenson and Nicholas Bagley for The Atlantic: “ The Nondelegation Doctrine Is A Fable ” ...

Last month, inflation hit a new 40-year high . Americans are feeling it in their grocery bills, at the gas pump, in airline tickets, electrical bills, and rental costs. What can be done to combat rising prices in the current economy – and at what price?  Guest: Jordan Weissmann , senior editor and writer at Slate focused on economics, politics, and public policy. If you enjoy this show, please con...