The Journal.
By The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet
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Subscribers: 3825
Reviews: 5
Episodes: 326
Apr 4, 2022
One of the best. Highly recommended
Feb 19, 2022
May 7, 2020
May 1, 2020
Adi
Apr 8, 2020
Great collection of news, aptly put together.
Description
The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson. The Journal is a co-production from Gimlet Media and The Wall Street Journal.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Evicted on Wood Street: California's Housing Crisis
1280
When Kellie Castillo needed a place to live, she ended up at Wood Street, one of the largest homeless encampments in California. State authorities have spent the past several months shutting Wood Street down, leaving people like Kellie to figure out what’s next. WSJ’s Christine Mai-Duc describes what’s behind the state’s decision and what it means for the unhoused in California.
Further Reading:
- California Gov. Newsom Updates Plan to Fight State’s Homelessness Problem
- California’s Homelessness Problem Pits Gov. Gavin Newsom Against Mayors
Further Listening:
- Checking Out of Hotel 166
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|
May 26, 2023 |
|
Is Supreme Still the King of Streetwear?
1019
Supreme is known for buzzy items, long lines and frenzied sell-outs. But lately, Supreme’s products are still available days after release. WSJ’s Jacob Gallagher discusses the brand’s rise and what’s changed.
Further Reading:
- Is Supreme Still Cool?
Further Listening:
- The Designer Who Made Streetwear Luxury
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|
May 25, 2023 |
|
Elon Musk on 2024 Politics, Succession Plans and Whether AI Will Annihilate Humanity
1240
In an interview at WSJ's CEO Council Summit with editor Thorold Barker, Elon Musk talked about whether he regrets buying Twitter, who might eventually take the helm of the three companies he runs and how AI will change our future.
Further Reading:
- Ron DeSantis to Launch 2024 Presidential Run in Twitter Talk With Elon Musk
- Elon Musk Wants to Challenge Google and Microsoft in AI
- The Elon Musk Doctrine: How the Billionaire Navigates the World Stage
Further Listening:
- Twitter’s New CEO: The Velvet Hammer
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|
May 24, 2023 |
|
Kia and Hyundai’s ‘Kia Boyz’ Problem
1157
After car theft videos went viral on social media, Hyundai and Kia have been reckoning with a surge in stolen vehicles. WSJ’s Sean McLain unpacks how the thefts started and how the companies are trying to address them.
Further Reading:
- Cities Sue Hyundai, Kia After Wave of Car Thefts
- States Urge Recall of Millions of Kia, Hyundai Cars After Sharp Rise in Thefts
- Police, Car Owners Wrestle With Growing Thefts of Kias, Hyundais
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|
May 23, 2023 |
|
The Clock Is Ticking on the Debt Ceiling
1044
The federal government uses debt to pay about a quarter of its bills and the federal borrowing limit is maxed out. WSJ’s Andrew Duehren explains the June 1st X-date (when the U.S. runs out of funds) and some catastrophic potential outcomes if Congress doesn’t raise or suspend the federal borrowing limit.
Further Reading:
- When Is the Debt Ceiling Deadline and What Happens if the Limit Isn’t Raised?
- Yellen Says Treasury Still Expects U.S. Could Default as Soon as June 1
- World Leaders Warily Watch U.S. Debt-Limit Standoff
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|
May 22, 2023 |
|
Why Some Companies Keep Getting Away With Higher Prices
1033
Companies continue to raise prices on everything from streaming services to handbags, sometimes at a rate that exceeds the pace of inflation. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner and Greg Ip unpack why this is happening.
Further Reading:
- Pricing Power: This Is Kate Spade’s Hottest Bag…and It Costs $500
- We May Be Getting Used to High Inflation, and That’s Bad News
Further Listening:
- Why the Fed Raised Interest Rates Amidst a Banking Crisis
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|
May 19, 2023 |
|
IRS Might Make Tax Season a Whole Lot Easier
1074
The IRS will begin a pilot program next year to help some taxpayers fill out and file their income tax returns for free online. WSJ’s Richard Rubin on the government’s first steps towards building a competitor to TurboTax and H&R Block.
Further Reading:
- IRS Will Offer Free Online Tax Prep for Some Taxpayers in 2024
- TurboTax Settlement: How to Know If You Qualify for Part of the $141 Million Payout
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|
May 18, 2023 |
|
Closing the Wealth Gap With a Trust Fund for Babies
1059
Starting in July, Connecticut will put $3200 into a trust account for each baby born to parents below a designated income level. As adults, the beneficiaries can use the money—plus investment returns—to help pay for education or a home. WSJ’s Brenda León discusses Baby Bonds and why they are gaining traction in other states too.
Further Reading:
- Could $3,200 ‘Baby Bonds’ Help End Poverty in America?
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|
May 17, 2023 |
|
The Story Behind the Stabbing of a San Francisco Tech Exec
1035
After Cash App founder Bob Lee died in a stabbing, some were quick to blame San Francisco’s rising crime rates. But prosecutors say Lee knew his alleged killer. WSJ’s Kirsten Grind reports on an underground world of sex and drugs that was the backdrop to the killing that shocked the tech community.
Further Reading:
- Before His Killing, Tech Executive Bob Lee Led an Underground Life of Sex and Drugs
- Cash App Founder Bob Lee Fatally Stabbed in San Francisco
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|
May 16, 2023 |
|
Twitter's New CEO: The Velvet Hammer
1059
Linda Yaccarino established herself as an advertising sales machine at NBCUniversal. On Friday, Elon Musk announced she’d be Twitter’s new CEO. WSJ’s Amol Sharma discusses some of the challenges Yaccarino will face at the revenue- starved social media platform.
Further Reading:
- Meet Linda Yaccarino, Elon Musk’s New Twitter CEO and the Ad World’s ‘Velvet Hammer’
Further Listening:
- Why Elon Musk's Twitter Is Losing Advertisers
- Elon Musk's 'Extremely Hardcore' Twitter
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|
May 15, 2023 |
|
Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows
1294
The blockbuster Western drama about a ranching dynasty in Montana is one of the most popular shows on TV. But it’s also one of the most expensive. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel explains how the man behind it — Taylor Sheridan — became one of the priciest bets in Hollywood.
Further Reading and Watching:
- Paramount Can’t Say No to the Man Behind ‘Yellowstone’: $50,000 a Week for His Ranch, $25 Per Cow
- Paramount Shares Drop 28% as Streaming Costs Mount
- The Race to Build the ‘Yellowstone’ Universe
Further Listening:
- Netflix Turns to Ads
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|
May 12, 2023 |
|
The Charges Against George Santos
1108
Rep. George Santos has been accused of fabricating much of his life’s story to secure public office. On Wednesday he was indicted on 13 federal charges including fraud and money laundering. The New York Republican denies the charges and has pleaded not guilty. WSJ’s Jimmy Vielkind explains what the charges will mean for him.
Further Reading:
-George Santos Faces 13 Felony Charges, Including Fraud and Money Laundering
-George Santos Follows Others in Congress Who Have Confronted Legal Troubles
Further Listening:
-Why the Red Wave Didn’t Happen
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|
May 11, 2023 |
|
China’s Crackdown on Foreign Consulting Firms
1035
With tensions between the U.S. and China on the rise, the Chinese government has been investigating several consulting firms that help foreign companies do business in China. WSJ’s Dan Strumpf discusses the impact on the consulting sector and the foreign businesses that depend on it.
Further Reading:
- U.S. Companies in China Worry Due Diligence Will End in Spy Dramas
- China Spy Law Adds to Chilling Effect of Detentions
Further Listening:
- Are Apple and China Breaking Up?
- How a Balloon Burst U.S.-China Relations
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|
May 10, 2023 |
|
What the End of Title 42 Means for U.S. Immigration Policy
1099
On Thursday, the pandemic-era border policy known as Title 42 is expected to end. First put in place by the Trump administration, Title 42 allows migrants to be quickly deported at the southern border without a chance to ask for asylum. Now, President Biden is planning to roll out a new immigration policy to take its place. But as WSJ’s Michelle Hackman explains, this new policy is not so different from the one it is replacing.
Further Reading:
- Biden’s New Immigration Policy Cements End of Liberal Asylum Rules
- What Is Title 42? What It Means for Immigration and U.S.-Mexico Border
Further Listening:
- What’s Driving Migrants to the Southern Border Now
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|
May 09, 2023 |
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Can Bud Light Still Be the Beer for Everyone?
1243
Last month, Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer, posted on social media about a personalized can of Bud Light the brewer sent her as a gift. A boycott ensued. WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney unpacks what the maker of Bud Light is doing to stem a sharp drop in sales and to support front-line teams bearing the brunt of the backlash.
Further Reading:
-Bud Light Maker Compensates Workers Targeted in Dylan Mulvaney Backlash
-Bud Light Maker Offers Distributors Free Beer, More Ad Spending After Dylan Mulvaney Backlash
-How Bud Light Handled an Uproar Over a Promotion With Transgender Advocate
Further Listening:
-The Great Beer Battle of 2019
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|
May 08, 2023 |
|
What’s Behind the Adderall Shortage?
1370
For months, people with ADHD have been struggling to fill their prescriptions. Federal regulators say the shortage is fueled in part by increasing demand driven by telehealth startups and their aggressive marketing. WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler, who has been investigating two of those companies, explains what an impending rule change could mean for the shortage.
Further Reading:
- Adderall, OxyContin Prescriptions to Require In-Person Doctor Visit Under Biden Plan
- Startups Make It Easier to Get ADHD Drugs. That Made Some Workers Anxious.
Further Listening:
- Uncontrolled Substances
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|
May 05, 2023 |
|
One Hollywood Writer on the Industry’s ‘Dire’ Situation
1322
Thousands of Hollywood writers went on strike this week after failing to reach a new contract with studios. The dispute was caused, in part, by the industry’s shift to streaming, which writers say has left them shortchanged. Michael Schur is co-creator of “Parks and Recreation” and was a writer for “The Office” and “Saturday Night Live.” He tells us what’s behind the first writers strike in over 15 years.
Further Reading and Watching:
- Hollywood Writers Strike Might Give Studios Chance to Slash Costs
- Late-Night Shows Go Dark Amid Writers Strike
Further Listening:
- Does the Future of Streaming Look More Like Cable?
- Netflix Turns to Ads
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|
May 04, 2023 |
|
PepsiCo’s New Healthy Diet: More Potato Chips and Soda
975
For years, big food and beverage companies like PepsiCo leaned hard into launching new, healthy food products. But recently, PepsiCo has decided to double down on its flagship chips and soda and is looking to make those products healthier. WSJ's Jennifer Maloney explains what it means for both the company and public health.
Further Reading:
- Pepsi’s New Healthy Diet: More Potato Chips and Soda
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|
May 03, 2023 |
|
America's Biggest Bank Just Got Bigger
982
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon stepped in on Monday to acquire the failing First Republic Bank after it was seized by government regulators. While the deal will put an end to the recent series of bank failures, it also makes the banking industry's leader even more powerful. WSJ's Charles Forelle explains how Dimon's bid came together.
Further Reading:
-Why First Republic Bank Collapsed
-Jamie Dimon Wins Again in First Republic Bank Deal
Further Listening:
-Banking Troubles Are Not Over
-Two Executives On What It's Like to Stop a Bank Run
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|
May 02, 2023 |
|
The Grim Story of a Russian Prisoner Turned Recruit
1069
Yevgeny Nuzhin was serving time for murder in a high-security Russian prison when the Wagner Group— a paramilitary organization employed by Russia to wage war on Ukraine— offered him freedom in exchange for six months of paid military service fighting for Russia in Ukraine. WSJ’s James Marson details how Nuzhin’s bid for freedom went gruesomely wrong.
Further Reading:
- The Grim Life and Brutal Death of a Wagner Recruit
Further Listening:
- ‘Putin's Chef’' Now Serving Up Gains for Russia in Ukraine
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|
May 01, 2023 |
|
Why Disney Is Suing DeSantis
1115
This week, Disney sued Florida Governor Ron DeSantis accusing him of retaliating against the company, in part for speaking out against the state’s so-called “don’t say gay” law. It’s the latest twist in the fight between the two. WSJ’s Arian Campo-Flores explains what it means for both sides.
Further Reading:
- DeSantis’s Miscalculation: ‘Disney Is Playing the Long Game’
- Disney Sues Ron DeSantis After Oversight Board Voids Theme-Park Agreements
Further Listening:
- How Disney’s CEO Got Caught in Florida’s Fight Over Gay Rights
- Why Florida Is Fighting With Walt Disney World
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|
Apr 28, 2023 |
|
Behind the Breakup of Fox and Tucker Carlson
1192
On Monday, Fox News ousted its top host, Tucker Carlson, less than a week after it settled a defamation lawsuit, which brought reams of internal communications to light. WSJ's Keach Hagey has exclusive reporting about the major factors that contributed to the network making that decision.
Further Reading:
- Fox News Ousts Tucker Carlson
- What Tucker Carlson’s Ouster Means for Him and Fox News
- Tucker Carlson’s Vulgar, Offensive Messages About Colleagues Helped Seal His Fate at Fox News
Further Listening:
- Dominion Voting Systems vs. Fox News
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|
Apr 27, 2023 |
|
Banking Troubles Are Not Over
916
Once the envy of the banking world, First Republic grew rapidly by catering to wealthy clients who wanted a high-touch service. But the bank’s highflying business came back to earth after the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates last year and customers started moving their money. WSJ’s Rachel Louise Ensign on why First Republic is now teetering on the brink.
Further Reading:
- First Republic Lost $100 Billion in Deposits in Banking Panic
Further Listening:
- Two Executives On What It’s Like to Stop a Bank Run
- Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis?
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|
Apr 26, 2023 |
|
The Debt Ceiling Fight Begins
963
The U.S. only has a few months until it can no longer pay its bills. Republicans say they’ll only raise the debt ceiling if Democrats agree to aggressive spending cuts. WSJ’s Natalie Andrews explains the Republican proposal and what’s at stake for the economy.
Further Reading:
-Kevin McCarthy, House GOP Debt-Limit Plan Face Crucial Test This Week
-Kevin McCarthy Says House GOP Plans to Vote on Debt Limit, Spending Cuts
-U.S. Nears Debt Ceiling, Begins Extraordinary Measures to Avoid Default
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|
Apr 25, 2023 |
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The World's Richest Person Is Planning for Succession
1033
Bernard Arnault is the richest person in the world and he has spent decades preparing his five children to run his luxury-brand empire, LVMH. WSJ’s Nick Kostov learned Arnault drilled his kids in mathematics, brought them along on business trips, inside negotiations and has elevated them into senior roles. But the question remains: who will succeed Arnault at the helm of the world’s biggest luxury conglomerate?
Further Reading:
- The World’s Richest Person Auditions His Five Children to Run LVMH, the Luxury Empire
Further Listening:
- How a Deal to Buy Tiffany Lost Its Sparkle
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Apr 24, 2023 |
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Nursing Shortage? There's an App for That
916
To address a nursing shortage, some of the nation’s largest hospital systems have started to use apps similar to those used for ride-hailing. WSJ’s Melanie Evans explains the pros and cons of the gig work model for nurses and hospitals.
Further Reading:
- Nurse Shortage Pushes Hospitals Into the Gig Economy
Further Listening:
- Mass Layoffs or Hiring Boom – Which Is It?
- One Nurse, Three Covid Hotspots
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|
Apr 21, 2023 |
|
How Investigators Cracked a $3.4 Billion Crypto Heist
1160
Jimmy Zhong appeared to have pulled off the perfect crime. In December 2012, he stumbled upon a software bug that allowed him to steal 50,000 bitcoins from a site on the dark web called the Silk Road. WSJ’s Robert McMillan explains how Zhong’s stolen crypto stayed hidden until investigators developed better ways to track down crypto criminals.
Further Reading:
- The U.S. Cracked a $3.4 Billion Crypto Heist — and Bitcoin’s Anonymity
Further Listening:
- How The Government Tied One Couple to Billions in Stolen Bitcoin
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|
Apr 20, 2023 |
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Russian Court Upholds WSJ Reporter’s Detention
890
It has been three weeks since Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia on an allegation of espionage that the Journal and the U.S. government vehemently deny. Yesterday, Evan appeared at a pretrial hearing in Moscow. WSJ's Ann M. Simmons explains what happened at court and what comes next.
Further Reading:
- Russian Court Upholds WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich’s Detention
- A Tense Wait for an Imprisoned Son
- Jailed WSJ Reporter in Letter Home Says He Is ‘Not Losing Hope’
Further Listening:
- A WSJ Reporter Arrested in Russia
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|
Apr 19, 2023 |
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Two Executives On What It's Like to Stop a Bank Run
1152
In 2017 the FDIC created a pool of banking veterans who would step up to help in the event of another financial crisis. For years, no one needed them. That changed last month when Tim Mayopoulos and Greg Carmichael were called in to run Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank while the FDIC tried to stabilize a banking crisis.
Further Reading:
-Collapse of SVB, Signature Bank Tests the FDIC’s Executive Reserve Corps
-Help Wanted: Regulators Seek Executives to Staff Failed Banks
-Signature Bank Is Shut by Regulators After SVB Collapse
-Silicon Valley Bank Closed by Regulators, FDIC Takes Control
Further Listening:
-Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis
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Apr 18, 2023 |
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Dominion Voting Systems vs. Fox News
1100
Dominion Voting Systems, which makes ballot machines, sued Fox News for $1.6 billion, claiming the cable network aired defamatory claims about its role in the 2020 election. Fox News denies wrongdoing. WSJ’s Erin Mulvaney explains what’s at stake as the highly anticipated trial is set to begin this week.
Further Reading:
- Fox News, Dominion Each Face Risks If Defamation Case Goes to Trial
- Documents From Fox Defamation Suit Spotlight Tension Between Prime-Time Hosts and News Personnel
- In Deposition, Rupert Murdoch Says Fox News Hosts Endorsed False 2020 Election Claims
Further Listening:
- A Voting Machine Company Fights Disinformation With Lawsuits
- Georgia's Secretary of State Defends the Election
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|
Apr 17, 2023 |
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The Curtain Closes on Phantom of the Opera
1076
After 35 years, Broadway's longest-running show is taking a bow. The Phantom of the Opera has sold more than 20 million tickets and grossed around $1.3 billion. MarketWatch’s Charles Passy explains what made it one of Broadway’s biggest hits.
Further Reading:
-He’s Seen ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 13,000 Times
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Apr 14, 2023 |
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An Arrest in the Classified Documents Leak
758
Federal investigators have arrested a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman in connection with the alleged leak of classified U.S. intelligence documents. WSJ’s Sadie Gurman discusses what we know about the documents, the arrest, and what could be next.
Further Reading:
-Air Guardsman Arrested in Connection With Leaked Documents
-U.S. Investigation Into Leak of Classified Pentagon Documents Focuses on Insiders
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Apr 13, 2023 |
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A $175 Million 'Huge Mistake'
1091
When JPMorgan Chase paid $175 million to acquire Frank— a college financial planning startup— it touted big plans to connect with the company’s millions of users. Then it all went wrong. WSJ’s Melissa Korn recounts the story of what went wrong.
Further Reading:
- Frank Founder Faces Criminal Fraud Charges Over JPMorgan Deal
- Frank Founder Says JPMorgan Knew How Many Users Firm Had in $175 Million Deal
- JPMorgan Bought College Financial-Aid Platform for $175 Million—and Now Says Most of Its Users Were Fake
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Apr 12, 2023 |
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Baby Powder, Bankruptcy and the Texas Two-Step
1157
For decades, Johnson & Johnson has faced thousands of lawsuits from customers who claim the company's baby powder gave them cancer. The company denies responsibility. WSJ's Andrew Scurria explains how Johnson & Johnson is resorting to a controversial legal maneuver to try to settle the lawsuits.
Further Reading:
-Johnson & Johnson Seeks $9 Billion Settlement of Talc Lawsuits
-J&J Sharpens the Texas Two-Step
Further listening:
-Two Days of Reckoning for Opioid Makers
-A Pause on the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
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|
Apr 11, 2023 |
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The Abortion Pill’s Uncertain Future
979
Rulings from two federal judges, one in Texas and one in Washington, paint a murky picture of the future of the abortion pill mifepristone. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto unpacks the legal battles with the Food and Drug Administration over the medication.
Further Reading:
- Texas Abortion-Pill Ruling Ignites New National Battle
Further Listening:
- The Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade
- The Booming, Unregulated Marketplace for Abortion Pills
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Apr 10, 2023 |
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Google CEO Sundar Pichai on How AI Could Change Search
1021
Google has been developing large language models like chatbots for years, but it hasn’t used the technology to influence the way people use their all search function. That’s something that could be changing. WSJ’s Miles Kruppa sat down for an interview with Google CEO Sundar Pichai to talk about the way new AI could have a big impact of Google’s business.
Further Reading:
- Google CEO Sundar Pichai Says Search to Include Chat AI
- How Google Became Cautious of AI and Gave Microsoft an Opening
Further Listening:
- Why Google Is Behind in the AI Race
- The Company Behind ChatGPT
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Apr 07, 2023 |
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How Indonesia Tamed Rainforest Destruction
968
Deforestation for palm oil production has shrunk Indonesia's rainforest, the third largest in the world and one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet. But recently, the country has found a way to tame deforestation. WSJ's Jon Emont explains how government orders, consumer boycotts and environmental activism have helped slow the destruction of Indonesia's rainforest.
Further reading:
- Indonesia Shows It’s Possible to Tame Rainforest Destruction
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Apr 06, 2023 |
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Jack Ma Returns to China and Breaks Up the Company He Built
985
Jack Ma, the billionaire co-founder of Alibaba, all but disappeared from the public eye following a brush with Chinese regulators in 2020. But last week, Ma returned to China just as Alibaba announced plans to split into six independently run companies. WSJ’s Jing Yang explains what it all means.
Further Reading:
- Jack Ma Engineered Alibaba’s Breakup From Overse as
- Jack Ma’s Life After Alibaba Takes Him to a Fish Farm, Fiji and Beyond
- Alibaba Co-Founder Jack Ma Returns to China After a Year Away
Further Listening:
- Why the Biggest IPO Ever Blew Up
- Didi's IPO Gets Caught In China's Tech Crackdown
- Xi Jinping Is Rewriting the Rules of China's Economy
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Apr 05, 2023 |
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Donald Trump Is Charged on 34 Felony Counts
1090
Former President Donald Trump has become the first U.S. president to face criminal charges. He pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges alleging he concealed hush-money payments in the weeks before the 2016 election. WSJ's Joe Palazzolo— one of the reporters who first broke the story about the payments— unpacks the indictment and discusses what could come next in the case.
Further Reading:
-A History of the Trump Hush-Money Saga
-A Guide to Trump’s Legal Perils
Further Listening:
-People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump
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Apr 04, 2023 |
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A WSJ Reporter Arrested in Russia
1000
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia last week and charged with espionage. The WSJ and U.S. officials deny the accusations. We spoke to our colleagues Joe Parkinson and Drew Hinshaw about working with Gershkovich, his reporting on Russia, and what's next.
Further Reading:
- On the Ground in Putin's Russia: Evan Gershkovich's Coverage of a Country at War
- Evan Gershkovich’s Arrest Marks a New Era of Hostage Diplomacy
- Evan Gershkovich Loved Russia, the Country That Turned on Him
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Apr 03, 2023 |
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The Rise of Chinese Apps
1022
While TikTok is getting a lot of scrutiny in Washington, other Chinese apps are on the rise. Four of the five hottest apps in the U.S. in March are tied to Chinese companies. But as WSJ’s Shen Lu explains, some apps are now trying to distance themselves from their Chinese origins.
Further Reading:
- Why Chinese Apps Are the Favorites of Young Americans
- American Bargain Hunters Flock to a New Online Platform Forged in China
- Chinese Startups Try to Make It Big in the U.S.—but Without the Backlash
Further Listening:
- Exclusive: TikTok’s CEO on the App’s Future in the U.S.
- How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App
- Shein Took Over Fast Fashion. Then Came the Backlash.
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Mar 31, 2023 |
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Millions of Women Left Work During the Pandemic. Where Are They Now?
1040
Nearly 12 million women left their jobs due to pandemic disruptions. Many are finally coming back, three years on. WSJ's Lauren Weber explains how the pandemic has transformed what work looks like for many women, especially for mothers.
Further Reading:
- Women’s Return to the Workforce Piles Momentum on a Hot Economy
- Coronavirus Employment Shock Hits Women Harder Than Men
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Mar 30, 2023 |
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A Plan to Hack the Planet
1096
Tech CEO Luke Iseman has an idea he wants to sell the world: A business plan to cool the Earth by dimming the amount of sunlight that hits the planet. As WSJ’s Eric Niiler explains, the principle behind the idea, geoengineering, is getting big investment but is also sparking serious scientific debate.
Further Reading:
- Mexico Bans Climate Startup’s Experiment to Cool the Earth
Further Listening:
- Banks’ Alliance to Fight Climate Change is on the Rocks
- Why an Arctic Treasure is Spurring Hope and Dread
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Mar 29, 2023 |
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The Ranking Battle in Higher Ed
1137
In November, Yale Law School pulled out of the U.S. News & World Report law-school rankings, saying the system was flawed. A wave of law, medical and undergraduate schools quickly followed. WSJ’s Melissa Korn reports on how the revolt was decades in the making.
Further Reading:
-The Unraveling of the U.S. News College Rankings
-Yale and Harvard Law Schools Abandon U.S. News Rankings
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Mar 28, 2023 |
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The Arrest of a Crypto Fugitive
1122
After his TerraUSD cryptocurrency imploded, Do Kwon became one of the most wanted men in crypto. Last week, after a global manhunt, he was arrested at an airport in Montenegro. WSJ’s Alexander Osipovich tells the story of how Kwon went from being a major crypto player to facing fraud charges in several countries.
Further Reading:
- Do Kwon Arrested in Montenegro as U.S. Charges Crypto Fugitive With Fraud
- Cutting-Edge Crypto Coins Tout Stability. Critics Call Them Dangerous.
- Do Kwon’s Crypto Empire Fell in a $40 Billion Crash. He’s Got a New Coin For You.
Further Listening:
- The ‘Death Spiral’ of a Stablecoin
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Mar 27, 2023 |
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The Underdog Coffee Bean That’s Making a Comeback
987
For decades, the Robusta coffee bean has been the ugly duckling of the coffee world. Now, a new generation of coffee geeks think the time could be ripe for a Robusta revolution. WSJ’s Jon Emont explains why the humble bean is gaining momentum in the coffee industry.
Further Reading:
- The Underdog Coffee Bean That Java Snobs Hate Is Finally Getting Some Respect
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Mar 24, 2023 |
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Why the Fed Raised Interest Rates Amidst a Banking Crisis
914
Over the past year the Federal Reserve has been steadily raising interest rates to try to bring down inflation. But the recent banking crisis has thrown a wrench into its plans. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos explains how the Fed is now trying to fight two problems at once.
Further Reading:
- Fed Raises Rates but Nods to Greater Uncertainty After Banking Stress
Further Listening:
- What Just Happened at Credit Suisse?
- Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis?
- The Economy Is Too Hot for the Fed
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Mar 23, 2023 |
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Yachts, Custom Cars and $36,000 Mattresses: Inside an Alleged Fraud
1046
Former Chinese real-estate developer and outspoken China critic Guo Wengui was arrested by the FBI last week and accused of orchestrating a $1 billion fraud. WSJ’s Aruna Viswanatha unpacks Guo’s trek from Beijing gadfly to Steve Bannon confidant to fraud suspect.
Further Reading:
- A Chinese Businessman’s Trek From Beijing Gadfly to Steve Bannon Confidant to Fraud Suspect
- China’s Pursuit of Fugitive Businessman Guo Wengui Kicks Off Manhattan Caper Worthy of Spy Thriller
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Mar 22, 2023 |
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Biden's Flip on Drilling in Alaska
1035
While campaigning for president, Joe Biden said there would be no new oil drilling on federal land. But last week he approved the Willow project, one of the largest domestic oil projects in years. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia explains why Biden made the shift.
Further Reading:
-Biden Administration Approves Willow Oil-Drilling Project in Alaskan Arctic
Further Listening:
-Why Biden Killed The Keystone XL Pipeline
-The War in Ukraine Hits American Gas Prices
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Mar 21, 2023 |
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Exclusive: TikTok’s CEO on the App’s Future in the U.S.
991
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is due to testify before Congress this week, as the Biden administration demands that TikTok’s Chinese owners sell their stakes in the company or face a possible U.S. ban of the app. In this exclusive interview with WSJ’s Stu Woo, the TikTok CEO said a sale won’t solve Washington’s security concerns.
Further Reading:
- TikTok CEO’s Message to Washington: A Sale Won’t Solve Security Concerns
Further Listening:
- How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App
- What’s Up With All the TikTok Bans?
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Mar 20, 2023 |
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Why Google Is Behind in the AI Race
1099
Google has been a pioneer in the modern era of artificial intelligence, but lately, it’s fallen behind. WSJ’s Miles Kruppa explains why the tech giant took a more cautious approach to chatbots and what’s at stake now that Microsoft has beaten them to market.
Further Reading:
-How Google Became Cautious of AI and Gave Microsoft an Opening
Further Listening:
-The Company Behind Chat GPT
-When AI Comes for Your Art
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Mar 17, 2023 |
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What Just Happened at Credit Suisse?
977
As fears about the health of global banks spread from the U.S. to Europe, the bank Credit Suisse said it would tap a more than $50 billion loan from the Swiss National Bank. WSJ’s Margot Patrick explains how Credit Suisse became a cause for concern.
Further Reading:
- Credit Suisse Stock Price Jumps as Bank Secures $50 Billion Lifeline
- Credit Suisse Promises Overhaul in Wake of Rout as Regulators Offer Lifeline
- Janet Yellen Says Banking System Is Healthy After SVB Collapse
Further Listening:
- Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis?
- The Economy Is Too Hot for the Fed
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|
Mar 16, 2023 |
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Bird Flu and the High Price of Eggs
1003
Since February of last year, the avian flu has led to the deaths of tens of millions of farm-raised birds in the U.S., the deadliest outbreak on record. WSJ’s Patrick Thomas on how the egg industry is getting slammed and what companies are doing to try to save their flocks.
Further Reading:
- America Is Losing the ‘Epic Battle’ Against Bird Flu
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|
Mar 15, 2023 |
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Why WeightWatchers Wants in on Drugs Like Ozempic
953
WeightWatchers is buying digital health company Sequence to capitalize on the hot market for diabetes and weight loss drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy. WSJ's Andrea Petersen explains what this could mean for the wellness industry.
Further Reading:
-WeightWatchers Moves Into the Ozempic Market With Telehealth Deal
-How a Diabetes Drug Became the Talk of Hollywood, Tech and the Hamptons
-Health Startups Offer Diabetes Drugs Like Ozempic for Weight Loss With Little Oversight
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|
Mar 14, 2023 |
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Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis?
1027
When Silicon Valley Bank imploded last week, it was the second biggest bank failure in U.S. history. Then, over the weekend, another bank, Signature Bank, was also taken over by the government. WSJ financial editor Charles Forelle explains what kicked off this banking crisis and how the government is scrambling to contain it.
Further Reading:
- How Silicon Valley Turned on Silicon Valley Bank
- Silicon Valley Bank Closed by Regulators, FDIC Takes Control
- Were SVB and Signature Bank Just Bailed Out by the U.S. Government?
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Mar 13, 2023 |
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The Push to Test Drugs for Fentanyl
1165
For years, fentanyl has flooded into the American drug market, driving a surge in overdose deaths across the country. Other drugs, like cocaine, are increasingly tainted with the synthetic opioid. We spoke to advocates Theo Krzywicki and Kalie Shorr who say a tiny test strip can help people avoid fentanyl, and WSJ's Julie Wernau explains why fentanyl is showing up everywhere.
Further Reading:
- Fentanyl Test Strips on the Dance Floor? Partygoers Face New Reality
- Three New Yorkers Ordered Cocaine From the Same Delivery Service. All Died From Fentanyl.
- The Fentanyl Crisis
Further Listening:
- Purdue's $4.5 Billion Opioid Settlement Got Thrown Out. Now What?
- States Got Hooked on Tobacco Money. Are Opioids Next?
- Two Days of Reckoning for Opioid Makers
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Mar 10, 2023 |
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The Economy Is Too Hot for the Fed
922
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told Congress this week that interest rates could go up faster and higher than previously planned. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos explains what’s behind the Fed’s change of strategy, and why it’s struggling to tame inflation.
Further Reading:
- Powell Says Data Will Determine Size of Next Rate Increase
- Powell Says Fed Is Prepared to Speed Up Interest-Rate Rises
- Why the Recession Is Always Six Months Away
Further Listening:
- Mass Layoffs or Hiring Boom — Which Is It?
- Consumers Are Starting to Freak Out
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Mar 09, 2023 |
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What a New Law in Tennessee Means for Drag
950
A new law in Tennessee makes staging adult cabaret anywhere a minor could see it a criminal offense. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto and Steve Raimo, who performs as drag queen Veronika Electronika, on what it could mean for the drag industry.
Further Reading:
-Tennessee Governor Signs Bill Restricting Transgender Healthcare for Minors
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|
Mar 08, 2023 |
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When AI Comes for Your Art
1080
AI-art generators let users create fantastical images with just a few text prompts. But some artists see a problem: They say AI is ripping them off. Artist Greg Rutkowski and WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims explain what's at stake for the art world.
Further Reading:
- AI Tech Enables Industrial-Scale Intellectual-Property Theft, Say Critics
- Ask an AI Art Generator for Any Image. The Results Are Amazing—and Terrifying.
Further Listening:
- The Company Behind ChatGPT
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Mar 07, 2023 |
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The FTX Insiders Turning Against Sam Bankman-Fried
947
Three executives who formed Sam Bankman-Fried’s inner circle have now pleaded guilty to fraud charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. WSJ’s Alexander Osipovich on what their plea deals could spell for the FTX founder.
Further Reading:
- Close Ally of FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Pleads Guilty to Fraud
- How FTX’s Nishad Singh Turned to Crypto Crime
Further Listening:
- The Charges Against FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried
- ‘Do You Expect to Go to Prison?’: An Interview With SBF
- The Fall of Crypto's Golden Boy
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|
Mar 06, 2023 |
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Conservatives Come for ESG
1150
Companies like BlackRock have promoted ESG investing in recent years. But WSJ’s Julie Bykowicz says a new conservative nonprofit is pushing lawmakers to ban ESG, equating it with "woke capitalism."
Further Reading:
- Conservatives Have a New Rallying Cry: Down With ESG
- New Conservative Group Gets $1.6 Billion Donation From Chicago Businessman
Further Listening:
- Can My Stock Portfolio Save the Planet?
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|
Mar 03, 2023 |
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How a Year of Sanctions Is Impacting Russians
1123
After Russia invaded Ukraine, Western nations hit Russia with massive sanctions. We talk to a resident in Moscow about how his life has changed and WSJ’s Georgi Kantchev on how Russia has responded to the sanctions.
Further Reading:
- Russian Deficit Soars to $25 Billion on War Spending, Oil Embargo
- Russia Boosts China Trade to Counter Western Sanctions
Further Listening:
- Three Ukrainians on Enduring a Year of War
- The Financial Punishment of Russia
- How Putin Has Planned For Sanctions
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|
Mar 02, 2023 |
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Will Student Debt Get Canceled? The Supreme Court Decides.
1022
President Biden’s plans to cancel $400 million in student loans are on hold. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the administration had the legal authority to cancel the debt. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia discusses the arguments for and against the program, and he explains what the decision could mean for borrowers.
Further Reading:
- Student-Loan Borrowers Likely Won’t Know for Months if Debt Will Be Forgiven
- Supreme Court’s Student-Loan Case Will Test Limits of Presidential Power
Further Listening:
- Breaking Down Student Debt Relief
- How Biden Plans to Tackle Student Debt
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Mar 01, 2023 |
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America’s Answer to the Chip Shortage
973
The Commerce Department is spelling out its plans to subsidize domestic chip production in order to secure the supply of advanced chips needed for America's modern weapons systems. WSJ’s Yuka Hayashi explains the national security interests in play.
Further Reading:
-Chips Act Is Bounty for Semiconductor Companies—With Many Strings Attached
-Pentagon to Reap Rewards From $53 Billion Chips Act
-Chips Act Will Test Whether U.S. Can Reverse Semiconductor Exodus
Further Listening:
-What's Wrong With the Car Market?
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|
Feb 28, 2023 |
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What Caused a Train to Derail in East Palestine, Ohio?
1101
Earlier this month, a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in Ohio. Concerned about an explosion, authorities evacuated residents and carried out a controlled burn of toxic fumes. Now a report has found the cause of the derailment, but residents say they still have unanswered questions about the environmental impacts. WSJ's Kris Maher reports from East Palestine and Esther Fung discusses what this might mean for the rail industry.
Further Reading:
- What Happened in the Ohio Train Derailment?
- Ohio Train Derailment: Toxic Chemicals and Distrust Remain in East Palestine
- Train-Car Wheel Bearing Overheated Before Ohio Train Derailment, NTSB Finds
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Feb 27, 2023 |
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Three Ukrainians on Enduring a Year of War
1519
Russia’s war in Ukraine has upended the lives of millions of people. One year into the conflict, we check in with some of the people we have spoken with over the last twelve months to see how their lives have changed.
Further Listening:
- Russia’s Campaign to Leave Ukraine in the Dark
- One Ukrainian Factory Owner Joins the War Effort
- As Russia Invades, Ukrainians Weigh Fight or Flight
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Feb 24, 2023 |
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The Five People Keeping Bitcoin Alive
933
Bitcoin, the nearly $500 billion cryptocurrency, isn't controlled by any one person or company. But there are five mysterious coders that keep it all running. WSJ's Paul Kiernan reports on the "maintainers" behind bitcoin.
Further Reading:
- Bitcoin’s Future Depends on a Handful of Mysterious Coders
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|
Feb 23, 2023 |
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Is This Painting a Masterpiece? AI Is On the Case
1198
Almost 30 years ago, Anthony Ayers spotted a dusty, wood-panel painting tucked behind an armoire in an antique shop. Over the decades, he and the group of people that helped him buy it have been on a quest to prove it was painted by Renaissance artist Raphael. WSJ’s Kelly Crow reports on a possible break in the case and the technology that brought it about.
Further Reading:
- Is This Painting a Raphael or Not? A Fortune Rides on the Answer
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Feb 22, 2023 |
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Two Hotels in Turkey and a Tragic Twist of Fate
1102
After new deadly earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria this week, the death toll this month has surpassed 45,000. WSJ’s Sune Engel Rasmussen tells the story of a youth volleyball team that traveled to Turkey earlier this month and how the country’s spotty building codes may have played a role in their tragic fate.
Further Reading:
- A Cypriot High School Volleyball Team Lost 25 Children in the Turkey Quakes
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Feb 21, 2023 |
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How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App
1282
We’re off today for the holiday, but we still have an episode for you!
In only five years, TikTok has gained millions of fans around the world and become a source of geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China. We spoke to people who witnessed the app’s meteoric rise firsthand: influencers, former workers, and a government official who is concerned about TikTok’s data practices. This episode originally aired in November 2022.
Further Reading:
-TikTok’s Stratospheric Rise: An Oral History
Further Listening:
-Why TikTok’s Under Investigation
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Feb 20, 2023 |
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Mass Layoffs or Hiring Boom — Which Is It?
1019
Major layoffs keep making headlines, yet the U.S. is still seeing record low unemployment. WSJ’s Ray A. Smith dives into the mystery in the job market.
Further Reading:
- Mass Layoffs or Hiring Boom? What’s Actually Happening in the Jobs Market
Further Listening:
- The New Layoff: On a Wednesday On Zoom
- What Will the Economy Look Like in 2023?
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|
Feb 17, 2023 |
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Disney Wars: Attack of the Activist Investor
1065
What happens when an activist investor sets his sights on one of the biggest media companies in the world? WSJ’s Robbie Whelan on the proxy battle that rattled Disney.
Further Reading:
- How Nelson Peltz and Disney’s Marvel Chief Teamed Up in Proxy Fight
Further Listening:
- The Disney Boss Who Wouldn’t Let It Go
- Why Florida Is Fighting With Walt Disney World
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Feb 16, 2023 |
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How CVS Went From Drugstore to Healthcare Juggernaut
972
CVS’s plan to buy Oak Street Health, a network of senior-focused clinics, is the latest sign of the growing tie-ups between health insurers and primary-care doctors. WSJ’s Anna Wilde Mathews unpacks why the deal is happening and how it’s cementing CVS’s status as a healthcare giant.
Further Reading:
- CVS Reaches $10.6 Billion Deal to Buy Clinic Owner Oak Street Health
- CVS Looks to Add Doctors to Its Payroll
- CVS Completes $70 Billion Acquisition of Aetna
Further Listening:
- Is Healthcare Amazon's Next Big Thing?
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Feb 15, 2023 |
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The Price of Dating Apps
999
How much are you willing to pay for love? Dating apps are asking users to pay more for features and access to matches as a way to counter slowing growth. WSJ's Heard on the Street columnist Laura Forman talks about the pressure on Match Group, the company behind some of the most popular dating apps.
Further Reading and Watching:
- The Price Is Wrong In Online Dating
- Why Our Love Affair With Tinder Might Never Quite End
- Online Dating Is Great—for Investors. For Customers, It’s Complicated.
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Feb 14, 2023 |
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How a Balloon Burst U.S.-China Relations
902
In just over a week, the U.S. has shot down four flying objects — one from China and three others of unknown origins. WSJ’s James T. Areddy on balloons, unidentified flying objects and the deterioration of relations between the two countries.
Further Reading:
-China’s Balloon Program Grew From a Humble Start
-How a Balloon Opened a New Flashpoint in U.S.-China Ties
-China Says U.S. Flew Balloons Through Its Airspace More Than 10 Times
Further Listening:
-China’s Accidental Dissidents
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Feb 13, 2023 |
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A Spy Turned Up Dead in Ukraine. Who Was He Working For?
1241
Days after Russia invaded Ukraine, a corpse turned up on a sidewalk in the center of Kyiv. The dead man, a 45-year-old banker named Denys Kiryeyev, was accused of being a traitor and a Russian spy. But as WSJ’s Brett Forrest reports, his work and allegiances were more complicated than they seemed.
Further Reading:
- Russian Spy or Ukrainian Hero? The Strange Death of Denys Kiryeyev
Further Listening:
- Ukrainian President Zelensky's Fight Against Corruption
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Feb 10, 2023 |
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Is the Party Over for Best-Selling Drug Humira?
1012
After decades of patent protection, the wildly successful arthritis and autoimmune drug Humira is finally facing competition. WSJ’s Jared Hopkins on what that could mean for patients and the drug industry.
Further Reading:
- Blockbuster Arthritis Drug Humira Faces Competition From First Lower-Price Copycat in U.S.
- AbbVie Aims for New Drugs to Boost Sales as Competitors Target Humira
Further Listening:
- How Big Pharma Lost Its Swagger
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Feb 09, 2023 |
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Why Is the U.K.'s Free Healthcare Service Falling Apart?
1055
For more than a decade, the British government has run its National Health Service, the world’s largest government-run healthcare system, on a tight budget. Now, hospitals are so full they are turning patients away, and thousands of paramedics and nurses have walked out over pay. WSJ’s Max Colchester explains how budget cuts, Covid delays and an aging population are stressing the system.
Further Reading:
-The U.K.’s Government-Run Healthcare Service Is in Crisis
-U.K. Nurses Stage Biggest Ever Strike as Health System Strains
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Feb 08, 2023 |
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Consumers Are Starting to Freak Out
937
Consumer spending accounts for roughly 70% of the economy. So when it slows, the U.S. economy risks a recession. Right now, U.S. consumers are spending less on groceries, travel and dining, breaking into their savings accounts, and putting more on their credit cards. To understand why consumers are pulling back, we sat down with one.
Further Reading:
- The U.S. Consumer Is Starting to Freak Out
- Households Burn Through What’s Left of Their Pandemic Savings
Further Listening:
- What Walmart’s Aisles Say About the American Consumer
- The New Layoff: On a Wednesday On Zoom
- What Will the Economy Look Like in 2023?
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Feb 07, 2023 |
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The Short Seller Costing the Adani Group Billions
1032
Gautam Adani is ubiquitous in India. His energy and infrastructure conglomerate, the Adani Group, touches the lives of millions of Indians on a daily basis. But last month, Hindenburg Research, a U.S. short seller, alleged that the company was engaged in wide-ranging fraud. WSJ’s Shan Li explains a fallout that has cost Adani billions.
Further Reading:
- How Gautam Adani Made (and Could Lose) a $147 Billion Fortune
- Adani Plans $1.1 Billion Loan Repayment After Share Collateral Plummets
Further Listening:
- The Firm Tanking Some of Wall Street's Hottest Stocks
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Feb 06, 2023 |
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China’s Accidental Dissidents
1201
Cao Zhixin and her friends went to a rally to honor people who died in a fire. Several weeks later, they were detained by Chinese authorities and now face years in prison. WSJ's Shen Lu explains why Beijing is cracking down on a new kind of protester.
Further Reading:
- In China, Young Women Become Accidental Symbols of Defiance
- Under Xi Jinping, Women in China Have Given Up Gains
- The Exposure of China’s ‘Bought Wives’
Further Listening:
- China’s Biggest Protests in Decades
- What the End of Zero-Covid Means for China
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Feb 03, 2023 |
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'Putin's Chef' Now Serving Up Gains for Russia in Ukraine
1057
Russia’s invasion forces have tightened the noose around Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine with help from a paramilitary outfit called the Wagner Group. Heading the group is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s close confidants -- Yevgeny Prigozhin. WSJ’s Benoit Faucon explains why the Wagner Group has been drawing condemnation for its deployments in several global hotspots.
Further Reading and Watching:
- Wagner: How Russian Mercenaries Help Putin in Ukraine
- Russia Tightens Grip Around Bakhmut as Ukraine Awaits Western Tanks
- As Russian Army Falters in Ukraine, Paramilitary Leader Close to Putin Flexes Power
- Russia Leans on Mercenary Forces to Regain Global Clout
Further Listening:
- Russia’s Campaign to Leave Ukraine in the Dark
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Feb 02, 2023 |
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Hacking the Hackers
954
For years, the U.S. government went after hackers by trying to arrest them. Now, they’re trying a new approach. WSJ’s Robert McMillan tells the story of how one of the world’s most infamous hacking groups, called Hive, got busted.
Further Reading:
- FBI Disrupts ‘Hive’ Ransomware Group
Further Listening:
- Hack Me if You Can
- Why a Ransomware Group Is Pretending to Be a Real Company
- Ransomware, a Pipeline and a Gas Shortage
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Feb 01, 2023 |
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Ukrainian President Zelensky's Fight Against Corruption
936
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was originally elected on an anti-corruption platform. Over the last two weeks, he has removed nearly a dozen top officials. WSJ’s James Marson explains why Zelensky is trying to shore up Western confidence in his administration at a crucial moment in the war.
Further Reading:
-Ukraine’s Zelensky Removes Top Officials in Bid to Contain Corruption Scandals
-Ukraine’s Zelensky Urges Faster Weapons Deliveries Amid Russian Push
Further Listening:
-The Man Leading Ukraine
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Jan 31, 2023 |
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Why an Arctic Treasure Is Spurring Hope and Dread
1123
North of the Arctic Circle, a Swedish mining company says it has located a coveted resource: Europe’s biggest cache of rare-earth minerals, elements used for making electronics and green technology. The deposit could be a blessing for the West, but WSJ’s Kim Mackrael explains that for Sweden’s indigenous Sami people, it also puts hundreds of years of tradition in peril.
Further Reading:
- Rare-Earth Find in Sweden Lifts Hope for Shift Toward Clean Energy
Further Listening:
- Diving Deep for Battery Metals
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Jan 30, 2023 |
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Blackouts, Corruption and a Poisoned CEO
1087
South Africa’s state-owned power company, Eskom, is struggling to keep the lights on in the country and is now looking for a new leader after its current CEO was poisoned. WSJ’s Alexandra Wexler on the difficult job of running Eskom.
Further Reading:
- South Africa Seeks State Power Chief After CEO Says He Was Poisoned
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Jan 27, 2023 |
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Why the DOJ Is Suing Google Again
992
The Department of Justice is seeking to break up part of Google’s digital advertising business. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, the government says the tech giant has taken actions that ‘severely weaken, if not destroy competition in the ad tech industry.’ Google says the lawsuit is an attempt to pick winners and losers. WSJ’s Miles Kruppa discusses the DOJ’s case and the moves Google made to become a giant in the online advertising space.
Further Reading:
- DOJ Sues Google, Seeking to Break Up Online Advertising Business
- Google Prepares for Second Antitrust Battle as DOJ Targets Its Ads Business
Further Listening:
- Google's Antitrust Problem
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Jan 26, 2023 |
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The Unraveling of Stitch Fix
997
Over the last year, fashion company Stitch Fix has lost 95% of its value as the company's attempts to expand beyond subscriptions floundered. WSJ columnist Laura Forman says the decline of Stitch Fix holds broader lessons for tech companies.
Further Reading:
- Stitch Fix’s Unraveling Should Sow Broader Tech Doubts
Further Listening:
- Shein Took Over Fast Fashion. Then Came the Backlash.
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Jan 25, 2023 |
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Tesla’s Big Price Cut
919
Tesla cut prices for some of its vehicles sold in the U.S. by nearly 20% earlier this month. WSJ’s Nora Eckert on what’s behind the price drop and what it means for the EV market.
Further Reading:
-Tesla’s Price Cuts Are Roiling the Car Market
-What if Tesla Is…Just a Car Company?
Further Listening:
-GM’s All-Electric Bet
-Will Americans Buy an Electric Truck?
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Jan 24, 2023 |
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What's Going on With Biden's Classified Documents?
1008
On Friday, FBI investigators found more classified documents at President Joe Biden’s Delaware home. This is the latest in a series of searches that turned up classified material at a number of Biden's offices and homes. WSJ’s Annie Linskey discusses the search, and what it could mean for Biden’s presidency.
Further Reading:
- String of Classified Document Discoveries Seen Tarnishing White House
- More Classified Documents Found at President Biden’s Delaware Home
Further Listening:
- Why FBI Agents Searched Mar-a-Lago
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Jan 23, 2023 |
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What the End of Zero-Covid Means for China
1030
A month after China scrapped most of its zero-Covid restrictions, Omicron has spread rapidly. WSJ’s Brian Spegele explains that while some people are able to resume life as normal, infections have skyrocketed and medical facilities are stretched to their limits.
Further Reading:
- China’s Precarious Moment: Covid Everywhere and Few Restrictions
- China Confronts First Lunar New Year Since Covid Lockdowns Ended
- China’s Young Protesters Wrestle With How Far to Push: ‘We Don’t Want Covid Tests, We Want Freedom’
Further Listening:
- China's Biggest Protests in Decades
- How Xi Jinping's Dream Slowed China's Economy
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|
Jan 20, 2023 |
|
Sam Bankman-Fried’s Big Investment: Bitcoin Mining in Kazakhstan
954
After the collapse of FTX, WSJ Reporter Eliot Brown wanted to find out where all the money went. He was surprised to discover that the biggest investment had been in a bitcoin mining company based in Kazakhstan.
Further Reading:
- Sam Bankman-Fried’s Supersized Bet: $1 Billion For A Bitcoin Miner On The Kazakh Steppe
- FTX Says It Has Located More Than $5 Billion in Cash, Liquid Assets
Further Listening:
- The Charges Against FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried
- ‘Do You Expect to Go to Prison?’: An Interview With SBF
- What’s Russia Doing in Kazakhstan?
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|
Jan 19, 2023 |
|
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's Big Bet on AI
998
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks with WSJ Editor in Chief Matt Murray at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, about the company’s artificial-intelligence ambitions and how tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT could revolutionize the way we work.
Further Reading and Watching:
- Microsoft CEO Talks AI Integration and Leadership at Davos
- Microsoft to Lay Off 10,000 Workers as Slowdown Hits Software Business
Further Listening:
- The Company Behind ChatGPT
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|
Jan 18, 2023 |
|
The Company Behind ChatGPT
1129
ChatGPT was released only a few months ago but the artificial intelligence chatbot has already taken the internet by storm. WSJ’s Berber Jin tells the story of the company behind ChatGPT and how the world is responding to this technology.
Further Reading:
-The Backstory of ChatGPT Creator OpenAI
-ChatGPT Creator Is Talking to Investors About Selling Shares at $29 Billion Valuation
-Microsoft Plans to Build OpenAI, ChatGPT Features Into All Products
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|
Jan 17, 2023 |
|
Could This Be the End of Noncompetes?
1055
The Federal Trade Commission wants to ban noncompete clauses in employment contracts. WSJ's Lauren Weber explains what these clauses are, the surprising number of workers they might affect, and how businesses are reacting.
Further Reading:
- Noncompete Clauses: What They Are and What to Know Before Signing Your Contract
- FTC Proposes Banning Noncompete Clauses for Workers
- The Noncompete Clause Gets a Closer Look
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|
Jan 13, 2023 |
|
Miss Universe Is Now Owned by a Woman. Will It Change?
1089
When a new Miss Universe is crowned this Saturday, she will be the first winner under new pageant owner Anne Jakrajutatip, a Thai businesswoman and transgender advocate. We talk to Jakrajutatip about her views on beauty and how she wants to transform the pageant.
Further Reading:
- Miss Universe Bought by Thai Businesswoman for $20 Million
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|
Jan 12, 2023 |
|
The New Layoff: On a Wednesday On Zoom
1016
Wednesday or Friday? In-person or via Zoom? As dozens of companies undergo layoffs, human resource executives are grappling with a lot of questions about how to let employees go and avoid public blowback. WSJ’s Chip Cutter walks us through the do’s and don’ts of layoffs.
Further Reading:
- The Debate Swirling Inside HR Departments: How to Lay Off Workers
Further Listening:
- What Will the Economy Look Like in 2023?
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|
Jan 11, 2023 |
|
Why Protesters Rioted in Brazil’s Capital
971
Brazil is reeling after supporters of former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro forced their way into several government buildings on Sunday. Many protesters called for military intervention to oust the newly-inaugurated leftist president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. WSJ’s Luciana Magalhaes explains how the protests could undermine da Silva’s agenda.
Further Reading:
-Brazil Riots: The Aftermath of Pro-Bolsonaro Protests
-Brazilian Investigators Home In on Suspects in Riot Financing
-Brazilian Authorities Detain 1,500 Protesters Involved in Riot
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|
Jan 10, 2023 |
|
A Small Bank Bet Big on Crypto. Can It Survive the Crash?
1060
Silvergate went from a small real-estate bank to the bank of choice for the crypto world’s big players. Then it experienced a historic bank run. WSJ’s David Benoit explains why customers pulled their money from crypto’s top bank.
Further Reading:
- Silvergate Raced to Cover $8.1 Billion in Withdrawals During Crypto Meltdown
Further Listening:
- The Charges Against FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried
- ‘Do You Expect to Go to Prison?’: An Interview With SBF
- How Crypto Giant FTX Suddenly Imploded
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|
Jan 09, 2023 |
|
What's Up With All the TikTok Bans?
1004
Recently, a slew of states and even the federal government have banned the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from government-issued devices, citing national security concerns. WSJ's Stu Woo explains what's going on.
Further Reading:
- TikTok Wins a Vote in South Dakota
- TikTok Ban Debate Moves From Washington to Main Street
- TikTok Security Dilemma Revives Push for U.S. Control
Further Listening:
- How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App
- Teens Are Developing Tics. Doctors Say TikTok May Be a Factor.
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|
Jan 06, 2023 |
|
The Fight Over the Speaker of the House
1022
For days, the House of Representatives has been at a standstill. A group of conservative lawmakers continues to block Rep. Kevin McCarthy's path to become Speaker of the House. WSJ’s Natalie Andrews explains why some Republicans opposed McCarthy, and what it could take for them to be swayed.
Further Reading:
-Full Coverage of the Speaker Vote
Further Listening:
-Why the Red Wave Didn’t Happen
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|
Jan 05, 2023 |
|
How Southwest Airlines Melted Down
996
Severe winter weather impacted a lot of airlines this holiday season. But only one canceled more than 70% of its flights: Southwest. WSJ’s Alison Sider explains how the airline found itself at the center of one of the worst travel breakdowns in years.
Further Reading:
-How Southwest Airlines Melted Down
-Southwest Says It Maintains Normal Schedule as Airline Processes Bags, Refunds
-Southwest Airlines Cancellations Continue
Further Listening:
-While Airlines Shrink, Southwest Goes Big
-How One Airline Sees the Future of Flying
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|
Jan 04, 2023 |
|
What Will the Economy Look Like in 2023?
986
Last year, inflation hit a 40-year high, dealing a big blow to many consumers. On the other hand, unemployment was low and many workers saw wage gains. WSJ reporters Gwynn Guilford and Rachel Wolfe unpack the confusing currents in the 2022 economy and what to expect this year.
Further Reading:
- Inflation Takes Biggest Bite From Middle-Income Households
- Baking Supplies Cost a Lot More This Year. But That Flat-Screen TV Got Cheaper.
- Big Banks Predict Recession, Fed Pivot in 2023
Further Listening:
- How High Will Interest Rates Go?
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|
Jan 03, 2023 |
|
See You in 2023
1429
We’re taking a break until 2023. Ryan and Kate and the rest of the team wish you happy holidays as we bring back this Christmas classic.
In 1994, Mariah Carey released “All I Want for Christmas is You” to moderate success. Today, the song is a megahit. What happened? WSJ’s John Jurgensen called up the “Queen of Christmas” to find out.
This episode was originally published on December 11, 2020.
The Journal will return Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023.
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|
Dec 26, 2022 |
|
Uncontrolled Substances, Part 4: The Reckoning
1584
Two years after launching, Cerebral had become a star in the telemedicine business space. The company had attracted tens of thousands of patients and was valued at close to $5 billion. CEO Kyle Robertson had big plans for the startup, but this spring, those plans started to crumble. WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler and Khadeeja Safdar started reporting on Cerebral. Their reporting would lead to federal investigations and major changes for the company.
Further Reading:
- The Failed Promise of Online Mental-Health Treatment
Further Listening:
- The Journal: Uncontrolled Substances, Part 1: Subscribe and Prescribe
- The Journal: Uncontrolled Substances, Part 2: Adderall
- The Journal: Uncontrolled Substances, Part 3: Anthony
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|
Dec 22, 2022 |
|
Uncontrolled Substances, Part 3: Anthony
2302
Anthony Kroll was 17 years old. Too young to have been a Cerebral patient, according to company policy. Too young to get mental-health treatment without his parents’ consent in his home state of Missouri. So how did a minor end up getting a prescription for an antidepressant that required an explicit warning for young adults? What was Cerebral treating him for? And why weren’t Anthony’s parents informed? In Part 3 of Uncontrolled Substances, WSJ reporter Khadeeja Safdar investigates what happened to Anthony Kroll.
Further Reading:
- Cerebral Treated a 17-Year-Old Without His Parents’ Consent. They Found Out the Day He Died.
Further Listening:
- The Journal: Uncontrolled Substances, Part 1: Subscribe and Prescribe
- The Journal: Uncontrolled Substances, Part 2: Adderall
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|
Dec 21, 2022 |
|
The Highs and Lows of Diversifying the Cannabis Industry
1109
When Illinois legalized recreational marijuana, the state wanted to create a more diverse cannabis industry. But three years on, only a handful of Black and minority entrepreneurs have been able to open businesses. WSJ reporter Vipal Monga explains why and we hear from one entrepreneur who is hoping to open his dispensary in Chicago after years of setbacks.
Further Reading:
- Efforts to Make Legal Cannabis Industry Equitable Are Falling Flat
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|
Dec 20, 2022 |
|
The Disney Boss Who Wouldn't Let It Go
1040
When Bob Iger stepped down as CEO of the Walt Disney Company, he continued to wield influence as executive chairman. His successor in the corner office, Bob Chapek, begrudged Iger’s active role. WSJ’s Joe Flint explains how tensions mounted between the two men and led to a corporate coup that shook Hollywood.
Further Reading:
-Bob Iger vs. Bob Chapek: Inside the Disney Coup
Further Listening:
-How Disney’s CEO Got Caught in Florida’s Fight Over Gay Rights
-Why Florida is Fighting with Walt Disney World
-Disney CEO Bob Chapek on Whether the Company Is “Too Woke”
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|
Dec 19, 2022 |
|
Uncontrolled Substances, Part 2: Adderall
1943
After some early struggles, Cerebral hit on a lucrative new avenue for growth: prescribing controlled substances. WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler investigates how one tightly regulated medicine – Adderall – became crucial to Cerebral’s business. Some former employees take us inside the move into controlled substances and describe feeling pressured by the company to prescribe regulated medications. Cerebral denies pressuring employees and says it has helped many people get access to much-needed care.
Further Reading:
- Startup Cerebral Soared on Easy Adderall Prescriptions. That Was Its Undoing.
- Startups Make It Easier to Get ADHD Drugs. That Made Some Workers Anxious.
Further Listening:
- The Journal: Uncontrolled Substances, Part 1: Subscribe and Prescribe
- Science Vs: Adderall: What's It Doing to Your Brain?
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|
Dec 16, 2022 |
|
What's Allowed on Elon Musk's Twitter?
972
Elon Musk has been changing Twitter’s rules about speech and safety since he took over the company. WSJ’s Alexa Corse explains how Twitter's content moderation has evolved since the acquisition.
Further Reading:
-Elon Musk’s Twitter Barbs Have New Magnitude
-Twitter’s New Head of Trust and Safety Says Platform Wants to Move Quickly
-Twitter Suspends Accounts Sharing Live Locations, Including the Tracker of Elon Musk’s Private Jet
Further Listening:
-Elon Musk's 'Extremely Hardcore' Twitter
-Why Elon Musk's Twitter Is Losing Advertisers
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|
Dec 15, 2022 |
|
Are Apple and China Breaking Up?
1043
For more than 20 years, Apple has relied on China to produce a majority of its products, especially its iPhones. But there have also been issues. As WSJ’s Aaron Tilley reports, recent turmoil at Chinese manufacturing facilities is disrupting Apple’s business and forcing the company to look elsewhere.
Further Reading:
-Apple Makes Plans to Move Production Out of China
-Foxconn Letter Prodded China to Ease Zero-Covid Rules
Further Listening:
-China’s Biggest Protests in Decades
-How Jiang Zemin Made China a Global Superpower
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|
Dec 14, 2022 |
|
The Charges Against FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried
1032
About a month after his crypto exchange firm FTX collapsed, Sam Bankman-Fried has been arrested. Federal prosecutors have charged the self-appointed crypto savior with eight counts of fraud and conspiracy, and two regulatory agencies are suing him. WSJ’s Alexander Osipovich unpacks the charges.
Further Reading:
- FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried Charged With Criminal Fraud, Conspiracy
- Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried Arrested in Bahamas
Further Listening:
- ‘Do You Expect to Go to Prison?’: An Interview With SBF
- The Fall of Crypto’s Golden Boy
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|
Dec 13, 2022 |
|
Russia’s Campaign to Leave Ukraine in the Dark
952
For the last two months, Russian airstrikes on Ukraine’s power grid have caused prolonged blackouts across the country. Now, millions of people are living without reliable electricity, water and heat. WSJ’s Ian Lovett and a cafe owner in Kyiv on life without power.
Further Reading:
-Russia Unleashes Its Biggest Barrage of Strikes on Ukraine Since Invasion
-Kyiv Power Cuts Bring Cold Food, Scheduled Vacuuming, Struggling Businesses
-Russia Says Strikes on Ukraine’s Infrastructure Aimed at Slowing Delivery of Foreign Arms
Further Listening:
-The Surprising Origins of Russia’s Drones
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|
Dec 12, 2022 |
|
Uncontrolled Substances, Part 1: Subscribe and Prescribe
1745
Cerebral is a startup that set out to provide access to mental-health services and wound up under federal investigation. WSJ's Rolfe Winkler and Khadeeja Safdar take us back to the origins of the company, exploring the ideas that laid the foundation for explosive growth.
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|
Dec 09, 2022 |
|
Elon Musk's Boring Company Is Ghosting Cities
1069
Elon Musk’s Boring Company hasn’t done much to alleviate “soul-destroying traffic” despite its initial promises to several cities. We talk with WSJ’s Ted Mann about what's behind Boring's poor track record and with a transportation official in California about what Musk promised her county.
Further Reading:
-Elon Musk’s Boring Company Ghosts Cities Across America
Further Listening:
-Why Elon Musk’s Twitter Is Losing Advertisers
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|
Dec 08, 2022 |
|
Iran’s Protests Show No Signs of Slowing Down
1048
In September, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the morality police, who arrested her for allegedly violating Iran’s dress code. Afterwards, protests erupted across the country. WSJ’s Sune Rasmussen explains how the death of one woman has led to calls to overthrow the government.
Further Reading and Watching:
-Iran Protesters Seek End of an Islamic Republic Pillar—the Morality Police
-Iran Disbands Morality Police, Considers Changing Hijab Laws, Official Says
-Iran’s Shopkeepers Strike in Support of Protest Movement
Further Listening:
-Iran's Secret System to Avoid Sanctions
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|
Dec 07, 2022 |
|
‘Do You Expect to Go to Prison?’: An Interview With SBF
1241
Sam Bankman-Fried is the founder and ex-CEO of FTX, the crypto exchange that recently filed for bankruptcy. WSJ reporter Alexander Osipovich sat down with him to talk about what happened and how $8 billion of customer money went missing.
Further Reading:
-FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Says He Can’t Account for Billions Sent to Alameda
Further Listening:
-The Fall of Crypto’s Golden Boy
-How Crypto Giant FTX Suddenly Imploded
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|
Dec 06, 2022 |
|
Introducing - Uncontrolled Substances: The Cerebral Story
144
Cerebral was a buzzy Silicon Valley startup that set out to transform mental-health services in the U.S. In just a couple of years, the company attracted thousands of patients, raised hundreds of millions of dollars and partnered with star Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. But some people who worked at Cerebral say that, along the way, the company's focus on growth interfered with patient care. And now, Cerebral is under federal investigation. Cerebral says it provided high-quality care to thousands of patients who might not otherwise have had access.
In a new four-part series, WSJ's Rolfe Winkler and Khadeeja Safdar take us inside Cerebral. We'll meet some former staff who are part of Cerebral’s story, and explore the company's origins and explosive growth, as well as the consequences of that growth.
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|
Dec 06, 2022 |
|
How the White House Blocked a Rail Strike
925
Major freight railroads and unions have been locked in a labor dispute for years. But last Friday, President Biden signed a bill passed by Congress forcing a deal onto both parties. We talk to WSJ’s Esther Fung about why a rail strike would have been devastating, and a railroad signalman lays out what the deal means for him.
Further Reading:
-A Potential Rail Strike Looms. Here’s What to Know.
-Biden Signs Legislation Preventing Railroad Strike
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|
Dec 05, 2022 |
|
How Jiang Zemin Made China a Global Superpower
1215
Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin died this week at 96. As WSJ’s Charles Hutzler explains, Jiang was known for policies that guided China towards a market-oriented economy, but also for being uncompromising on challenges to the Communist Party.
Further Reading:
-Jiang Zemin, Who Steered China Into New Era, Dies at 96
Further Listening:
-China’s Biggest Protests in Decades
-How Xi Jinping’s Dream Slowed China’s Economy
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|
Dec 02, 2022 |
|
An Exit Interview With Dr. Anthony Fauci
1112
Dr. Anthony Fauci - the U.S. Chief Medical Advisor - is retiring after more than 50 years of government service. We speak to him about the biggest challenges in his career and if he believes Covid is behind us.
Further Reading
-Anthony Fauci to Step Down After More Than 50 Years of Government Service
Further Listening
-Dr. Anthony Fauci on Omicron and the Covid-19 Stalemate
-Anthony Fauci: Delta Variant Has 'Exposed Our Vulnerability'
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|
Dec 01, 2022 |
|
Beyond Meat Loses Its Sizzle
1063
Beyond Meat, the maker of plant-based meat alternatives, has been a darling of the food startup world. In 2019, it had one of the most successful initial public offerings by a major company in more than two decades. But now sales are down, its stock is slumping and its workforce is shrinking, WSJ's Jesse Newman unpacks Beyond's problems.
Further Reading:
-Beyond Meat’s Very Real Problems: Slumping Sausages, Mounting Losses
-Beyond Meat Reports Weak Sales and Mounting Losses
Further Listening:
-Oatly Pioneered Oat Milk. Now It’s Struggling to Keep Up.
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|
Nov 30, 2022 |
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China's Biggest Protests in Decades
1203
After years of strict Covid restrictions, people are taking to the streets in cities across China. But they’re not just protesting zero-Covid, they’re voicing displeasure with Xi Jinping himself. WSJ’s Brian Spegele gives us an inside view of the protests rocking China.
Further Reading:
-China’s Surveillance State Pushes Deeper Into Citizens’ Lives
-Much of China Locks Down With No End to Zero Covid in Sight
-Chinese Protests Spread Over Government’s Covid Restrictions
Further Listening:
-How Xi Jinping's Dream Slowed China's Economy
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|
Nov 29, 2022 |
|
The Surprising Origins of Russia’s Drones
1079
In recent months, Russia has ramped up its use of drones in its war on Ukraine. As Ukrainian analysts have begun dissecting some of the unmanned aircraft, they’ve uncovered a complex web of suppliers. WSJ’s Ian Talley explains.
Further Reading:
-Ukrainian Analysis Identifies Western Supply Chain Behind Iran’s Drones
-Iran Acknowledges Supplying Drones to Russia
Further Listening:
-Iran’s Secret System to Avoid Sanctions
-Ukraine Makes a Deal with Wall Street
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|
Nov 28, 2022 |
|
Elon Musk's 'Extremely Hardcore' Twitter
972
Since Elon Musk bought Twitter four weeks ago, thousands of employees have been laid off, fired or decided to leave the company. WSJ's Alexa Corse explains what the company's leaner staff could mean for the platform.
Further Reading:
-Elon Musk Tells Twitter Staff to Work ‘Long Hours at High Intensity’ or Leave
-Twitter’s Mass Resignations Test Elon Musk’s Management Playbook
-Twitter Lays Off Some Sales Employees After They Committed to Twitter 2.0
Further Listening:
-Why Elon Musk’s Twitter Is Losing Advertisers
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|
Nov 23, 2022 |
|
What Walmart’s Aisles Say About the American Consumer
890
Inflation is driving American consumers to pinch pennies, and Walmart is taking note. The retailing giant says its customers are increasingly price-conscious. WSJ's Sarah Nassauer says to keep prices low, Walmart is flexing its muscles with suppliers.
Further Reading:
-Walmart Sales Rise as Retail Giant Gains Shoppers
-Walmart Is Flexing Its Muscle Again
-Holiday Sales Growth Expected to Slow This Year
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|
Nov 22, 2022 |
|
A Controversial World Cup Begins in Qatar
1018
One of the biggest sports events of the year began yesterday in Qatar, but there have been a lot of bumps along the way. From the abuse of stadium construction workers to a ban on beer – WSJ's Joshua Robinson on the controversies surrounding Qatar’s World Cup.
Further Reading:
-World Cup Brings Two Million Visitors and an Epic Culture Clash to Qatar
-Qatar Wanted to Host the World Cup. First It Needed a Soccer Team.
Further Listening:
-We Came To Win: The Escape
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|
Nov 21, 2022 |
|
The Taylor Swift Ticketmaster Debacle
1168
Millions of Taylor Swift fans tried unsuccessfully to buy advance tickets for her Eras Tour, Swift’s first in five years. And after overwhelming demand throttled Ticketmaster’s website, a public sale of tickets has been called off. WSJ's Anne Steele explains what happened and why Ticketmaster is getting heat.
Further Reading:
-Taylor Swift Says It Was ‘Excruciating’ to Watch Ticketmaster Debacle
-Taylor Swift Cancels Ticket Sale After Earlier Glitches
-Taylor Swift’s Concert Ticket Sales Plagued by Ticketmaster Delays
Further Listening:
-Taylor Swift’s Push to Change Music Ownership
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|
Nov 18, 2022 |
|
A Historically Bad Year to Retire
1101
For decades, investing in a mix of stocks and bonds was one of the safest ways to save for retirement. But this year, that strategy has stopped working. WSJ’s Akane Otani breaks down the unique market conditions of today’s economy that are causing so much pain for retirees.
Further Reading:
-The Classic 60-40 Investment Strategy Falls Apart. ‘There’s No Place to Hide.’
Further Listening:
-How High Will Interest Rates Go?
-Will There Be a Recession? America’s Top Bankers Weigh In
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|
Nov 17, 2022 |
|
The Fall of Crypto's Golden Boy
1093
Until last week, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was the face of crypto. Admirers saw him as an approachable, friendly billionaire eager to deploy his wealth for good. Then his crypto empire imploded, leaving hundreds of thousands of investors’ assets in doubt. WSJ’s Greg Zuckerman profiles the man behind FTX.
Further Reading:
-How FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried Went From Crypto Golden Boy to Villain
-FTX Tapped Into Customer Accounts to Fund Risky Bets, Setting Up Its Downfall
-Alameda, FTX Executives Are Said to Have Known FTX Was Using Customer Funds
-FTX’s Collapse Leaves Employees Sick With Anger
Further Listening:
-How Crypto Giant FTX Suddenly Imploded
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|
Nov 16, 2022 |
|
The Downfall of a $300 Million Sneaker King
1143
Zadeh Kicks, founded by Michael Malekzadeh, was once the hottest sneaker reseller on the market. It offered some coveted, limited edition shoes for cheap – a dream for sneakerheads who wanted to flip them for more money. But now Zadeh Kicks has dissolved. WSJ's Inti Pacheco explains how sneaker giant Malekzadeh came undone.
Further Reading:
-The $300 Million Sneaker King Comes Undone
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|
Nov 15, 2022 |
|
RSV Is Bad. Where's the Vaccine?
846
Every winter, the respiratory virus RSV lands tens of thousands of babies and young children in hospitals around the country. This year, the outbreak started early. WSJ's Denise Roland explains the challenges of creating an RSV vaccine.
Further Reading:
-GSK Poised for Pfizer Battle in RSV Vaccine Market-RSV Hospitalizations Surge, Babies Hit Hardest
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|
Nov 14, 2022 |
|
Introducing Bad Bets Season 2: The Unraveling of Trevor Milton
2328
Bad Bets is WSJ’s podcast series that unravels big-business dramas that have had a big impact on our world. In season two, reporter Ben Foldy delves into the story of Nikola founder Trevor Milton, who promised a future of zero-emission trucks that could revolutionize the industry. At its peak, Nikola’s publicly traded stock was worth more than Ford Motor Co.’s—until a ragtag group of whistleblowers and short sellers revealed that Nikola and its truck weren’t all that they seemed.
Find the entire series here: https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/bad-bets
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Nov 11, 2022 |
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How Crypto Giant FTX Suddenly Imploded
1224
Once a leader in the world of cryptocurrency, Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto exchange FTX is scrambling for funds. It’s now facing a shortfall of $8 billion after Binance walked away from a rescue attempt. WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff on what this means for the crypto ecosystem.
Further Reading:
-Tensions Between Crypto Giants FTX, Binance Spill Into Public View
-Binance’s Deal for Rival FTX Marks Power Shift Amid Crypto Turmoil
-The 30-Year-Old Spending $1 Billion to Save Crypto
Further Listening:
-The Rise of Binance - And The Effort to Reel it In
-The ‘Death Spiral’ of a Stablecoin
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|
Nov 10, 2022 |
|
Why the Red Wave Didn’t Happen
1004
Republicans were expecting to come away with sizable wins in the midterm elections on Tuesday. But as the results come in, it's clear that those hopes have been dashed. WSJ's Siobhan Hughes explains where the election stands — and what it means for the GOP.
Further Reading:
-Control of Congress Remains at Stake as Democrats Fend Off an Anticipated ‘Red Wave’
Further Listening:
-The Republican Push to Flip Latino Voters
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|
Nov 09, 2022 |
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Banks’ Alliance to Fight Climate Change is on the Rocks
1115
A year ago, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the biggest players in the financial world joined together to incorporate carbon emissions into their most fundamental decisions. As the summit reconvenes in Egypt, the group is on the rocks. WSJ’s David Benoit explains why.
Further Reading:
-Financial System Makes Big Promises on Climate Change at COP26 Summit
-Big Banks and U.N. Green Finance Group Clash in Alliance
-Mark Carney, Ex-Banker, Wants Banks to Pay for Climate ChangeFurther Listening:-The Fight Over Climate Change's Price Tag
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Nov 08, 2022 |
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Why Elon Musk’s Twitter Is Losing Advertisers
999
Elon Musk is now in charge of Twitter, and his shake-up of the company is making advertisers nervous. All kinds of brands have started pausing their ad spending. WSJ’s Suzanne Vranica explains what Musk is doing to rein in the losses.
Further Reading:
-General Mills, Audi and Pfizer Join Growing List of Companies Pausing Twitter Ads
-First Week of Elon Musk’s Twitter Was Chaos and Confusion for Employees
Further Listening:
-The Musk-Twitter Saga – From The Journal.
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Nov 07, 2022 |
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How TikTok Became The World’s Favorite App
1323
In only five years, TikTok has gained millions of fans around the world and become a source of geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China. We spoke to people who witnessed the app’s meteoric rise firsthand: influencers, former workers, and a government official who is concerned about TikTok’s data practices.
Further Listening
-Why TikTok’s Under Investigation
-Why Everyone is Mad At Instagram
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Nov 04, 2022 |
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Show Me the Money: More Job Listings Have Salary Details
1148
Companies trying to hire in New York City had to revamp their job postings this week. A new law requires salary ranges on all job postings, the latest in a wave around the U.S. WSJ's Chip Cutter and Ben Cohen explain how the law can affect the power dynamics between workers and employers and how companies might try to find workarounds.
Further Reading:
-Is Your Colleague Earning More Than $200,000 a Year? Now You Can Find Out
-JPMorgan, Macy’s and Other Companies Reveal What They Pay Workers
-California Employers May Soon Need to Disclose Pay on Job Listings
-Success at Work Is Warped by Your Co-Workers’ Salaries
Further Listening:
-U.S. Soccer’s Equal Pay Deal and One Player Who Helped Negotiate It
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Nov 03, 2022 |
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Pig Butchering: A Texting Scam With a Crypto Twist
1346
A texting scam that originated in China is on the rise in the United States. It’s more sophisticated than scams of the past and it has already cost American victims more than $400 million in total. WSJ’s Robert McMillan explains how pig butchering works and one victim shares how it’s impacted her.
Further Reading:
-A Text Scam Called ‘Pig Butchering’ Cost Her More Than $1.6 Million
-Online Scams Cost Americans Billions. Here’s How to Avoid the Worst of Them.
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Nov 02, 2022 |
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Meta’s Metaverse Mess
1000
About a year after Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook as Meta Platforms Inc., internal documents show the company's transition to the metaverse is not going smoothly. WSJ’s Salvador Rodriguez explains how glitchy technology and declining monthly users are complicating Meta’s big metaverse push.
Further Reading:
-Company Documents Show Meta’s Flagship Metaverse Falling Short
-Facebook Parent Meta’s Earnings Fall Short as Revenue Decline Accelerates Further Listening:-How to Build a Metaverse
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Nov 01, 2022 |
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How High Will Interest Rates Go?
959
For months the Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates at a fast and furious pace to combat inflation. Now some Fed officials are advocating for a slower, steadier approach. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos explains the debate within the Fed over just how high interest rates should go.
Further Reading:
-Two Fed Officials Make Case for Caution With Future Interest Rate Raises
-Fed Set to Raise Rates by 0.75 Point and Debate Size of Future Hikes
Further Listening:
-The Fed’s Plan to Curb Inflation
-Can the Fed Lower Inflation Without Causing a Recession?
-The Fed’s Shifting Inflation Message
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Oct 31, 2022 |
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The Rise of the Minions
1114
Minions, the yellow, pill-shaped sidekicks that debuted in the 2010 animated film “Despicable Me," have emerged as one of the best-known franchises in recent Hollywood history. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel explains the mix of luck and strategy that made the Minions so successful.
Further Reading:
-How the Minions Became Hollywood’s Mightiest Franchise
Further Listening:
-A Tale of Two Top Guns
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Oct 28, 2022 |
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Disney CEO Bob Chapek on Whether the Company Is “Too Woke”
1184
Disney CEO Bob Chapek talks with WSJ’s Editor in Chief Matt Murray about the challenges of weathering controversies and keeping his nearly 100 year-old company relevant.
Further Reading and Watching:
-News from WSJ Tech Live 2022
-Video Highlights from WSJ Tech Live 2022
Further Listening:
-How Disney’s CEO Got Caught in Florida’s Fight Over Gay Rights
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Oct 27, 2022 |
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The Collapsing U.S.-Saudi Relations
1112
An unofficial oil-for-security pact between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia has survived 15 presidents and seven kings, but is now fracturing under two leaders who don’t like each other. WSJ’s Stephen Kalin explains why the U.S. and Saudi Arabia’s relationship has hit a new low.Further Reading:
- U.S.-Saudi Relations Buckle, Driven by Animosity Between Biden and Mohammed bin Salman
- Saudi Conference Draws Wall Street Executives Amid Strained Ties With U.S.
Further Listening:
- As Saudi Arabia Cools on the U.S., It Warms to China
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Oct 26, 2022 |
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Is Big Money Souring Pickleball?
1008
Pickleball is a big dill. It’s also the fastest-growing sport in America. Meanwhile, superstar investors like Tom Brady and LeBron James are pouring cash into pro pickleball. WSJ’s Sara Bosworth explains the rise of the paddle sport and why investors are flocking to it.
Further Reading:
-Since When Do Millennials Love Pickleball?
-LeBron James Is Buying a Professional Pickleball Team
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Oct 25, 2022 |
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The Rise of Botox and the Wrinkle in Its Future
946
No longer just for celebrities, Botox's multi-billion dollar success has helped kickstart a new industry of medical cosmetic procedures. But now, a competitor is on the horizon. WSJ's Rory Satran and Jared Hopkins on the new anti-wrinkle shot that's trying to take on Botox.
Further Reading:
- FDA Approves New Botox Rival
- Getting Botox Used to Be a Secret. Now It’s Not.
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Oct 24, 2022 |
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Why Florida's Coast Is Becoming the 'Preserve of the Wealthy'
1155
Stronger hurricanes, higher insurance premiums and stricter building codes are changing who can afford life on the coast. After Hurricane Ian, WSJ's Arian Campo-Flores headed to southwestern Florida to see how the state's coastal communities are faring and transforming.
Further Reading:
- Florida Coastal Living Reshaped by Hurricane Housing Codes
- Hurricane Ian Is Latest Blow to Florida’s Struggling Home Insurers
- Home Buyers Flock to Florida Cities Devastated by Hurricane Ian
- Flattened by Hurricane Michael, Florida Town Tries to Stave Off Big Development
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Oct 21, 2022 |
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Will There Be a Recession? America's Top Bankers Weigh In
959
The CEOs of the nation’s largest banks, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, are sending different messages about the economy. One is more optimistic, the other more pessimistic. WSJ’s Ben Eisen explains what’s driving their differences.
Further Reading:
- Bank of America CEO’s Optimism Defies Economic Gloom
- Jamie Dimon Says U.S. Consumers Still Have Six to Nine Months of Spending Power
- JP Morgan Chase Earnings Show Economy is Resilient, but Jamie Dimon’s “Hurricane” Looms
Further Listening:
- The Fed’s Plan to Curb Inflation
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Oct 20, 2022 |
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How a Miami Couple Used Empty Mansions to Pocket Millions
1153
Southern Florida is awash with empty luxury properties. For one Miami couple and their accomplices, that looked like prime hunting ground for nearly $10 million in mortgage fraud. Their targets? Venezuela’s sanctioned elite. As WSJ’s Konrad Putzier reports, it was fun while it lasted.
Further Reading:
- Florida Couple Turned the Empty Miami Mansions of Venezuela’s Elite Into Personal Piggy Banks
Further Listening:
- An Undercover Operation to Reveal an Alleged Ponzi Scheme
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Oct 19, 2022 |
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How a New 'Anti-Woke' Bank Stumbled
1099
A new banking startup, GloriFi, was created to counter a perception among some conservatives that mainstream banks are too liberal. But despite major investment and celebrity backing, GloriFi now finds itself in disarray and on the verge of bankruptcy. WSJ’s Rachel Ensign breaks down the latest.
Further Reading:
- How a New Anti-Woke Bank Stumbled
- CEO of Anti-Woke Bank Startup GloriFi Resigns
Further Listening:
- Can My Stock Portfolio Save The Planet?
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Oct 18, 2022 |
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How Xi Jinping's Dream Slowed China's Economy
1037
As China’s top leaders gather for the 20th Communist Party congress, all eyes are on China’s economy. A decade ago, President Xi Jinping set out his “China Dream" and promised it would boost the economy. But as WSJ’s Lingling Wei explains, Xi’s state-centered approach isn’t delivering on that vision.
Further Reading:
- China’s Xi Jinping Stakes Out Ambitions, With Himself at the Center
- China Abruptly Delays GDP Release During Communist Party Conference
- Xi Jinping’s Ideological Ambition Darkens China’s Economic Prospects
Further Listening:
- The Political Cost of China’s Faltering Economy
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Oct 17, 2022 |
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How to Build a Metaverse, Part 4: Why Build a World?
2443
Second Life never went mainstream. But just because the platform wasn’t for everyone doesn’t mean it wasn’t for anyone. In part 4 of our series, we talk to longtime Second Life users about the lives they’ve built in the metaverse and what virtual worlds have to offer.
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Oct 14, 2022 |
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Government Officials and Their Stocks
1087
Hidden records show that thousands of senior executive branch employees owned stocks in companies whose fates were affected by their employers’ actions. WSJ’s Brody Mullins and Rebecca Ballhaus take us inside the nearly year-long Wall Street Journal investigation.
Further Reading:
- Government Officials Invest in Companies Their Agencies Oversee
- 131 Federal Judges Broke the Law by Hearing Cases Where They Had a Financial Interest
- Congressional Staffers Gain From Trading in Stocks
Further Listening:
- The Federal Law that 138 Judges have broken
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Oct 13, 2022 |
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Does the Future of Streaming Look More Like Cable?
939
In the last few years, streaming has overtaken cable as the go-to means of watching TV. But as more streaming platforms flood the market, the industry’s major players are finding it harder to grow. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel says companies are finding new solutions in the old cable bundle playbook.
Further Reading:
- You Hated Your Cable Package. Your Streaming Services Are Bringing It Back.
- Paramount Explores Merging Showtime Streaming Service Into Paramount+
- Disney Explores Membership Program Like Amazon Prime
- Walmart Reaches Video-Streaming Deal to Offer Paramount+ to Members
Further Listening:
- Netflix Turns to Ads
- NBC's Olympic Bet on Peacock
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Oct 12, 2022 |
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Ukraine Makes a Deal with Wall Street
1098
The war in Ukraine has taken a heavy toll on the country and rebuilding will be expensive, estimated in the tens of billions. WSJ's Matt Wirz tells the story of one Ukrainian official's unconventional plan to win over Wall Street and help keep his country afloat.
Further Reading:
- Ukraine Takes Unorthodox Pitch to Wall Street to Raise Billions in Debt
Further Listening:
- Losing in the War, Putin Raises the Stakes
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Oct 11, 2022 |
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Are Rotisserie Chickens ‘Inflation-Proof’?
1057
We're off for the holiday today, but we still have an episode for you! Inflation is the worst it’s been in more than 40 years. But one bright spot for consumers might be found at the grocery store: rotisserie chickens. WSJ’s Annie Gasparro chronicles the history of America’s love for the quick and versatile meal, and what a "rotisserie chicken economic index" might say about this inflationary moment.
Further Listening:
- Inflation Is Happening. Should You Be Worried?
Further Reading:
- Rotisserie Chickens: The ’90s Gift to Supermarkets That Keeps on Giving
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Oct 10, 2022 |
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How to Build a Metaverse, Part 3: Prime Time
2451
By 2007, Second Life seemed on track for a commercial breakthrough. And then, an opportunity came along to get in front of a truly mainstream audience: a starring role on one of TV’s biggest shows. In part 3 of our series: Second Life’s ascension to prime time, and the hurdles that threw its success into question.
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Oct 07, 2022 |
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The U.K. Tried to Stimulate Growth. It Got Backlash Instead.
1095
The U.K. government has U-turned on one part of a plan to make major tax cuts after markets reacted violently to it. WSJ's Max Colchester explains why the government's attempt to boost growth did the opposite.
Further Reading:
- U.K. Markets Turmoil Puts Spotlight on New Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng
- U.K.’s Central Banker Struggles With Inflation, a Financial Crisis and His Own Government
Further Listening:
- The U.K.'s New Prime Minister Faces an Economic Crisis
- The Pros and Cons of a Strong U.S. Dollar
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Oct 06, 2022 |
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Elon Musk Wants to Buy Twitter After All
1004
Facing an impending deposition, a trial date and the potential release of more private text messages, billionaire Elon Musk said he wants to proceed with his purchase of Twitter at the original $44-billion offer. But will he be able to avert the Oct. 17th trial? WSJ’s Cara Lombardo on the topsy-turvy deal.
Further Reading:
- Elon Musk Proposes Closing Twitter Deal on Original Terms
- Elon Musk’s Twitter Reversal Renews Takeover Bid for a Now-Weaker Firm
Further Listening:
- The Musk-Twitter Saga - from The Journal.
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Oct 05, 2022 |
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Losing in the War, Putin Raises the Stakes
976
As Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine sputters, he's escalating tensions. WSJ's Matthew Dalton explains how Putin's ramping up the stakes both in the ground war in Ukraine and in his economic war with the West.
Further Reading:
- NATO Formally Blames Sabotage for Nord Stream Pipeline Damage
- Russia’s Lower House Approves Absorbing Ukrainian Territories
- Putin Raises Ukraine Ante as His War Fortunes Sink
Further Listening:
- Ukraine Shifts the War With a Surprise Attack
- Europe is Turning to Coal. What Does That Mean for Climate Change?
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Oct 04, 2022 |
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The Former MoviePass CEO on What Went Wrong
1326
MoviePass took off like a rocket when it unveiled a $9.95 monthly service in 2017 that allowed customers to see a movie a day in theaters. But its crash was just as spectacular as its rise. Now, the service is coming back under new management. Mitch Lowe, the former CEO, talks about what went wrong.
Further Reading:
- It’s a Wrap: MoviePass Ends Theater Subscription Service
- MoviePass Is Making a Comeback With Plans From $10 to $30 a Month
Further Listening:
- The Fundamental Flaw (and Alleged Deception) of MoviePass
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Oct 03, 2022 |
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How to Build a Metaverse, Part 2: Avatars Behaving Badly
2281
When Second Life officially launched in 2003, it had one guiding principle for all new users: Be Nice. But those users showed up with their own ideas about how to behave in a virtual world. In part 2 of How to Build a Metaverse, Linden Lab — the company that created Second Life — wrestles with how to govern its new world.
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Sep 30, 2022 |
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The Pros and Cons of a Strong U.S. Dollar
993
The U.S. dollar is dramatically increasing in value. WSJ’s Julia-Ambra Verlaine unpacks what this means for the U.S. and other countries.
Further Reading:
- A Strong Dollar Is Front and Center for Wall Street
- Dollar Strength Lifts Americans’ Relative Spending Power
- Strong U.S. Dollar Extends Pain in Emerging-Markets Currencies
Further Listening:
- The Roots of Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis
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Sep 29, 2022 |
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The Four-Day School Week Is Here
1047
To combat a teacher shortage, some school districts across the country are adopting a four-day week. WSJ’s Ben Chapman explains the pros and cons, and a superintendent in Missouri talks about how parents and teachers are reacting.
Further Reading:
- School Districts Facing Shortages Lure Teachers With Four-Day Weeks
- Teacher, Staff Shortages Reported by About Half of Schools, Survey Finds
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Sep 28, 2022 |
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The Republican Push to Flip Latino Voters
1074
Ahead of the midterm elections, Republicans are working to rally support among Latinos. Once a solidly Democratic bloc, Latinos are becoming a swing group, as recent contests have shown in states like Nevada. We head to East Las Vegas to speak with voters and politicos about the shifting dynamics.
Further Reading:
- Latino Voters Split Along Economic Lines
- Latina Candidates Test GOP Policies in South Texas House Races
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Sep 27, 2022 |
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The Cheating Accusation Rocking Competitive Chess
1110
The chess world has been gripped by drama after world champion Magnus Carlsen accused newcomer Hans Moke Niemann of cheating. WSJ’s Andrew Beaton explains how the whole fiasco is threatening to taint the sanctity of the 1,500-year-old game.
Further Reading:
- Chess Is in Chaos Over Suspicion That a Player Cheated Against Magnus Carlsen
- The Question Behind the Magnus Carlsen-Hans Niemann Drama: How to Cheat at Chess?
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Sep 26, 2022 |
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How to Build a Metaverse, Part 1: Genesis
2206
Nearly two decades before companies like Meta began pouring billions of dollars into the metaverse, a little company called Linden Lab already had one. In part 1 of our series, we meet the programmers who built Second Life -- a 3-D virtual world where users could be and do whatever they could imagine. And we meet the intrepid users who were the pioneers of this brave new world.
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Sep 23, 2022 |
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People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump
1129
Yesterday, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, three of his children and two other longtime officials at the Trump Organization. The AG’s fraud complaint seeks a list of penalties including $250 million dollars. WSJ’s Corinne Ramey discusses the lawsuit and what it means.
Further Reading:
- Donald Trump, His Company Sued by New York Attorney General on Fraud Allegations
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Sep 22, 2022 |
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Puerto Rico's Long Struggle to Keep the Lights On
1077
Hurricane Fiona battered Puerto Rico’s shores, causing an island-wide blackout over the weekend. Now, more than a million people are still waiting for the lights to turn back on. WSJ’s Andrew Scurria explains that the company brought in to fix the grid hasn’t made much progress.
Further Reading:
- Hurricane Fiona Intensifies to Category 4 Storm and Is Blamed for Four Deaths
- Puerto Rico Re-Examines Plan to Fix Power Grid as Fiona Cuts Electricity
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Sep 21, 2022 |
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The Fed's Plan to Curb Inflation
1025
Inflation is at a decades long high and this week the Federal Reserve is expected to approve another rate increase to help curb it. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos discusses the thinking behind the strategy and some of the risks it poses.
Further Reading:
- Jerome Powell’s Inflation Whisperer: Paul Volcker
- Powell Says Fed Must Show Resolve in Fighting Inflation
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Sep 20, 2022 |
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The Fight Over Your Credit Card Swipe
985
Each time you use your credit card, businesses pay a fee. Merchants have pushed back for years, and there are now two bills in Congress aiming to limit those fees. WSJ’s AnnaMaria Andriotis explains why companies like Visa and Mastercard set fees in the first place, and what Congress hopes to do about it.
Further Reading:
- Walmart, Target Urge Lawmakers to Pass Bill Taking Aim at Visa, Mastercard Fees
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Sep 19, 2022 |
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Introducing - How to Build a Metaverse
180
We’re in a metaverse déjà vu moment. Companies are spending billions of dollars creating new metaverses, imagining a 3D virtual future. But there’s a metaverse that’s already been around for decades. In this world, people have started businesses, built homes and fallen in love as avatars.
In a new four-part series from The Journal, producer Annie Minoff heads back into that largely forgotten metaverse – Second Life – to tell the story of the metaverse we already have and what it can reveal about the one that’s coming.
Start listening to How to Build a Metaverse on Friday, September 23.
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Sep 19, 2022 |
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Who Is Long Covid Hurting?
1275
Stuart Smith used to enjoy driving fast cars, kayaking and flying planes. But the mysterious condition known as “long Covid” has upended his personal and professional life. We spoke with Smith, a lawyer whose career was cut short after he got sick, and WSJ’s Sumathi Reddy and Gwynn Guilford about the economic and emotional impacts of long Covid.
Further Reading:
- Covid-19 Illnesses Are Keeping at Least 500,000 Workers Out of U.S. Labor Force, Study Says
- A Key to Long Covid Is Virus Lingering in the Body, Scientists Say
Further Listening:
- How Will We Know When the Pandemic's Over?
- The Labor Shortage That's Causing More Labor Shortages
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Sep 16, 2022 |
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Ukraine Shifts the War With a Surprise Attack
957
In a matter of days, Ukrainian forces liberated thousands of square miles of Russian-occupied territory. WSJ’s Matthew Luxmoore explains why the offensive took Russia by surprise and shifted the balance of the war.
Further Reading:
- Russia Strikes Zelensky’s Hometown as President Visits Recaptured City
- Russia Withdraws More Forces From Northeast Ukraine
Further Listening:
- A Battle of Wills Over Russian Energy
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Sep 15, 2022 |
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Who Should Pay for Pakistan's Historic Flood?
898
Over the summer, unusual monsoons in Pakistan have led to disastrous flooding. More than 30 million people are impacted, and much of the country’s agricultural sector is underwater. WSJ’s Saeed Shah explains how climate change is affecting Pakistan, and who the country's government believes should foot the bill.
Further Reading:
- In Southern Pakistan, a Sea Made of Monsoon Waters Swallows Villages
- Pakistan Floods Affect Millions, Leave over 1,000 Dead
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Sep 14, 2022 |
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Diving Deep for Battery Metals
878
As the world shifts toward green alternatives like electric vehicles and solar power, demand for metals needed for batteries has skyrocketed. WSJ’s Yusuf Khan explains mining companies are turning to a new source for metals like cobalt and manganese: the ocean floor.
Further Reading:
- Deep-Sea Mining Is Close to Reality Despite Environmental Concerns
- TMC Gets Approval for Pilot Deep-Sea Mining Project
- Environmental Investing Frenzy Stretches Meaning of ‘Green’
Further Listening:
- Environmental Investing Frenzy Stretches Meaning of 'Green'
- Electric Cars Need Lithium. Can Chile Provide It?
- How One Company Rode the Electric Vehicle Boom to Success
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Sep 13, 2022 |
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The Media Mogul Taking an Ax to Hollywood
1037
Is David Zaslav Hollywood’s white knight, or a Trojan horse? The new CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery is sitting atop a huge media empire. WSJ’s Joe Flint profiles Zaslav’s cost-cutting across some of the biggest properties in media, and explores what that might mean for our watchlists.
Further Listening:
- The Quick End to CNN+
Further Reading:
- There’s a New Media Mogul Tearing Up Hollywood: ‘Zas Is Not Particularly Patient’
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Sep 12, 2022 |
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A Queen's Legacy and a King's Future
1305
During the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II, she led the British monarchy through a period of huge change and weathered many scandals. WSJ's Max Colchester explains why her death is such a significant moment for the royals, and what it means for the future of the family business.Further Reading:
-Queen Elizabeth II Dies at 96 After 70 Years on the Throne
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Sep 09, 2022 |
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A Battle of Wills Over Russian Energy
972
Russia has shut off Nord Stream, the main pipeline exporting natural gas to Europe. The move comes as Europe faces a growing energy crisis. Meanwhile, Western countries continue to ratchet up energy sanctions against Moscow because of its war on Ukraine. WSJ’s Joe Wallace unpacks how Russia gained the advantage in the fight over energy.
Further Reading:
- Nord Stream Pipeline Closure Lands Blow Against Europe
- Russia Confounds the West by Recapturing Its Oil Riches
- Putin Threatens to Abandon Grain Deal, Further Squeeze Energy Supplies
Further Listening:
- Europe is Turning to Coal. What Does That Mean for Climate Change?
- Germany’s Difficult Breakup with Russian Energy
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Sep 08, 2022 |
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Jackson Water Crisis Is Harbinger for Other Cities
886
Floods in Jackson, Miss. inundated the city's main water treatment plant, leaving most residents without drinking water. WSJ's Rachel Wolfe says much of the nation's water infrastructure is aging and in disrepair, and many cities could face their own impending crises.
Further Reading:
-Jackson Water Crisis Forces Cities to Confront Their Own Aging Infrastructure
-Jackson Water Crisis Has No Clear End Date, Mississippi Officials Say
Further Listening:
-The Fight Over Water in the West
-One Town's Fight Against 'Forever' Chemicals
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Sep 07, 2022 |
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The U.K.'s New Prime Minister Faces an Economic Crisis
1035
The U.K.’s Conservative Party has elected a new Prime Minister - Liz Truss. She’s coming to power amidst spiraling inflation and rapidly rising energy prices. But what can she do to fix it? WSJ’s Max Colchester explains.
Further Reading:
- Liz Truss Is Appointed U.K. Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth
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Sep 06, 2022 |
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Lauded in the West, Shunned at Home: Gorbachev’s Divisive Legacy
1408
Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, died earlier this week at 91. His efforts to reform the Communist state and allow greater freedoms won him rockstar status in the West. But as WSJ’s Ann M. Simmons explains, Gorbachev’s legacy in Russia is much more mixed.
Further Reading:
- Mikhail Gorbachev, Reformer of Soviet Union and Its Last Leader, Dies at 91
- In Putin’s Russia, Last Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev Leaves Behind a Divisive Legacy
Further Listening:
- Russians, and Putin, Face the Fallout of War
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Sep 02, 2022 |
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Are Carbon Credits Still Working?
856
Under renewed pressure to address carbon emissions, global companies have spent millions on carbon credits. WSJ's Shane Shifflett explains that some of these credits are not actually very effective.
Further Reading:
- Booming Carbon-Credits Market Took Hit as Stocks Sold Off
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|
Sep 01, 2022 |
|
The Suicide Hotline Overhaul
924
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has been around for nearly 20 years. And over the years, an increase in the volume of calls has strained its call centers, leaving some calls unanswered. WSJ's Brianna Abbott discusses the effort to replace the Lifeline with a simpler, more responsive number: 988.
Further reading:
-One in Six Calls to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline End Without Reaching a Counselor
-What Is 988? Behind the New Mental Health Crisis Lifeline Number
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|
Aug 31, 2022 |
|
The Booming, Unregulated Marketplace for Abortion Pills
924
As some U.S. states tighten abortion restrictions, an anonymous online market for abortion pills is thriving. Dozens of websites offer to ship abortion drugs anywhere in the U.S. without requiring a prescription, which violates Food and Drug Administration rules. WSJ’s Dominique Mosbergen explores this unregulated marketplace.
Further Reading:
- Websites Selling Unapproved Abortion Pills Are Booming
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|
Aug 30, 2022 |
|
Who Is the Twitter Whistleblower?
1241
Last week, Twitter’s former head of security emerged as a whistleblower. Better known as "Mudge", Peiter Zatko started his career as a hacker. WSJ’s Robert McMillan explains Twitter's alleged security issues.
Further Reading:
-Twitter Whistleblower Peiter Zatko Has Warned of Cyber Disaster for Decades
-Twitter’s Ex-Security Head Files Whistleblower Complaint on Spam, Privacy Issues
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|
Aug 29, 2022 |
|
CDC Director on Her Plans to Shake Up the Agency
1033
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's director, Rochelle Walensky, is looking to reorganize the agency in the wake of what she called "some pretty dramatic, pretty public mistakes" during the pandemic. We talk to her about some of the CDC's fumbles and how she thinks the agency could do better.Further Reading:
-CDC Director Outlines Restructuring Plans
-CDC Director Aims to Improve Covid-19 Messaging, Data Collection
Further Listening:
-How Will We Know When the Pandemic's Over?
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|
Aug 26, 2022 |
|
Breaking Down Student Debt Relief
970
On Wednesday, President Biden announced the largest cancellation of student debt in U.S. history. WSJ's Gabriel T. Rubin walks us through how the plan came together and what it means for borrowers.Further reading:
-Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan to Cancel Up to $20,000 in Debt for Millions
-Student-Loan Forgiveness: Who Qualifies for Biden’s Plan, and What It Means for Borrowers
Further listening:
-How Biden Plans to Tackle Student Debt
-Is Graduate School Worth the Price?
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|
Aug 25, 2022 |
|
A LIV Executive on Upending the Business of Golf
1236
The goal of LIV is to disrupt golf as fans know it. Funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, LIV has proposed new game formats and offered players hundreds of millions of dollars - leading to a major rift with the PGA Tour. We talk with LIV’s Chief Operating Officer, Atul Khosla, about the controversy that surrounds it and its vision for the future of golf.
Further Reading:
-Threatened by LIV Golf, the PGA Tour Launches Major Overhauls
Further Listening:-The Saudi Money Splitting Golf
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|
Aug 24, 2022 |
|
The Fight Over Water in the West
1008
The Colorado River is experiencing a massive drought. Last week, the federal government told the states that rely on the Colorado River to cut their water usage drastically. WSJ’s Jim Carlton explains the growing battle over water.
Further Reading:- U.S. Orders Historic Colorado River Cuts to Drought-Stricken Southwest States
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|
Aug 23, 2022 |
|
What Went Wrong at Bed Bath & Beyond?
978
Bed Bath & Beyond is facing big concerns about its future. A high-profile stockholder dumped his shares last week, the stock price is tanking and a big bet on private label brands isn't paying off. WSJ's Suzanne Kapner explains how the home goods retailer got itself into trouble.Further Reading:
-Bed Bath & Beyond’s Sudden Stock Plunge Narrows Options for Cash Infusion
-Bed Bath & Beyond’s Problems Escalated by Ryan Cohen’s Sale
-Bed Bath & Beyond Followed a Winning Playbook—and Lost
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|
Aug 22, 2022 |
|
Why Private Equity Is Buying Up Car Washes
1160
Private equity firms are gobbling up car washes. WSJ's Miriam Gottfried explains how the humble car wash evolved into such a lucrative business investment.
Further reading:
-How the Private-Equity Lobby Won—Again
Further listening:
-The Private Equity Lobby Wins Again
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|
Aug 19, 2022 |
|
An Energy CEO on the Winding Path to a Green Grid
1164
This week, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, directing billions of dollars to tackle climate change. We speak to Pedro Pizarro, the CEO of Edison International, one of America’s largest utility companies, about what this bill means for the energy sector.Further Reading:-Biden Signs Bill Aimed at Lowering Drug Costs, Boosting Renewable Energy
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|
Aug 18, 2022 |
|
The Fight Over Afghanistan’s Money
992
Afghanistan's central bank has $7 billion frozen in the U.S. As the country faces mounting economic and humanitarian crises, WSJ’s Jessica Donati explains the complicated negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban over what to do with the money.
Further Reading:
-U.S. Rules Out Releasing Billions in Afghan Funds After Strike
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|
Aug 17, 2022 |
|
Electric Cars Need Lithium. Can Chile Provide It?
907
Lithium is a key component of batteries in electric vehicles, and a lot of it is underground in South America. WSJ’s Ryan Dube explains why it’s so complicated to get this metal out of Chile and Bolivia, and what that means for the transition to greener energy.
Further Reading:
- The Place With the Most Lithium Is Blowing the Electric-Car Revolution
- Lithium Prices Soar, Turbocharged By Electric-Vehicle Demand and Scant Supply
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|
Aug 16, 2022 |
|
Why Ben & Jerry’s Is Suing its Parent Company Over Israel
1095
Ben & Jerry's has an unusual agreement with its parent company, Unilever, which let the activist brand keep its corporate social justice mission. But now Ben & Jerry's is taking on Unilever in court to figure out just how far they are allowed to go. WSJ's Saabira Chaudhuri discusses the dispute over selling their ice cream in Israeli territories.
Further Reading:
- Ben and Jerry’s Tells Court That Unilever Could Undermine Its Social Mission
- Unilever Sells Ben and Jerry’s Ice-Cream Business in Israel
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|
Aug 15, 2022 |
|
A Business Tries to Solve a Town’s Housing Problem
1281
The Pella Corporation, manufacturer of windows and doors, is headquartered in a small town in Iowa. When a shortage of housing and amenities hindered its ability to hire and grow, the company decided to tackle some of these problems themselves. WSJ’s Charity Scott tells the complicated tale of a modern company town.
Further Reading:
- Facing Labor Shortages, Pella Reinvents the Company Town in Rural Iowa
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|
Aug 12, 2022 |
|
The Private Equity Lobby Wins Again
997
The private equity lobby notched another victory in their fight to pay low taxes on the fees they charge after Democrats tried – and failed – to change this in their Tax and Climate Bill. WSJ Julie Bykowicz discusses how they managed to do it.
Further reading:
-How the Private-Equity Lobby Won—Again
-Senate Passes Democrats’ Climate, Healthcare and Tax Bill
Further listening:
-Three Candidates, Three Ideas to Tax the Super Rich
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|
Aug 11, 2022 |
|
How Teen Gamers Built a Billion Dollar Business
1097
In 2010, a handful of teenage boys started posting gaming montages on YouTube, under the name FaZe Clan. More than a decade later, the group is a global e-sports and lifestyle brand worth more than a billion dollars on the Nasdaq. CEO Lee Trink and founding FaZe Clan member Yousef Abdelfattah — better known as FaZe Apex — explain how the company got there.
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|
Aug 10, 2022 |
|
Why FBI Agents Searched Mar-a-Lago
899
FBI agents searched former President Donald Trump's Florida home looking for classified documents. WSJ's Alex Leary discusses what we know about the investigation and some of the potential consequences of the search.
Further Reading:
- FBI Searches Trump’s Florida Home Mar-a-Lago in Document Investigation
- Search of Trump’s Home Roils 2022 Midterms, 2024 Presidential Race
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|
Aug 09, 2022 |
|
How Much Will Alex Jones Pay for his Sandy Hook Lie?
1033
A Texas jury ordered the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay nearly $50 million for lying about the Sandy Hook shooting. But after Jones’ company filed for bankruptcy, there are questions about when — and how much — he’ll actually pay. WSJ’s Rob Copeland and Jonathan Randles talk about the case and the upcoming bankruptcy battle.
Further Reading:
- Alex Jones Ordered to Pay $45.2 Million in Punitive Damages to Sandy Hook Parents
- Alex Jones Ordered to Pay $4.1 Million to Parents of Sandy Hook Victim
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|
Aug 08, 2022 |
|
Europe Is Turning to Coal. What Does That Mean for Climate Change?
931
Europe is stepping up its coal consumption as it tries to reduce reliance on Russian energy. WSJ’s Juan Forero and Phred Dvorak explain why Europe needs coal so badly, and what the consequences will be for the continent’s transition to cleaner energy.
Further Reading:
- Europe’s Coal-Buying Frenzy Means Windfall for Producers
- Europe’s Energy Crisis Threatens to Slow Green Transition
Further Listening:
- Germany’s Difficult Breakup with Russian Energy
- If Russia Invades Ukraine, Can the U.S. Deliver on Sanctions?
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|
Aug 05, 2022 |
|
The Promise and Peril of One Self Driving Truck Company
1197
Autonomous trucking company TuSimple has an ambitious goal: eliminate humans from behind the wheel and teach big rigs to drive themselves. But recently, as WSJ's Heather Somerville reports, a traffic accident brought to light technical and safety shortcomings.
Further Reading:
-Self-Driving Truck Accident Draws Attention to Safety at TuSimple
-For Robot Trucks, Navigating Highways Is Just One Bump in the Road
Further Listening:
-To Solve Labor Shortage, Companies Turn to Automation
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|
Aug 04, 2022 |
|
Why Everyone Is Mad at Instagram
1002
In response to competition from TikTok, Instagram is making big changes to its app. But a lot of users are upset about it. WSJ’s Salvador Rodriguez explains how the company is responding to the backlash, and what it means for parent company Meta.
Further reading:
-'Make Instagram Instagram Again': The App’s Evolution is causing Users to Question its Future
-Mark Zuckerberg’s Bid to Reinvent Facebook Parent Meta Hits Early Snags
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|
Aug 03, 2022 |
|
The Biotech Founder Facing Murder Charges
991
Enochian Biosciences co-founder Serhat Gumrukcu was working to build a name for himself in biotech. But earlier this year, he was arrested in a purported plot to kill an associate. WSJ’s Joseph Walker tells the story of Gumrukcu’s rise and what prosecutors allege happened.Further Reading:
-Biotech Wizard Left a Trail of Fraud – Prosecutors Allege it Ended in Murder
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|
Aug 02, 2022 |
|
Kansas’ Big Abortion Vote
930
On Tuesday, Kansans will vote on a constitutional amendment that could lead to abortion restrictions or an outright ban. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto explains how Kansas became the biggest abortion battleground since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Further reading:
-Kansas Abortion Amendment Is Closely Watched Ahead of Other State Referendums
Further listening:
-The Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade
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|
Aug 01, 2022 |
|
Are We in a Recession? It’s Complicated.
1046
Yesterday, government data showed that the economy shrank for the second quarter in a row, a common definition of a recession. The WSJ's Jon Hilsenrath explains why that doesn't mean the U.S. is in one and looks at what needs to change before he starts using the "R" word.
Further reading:
- Inventory Swing Is a Key Culprit Behind U.S. Recession Talk
- People Have Money but Feel Glum-What Does that Mean for the Economy?
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|
Jul 29, 2022 |
|
Rent the Runway’s CEO on How it Survived the Pandemic
1015
When the pandemic hit, Rent the Runway, a company that rents designer clothing, saw half its customers pause or cancel their monthly subscriptions. Jennifer Hyman, the CEO, talks about how she retooled the business to survive the shock, and the challenges that still remain.
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|
Jul 28, 2022 |
|
The Company Behind the World's Only Monkeypox Vaccine
1016
The World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a public health emergency as worldwide cases exceed 19,000. WSJ's Denise Roland tells the story of how a Danish company's rarely used smallpox vaccine became the only licensed shot against monkeypox, and how the company's scrambling to meet global demand.Further reading:-FDA Clears Danish Monkeypox Vaccine Plant, Paving Way for Use of Doses in U.S.
-What to Know About the Monkeypox Outbreak in the U.S.
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|
Jul 27, 2022 |
|
How a Crypto Bank Went Bankrupt
968
Cryptocurrency lender Celsius Network promoted itself as better than a bank, but now it's filed for bankruptcy. WSJ’s Alexander Gladstone discusses the company’s promise, fall, and what it could mean for regulation in the cryptocurrency marketplace.
Further Reading:
- Celsius Customers Are Losing Hope for Their Locked-Up Crypto
- Behind the Celsius Sales Pitch Was a Crypto Firm Built on Risk
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|
Jul 26, 2022 |
|
Is Healthcare Amazon's Next Big Thing?
863
E-commerce giant Amazon is acquiring the primary-care practice One Medical, giving it about 180 clinics across roughly two dozen U.S. markets. We talk with WSJ’s Sebastian Herrera about Amazon’s track record in health care so far and why it’s investing in the industry.
Further reading:
- Amazon Faces Fierce Competition in Health Ambitions After One Medical Deal
- Amazon to Buy One Medical Network of Health Clinics in Healthcare Expansion
- Amazon Gives Healthcare Ambitions a Booster Shot
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|
Jul 25, 2022 |
|
Shein Took Over Fast Fashion. Then Came the Backlash.
1180
WSJ's Fashion Director Rory Satran explains how Shein, now valued at $100 billion, used social media to dominate the fast-fashion industry, and why it’s now facing intense criticism from sustainable shoppers.
Further reading:
- Shein’s Rise Was Nearly Overnight. The Backlash Came Just as Fast
- China’s Fast-Fashion Giant Shein Faces Dozens of Lawsuits Alleging Design Theft
- How Shein Became the Chinese Apparel Maker American Teens Love
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Jul 22, 2022 |
|
A Fight in Elon Musk's Inner Circle
1169
Most billionaires are surrounded by people who manage their money and philanthropy but Elon Musk has had just one man to do that job... until recently. WSJ’s Rob Copeland tells the story of a newcomer who disrupted Musk's inner circle.
Further reading:
- Elon Musk’s Inner Circle Rocked by Fight Over His $230 Billion Fortune
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Jul 21, 2022 |
|
Netflix Turns to Ads
922
Netflix had a second straight quarter of subscriber losses. Now the streaming giant is making big changes, including adding ads, which the company had long avoided. WSJ’s Sarah Krouse says ads will be part of the solution as the streaming platform looks to right the ship.Further Reading:- Netflix Loses Nearly 1 Million Viewers, Vows Rebound
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|
Jul 20, 2022 |
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Why Amazon is Dialing Back Its Own Brands
854
Amazon tried to grow the sales of its private label brands, like AmazonBasics, by adding more products. But rather than juice sales, it’s created new headaches — especially with regulators. WSJ’s Dana Mattioli explains why Amazon is starting to scale back.
Further Reading:
- Amazon Scooped Up Data From Its Own Sellers to Launch Competing Products
- Amazon Has Been Slashing Private-Label Selection Amid Weak Sales
Further Listening:
- How Amazon Employees Used Sellers' Data Against Them
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|
Jul 19, 2022 |
|
Somalia's Hunger Crisis
958
Droughts, the global pandemic and political instability have put many Somalis on the brink of starvation. But now, the war in Ukraine has pushed even more over the edge. The victims include children, who are most at risk of dying from hunger. Our colleague Gabriele Steinhauser visited Somalia last month to speak to the people bearing the brunt of a global food shortage.
Warning: This episode contains depictions of starving children. Please listen with care.
Further reading:
- The Ukraine War Pushes Millions of the World’s Poorest Toward Starvation
- Russia Says It Is Open to Talks With Ukraine, Turkey on Grain Exports
- How Food Became Putin’s New Strategic Weapon
Further listening:
- War in Ukraine Hits Global Food Supplies
- War in Ukraine Pushes Millions Into Food Insecurity
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Jul 18, 2022 |
|
Why The James Webb Telescope Nearly Didn't Make It
1213
The James Webb Space Telescope was almost an epic failure. More than 20,000 scientists worked together for over 30 years, but when NASA appointed Greg Robinson to direct the project, things finally came together. We hear from Robinson and WSJ’s Ben Cohen about the engineering breakthroughs— and management finesse— that launched the world’s best telescope into space.
Further Reading:
- The NASA Engineer Who Made the James Webb Space Telescope Work
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Jul 15, 2022 |
|
The Roots of Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis
927
Sri Lanka’s escalating political and economic crises came to a head this week when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country and submitted his resignation. WSJ’s Philip Wen describes the roots of the crisis -- and what pushed this highly indebted nation over the edge, into rolling blackouts and shortages of food, fuel and medicine.Further reading:
-Sri Lanka’s Debt Crisis Tests China’s Role as Financier to Poor Countries
-Sri Lanka’s President Resigns Over Email After Fleeing Country
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|
Jul 14, 2022 |
|
Rural America Is Still Waiting for Fast Internet
930
For decades, the Federal Communications Commission has tried to close the digital divide between cities and rural communities. In a 2020 auction, it allocated funding to a private telecom company to expand high-speed internet coverage. WSJ’s Ryan Tracy explains why one company has struggled to deliver on its big promises.
Further Reading:
-Vegas Company Promised Fast Internet. Rural America Waits…and Waits.
-Why Rural Americans Keep Waiting for Fast Internet, Despite Billions Spent
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Jul 13, 2022 |
|
The Battle to Get Brittney Griner Home
1022
One of the WNBA 's biggest stars has been in Russian prison since February, when she was arrested on drug charges. While fans clamor for her release, WSJ's Louise Radnofsky explains why it's going to be a difficult task for the U.S. to get her back.
Further Reading:
- Brittney Griner’s Case Faces Tensions Back Home
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|
Jul 12, 2022 |
|
Elon Musk Doesn't Want to Buy Twitter Anymore
1052
Elon Musk says he wants to pull out of his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter. The social media company responded by saying it plans to sue. WSJ's Jason Dean discusses the latest and what might be next.
Further Reading:
- Twitter Didn’t Seek a Sale. Now Elon Musk Doesn’t Want to Buy. Cue Strange Legal Drama.
- Elon Musk’s Twitter Deal Collided With Market and Economic Tumult
Further Listening:
- Elon Musk's Twitter Surprise
- Elon Musk’s $43 Billion Offer to Buy Twitter
- Elon Musk is Actually Buying Twitter
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Jul 11, 2022 |
|
Two Friends Pulled Apart by a Changing Hong Kong
1457
25 years ago, Britain handed Hong Kong back to China. We meet two Hong Kong artists whose friendship has survived personal, political and creative differences in a shared art studio for 13 years. Now, with China exerting more power, one of them is choosing to leave the city for good.
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Jul 01, 2022 |
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One Town's Fight Against 'Forever' Chemicals
1227
Peshtigo, Wisconsin, is grappling with a crisis: Chemicals known as PFAS have leached from a nearby industrial site into the town's groundwater. WSJ's Kris Maher traveled to the town to report on what the community is doing and how the contamination has affected people's health and lives.Further reading: -A Wisconsin Town With Contaminated Drinking Water Must Decide Its Future
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Jun 30, 2022 |
|
Is Nuclear Power Poised for a Comeback?
1163
As concerns grow over climate change and high oil prices, the U.S. and Europe are starting to build new nuclear power plants, after decades of favoring other energy sources. WSJ's Matthew Dalton explains why those nations have lost some of their expertise in building nuclear plants, causing significant delays.Further reading
-Nuclear Power Is Poised for a Comeback. The Problem Is Building the Reactors
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Jun 29, 2022 |
|
The ‘Existential Threat’ Facing Big Tobacco
1100
Recent moves by the Biden Administration to rein in the vaping market and nicotine levels in cigarettes could hit the tobacco company Altria Group hard, as it has major investments in both markets. WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney unpacks how the latest moves fit within decades of public health efforts.
Further Reading:
- Biden Administration to Pursue Rule Requiring Lower Nicotine Levels in US Cigarettes
- FDA to Order JUUL Cigarettes off US Market
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|
Jun 28, 2022 |
|
Murder in the Amazon
1076
Earlier this month, an indigenous expert and a British journalist went missing in an area of dense Amazon rainforest. The disappearance of Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips sparked an international outcry. WSJ’s Luciana Magalhaes and Samantha Pearson explain what the two men’s disappearance and eventual fate reveal about the state of the Amazon.
Further Reading:
- Brazilian Police Probe Illegal Fishermen Over Amazon Double Homicide
- Fisherman Confessed to Killing Dom Phillips, Brazilian Police Say
- Brazilian Military Scours Amazon for Missing Journalist
- Brazilian Navy Searches for Missing British Journalist in Amazon
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|
Jun 27, 2022 |
|
The Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade
1110
Today, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the federal right to an abortion. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto breaks down the decision and explains how state governments are responding. Plus, a woman who runs clinics that provided abortions in Oklahoma and Texas shares how restrictions have affected her patients.
Further Reading:
-Supreme Court’s Abortion Decision Sparks Immediate Action From States
-Fall of Roe v. Wade Upends Abortion Landscape for American Women
Further Listening:
- The Potential End of Roe v. Wade
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Jun 24, 2022 |
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Are Rotisserie Chickens ‘Inflation-Proof’?
1026
Inflation is the worst it’s been in more than 40 years. But one bright spot for consumers might be found at the grocery store: rotisserie chickens. WSJ’s Annie Gasparro chronicles the history of America’s love for the quick and versatile meal, and what a "rotisserie chicken economic index" might say about this inflationary moment.Further Listening:-Inflation Is Happening. Should You Be Worried?
Further Reading:-Rotisserie Chickens: The ’90s Gift to Supermarkets That Keeps on Giving
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Jun 23, 2022 |
|
The CEO Scandal at WWE
1071
Vince McMahon, the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE, stepped aside as CEO and chairman of the company last week after allegations surfaced that he had an affair with a former employee and agreed to pay $3 million to keep it secret. WSJ’s Ted Mann explains what’s at stake for the company.
Further Reading:
-WWE Board Probes Secret $3 Million Hush Pact by CEO Vince McMahon, Sources Say
-WWE’s Vince McMahon Steps Back From CEO Role Amid Misconduct Probe
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Jun 22, 2022 |
|
'We Are Helpless': Indian Heat Wave Hurts Mango Farmers
922
Record-breaking high temperatures in India have wreaked havoc on crops like mangoes, which are known there as the "king of fruits." As WSJ's Shan Li explains, the devastation is threatening the livelihoods of farmers and raising food prices for the country’s nearly 1.4 billion people.Further reading:
-Heat Wave Devastates India’s Mango Harvest
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Jun 21, 2022 |
|
Is BTS Breaking Up?
1164
The biggest pop band in the world right now is the seven member K-Pop sensation, BTS. This week, the band released a video signaling that they’re tired and want a break. WSJ’s Neil Shah explains why the group has had breakout success and may need to take a hiatus.
Further Reading:
- K-Pop Band BTS to Focus on Solo Projects
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Jun 17, 2022 |
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Amazon Went Big During the Pandemic. Now It’s Feeling the Hangover.
1063
To keep up with increased demand during the pandemic, Amazon hired hundreds of thousands of people and massively expanded its logistics network. Now, demand is falling, creating a problem for the company’s new CEO, Andy Jassy. WSJ’s Dana Mattioli explains how Jassy is trying to scale back.
Further Reading:
- Andy Jassy’s First Year at Amazon: Undoing Bezos-Led Overexpansion
Further Listening:
- Amazon After Bezos
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|
Jun 16, 2022 |
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Celebrities Loved Crypto and NFTs. Then the Markets Crashed.
1333
Earlier this year, it seemed like celebrities everywhere were promoting cryptocurrency and NFTs. But then, in early May, the markets crashed. WSJ’s Ellen Gamerman explains how celebrities got hooked on crypto in the first place, and how they’re responding now that the value of these assets is plummeting.Further Reading:
-Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow Push for Crypto Sisterhood
-NFT Sales Are Flatlining
Further Listening:
-How An Art World Outsider Landed a $69 Million Sale
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Jun 15, 2022 |
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The Teen Jobs Boom
1008
It’s a teenage dream. Unemployment among teens is near its lowest level in decades as business owners look to solve a hiring crunch. We talk to WSJ’s Kathryn Dill about the bargaining power teens have in today’s job market.
Further Reading:
- Teens Take Up More Jobs, and More Pay, in Tight Labor Market
- Teen Babysitters Are Charging $30 an Hour Now, Because They Can
Further Listening:
- Why Workers Can’t Get Enough Hours, Even in a Jobs Boom
- Why Is Everyone Quitting?
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Jun 14, 2022 |
|
The Saudi Money Splitting Golf
1143
Last week, the first LIV Golf event, a Saudi Arabian-funded golf tournament, officially launched. The new tour is offering professional golfers a lot of money to participate. WSJ’s Andrew Beaton explains why the rival PGA Tour is punishing players who try to participate in both.
Further Reading:
- The Good. The Bad, The Weird At The First Saudi-Funded Liv Golf Event.
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Jun 13, 2022 |
|
Hack Me If You Can, Part 1: The Making of a Russian Hacker
2423
In more than 20 years of reporting on cybercrime, Wall Street Journal reporter Robert McMillan has never come face-to-face with a criminal hacker. Until he met Dmitry Smilyanets.
Dmitry grew up during the fall of the Soviet Union, a computer-loving kid with big dreams. He became part of a generation of Russian hackers who cut their teeth in the early days of the internet and went from stealing passwords to hacking some of America’s biggest companies. This is the story of how Dmitry became one of the best.
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Jun 10, 2022 |
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Hack Me If You Can, Part 2: Counterstrike
2431
In 2008, Dmitry Smilyanets and his crew of hackers pulled off one of the biggest hacks in history. It made Dmitry millions of dollars, some of which he used to build an esports empire.
But the hack put a target on Dmitry’s back. A U.S. prosecutor, Erez Liebermann, was tasked with bringing Dmitry to justice. In this episode, Erez follows Dmitry’s every move — chasing him around the world.
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Jun 10, 2022 |
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Hack Me If You Can, Part 3: The Infiltrator
2398
After his arrest in Amsterdam, the threat of a decades-long prison sentence loomed over Dmitry. If he cooperated with American prosecutors, he could lower his sentence. But he’d have to betray his hacking collaborator and best friend, Vladimir Drinkman.
Dmitry takes the deal and starts working with the U.S. government while he serves his time. And in the years since, Dmitry has had a new vantage point to watch the evolving threat hackers pose. Increasingly, hackers are targeting public institutions and infrastructure, putting many Americans at risk. It’s now Dmitry’s job to help stop them.
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Jun 10, 2022 |
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The Love Triangle Over Spirit Airlines
940
In February, Frontier Airlines announced its plan to purchase fellow budget airliner, Spirit. But JetBlue’s surprise competing bid for Spirit sent the three airlines into a messy, public love triangle. WSJ’s Alison Sider reports on how the possible mergers will shake up flying in the U.S.
Further Reading:
- JetBlue Boosts Breakup Fee, Pledges Dividend in Bid to Woo Spirit Holders
- Spirit Airlines Delays Shareholder Vote as It Considers Frontier, JetBlue Offers
Further Listening:
- Frontier, Spirit and the Future of Low-Cost Airlines
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|
Jun 09, 2022 |
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The Most Hated Solar Company in America
1095
Earlier this week, President Biden announced emergency measures to get the solar power industry moving again after a major standstill that had pitted domestic manufacturers against solar panel installers. WSJ’s Phred Dvorak explains how tiny Auxin Solar became the most-hated solar company in America.
Further Reading:
- The Most-Hated Solar Company in America
- Biden Invokes Emergency Power in Bid to Resolve Solar Import Dispute
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Jun 08, 2022 |
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FanDuel CEO on Sports Gambling's Big Boom
1025
More than a dozen states have legalized online sports gambling since the Supreme Court repealed a federal ban in 2018. That's opened doors for a burgeoning new industry, and companies like FanDuel are trying to capitalize. CEO Amy Howe shares her views on the industry, and she makes her case for legal sports betting.
Further Reading:
- FanDuel CEO Amy Howe Says Black Market Gambling Poses Threat to Online Sports Betting
- DraftKings, FanDuel Battle Tribes for Control of California Sports Betting
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Jun 07, 2022 |
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Introducing: Hack Me If You Can
113
Wall Street Journal reporter Robert McMillan has spent years trying to find a Russian hacker who would tell him their story. And then, he met Dmitry Smilyanets, the man who managed one of the most notorious hacking teams to come out of Russia.
Dmitry’s story is the story of how a generation of hackers grew up in Russia. It follows the dramatic game of cat and mouse that America plays trying to catch cyber criminals like Dmitry. And in Dmitry’s case, it ends with him facing a choice: go to prison for decades, or help the U.S. government stop hackers like himself.
This is a new series from the Journal - Hack Me If You Can – the story of a Russian cyber criminal who went to the other side. All episodes out June 10th.
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|
Jun 07, 2022 |
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Biden’s Plan to Bring Down Inflation
992
Inflation is the worst it’s been in 40 years. President Joe Biden says he has a plan to bring it down. WSJ’s Amara Omeokwe talks about whether it will work.
Further Reading:
- Joe Biden: My Plan for Fighting Inflation
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Jun 06, 2022 |
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Sheryl Sandberg's Complicated Career at Facebook
1255
After 14 years at Facebook, COO Sheryl Sandberg announced this week that she's leaving the company. WSJ's Deepa Seetharaman describes how Sandberg helped build Facebook's business and faced the fallout of recent scandals.
Further Reading:
- Why Sheryl Sandberg Quit Facebook’s Meta
Further Listening:
- 'The Facebook Files' from The Journal.
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|
Jun 03, 2022 |
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Why Snap's Stock Fell 43% in a Day
900
Things were already tough for Snap, Snapchat's parent company, thanks to big changes in the ad market. Then last week the company made a surprise announcement: It's worse than we thought. WSJ’s Meghan Bobrowsky explains the reasons behind Snap’s stock tumble, and why it’s raising concerns about other tech companies too.
Further Reading:
- Tech Stocks Continue to Fall After Snap’s Profit Warning
- Snap Plunges, And There Goes Social Media’s Online Ad Biz
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|
Jun 02, 2022 |
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A Tale of Two Top Guns
1161
This past weekend's release of Top Gun: Maverick -- the sequel to Tom Cruise’s 1986 movie -- was record-breaking at the box office. But it also exposed the increasing power that China and its vast market has in Hollywood. WSJ's Erich Schwartzel explains how Top Gun: Maverick attracted Chinese financing -- and then lost it.
Further Reading:
- ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Loses Chinese Investor Due to Pro-U.S. Messaging
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Jun 01, 2022 |
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Can My Stock Portfolio Save the Planet?
985
What is ESG? Some proponents see it as a way for investors to grow their wealth while fighting climate change and racism. But critics, like Elon Musk, call it an “outrageous scam.” WSJ’s Amrith Ramkumar explains how “environmental, social and governance” became three of the hottest words on Wall Street.
Further Reading:
- Elon Musk Calls ESG ‘An Outrageous Scam’ After Tesla Was Removed From Index
- SEC Fines BNY Mellon Over ESG Claims
- SEC Proposes More Disclosure Requirements for ESG Funds
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May 31, 2022 |
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The Quest to Find a Lost Purple Heart
1367
A Marine died in Fallujah at the height of the Iraq War. Years later, his family found out his Purple Heart was listed on an auction site. WSJ's Ben Kesling, who once served in the same company as the Marine, tells the story of how he helped track it down. This episode was originally published in July 2021.
Further Reading:
- I Thought I Was Done With Iraq. Then a Fellow Marine’s Purple Heart Turned Up at Auction.
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May 30, 2022 |
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Old Navy Tried to Make Sizes for All. It Backfired.
943
Last year, Old Navy overhauled its women’s clothes to make sizing more inclusive. But then its sales started falling. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner unpacks why the company’s plan to reach more customers didn’t work.
Further Reading:
- Old Navy Made Clothing Sizes for Everyone. It Backfired.
- Old Navy to Scale Back Its Inclusive Sizing Strategy
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|
May 27, 2022 |
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The Fight Over Banning the AR-15
1216
Many of the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. have involved an assault-style rifle like the AR-15. WSJ’s Zusha Elinson reports on how Washington regulations have failed to stop the gun's rise to prominence.
Further Reading:
America’s Failed Attempt to Ban Assault Weapons
Further Listening:
Red-Flag Laws, Their Application and One Mother’s Experience
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|
May 26, 2022 |
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As the Stock Market Tumbles, so Does a YouTuber's Influence
1036
Kevin Paffrath is a social media influencer who dishes out financial advice on multiple platforms. He cashed in on young people’s hunger for investment tips from non-traditional sources. But as WSJ’s Robbie Whelan explains, Paffrath's followers became fickle when his advice turned cautious.Further Reading:
-The Social-Media Stars Who Move Markets
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|
May 25, 2022 |
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Beware the Big Bad Bear Market
857
Recent stock slides are approaching dangerous territory: a bear market. WSJ’s James Mackintosh explains why a recent dramatic plunge in stock indexes is spooking investors, what it could mean for the wider economy, and the likelihood of the markets dipping into a bear market in the coming days.
Further Reading:
-Conditions Are Ripe for a Deep Bear Market
Further Listening:
-Can the Fed Lower Inflation Without Causing a Recession?
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|
May 24, 2022 |
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Can a Hedge Fund Win the World Series?
962
Billionaire hedge-fund manager Steve Cohen is trying to duplicate his financial success in his other major venture as owner of the New York Mets baseball team. And to do so, he’s calling on some of the same people. WSJ’s Juliet Chung and Jared Diamond explain why some of Cohen’s hedge-fund employees are moonlighting for his team.
Further Reading:
- Steve Cohen’s Secret Weapon for the Mets: His Hedge Fund
Further Listening:
- The Labor Dispute That Has Baseball on Hold
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May 23, 2022 |
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How the Baby Formula Industry Broke
956
The U.S. is facing a massive shortage of baby formula. WSJ’s Jesse Newman explains how the roots of the crisis lie in the industry’s structure. And a mother in Kentucky describes her desperate search for formula for her son.
Further Reading:
- Why the Baby-Formula Market Is a Mess: Low Competition, High Regulation
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May 20, 2022 |
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U.S. Soccer’s Equal Pay Deal and One Player Who Helped Negotiate It
1030
The four-time World Cup-champion U.S. Women's National Soccer team has scored a new win: equal pay with the men's team. Collective-bargaining agreements between the women's and men's national teams and the United States Soccer Federation align the teams’ pay and create a unique mechanism to share prize money from their respective World Cup competitions. We talk to U.S. Women’s Soccer player Tierna Davidson about the landmark agreement and her role negotiating it.
Further Reading:
- U.S. Women’s and Men’s Soccer Teams Will Receive Equal Pay Under New Labor Deals
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May 19, 2022 |
|
The ‘Death Spiral’ of a Stablecoin
1126
Cryptocurrencies are volatile, but so-called stablecoins were meant to be the exception. But after one major stablecoin, TerraUSD, crashed spectacularly, it caused ripple effects in cryptoland. WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff explains why regulators are spooked, and what this could mean for the broader economy.
Further Reading:
Crash of TerraUSD Shakes Crypto. ‘There Was a Run on the Bank.
Cryptocurrency TerraUSD Falls to 11 Cents, Creator Announces Rescue Plan
Further Listening:
Bitcoin Comes Untethered
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|
May 18, 2022 |
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How Will We Know When the Pandemic's Over?
940
We speak with Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control about eroding trust in public health, vaccine approvals for children under 5 and the one million Americans who have now died from COVID-19.Further Listening:The Future of Everything Festival
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May 17, 2022 |
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The Political Cost of China's Faltering Economy
1064
China’s sputtering economy is altering the balance of power among its top leaders. For years, President Xi Jinping sidelined his second in command, Premier Li Keqiang, a proponent of economic liberalization. WSJ’s Lingling Wei explains that Li is now gaining clout and pushing back on Xi's socialist policies.
Further Reading:
- China’s Economic Distress Deepens as Lockdowns Drag On
- China’s Forgotten Premier Steps Out of Xi’s Shadow as Economic Fixer
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May 16, 2022 |
|
Why An Online Telehealth Startup Is Limiting Adderall
1093
The digital startup Cerebral began prescribing ADHD drugs like Adderall over the internet, after federal rules loosened. But recently, there have been concerns from inside and outside the company that Cerebral was not careful enough. Now the company has stopped prescribing Adderall to new patients. WSJ's Rolfe Winkler reports.
Further Reading:
-Startups Make It Easier to Get ADHD Drugs. That Made Some Workers Anxious.
-Cerebral Receives Subpoena From Federal Prosecutors
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|
May 13, 2022 |
|
Fidelity’s Controversial Bet on Bitcoin
914
Fidelity Investments will be the first major retirement-plan provider to allow bitcoin in its 401(k) plans. WSJ's Anne Tergesen explains the move and the blowback that followed.
Further Reading:
-Fidelity to Allow Retirement Savers to Put Bitcoin in 401(k) Accounts
-Labor Department Criticizes Fidelity’s Plan to Put Bitcoin on 401(k) Menu
Further Listening:
-How Inflation is Causing Americans to 'Unretire'
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|
May 12, 2022 |
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Can the Fed Lower Inflation Without Causing a Recession?
926
The Federal Reserve has never managed to significantly decrease inflation without causing job losses, but it's trying to now. Central Bank officials hope they can cool down an overheated economy by raising interest rates. But as WSJ’s Jon Hilsenrath explains, the Fed risks triggering a recession.
Further Reading:
-Hot Economy, Rising Inflation: The Fed Has Never Successfully Fixed a Problem Like This
Further Listening:
-The Fed’s Shifting Inflation Message
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|
May 11, 2022 |
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Are Stock-Market Games Turning Teens Into Risky Investors?
1204
Every year, more than a million U.S. high-school students learn about investing through stock-picking games. But what do these games really teach? WSJ's Jason Zweig explains the shortfalls of traditional stock-market games, and teacher Mike Scanlan describes the different approach his school is taking.
Further Reading:
-What Teenagers Really Learn From Stock-Market Games
-Current Baker Scholar and Alumnus Partner to Improve High School Investors Club
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May 10, 2022 |
|
Australia Wanted Facebook to Pay for News. Facebook Played Hardball.
1246
Last year, Facebook blocked news pages to pre-empt Australian legislation that would force it to pay publishers for content. But it also took down the Facebook pages of non-news organizations like hospitals, emergency services and charities. Was the move inadvertent or a negotiating tactic? We talk to WSJ's Keach Hagey about what she learned.
Further Reading:
Facebook Deliberately Caused Havoc in Australia to Influence New Law, Whistleblowers Say
Further Listening:
The Facebook Files, a Podcast Series
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May 09, 2022 |
|
The Battle Over Reparations at Georgetown
1248
In 1838, the Jesuits who founded Georgetown University sold 272 enslaved people 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.
Further Reading:
- For Georgetown, Jesuits and Slavery Descendants, Bid for Racial Healing Sours Over Reparations
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May 06, 2022 |
|
The Fight Over a Menthol Cigarette Ban
1184
After decades of debate, the Food and Drug Administration is proposing a ban on menthol cigarettes. A researcher of the tobacco industry explains the benefits of a potential ban, and WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney explains why some want menthols to stay on the market.
Further Reading:
- FDA Advances Ban on Menthol Cigarettes
- Why Does the U.S. Want to Ban Menthol Cigarettes?
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|
May 05, 2022 |
|
Germany’s Difficult Breakup with Russian Energy
929
The European Union announced a proposal to ban purchases of Russian oil exports, after Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, dropped its opposition. WSJ’s Bojan Pancevski explains why Germany was such a holdout.
Further Reading:
-EU Proposes Ban on Russian Oil Imports, Sending Prices Higher
-Germany Drops Opposition to Embargo on Russian Oil
Further Listening:-If Russia Invades Ukraine, Can the U.S. Deliver on Sanctions?
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|
May 04, 2022 |
|
The Potential End of Roe v. Wade
1030
A leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court indicates the court may be preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 precedent that established a constitutional right to an abortion. WSJ’s Brent Kendall explains what this could mean for women in America and why this is a significant moment in the history of the court.
Further Reading:
Supreme Court Is Investigating Leak of Draft Opinion Overruling Roe v. Wade
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|
May 03, 2022 |
|
How Inflation is Causing Americans to 'Unretire'
1031
Economic data from March revealed a new trend: hundreds of thousands of Americans are "unretiring" and returning to the workforce. WSJ's Harriet Torry reports that rising inflation is making retirement unsustainable for many. We also hear from two retirees who have started looking for work.
Further Reading:
-Everything Costs More, and That's Disrupting Retirement for Many
Further Listening:
-Why Older Americans Are Fleeing the Workforce
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|
May 02, 2022 |
|
Why Airbnb Is Letting Employees Work Anywhere
1137
As many companies evaluate how to return to the office, Airbnb announced a new ‘work-from-anywhere’ policy that will let its employees work remotely from 170 countries. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky explains how he arrived at the idea, and how the policy could serve as a blueprint for others companies.
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Apr 29, 2022 |
|
The Rise of the Yimbys
1152
With rising housing prices and concerns about affordability, a new approach to solving the problem has emerged. Its answer is to build more housing of all types. Meet the Yimbys. WSJ’s Christine Mai-Duc explains the origins of the movement and how it's gaining traction around the country.
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Apr 28, 2022 |
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Why Florida is Fighting with Walt Disney World
1028
Governor Ron DeSantis revoked the theme park's self-governing privileges after Disney opposed Florida's "Don’t Say Gay" bill. WSJ's Robbie Whelan explains the fight that led to this decision and what it might mean for one of the state’s largest employers.
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Apr 27, 2022 |
|
Afghanistan’s Desperation Economy
926
Afghanistan is dealing with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, which has accelerated since the Taliban took power. Jobs are scarce, the nation’s suffering a devastating drought and Afghans are going hungry. As WSJ’s Sune Engel Rasmussen explains, Afghans are resorting to increasingly desperate measures to survive, such as selling kidneys.
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|
Apr 26, 2022 |
|
Elon Musk is Actually Buying Twitter
917
Twitter announced today that it plans to sell itself to Elon Musk for $44 billion. WSJ’s Liz Hoffman explains the unusual nature of how the deal came together and what it could mean for Twitter.
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Apr 25, 2022 |
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The Quick End to CNN+
1146
In late March, CNN launched its new streaming service, CNN+. But less than a month later, it’s shutting down. WSJ’s Joe Flint explains how this expensive project became the collateral damage of a corporate takeover.
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Apr 22, 2022 |
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How Biden Plans to Tackle Student Debt
976
The Biden administration announced plans this week to reduce the student loan burden for millions of people in the U.S. WSJ’s Gabriel T. Rubin explains how the plan involves retooling an existing program that has enrolled millions of people but provided few with relief.
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Apr 21, 2022 |
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Will France Elect a Far-Right President?
1133
France votes for its next president on Sunday and polls show far-right candidate Marine Le Pen closing in on incumbent centrist, Emmanuel Macron. WSJ's Noemie Bisserbe explains why a Le Pen victory could upend French and European politics.
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Apr 20, 2022 |
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Starbucks CEO Faces Brewing Union Efforts
1156
After a Starbucks store in New York state successfully unionized last year, a movement has begun at the coffee giant's stores across the country — one that CEO Howard Schultz is hoping to tamp down. WSJ’s Heather Haddon unpacks what the company is doing to fight back, and a Starbucks worker explains their interest in unionization.
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Apr 19, 2022 |
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Amazon Takes On SpaceX in Battle for Space Internet
1189
Amazon's Project Kuiper is planning dozens of launches to send satellites into space in order to sell internet to consumers on Earth. But it's up against a big competitor: Elon Musk’s Starlink. WSJ’s Micah Maidenberg explains the promise of the technology and why it might be hard to succeed.
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Apr 18, 2022 |
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Red-Flag Laws, Their Application and One Mother’s Experience
1087
A year ago, Brandon Hole killed eight people at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. His mother, Sheila, had tried to get law enforcement to take away his firearms. WSJ’s Zusha Elinson explains the red-flag laws that could have helped stop this mass shooting.
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Apr 15, 2022 |
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Elon Musk’s $43 Billion Offer to Buy Twitter
1024
After buying a sizable amount of Twitter’s shares, Elon Musk is now gunning for the entire company. Today, he announced a bid to buy Twitter for about $43 billion. As WSJ’s Tim Higgins explains, Musk is framing the move less as an investment, and more as a fight for free speech.
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Apr 14, 2022 |
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Russia's Central Banker Dismantles What She Built
1012
Elvira Nabiullina, governor of the Russian Central Bank, has spent decades working to integrate Russia into the global economy. But Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the sanctions it triggered, have pushed Russia's economy into crisis. WSJ's Alexander Osipovich explains how Nabiullina's strategies to stabilize Russia's economy undermine many policies she once championed.
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Apr 13, 2022 |
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Why Workers Can’t Get Enough Hours, Even in a Jobs Boom
942
American workers quit a record 47 million jobs in 2021. Despite conventional wisdom, they’re not always leaving to pursue their dreams. Instead, many employees aren’t getting enough hours. WSJ’s Te-Ping Chen explains why.
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Apr 12, 2022 |
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Why So Many Russians Are Going to Turkey
894
Since the invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Russians have flown to Turkey, many arriving with cash in their suitcases. WSJ’s Jared Malsin explains why Turkey — a member of NATO — has been so welcoming to Russians while the rest of Europe closes its doors.
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Apr 11, 2022 |
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The Basquiat Sisters on Managing One of Art's Hottest Brands
1407
Jean-Michel Basquiat's art has sold for over $100 million and his name and work has been licensed for all kinds of merchandise, from Gap to Coach. WSJ’s Kelly Crow talks with Basquiat's two sisters, who are now managing his estate, about how they’re running the business of Basquiat and a new show that will reveal unseen art.
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Apr 08, 2022 |
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One Ukrainian Factory Owner Joins the War Effort
916
Shamil Malachiyev helps run his family's business: one of the largest grain mills in southern Ukraine. He explains how his business has been forced to adapt to war and how he's pitching in on the fight against the Russians.
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|
Apr 07, 2022 |
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Elon Musk's Twitter Surprise
1040
Elon Musk, the world's richest man, announced this week that he is now Twitter's largest shareholder and has a seat on the board. WSJ's Rob Copeland and Dave Michaels explain what that means for the social media platform, and what it might mean for Elon Musk.
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Apr 06, 2022 |
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Carl Icahn, Activist Investor, Takes on Pork
945
Activist investor Carl Icahn has made billions of dollars taking stakes in companies and pressuring them to make changes. Now, Icahn is doing that again, but this time it’s not about making money. It’s about the treatment of pregnant pigs in pork supply chains. WSJ’s Cara Lombardo explains why he’s doing it — and whether it’ll work.
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Apr 05, 2022 |
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‘We Just Took Down Amazon:’ Activist on Amazon’s First U.S. Union
1060
On Friday, workers at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, New York voted to unionize. Chris Smalls, the man who’s led the unionization effort, reflects on how the Amazon Labor Union got here, what’s next and how his grassroots efforts could serve as a blueprint for other workers.
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Apr 04, 2022 |
|
An Undercover Operation to Reveal an Alleged Ponzi Scheme
1271
Over the last few weeks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been investigating an alleged Ponzi scheme that attracted hundreds of investors. The alleged fraud was uncovered by a group of whistleblowers and an undercover businessman looking for a shot at redemption. One of the whistleblowers, the undercover businessman himself and WSJ's Ben Foldy recount the events.
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Apr 01, 2022 |
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Bribes, Cartels, and Extradition: How a Honduran President Became a U.S. Target
1100
Former President Juan Orlando Hernández promised to combat corruption, violence and drug cartels. But U.S. prosecutors allege he took bribes from drug cartels and "allowed brutal violence to be committed without consequence." WSJ's José de Córdoba explains why the U.S. wants to bring Hernández to trial in an American court.
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Mar 31, 2022 |
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The TikTok That Changed College Hoops
1090
University of Oregon forward Sedona Prince’s viral TikTok from the 2021 NCAA women’s tournament led to a gender-equity investigation in college basketball. WSJ reporter Rachel Bachman details how it also resulted in big changes in this year's women's championships.
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Mar 30, 2022 |
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The Beef Between Cattle Ranchers and Meatpackers
973
While beef prices are up at the meat counter, cattle ranchers aren't cashing in. Some blame America’s meat-processing giants, which they say underpay for livestock. We talk to Trey Wasserburger about how he and fellow Nebraska ranchers are fighting back by building their own meat packing plant.
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Mar 29, 2022 |
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The Supply Chain Saga at One Port
985
Last year, Covid led to enormous slowdowns along the supply chain, especially at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. WSJ's Paul Berger explains how one terminal overcame its backlog, and how a union negotiation on the horizon could back everything up once again.
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Mar 28, 2022 |
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Why Uber Is Hailing New York City Cabs
1059
When Uber first started over a decade ago, the company had one huge competitor: The taxi industry. But after both businesses began to stall, the two former enemies began making nice. WSJ's Preetika Rana explains what caused Uber to team up with New York City's yellow cabs, and the company's bigger taxi ambitions.
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Mar 25, 2022 |
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Iran’s Secret System to Avoid Sanctions
1046
The U.S. and other Western nations have imposed harsh sanctions on Iran. But the country has built a clandestine financial system in order to endure them. WSJ’s Ian Talley explains how Iran did it, and what it means for Western influence.
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Mar 24, 2022 |
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War in Ukraine Hits Global Food Supplies
1012
As Russian forces rampage through Ukraine, farmers are facing a growing list of barriers to planting and tending to their crops. That’s bad news for countries around the world that rely on Ukrainian imports. WSJ’s Alistair Macdonald explains the repercussions on global food supplies and a farmer talks about how his operations are faring during the war.
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Mar 23, 2022 |
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The Online Sleuths Fighting Russian Disinformation
1030
The investigative group Bellingcat has won awards and international recognition for its work exposing misdeeds of authoritarian governments. We talk with Bellingcat’s executive director, Christo Grozev, about the group’s focus on Russian disinformation and alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
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Mar 22, 2022 |
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How Disney's CEO Got Caught in Florida's Fight Over Gay Rights
1199
Since taking over Disney in early 2020, Bob Chapek has presided over a difficult period for the company. Now, a bill in Florida has become another stumbling block for the embattled CEO. WSJ's Robbie Whelan looks at Chapek's tenure — and why he was reluctant to speak out against a bill critics are calling "Don't Say Gay."
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Mar 21, 2022 |
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Inside Chernobyl’s Hostage Crisis
1322
When Russia invaded Ukraine, it took control of the abandoned Chernobyl power plant, the site of worst nuclear disaster in history. Now, around 200 workers are being held hostage at the site by Russian forces. The WSJ’s Joe Parkinson breaks down the situation, and we speak with an off-duty employee of the power plant.
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Mar 18, 2022 |
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As Saudi Arabia Cools on the U.S., It Warms to China
975
President Joe Biden wants Saudi Arabia to pump more oil, to alleviate global supply concerns amid sanctions on Russia. But the U.S.-Saudi relationship has grown so strained that Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is refusing to take Biden’s call. Now, the kingdom has turned its attention toward another buyer: China. WSJ’s Stephen Kalin explains why Saudi Arabia is growing cold on the U.S.
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Mar 17, 2022 |
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Inflation at the Only Grocer in Town
1032
Inflation is forcing Frank Timberlake, owner of Rich Square Market in rural North Carolina, to raise prices on many of his products. The store is the only grocery around for miles, and many customers are on fixed incomes. Timberlake and WSJ's Valerie Bauerlein explain how inflation is squeezing the store's customers and the business.
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Mar 16, 2022 |
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Can Poland’s Economy Absorb Millions of Ukrainians?
925
Nearly two million Ukrainians have flooded into Poland in the last few weeks. While Polish people have welcomed the refugees with open arms, politicians are warning that the country’s systems are getting overwhelmed. WSJ’s Drew Hinshaw describes the scene on the ground in Poland’s capital and the effect of this mass migration on Poland’s economy.
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Mar 15, 2022 |
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Oatly Pioneered Oat Milk. Now it’s Struggling to Keep Up.
1157
With its cheeky advertising, Oatly helped invent the oat milk market. But now it’s having a hard time keeping up with all the demand it helped create. WSJ’s Khadeeja Safdar and Jesse Newman tell the story of the company’s rise and recent troubles.
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Mar 14, 2022 |
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A Russian Car Maker Falls Back Into Soviet-Era Isolation
1052
This week, production of Lada cars, the icons of Russia’s auto industry, ground to a halt as Western sanctions cut off auto parts and supplies. WSJ's Nick Kostov tells the story of the famous car maker and explains why it offers a glimpse into the evolution of the Russian economy.
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Mar 11, 2022 |
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How Crypto Became Part of the War
982
Since the invasion, cryptocurrency use has increased in both Russia and Ukraine. Michael Chobanian, the founder of the largest crypto exchange fund in Ukraine, explains how his company is soliciting donations for the Ukrainian war effort. And WSJ's Paul Vigna reports on Russians' renewed interest in cryptocurrency as the ruble tumbles.
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Mar 10, 2022 |
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An Unexpected Strategy to Bring Gas Prices Down
938
The United States banned Russian oil yesterday, its latest retribution against the invasion of Ukraine. The move is designed to hurt Russia's Vladimir Putin but is also likely to push America's soaring gas prices even higher. Journalist Patricia Garip says the U.S. is now looking for ways to replace the Russian oil and is turning to an unlikely source: Venezuela.
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Mar 09, 2022 |
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Russia's Media Crackdown: 'The Future is Pretty Dark'
1267
Russia's only independent TV news channel, TV Rain, shut down last week amid a media crackdown in the country. A new law outlaws publishing what Russian authorities consider false information about the Ukraine invasion. TV Rain's editor-in-chief, Tikhon Dzyadko, who has fled the country, talks to The Journal about independent journalism in Russia.
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Mar 08, 2022 |
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Facebook's $10 Billion Advertising Exodus
1022
Last month, Facebook's parent, Meta Platforms, forecasted the company would lose $10 billion in advertising revenue this year. Small business owner Martha Krueger explains why she stopped using the platforms, and WSJ reporter Salvador Rodriguez talks about how the company plans to address the exodus.
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Mar 07, 2022 |
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The War in Ukraine Hits American Gas Prices
938
President Biden had hoped to insulate Americans from the economic fallout of sanctioning Russia, one of the world's biggest oil producers. But oil prices have jumped more than 25 percent this week alone. WSJ's Tim Puko explains why prices keep rising and what, if anything, Biden can do about it.
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Mar 04, 2022 |
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Yachts, Soccer and Sanctioning Russian Oligarchs
1311
This week, governments around the world have slapped sanctions on prominent Russian billionaires in retaliation for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. WSJ's Max Colchester explains the push to scrutinize these Russian billionaires and looks at the debate around sanctioning one oligarch: Chelsea soccer team owner, Roman Abramovich.
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Mar 03, 2022 |
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Russians, and Putin, Face the Fallout of War
1031
As repercussions mount for the invasion of Ukraine, ordinary Russians are starting to feel the impact. WSJ's Ann M. Simmons details what it's like on the ground in Moscow and explains whether economic sanctions are having any effect on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Mar 02, 2022 |
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A Ukrainian Tech CEO Reckons With War
1021
Since the Russian invasion, Ukrainian tech CEO Vitaly Sedler has been organizing efforts to move employees from conflict zones to safety. His company, Intellias, is one of Ukraine's biggest tech companies and is part of a burgeoning tech sector in the country. Sedler talks to The Journal about what it's like to run a business in a country at war.
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Mar 01, 2022 |
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The Financial Punishment of Russia
1067
Over the weekend, countries around the world ratcheted up their punishment of Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Newly announced sanctions could severely cripple the Russian economy in what's being called the biggest economic attack in history. WSJ's Laurence Norman breaks down the new measures.
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Feb 28, 2022 |
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The Man Leading Ukraine
889
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was remaining in his nation's capital, Kyiv, even as Russian troops closed in. He urged Ukrainians to fight against the invasion. WSJ's James Marson explains how the embattled Ukrainian leader, a one-time TV star, is now standing up to Russia.
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Feb 25, 2022 |
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As Russia Invades, Ukrainians Weigh Fight or Flight
1129
Russia launched a full-scale invasion across Ukraine on Thursday. Now, Ukrainians are deciding between fleeing west or fighting back. We hear from one man who's leaving and one who's heading to the front lines. Plus, WSJ's Brett Forrest and James Marson detail what's happening on the ground in Ukraine and what to expect next.
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Feb 24, 2022 |
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How Putin Has Planned For Sanctions
1075
Western leaders have threatened sweeping sanctions if Russia continues advancing into Ukraine. But can even the toughest sanctions avert full-scale war? WSJ's Ann M. Simmons and Georgi Kantchev describe the sanctions that could be coming and how Russia has prepared for this moment.
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Feb 23, 2022 |
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The Labor Dispute That Has Baseball on Hold
1236
Spring training for the baseball season was supposed to be underway this week. Instead, players and owners are locked in a labor dispute over their contract. WSJ's Jared Diamond explains why players' demands for more pay could be costly for baseball.
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Feb 22, 2022 |
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How an Art World Outsider Landed a $69 Million Sale
1377
After selling an NFT for $69 million, the digital artist known as Beeple says he's not trying to "blow up" the contemporary art world. And WSJ's Kelly Crow explains how a new technology led to a historic sale. This episode originally published in March 2021.
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Feb 21, 2022 |
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Why NATO Is at the Center of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
1175
Russia continues to amass troops on the Ukrainian border, threatening an invasion. One of Russia's demands is that Ukraine never join NATO, the longstanding Western alliance. WSJ's Yaroslav Trofimov explains NATO's history with Russia, and why President Vladimir Putin considers its expansion a threat.
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Feb 18, 2022 |
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NBC's Olympic Bet on Peacock
1162
When NBCUniversal launched its streaming service, Peacock, in 2020, it had a rocky start. Now it's trying to regain its footing by live-streaming the Winter Olympics, along with new shows and movies. As WSJ's Lillian Rizzo explains, the stakes are high for NBC and its parent company, Comcast, to get it right.
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Feb 17, 2022 |
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Remington's Surprising Sandy Hook Settlement
1045
Families of nine victims of the Sandy Hook mass shooting announced yesterday that they would receive a $73 million settlement from Remington, the parent company of the manufacturer of the gun used in the shooting. WSJ's Zusha Elinson explains the families' novel legal strategy and why it paid off.
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Feb 16, 2022 |
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How The Government Tied One Couple to Billions in Stolen Bitcoin
1173
A couple was charged last week with conspiring to launder bitcoins stolen in one of the biggest hacks in crypto history. WSJ's Paul Vigna explains how the feds followed the crypto money trail to the two thirty-something New Yorkers.
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Feb 15, 2022 |
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Canada's Trucker Protests
1028
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers to end demonstrations against Covid-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates, a day after police cleared protesters from a bridge between the U.S. and Canada. WSJ's Paul Vieira explains the roots of the trucker-led demonstrations and why they've been going on for so long.
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Feb 14, 2022 |
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If Russia Invades Ukraine, Can the U.S. Deliver on Sanctions?
1042
On Friday, a top White House official warned that Russia could invade Ukraine at any time. President Biden has promised tough sanctions if Russia does invade, but Russia's economic ties with Germany could limit the bite of those measures. WSJ's Bojan Pancevski explains Germany's growing reliance on Russian gas and how it could complicate the West's response.
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Feb 11, 2022 |
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The Coach Accusing the NFL of Discrimination
992
As the Super Bowl approaches, the National Football League is tackling some big issues off the field. In a lawsuit against the league and three specific teams, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores alleges racial discrimination in hiring. As WSJ's Andrew Beaton explains, the suit highlights a diversity issue the NFL has been trying to fix for years.
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Feb 10, 2022 |