A daily podcast about money, business and power.
September 12, 2024
The Fight Over U.S. Steel and the Community Caught in the Middle
The Journal
President Biden, Vice President Harris and former President Trump have all signaled their opposition to the planned sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel. But, as Kris Maher reports, views on the deal are more complex in the place it could matter most: Pittsburgh.
September 11, 2024
Testosterone Clinics Sell Virility. Side Effects Sometimes Included.
Testosterone therapy is booming, touting a boost at the gym and in the bedroom, but the potential side effects (like infertility) are less well known. WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler on the clinics making millions on this growing industry.
September 10, 2024
Your New Hire May Be a North Korean Spy
North Korean cybercriminals have developed a new way to access networks in corporate America: getting IT jobs. According to U.S. officials, hundreds of U.S. companies have unknowingly hired North Korean operatives in information-technology roles. Dustin Volz explores how these spies get hired, and one CEO describes how his company fell for the scheme.
September 9, 2024
How Betting on U.S. Politics Is Getting Big
WSJ’s Alexander Osipovich explores the world of political betting. We meet a trader making big money making predictions on the upcoming U.S. elections over a platform called Polymarket and examine the fight that is brewing with regulators over the practice.
September 6, 2024
Hot, Dry and Booming: A Texas Climate Case Study
Kyle, Texas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. It is also facing heat and drought that has been exacerbated by climate change and is expected to get worse. Matt Wirz reports on the tensions in Kyle as the city continues to build, even as it runs low on water.
Red, White and Who? How Abortion Plays For Trump and Harris
Who will win the race to the White House? A new series from The Journal podcast explores the issues that are shaping this election. This week, Ryan Knutson and WSJ’s Molly Ball delve into reproductive rights, examining how the issue is playing out for both Democrats and Republicans. Plus..what makes a state a swing state?
September 5, 2024
A Fed Insider on the Looming Rate Cut
This month, for the first time in over two years, the U.S. Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates. Mary Daly, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, is one of 12 people who will decide how aggressive that cut should be. She talks to Kate about inflation, unemployment, the economy and Taylor Swift.
September 4, 2024
The Rise of the Tween Shopper
Tweens, or kids aged 8 to 12, have learned to shop online. Brands are taking note. WSJ’s Chavie Lieber spoke to TikTok-er Demetra Dias and explains the impact of influencers like her on young shoppers and the brands that court them.
September 3, 2024
What's Behind the Arrest of the Telegram CEO?
Pavel Durov, the CEO of the messaging app Telegram, was arrested in France last month. He was charged with a host of crimes, including complicity in distributing child pornography, illegal drugs and hacking software on the app. Matthew Dalton reports on how the charges represent a major escalation by the French government in holding tech executives accountable for the content that appears on their ...
August 30, 2024
For Kamala Harris, a Big Interview and a Narrow Lead
Kamala Harris is trying to step out of President Biden’s shadow without distancing herself from thier administration’s policies. Molly Ball breaks down a new WSJ poll that shows Harris has a narrow lead in the presidential election and unpacks the VP’s first big interview. She also takes your questions.
August 29, 2024
Private Equity Finally Can Get a Piece of the NFL
The world’s most lucrative sports league is allowing private equity to buy into teams. WSJ’s Andrew Beaton and Miriam Gottfried unpack why the NFL is opening up, and what it could mean for owners and fans.
August 28, 2024
Why China Is Risking a Trade War
Faced with stagnating economic growth, Chinese leader Xi Jinping decided to go all in on manufacturing and exporting. But, as Lingling Wei reports, the increase in low-cost Chinese goods is squeezing businesses around the world and raising the specter of a new trade war.
August 27, 2024
Lending Elon Musk Money Was A Very Bad Bet
When Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022, he borrowed $13 billion dollars from several banks to complete the deal. Now, it looks like the banks may not get all their money back. WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy on what the banks didn’t take into account when they made those loans.
August 26, 2024
Etsy: Big Commerce or Crafters' Community?
For almost 20 years, Etsy has been a popular website for handmade and specialized goods on the internet. But as the company grew, many current and former sellers say the platform has changed and is now full of mass-produced goods. They’ve also complained about increased seller fees. The CEO, Josh Silverman, responds, saying Etsy is still true to its original mission to keep commerce ‘human.’
August 23, 2024
Hope, Unity (and Some Nerves) at the DNC
Last night, Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted the Democratic presidential nomination. It capped off a boisterous, speaker-packed week in Chicago as the Harris campaign tries to reach a broad swath of American voters. Molly Ball reports from Chicago.
August 22, 2024
Outcry at Bank of America Over Dangerous Workloads
In May, an associate at Bank of America died unexpectedly after working long hours on a big acquisition. The death sparked an outcry about the all-nighters and 100-hour weeks that grind down young investment bankers. WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy spoke to over three dozen current and former employees about a pervasive culture of overwork at the bank.
August 21, 2024
The Inside Story of Starbucks’s CEO Drama
Last week, Starbucks ousted its CEO Laxman Narasimhan and replaced him with Brian Niccol, the current leader of Chipotle. Lauren Thomas reports on the dramatic leadership change, as Starbucks struggles to turn around its business and contend with activist investors.
August 20, 2024
At the DNC, Democrats Are Divided Over Gaza
The Democratic National Convention is underway in Chicago, where the party aims to unite behind its new nominee for president, Kamala Harris. But the war in Gaza, and American military aid for Israel, is dividing the party. WSJ’s Sabrina Siddiqui explains why that fracture could impact the Harris campaign.
August 19, 2024
The Economy: Trump vs. Harris
Last week, the two presidential candidates put forward some specific policy proposals about the economy. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia breaks down what each candidate is proposing.
August 16, 2024
Is the Trump Campaign Going Off Track?
WSJ’s Molly Ball breaks down the past week for the Trump campaign as the former president continues to try and counter a surge of support for Harris. Plus, do undecided voters truly exist? Molly answers your questions.
August 15, 2024
She Was Google’s First Landlord. And She Changed the Internet.
Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki died last week at the age of 56. WSJ’s Miles Kruppa shares how Wojcicki developed a reputation as perhaps the most important Google employee that few people have heard of outside of the company’s walls.
August 14, 2024
One Man’s Campaign Against DEI
In the past three months, Robby Starbuck has fueled social-media attacks that have led to two companies rolling back their diversity initiatives. He is part of a larger movement that is pushing back against diversity, equity and inclusion policies at companies. WSJ’s Chip Cutter reports.
August 13, 2024
China Is Finally Doing Something About the Fentanyl Crisis
After years of pressure from the U.S., China is imposing new restrictions on chemicals used in the production of fentanyl. WSJ’s Brian Spegele says the move marks a small step forward after nearly a decade of sometimes-tense negotiations.
August 12, 2024
Boeing's Long Flight Delay – in Space
In June, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station. But issues with its propulsion system have called into question its safety. Now, NASA is weighing alternatives to bring the astronauts home. WSJ’s Micah Maidenberg shares how the Starliner program has faced a bevy of problems and what it means for Boeing.
August 9, 2024
Will Tracking Cocoa Beans Help Save the Rainforest?
The world’s rainforests have shrunk dramatically in recent decades due to the expansion of land for growing cash crops, like cocoa. The European Union is trying to limit destruction with a new law which aims to track where cocoa is grown. Farmers who want to sell to Europe— the world’s largest cocoa market— are racing to meet the law's requirements, or lose out. WSJ’s Alexandra Wexler details how t...
August 8, 2024
$25 Billion to Zero: Bill Ackman’s Bungled IPO
Bill Ackman has pressed pause on the initial public offering of a new fund aimed at everyday investors after a lack of demand. Ackman originally aimed to raise around $25 billion in the offering, hoping to capitalize on his social-media celebrity but his fund goals shrunk dramatically. WSJ’s Peter Rudegeair unpacks what happened.
August 7, 2024
Judge Rules ‘Google Is a Monopolist’
In a historic decision this week, a federal judge ruled that Google acted to illegally maintain a monopoly in online search. The case was the first of several antitrust lawsuits the U.S. government has brought against some of the nation’s leading tech companies, and the ruling marks a major victory for its efforts to reign in big tech. WSJ’s Miles Kruppa explains how this decision could shake up Go...
August 6, 2024
What the Stock Market Panic Says About the Economy
Slow job growth in the U.S. and interest rate cuts in Japan triggered a global stock market sell off on Monday. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos breaks down how it happened, what it says about the economy, and what it means for the Federal Reserve’s long-term goal of a soft landing.
August 5, 2024
Who is Filing Thousands of Disability Lawsuits Against Businesses?
Under the Americans With Disabilities Act, businesses are supposed to make their websites accessible to the visually impaired. WSJ's Ruth Simon found that this requirement has led to an explosion of lawsuits, many of which are against small businesses.
August 2, 2024
'Phony' and 'Weird.' Trump and Harris Size Each Other Up
As Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign gets underway, Democrats and Republicans are rushing to define her. And Democrats are shifting the way they talk about the GOP. WSJ’s Molly Ball explores the strategies behind how both sides are framing each other.
August 1, 2024
The Historic U.S.-Russia Prisoner Swap
Russia freed wrongfully convicted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and more than a dozen others on Thursday as part of the largest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War. WSJ’s Joe Parkinson and Drew Hinshaw report on the effort to bring Gershkovich home.
July 31, 2024
Alexa is in Millions of Homes and Amazon is Losing Billions
After ten years of sales, 500 million Amazon smart devices have found their way into homes around the world. But the company is losing billions of dollars on the devices. WSJ’s Dana Mattioli discovered an accounting tool that’s kept the huge losses under wraps.
July 30, 2024
The Paris Olympics’ $1.5 Billion Poop Problem
Today, Olympics officials in Paris postponed the men’s triathlon because of elevated E. coli levels in the River Seine, where the event was set to take place. WSJ’s Joshua Robinson reports on how decades of trying to clean up the river may not have been successful.
July 29, 2024
The Slaves Sending You Scam Texts
Have you ever thought about who is behind your scam texts? WSJ reporter Feliz Solomon spent months investigating and discovered that many of these texts are coming from slaves trapped in scam dens in Southeast Asia. She talked to one person who had been imprisoned there and learned how he became ensnared in a growing criminal empire.
July 26, 2024
The Week That Changed the Presidential Race
The 2024 presidential election has taken a major turn after Biden dropped out of the race. WSJ’s Molly Ball charts how the 2024 political election has hit a reset and what Harris’s candidacy could mean for her party and the country.
July 25, 2024
The Quest to Save American-Made Antibiotics
USAntibiotics's plant in Tennessee is one of the last plants in the United States that makes amoxicillin, the crucial antibiotic that has been in shortage in some forms since 2022. But the plant isn’t breaking even, financially. WSJ’s Liz Essley Whyte reports on why it is so hard for American-made generic drugs manufacturers to survive.
July 24, 2024
Kamala Harris, In Context
Democrats are rallying around Vice President Kamala Harris as she takes over President Biden’s campaign. WSJ’s Tarini Parti discusses some key moments in her political career and explores what they reveal about her as a candidate.
July 23, 2024
The Glitch That Crashed Millions of Computers
Last Friday, 8.5 million computers around the world stopped working. All kinds of businesses were impacted, from airlines to banks to hospitals. The cause was a routine update sent out by a software company called CrowdStrike. WSJ’s Robert McMillan explains how the meltdown happened and why Microsoft’s software was especially vulnerable.
July 22, 2024
Biden Taps Out. Harris Taps In.
On Sunday, President Joe Biden ended his bid for re-election and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Annie Linskey reports on Biden’s big decision and what lies ahead for Harris and the Democratic Party.
July 19, 2024
Takeaways from the RNC: Trump Is in Control
The Republican National Convention came to a close Thursday night with a speech by presidential nominee Donald Trump that called for unity while also returning to familiar rhetoric. WSJ’s Molly Ball says it’s a remarkable turnaround for a candidate who was once an outsider, and has now remade the party in his image. Plus, Jessica Mendoza and Jacob Gallagher give the convention a fit check.
July 18, 2024
Elon Musk and Silicon Valley Turn Towards Trump
Elon Musk has said he is committing around $45 million a month to a pro-Trump super PAC, according to people familiar with the matter. He is the biggest name in tech now turning Donald Trump’s way. WSJ’s Emily Glazer reports on how Musk and others in Silicon Valley are throwing their support and money behind Trump’s campaign for president.
July 17, 2024
Russia Tries a WSJ Reporter in a Secret Court
WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich has been held in Russia for more than a year on an espionage accusation that he, the U.S. government and The Wall Street Journal vehemently deny. Gershkovich will appear in court Thursday for another hearing. WSJ’s Matthew Luxmoore explores what we know about the secret trial and why even the Gershkovich’s defense lawyers are restricted from publicly discussing it.
July 16, 2024
Trump Courts the Union Vote
Last night at the Republican National Convention, Sean O’Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, spoke. O’Brien was the first Teamsters president to ever speak at an RNC and his presence represents a shift in union voters away from the Democratic Party. WSJ’s Paul Kiernan reports on why some union voters are interested in voting for former President Trump this election.
July 15, 2024
The Secret Service’s Failure to Protect Trump
On Saturday, a shooter attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. Now, the Secret Service is coming under scrutiny for failing to prevent it. WSJ’s Sadie Gurman and Ryan Barber on what we know about the shooter, and about what went wrong for the Secret Service.
July 12, 2024
Teens Are Falling Victim to AI Fake Nudes
Last fall, nude photos of a 14-year-old student started spreading around her high school. But they weren't real… they’d been created with AI. WSJ’s Julie Jargon breaks down how fake photos like these are a growing trend among teens and why it’s difficult to deal with.
July 11, 2024
The Resurrection of Abercrombie & Fitch
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Abercrombie & Fitch was the hottest teen clothing brand. Kids would flock to their local mall to get the expensive, moose-emblazoned apparel. But then, after a series of controversies and a change in fashion, the brand seemingly lost its edge. WSJ’s Katie Deighton reports on how Abercrombie & Fitch revived itself and embraced millennial women.
July 10, 2024
Gold Bars, Cash and a Mercedes: A U.S. Senator's Corruption Trial
After his first corruption case ended in a mistrial in 2017, Sen. Bob Menendez had a message for his supporters: “Today is resurrection day.” Now, Menendez is back in a courthouse facing new corruption charges. WSJ’s Corinne Ramey unpacks the case.
July 9, 2024
Boeing Agrees to Felony Plea. Now Its Future Is Up in the Air.
In a stunning concession, Boeing agreed Sunday to plead guilty to misleading air-safety regulators ahead of two deadly 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. WSJ’s Andrew Tangel reports on Boeing’s long and complicated journey to the plea deal and what a felony record would mean for the company.
July 8, 2024
Coinbase’s CEO on the Future of Crypto
After high-profile collapses and government crackdowns, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is one of the last big digital-asset founders standing. He speaks with Ryan Knutson about taking up the mantle, clashes with the SEC and the future of crypto.
July 5, 2024
McDonald’s Wants To Offer Quality And Value. Can It Do Both?
Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA, sits down with Kate Linebaugh to talk about how the company is trying to keep customers happy despite rising prices and a shift towards healthier eating.
July 3, 2024
Will Biden Stay in the Race?
Pressure is mounting on President Joe Biden to step back as candidate for president. A new WSJ poll shows Biden has fallen six points behind Donald Trump and that 80% of respondents said they worry about Biden’s age. WSJ's Annie Linskey explores the rising panic inside the party, and how Biden’s tight inner circle is urging him to stay the course.
July 2, 2024
A Troubled Plan to Ship Migrants to Rwanda
After a steep increase in migration, the United Kingdom turned to a controversial plan: sending migrants to Rwanda. But the plan has faced years of delays and legal challenges. Max Colchester explains why the U.K. pushed ahead, and what Rwanda stands to gain.
July 1, 2024
Trump Has Broad Immunity
The Supreme Court dealt a major blow to prosecutors hoping to convict Donald Trump on charges he sought to subvert the 2020 election. The court ruled 6-3 that former presidents enjoy sweeping immunity for their acts while in office. WSJ's Jess Bravin discusses what this ruling could mean for the future of American democracy.
June 28, 2024
Farm-to-Table Pioneer on Why We Still Need Better Food
Alice Waters helped the farm-to-table movement go mainstream in the U.S. through her restaurant Chez Panisse. In the decades since she has kept advocating for locally grown, organic food over the fast food Americans regularly consume. Kate Linebaugh sat down with Waters at The Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum. To watch a video of the conversation, check out the episode on Spotify.
June 27, 2024
All Eyes on Biden, Trump – and CNN
Tonight, two presidents, one current and one former, are set to debate live on CNN. The stakes are high for the candidates and for the network that’s been struggling to win viewers. WSJ’s Isabella Simonetti reports on how CNN is remaking the debate, and Annie Linskey analyzes what the format change could mean for the candidates.
June 26, 2024
How Ukraine Built a Weapon to Control the Black Sea
Ukraine has sunk or damaged about two dozen Russian ships using a technical innovation: naval drones. WSJ’s James Marson unspools the story of the drones’ development and explores how they’re turning the tide in a key area of the war.
June 25, 2024
The Unusual Economics of the Bilt Credit Card
Rent has long been an expense people wanted to pay on credit cards. In 2022, Wells Fargo launched a credit card with Bilt Technologies that allowed users to pay for rent, avoid processing fees and earn points. But the partnership is costing Wells Fargo millions. WSJ’s AnnaMaria Andriotis reports.
June 24, 2024
Southwest Changed Flying. Can It Change Itself?
An activist investor says Southwest Airlines is stuck in the past. Elliott Investment Management says it has amassed a $1.9 billion stake, making it one of Southwest’s biggest shareholders and one of its most vocal critics. WSJ’s Alison Sider explains what Elliott wants, and why critics say some of the things that made Southwest great are now holding it back.
June 21, 2024
Zyn pouches, ‘Zynfluencers’ and ‘the Zyndemic’
For about a decade, Zyn, a brand of nicotine pouch, was a niche product used by former smokers. But now it’s exploded in popularity and is hard to find on store shelves. WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney explains how Zyn achieved social media virality and has found itself in the middle of a culture war.
June 20, 2024
Sam Altman's Opaque Investment Empire
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has a day job and a side gig. Only one of them makes him rich. WSJ's Berber Jin explains how Altman makes most of his wealth through investing in tech startups and how some of those startups' business relationships with OpenAI raise questions about conflicts of interest.
June 18, 2024
How ‘Conflict Gum’ Is Helping Fuel Sudan’s Civil War
Gum arabic is a widely used but little-known ingredient found in products like soda, gum, makeup and beer. But as WSJ’s Nicholas Bariyo and Alexandra Wexler report, the product has been used for a darker purpose: helping to fund the civil war in Sudan.
June 17, 2024
The Brutal Calculation of Hamas’s Leader
Yahya Sinwar is the Hamas leader inside Gaza who allegedly plotted the October 7th attacks. According to private messages reviewed by the WSJ, Sinwar believes that a rising Palestinian death toll—and the international condemnation it brings—is in the best interest of his cause. WSJ’s Rory Jones walks us through Sinwar’s strategy.
June 14, 2024
Tesla’s Multibillion-Dollar Pay Package for Elon Musk
Tesla shareholders voted to reapprove Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package, signaling support for the EV maker’s CEO and giving the board ammunition in its fight to preserve the court-rejected compensation plan. WSJ’s David Benoit explores the fight to get Musk billions and why the Tesla board is so invested in making the huge pay package happen.
June 13, 2024
The Hidden Life of Google’s Secret Weapon
Joshua Wright was a star in the world of antitrust, from his time at the Federal Trade Commission to his work with some of the biggest tech companies. He was well respected and powerful until accusations of sexual misconduct came to light. WSJ’s Brody Mullins talks us through his reporting on Wright’s downfall.
June 12, 2024
Elon Musk’s Unusual Relationships With Women at SpaceX
The billionaire founder showed several female employees at SpaceX an unusual amount of attention or pursued them. WSJ's Joseph Palazzolo describes the revelations.
June 11, 2024
New York’s U-Turn on a Plan to Reduce Traffic
The nation’s first congestion-pricing plan was set to take effect at the end of June. But last week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called to indefinitely delay the program. WSJ's Jimmy Vielkind unpacks the surprising move and explores why Hochul made the 11th hour change.
June 10, 2024
Shein: Fast Fashion, Slow IPO
The fast-fashion giant hoped to have a splashy U.S. public offering this year. WSJ's Shen Lu explains how the divide between Beijing and Washington got in the way.
June 9, 2024
Trillion Dollar Shot, Episode 4: The Disruptors
The rising popularity of GLP-1 drugs could cause all kinds of ripple effects.
June 7, 2024
‘It Came out of Nowhere’: The Rise of Dr Pepper
There is a new contender in the cola wars, and it isn’t a cola. It’s Dr Pepper. WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney unpacks how after decades as a distant competitor, Dr Pepper has climbed the soda ranks with help from hefty marketing, novel flavors and TikTok videos.
June 6, 2024
Why Biden Is Cracking Down on Asylum at the Border
President Biden unveiled a last-ditch effort to lower illegal crossings at the southern border this week. The move focuses on asylum seekers, and the policy is similar to one that former President Trump tried in 2018. WSJ’s Michelle Hackman describes the policy and tries to answer the question: why now?
June 5, 2024
Behind Closed Doors, Biden’s Age is Showing
For much of his career, Biden built a reputation as a master negotiator. He’s known for his detailed knowledge of issues—and for hitting his stride when the pressure was on. Now, 81-year-old Biden is the oldest person to hold the presidency. WSJ's Annie Linskey and Siobhan Hughes go behind closed doors where some who have worked with him describe a president who appears slower.
June 4, 2024
A Conversation with Alphabet’s Captain of Moonshots
Astro Teller, the CEO of Aphabet’s X, runs a lab dedicated to solving some of the world’s most pressing problems while also coming up with viable businesses. After he spoke at the WSJ’s Future of Everything festival, we sat down with him to talk about A.I., self-driving cars, and the changing economy of tech.
June 3, 2024
Mexico Has a New President. Will She Be Different?
Claudia Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City, will become Mexico’s first female president. Sheinbaum has pledged to be a continuation of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. WSJ’s José de Córdoba explains the two politicians’ close ties, and what her administration could mean for Mexico-U.S. relations.
June 2, 2024
Trillion Dollar Shot, Episode 3: Brad
Bradley Olson has tried a lot of different diets over his 20-year weight-loss journey, including popular programs like WeightWatchers. But nothing was as successful for him as Mounjaro, one in a new class of drugs that people are taking for weight loss.
May 31, 2024
The Origin Story of Trump's Guilty Verdict
A New York jury has found former President Donald Trump guilty on 34 charges. WSJ reporter Joe Palazzolo recalls the original investigation that eventually led to Thursday's conviction, and legal reporter Corinne Ramey describes the scene as the verdict came down.
May 30, 2024
The Big Short: China Edition
For years, China’s real estate market was booming. Developers, home buyers and Western banks rushed to invest. But the boom turned into a bubble, which eventually burst. WSJ’s Rebecca Feng reports on the warning signs that were ignored and we speak to two people who saw the collapse coming.
May 29, 2024
The Trustbuster Taking on Ticketmaster
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter heads the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. He speaks with Ryan Knutson about the DOJ’s lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, and why the government says the business is an illegal monopoly which the company denies.
May 28, 2024
$2.8 Billion for College Athletes and a New World for the NCAA
For over a century, the NCAA has refused to pay athletes. After a recent settlement, that’s going to change. The organization has agreed to set aside $2.8 billion in back payments for some student athletes and moving forward, allow players to get a cut of television revenue. WSJ’s Jared Diamond explains what it might mean for the future of college athletics.
May 26, 2024
Introducing Science Vs - Ozempic: Is It Scarier Than We Thought?
Trillion Dollar Shot, our new series about drugs like Ozempic, will be back next week. Until then, we think you’d enjoy a show from our friends over at Science Vs, a podcast that takes on fads, trends and the opinionated mob to find out what’s fact, what’s not and what’s somewhere in between. This episode examines the fears around the new class of blockbuster weight-loss drugs.
May 24, 2024
The First Person to Get Elon Musk’s Neuralink Brain Chip
Elon Musk’s Neuralink is on a mission to enable humans to communicate with computers using their thoughts. Now they have successfully implanted their device in a human.. WSJ's Rolfe Winkler explores the new technology and speaks to Noland Arbaugh, Neuralink's first participant.
May 23, 2024
Could Paris Hilton Create the 'Next Disney?'
Paris Hilton and her husband, VC investor Carter Reum, talk about "strict" parenting, the importance of A.I. and the huge economic value of her spoiled airhead persona. Ryan Knutson sat down with the couple at The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival. To watch the video, check out the episode on Spotify.
May 22, 2024
Years After Surfside Collapse, Florida Condos Are In Crisis
Florida condominium buildings are undergoing inspections after the state set new requirements for how often the structures are put to the test. WSJ's Deborah Acosta explores how costs in one building have climbed to over $134,000.
May 21, 2024
Why Israel and Hamas Could Be Headed Into a Forever War
Seven months into the war, Hamas is far from defeated. The Islamist militant group is using guerrilla tactics and a vast underground tunnel network to evade Israeli forces. WSJ’s Jared Malsin reports on how the group’s resilience is stoking fears in Israel that it is walking into a forever war.
May 20, 2024
Did ‘Roaring Kitty’ Just Spark a Meme Stock Sequel?
Meme stocks took off last week after an unexpected tweet appeared from “Roaring Kitty,” a social media account associated with former financial consultant Keith Gill. He's credited with igniting the meme stock movement in 2021. WSJ’s Jon Sindreu explains the re-emergence of Roaring Kitty and what it means for the meme stock movement.
May 19, 2024
Trillion Dollar Shot, Episode 2: Bank Breakers
As demand for the new class of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs skyrockets, one thing has stood in the way of many people trying to access them: cost. With a price tag around $1,000 a month for U.S. patients and many insurance companies refusing to cover these drugs for weight loss, patients are often turning to alternatives.
May 17, 2024
The Race to Save an Iconic Train From Falling Into the Ocean
The Pacific Surfliner train in Southern California runs along some of the most beautiful coastlines in America. But some fear it might soon fall into the ocean. WSJ’s Jim Carlton reports on how coastal erosion is impacting an iconic train route and the controversial plans to move parts of the line inland.
May 16, 2024
The Life of One of Wall Street’s Greatest Investors
Jim Simons pioneered a revolution in financial trading, embracing a computer-oriented, quantitative style in the 1980s well ahead of Wall Street. Following Simons’ recent death, WSJ’s Gregory Zuckerman unpacks his legacy from financial algorithms to philanthropy.
May 15, 2024
Live from Seattle: A Weird Economy + Election = ??
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May 14, 2024
North Korea’s Propaganda Mastermind
For six decades, one man has been largely responsible for creating North Korea’s propaganda machine: Kim Ki Nam. He served all three North Korean dictators and is the architect of many of the myths that have helped to keep the Kim family in power. Last week, Kim Ki Nam died at the age of 94. WSJ’s Timothy Martin reports on his controversial legacy.
May 13, 2024
How FTX Found Billions to Repay Customers
When FTX collapsed into bankruptcy in 2022, many customers never thought they'd see their money again. But FTX's assets have rebounded. WSJ’s Andrew Scurria unpacks why FTX will have more than enough money to fully repay customers and many creditors.
Trillion Dollar Shot, Episode 1: Birth of a Blockbuster
Before Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, there was Lotte Bjerre Knudsen.
May 10, 2024
A Lawyer Says He Doesn't Need Help for Psychosis. His Family Disagrees.
WSJ’s Julie Wernau wanted to test a hypothesis: are there more mentally ill homeless people now, compared to before the pandemic? That question led her to Rob Dart. Once a successful lawyer, in 2022 he went into a downward spiral, which his family has not been able to stop despite their best efforts.
May 9, 2024
Can Chinese Customers Rescue Starbucks?
Starbucks has a problem: Sales at U.S. stores have fallen sharply and now the company is looking to China, its second biggest market, to boost its revenue. But as WSJ’s Spencer Jakab explains, increased competition there is making that a tall order.
May 8, 2024
The Suitcases Full of Cash Flowing Through Airports
London and Dubai's international airports have become conduits for billions of dollars of illicit funds, potentially linked to corruption, drug trafficking and other crimes. WSJ's Margot Patrick explains how couriers in one money-laundering operation transported millions in dirty money on flights.
May 7, 2024
Why Is Tesla Pulling Back on EV Charging?
Tesla announced last week that it’s laying off the team responsible for the biggest electric-vehicle charging network in the U.S. The move comes as consumer demand for EVs is dwindling. WSJ’s Jennifer Hiller reports on how the layoffs shocked the industry and how the change will impact efforts to build out a national EV charging network.
May 6, 2024
The 20,000 Steps to a Walmart Manager's Six-Figure Salary
Walmart is offering higher pay, bonuses and more stock options this year to retain and attract managers. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer spent a day with one manager, Nichole Hart, to understand why the job is commanding such a high salary these days, and why Hart logs about 20,000 steps a day.
May 3, 2024
Guns and Death Threats in Canada’s Baby-Eel Fisheries
The high price of baby eels has triggered an upsurge in illegal fishing and criminal activity in Canada. Earlier this year, the country announced a ban on baby-eel fishing in an attempt to contain the violence and to protect dwindling fish stocks. We speak to WSJ’s Paul Vieira and to a baby-eel fisherman about how a tiny fish has created a turf war in a remote Canadian community.
May 2, 2024
The NBA's Media Rights Are Up for Grabs. Billions Are at Stake.
The National Basketball Association is in advanced stages of a new round of media-rights deals. WSJ’s Amol Sharma unpacks why several major media players are jostling for the lucrative rights.
May 1, 2024
Mayhem at Paramount as Merger Looms
On Monday, Bob Bakish stepped down as CEO of Paramount, one of America’s most iconic media companies. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel reports on how Bakish’s relationship with Shari Redstone, chair of Paramount, has deteriorated amidst one of the messiest merger dramas in recent history.
April 30, 2024
Trump Allies Draft Plans to Rein in the Fed
Donald Trump's allies have drafted plans to curb the Federal Reserve’s independence, should Trump win a second term. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia unpacks the proposals, which include giving the president a say in interest-rate decisions.
April 29, 2024
Amazon’s Secret Operation to Gather Intel on Rivals
For almost a decade, Amazon staff went undercover on Walmart, eBay and other marketplaces selling products under the guise of a company called ‘Big River.’ WSJ’s Dana Mattioli reports on the secret arm of Amazon that surreptitiously gathers intelligence on its competitors.
April 26, 2024
JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon on What's Next for the Economy
Jamie Dimon discusses his concerns about the future of the economy, the effect of overseas wars and the importance of U.S. leadership in a wide-ranging interview with WSJ’s Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker.
April 25, 2024
Pro-Palestinian Protests and Arrests at U.S. Colleges
With a fresh round of pro-Palestinian protests sweeping campuses nationwide, university administrators are cracking down. WSJ’s Melissa Korn explains what students are demanding and what it could mean for campus life going forward.
April 24, 2024
How Gambling Scandals Are Rocking Sports Leagues
Less than six years after a Supreme Court ruling paved the way for legal sports gambling, U.S. sports leagues are facing an onslaught of betting scandals. The latest example is Jontay Porter, a little-known NBA player, who has been given a lifetime ban for betting on games. WSJ’s Jared Diamond unpacks how major leagues are confronting the darker sides of sports betting with alarming frequency.
April 23, 2024
Inside the White House's Scramble to Avert a Bigger Middle East War
Over the course of 19 days, U.S. officials raced to contain escalating tensions between Israel and Iran amid a series of attacks. WSJ’s Michael R. Gordon on what was going on behind the scenes as the White House worked to prevent a bigger conflict.
April 22, 2024
Donald Trump’s First Criminal Trial Is Underway
Former President Donald Trump is expected to spend the next six weeks in a Manhattan courtroom, defending himself against accusations he covered up a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. WSJ’s Corinne Ramey was in the courtroom for opening statements and WSJ’s Molly Ball unpacks what this trial could mean for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
April 19, 2024
How Cyber Thieves Are Disrupting U.S. Goods
Reports of freight fraud are on the rise, vexing trucking companies and regulators. And victims say that they aren’t getting any real help from law enforcement. WSJ’s Inti Pacheco unpacks one form of this fraud, called double brokering, and a trucking executive explains his personal efforts to stop the scammers.
April 18, 2024
Think It’s Expensive to Buy a Home? Try Owning One.
It’s not just the cost of buying a home that’s going up. It’s also the hidden costs — like taxes, maintenance and insurance — that are going through the roof. WSJ’s Nicole Friedman explains why these prices are rising so fast, and what it means for the housing market.
April 17, 2024
Why the Fed Is Steering Away From Rate Cuts
Yesterday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell called into question whether the Fed will be able to lower interest rates this year as hoped. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos on how the Fed’s outlook on the economy has changed.
April 16, 2024
Many Cities Fear the ‘Doom Loop.’ St. Louis is in One.
Cities such as San Francisco and Chicago are trying to save their downtown office districts from spiraling into a doom loop. St. Louis is already trapped in one, with abandoned buildings, vacant offices and shuttered shops and restaurants. WSJ’s Konrad Putzier unpacks the lessons from downtown St. Louis’s doom loop.
April 15, 2024
The Russian Military is Using Elon Musk’s Starlink
SpaceX’s satellite-internet devices are ending up in the hands of American adversaries and accused war criminals. WSJ’s Thomas Grove and Micah Maidenberg explain how the technology is being used illegally in multiple conflicts around the world.
April 12, 2024
Can the WNBA Cash in on the Caitlin Clark Effect?
Caitlin Clark has lifted women’s college basketball to new heights, setting records on and off the court. Now the Iowa superstar is going pro and joining the WNBA. WSJ’s Rachel Bachman on what Caitlin Clark’s huge popularity might mean for the sometimes-struggling women’s league.
April 11, 2024
How Employer-Funded Child Care Can Work
Providing child care for employees may not seem like a savvy business choice, but some companies swear by it. WSJ’s Harriet Torry explores the different approaches – and the benefits – at businesses both large and small.
April 10, 2024
What Arizona's Abortion Ban Means for the 2024 Election
This week, the Arizona Supreme Court revived an abortion ban enacted in 1864, decades before the state's formation. WSJ's Laura Kusisto explains how the 160-year-old law could impact the 2024 election.
April 9, 2024
Biden’s New Plan to Cancel Student Debt
The Biden administration is proposing a sweeping initiative to slash student debt for nearly 30 million borrowers. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia unpacks the proposal and explains why it marks a major new White House effort to try to appeal to progressives and young voters seven months before the November election.
April 8, 2024
Why No Labels’ Presidential Campaign Failed to Launch
No Labels, the centrist group which was trying to field a third-party presidential candidate, is abandoning its efforts to find someone to lead its “unity ticket.” WSJ’s Ken Thomas explains how the group spent millions of dollars and months of work but ultimately came up short.
April 5, 2024
Janet Yellen Has a Warning for China
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in China trying to discourage government officials and business leaders from flooding the world with cheap goods. WSJ’s Andrew Duehren is traveling with Yellen, and explores how her thinking on China has changed with shifting global market forces.
April 4, 2024
The Failures Inside Boeing's 737 Factory
In January, a door panel blew off a Boeing 737 MAX plane during an Alaska Airlines flight. Informal communication logs between workers at the Boeing plant where the plane was assembled reveal disarray, repeated production delays and crews who apparently didn’t follow procedures. WSJ's Sharon Terlep reviewed the logs and explains what they reveal.
April 3, 2024
A Deadly Strike on Aid Workers in Gaza
Amid an increasingly dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen were killed by an Israeli airstrike. WSJ’s Stephen Kalin takes listeners inside the increasingly challenging process to get aid to civilians in Gaza.
April 2, 2024
The Battle Over Disney’s Board
Disney's business has been struggling in recent years, and there's a fight over how to fix it. On one side is Nelson Peltz, an activist investor, who is campaigning for a seat on Disney's board of directors. On the other side is CEO Bob Iger, who doesn't want Peltz anywhere near his company. WSJ’s Robbie Whelan explains who might win and what it could mean for the iconic brand.
April 1, 2024
Ryanair: Cheap, Cramped and Making Its CEO a Fortune
Michael O’Leary has been running Ryanair for the past 30 years — the longest tenure of any major airline boss. During that time he has turned a paltry operation that flew 200,000 customers a year into a low-cost behemoth, with passenger numbers set to reach close to 200 million this year. WSJ’s Benjamin Katz profiles the colorful CEO, who is now on the verge of earning a more than $100 million bonu...
March 29, 2024
Six Days of Chaos at MGM’s Casinos
A gang of young criminals. A more than $30 million ransom. Casinos in disarray. WSJ’s Robert McMillan brings us inside a cyberattack that brought mayhem to the Las Vegas Strip.
March 28, 2024
25 Years in Prison from “The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy”
Caitlin Ostroff and Rachel Humphreys attend Sam Bankman-Fried’s sentencing hearing and parse through the reasoning behind Judge Lewis Kaplan’s ruling and what a 25 year sentence could mean for the former CEO of FTX.
Donald Trump’s Meme Stock Moment
Not long ago, Donald Trump’s social-media company, Truth Social, seemed like it was on life support. But when the company went public this week, its stock soared. WSJ’s Amrith Ramkumar explains how Truth Social’s valuation shot up despite its weak revenue and user numbers, and what it could mean for Trump’s financial and political future.
March 27, 2024
The Baltimore Bridge Catastrophe
Early Tuesday morning, a 1,000-foot container ship lost power and plowed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge leaving six people still unaccounted for. The bridge collapsed, cutting off the port and a major traffic artery for Baltimore. WSJ’s Cameron McWhirter discusses the potential impact of the collapse on the local community and the wider region.
What Will Sam’s Sentence Be? from "The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy"
Caitlin Ostroff and Rachel Humphreys dive into a mountain of court filings to understand the arguments that will be made at Sam Bankman-Fried’s sentencing hearing. His defense team is arguing for a 6-year sentence, but the government thinks Bankman-Fried should serve 40 to 50 years. Which side will win out?
March 26, 2024
Will Getting Rid of Bosses Fix the Workplace?
Bayer is throwing out the corporate playbook to try a radical experiment: getting rid of a huge swath of its bosses. After years of tumbling stock prices, the company has decided to give workers more decision-making power. WSJ's Chip Cutter talks about how this boss-less plan is being implemented among Bayer's 100,000 employees.
Sam's Life in a Brooklyn Jail from "The Trial of Crypto's Golden Boy"
We’re back for Sam Bankman-Fried’s sentencing. After the crypto golden boy was found guilty on all counts in November, this week he’ll find out how long he will serve in federal prison. Caitlin Ostroff and Rachel Humphreys get an insight into Bankman-Fried’s life for the past few months, from unappetizing prison food to tutoring inmates.
March 25, 2024
Why the U.S. Government Is Suing Apple
The Department of Justice announced a landmark lawsuit against Apple, alleging that it has built a monopoly in smartphones by thwarting innovative apps and accessories that would make users less dependent on Apple’s technology. WSJ’s Tim Higgins breaks down the lawsuit and what it could mean for the company and its CEO Tim Cook.
March 22, 2024
Trump Needs $450 Million He Doesn’t Have
Donald Trump’s finances are under stress. He faces a $454 million judgment against him in a civil-fraud case. Meanwhile, his campaign fundraising is trailing President Biden’s. WSJ’s Peter Grant unpacks the developments and a potential windfall for Trump.
March 21, 2024
Is Fighting Misinformation Censorship? The Supreme Court Will Decide.
This week, the Supreme Court is considering whether the Biden administration unlawfully pressured tech companies to suppress social media posts opposed to Covid vaccines. We talk to WSJ’s Jess Bravin about the latest in a series of cases that could set important ground rules for free speech and online content moderation.
March 20, 2024
Can Reddit’s IPO Survive Its Own Users?
The social-media platform Reddit is making its stock-market debut Thursday and is offering a chunk of shares in its initial public offering to users, who are the lifeblood of its operations. But those same passionate users could cause trouble for the company. WSJ's Corrie Driebusch explains, and a moderator for the popular Reddit forum WallStreetBets weighs in.
March 19, 2024
Why Women Are Leaving Goldman Sachs
When David Solomon became CEO of Goldman Sachs just over five years ago, he made promoting women to senior levels of the firm a priority. But female executives are heading for the door—among them, Stephanie Cohen, one of the most senior executives at the company, who announced her departure Monday. WSJ’s AnnaMaria Andriotis unpacks what’s happening at the Wall Street giant.
March 18, 2024
How Two Binance Employees Ended Up Detained in Nigeria
Two Binance employees, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, are being held by Nigerian authorities in a guarded house. According to their families, they haven’t been charged with any crimes. WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff explains how the two men ended up there and why crypto is being blamed for a country’s currency collapse.
March 15, 2024
How a Psychiatrist Lost $400,000 on Gambling Apps
In November 2022, Kavita Fischer downloaded a casino app from DraftKings, one of the top online betting companies in the U.S. Kavita was looking for relief from the stress of a recent divorce and the isolation of working from home during the pandemic. In less than a year, Kavita gambled away hundreds of thousands of dollars. We speak to Kavita and to WSJ’s Katherine Sayre about how online betting c...
March 14, 2024
The Cyberattack That’s Roiling Healthcare
Hospitals, pharmacies and medical groups have been reeling in the wake of last month’s ransomware attack on a company widely used for insurance billing and payments. WSJ's James Rundle unpacks how the cyberattack on Change Healthcare has left thousands of providers scrambling to pay their bills and some wondering if they can keep their doors open.
March 13, 2024
House Passes Bill to Ban TikTok
Today the House voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill that would ban TikTok from operating in the U.S. or force a sale. For years politicians have threatened a ban, but this latest attempt finally gained traction. WSJ's Georgia Wells on the long push to ban the Chinese-controlled platform and how the company is fighting back.
March 12, 2024
Rail Unions Normally Hate CEOs. Now They Are Trying to Save One.
About a year after a major train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, an activist investor is trying to oust Norfolk Southern’s CEO, Alan Shaw. But as WSJ’s Esther Fung explains, the CEO has some unlikely allies in his corner.
March 11, 2024
Chinese-Made Cranes at U.S. Ports: A New Trojan Horse?
Nearly 80% of ship-to-shore cranes at U.S. ports are made by ZPMC, a Chinese state-owned company. In recent years, U.S. officials have grown concerned that these giant cranes could be used for spying on the U.S. China says these concerns are “paranoia-driven.” WSJ’s Aruna Viswanatha reports on why cranes have become the latest point of contention in U.S.-China relations.
March 8, 2024
Why an Ivy League Basketball Team Voted to Unionize
This week the Dartmouth men’s basketball team voted to unionize, setting up a fight with the school over whether its athletes are students or employees. WSJ’s Laine Higgins talks about how this move upends decades of NCAA precedent and could change college sports forever.
March 7, 2024
How Sam Altman’s Bromance With Elon Musk Turned Toxic
Sam Altman once called Elon Musk, one of his OpenAI co-founders, his hero. Now Musk is suing Altman, accusing him of abandoning OpenAI’s founding mission in pursuit of profit, which OpenAI denies. WSJ’s Berber Jin reports on the highs and lows of a Silicon Valley’s bromance.
March 6, 2024
Biden vs. Trump: The Rematch Nobody Wants
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley suspended her bid for the Republican presidential nomination.That sets the stage for another matchup between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in November. WSJ’s Eliza Collins looks at the new shape of this old rivalry.
March 5, 2024
Who Wants Non-Alcoholic Beer? Everyone, Apparently.
In 2017 Bill Shufelt was desperate. He’d quit his job at a hedge fund to start a business that sounded absolutely nuts: a non-alcoholic beer that people would actually want to drink. WSJ’s Ben Cohen uncovers how Shufelt’s idea has led to one of the fastest-growing movements in the beer industry.
March 4, 2024
From Ukrainian Teen to Russian Propaganda Star
When Russian troops invaded his hometown in 2022, Ukrainian teenager Denys Kostev filmed TikTok videos cursing Vladimir Putin and praising Ukrainian courage. But a few months later, Kostev suddenly began appearing in Russian propaganda videos. WSJ’s Matthew Luxmoore spoke to the Ukrainian teenager about how he became part of the Kremlin's propaganda machine.
March 1, 2024
Can Warner Bros. Uncancel J.K. Rowling?
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has come under fire in recent years for comments she’s made about gender and sex that some say are transphobic. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel reports on how Warner Brothers Discovery, the company that owns the rights to Harry Potter, is calling upon the controversial author to make more magic.
February 29, 2024
Why the FTC is Challenging a $25 Billion Supermarket Merger
The Federal Trade Commission is suing to block a $25 billion merger between two supermarket giants: Albertsons and Kroger.WSJ’s Patrick Thomas unpacks the deal and what it would mean for the companies, workers and shoppers.
February 28, 2024
The Downfall of Vice
Vice Media was a digital-media pioneer, built on provocative journalism and the promise of reaching younger audiences, a boon for advertisers. In its heyday, the company was valued at $5.7 billion. But last week, Vice Media said it would stop publishing content on its website and plans to cut hundreds of jobs. WSJ’s Keach Hagey and Alexandra Bruell on the rise and fall of Vice.
February 27, 2024
Inside One Publisher’s Fight Against Book Bans
School districts and state legislatures have been ramping up efforts to ban certain books from school libraries and curricula. Last year, Penguin Random House decided to do something to stop them. We speak to WSJ’s Jeffrey Trachtenberg and to the man leading Penguin Random House's efforts, Skip Dye.
February 26, 2024
The Deepfake Election Has Arrived
Days before the presidential primary in New Hampshire, thousands of people received a call from someone who sounded like President Joe Biden, telling them not to vote. The call was a deepfake, and as WSJ's Bob McMillian reports, the rapid advancement of AI technology will likely have profound implications for elections around the world.
February 23, 2024
Influencer Arielle Charnas’s Fashion Fail
Arielle Charnas is a fashion blogger turned influencer with over 1 million Instagram followers. In 2020, she launched her clothing brand Something Navy with about $10 million from investors. She hoped to turn it into a $100 million venture. That’s not what happened. WSJ’s Chavie Lieber and Sara O’Brien report on a cautionary tale for influencer brands.
February 22, 2024
The Deal That Could Change Credit Cards
Capital One announced plans to buy Discover Financial Services in a $35 billion deal that marries two of the largest credit-card companies in the U.S. and has the potential to shake up the credit card industry in a major way. WSJ’s AnnaMaria Andriotis explores what makes this deal such a game changer.
February 21, 2024
Fentanyl Is Bad. ‘Tranq’ Might Be Worse.
The animal tranquilizer xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is finding its way into opioid supplies and wreaking havoc all over the country. It’s rotting people’s flesh, leading to amputations and complicating drug treatment. WSJ’s Julie Wernau takes us to Robeson County, N.C., the new “ground zero” for xylazine addiction.
February 20, 2024
‘It Felt Surreal’: A Cancer Diagnosis at 26
Meilin Keen was diagnosed with stomach cancer at 26. She’s part of a growing demographic of people who are getting cancer diagnoses before the age of 50. And doctors don’t know why. WSJ’s Brianna Abbott explains what we know so far.
February 16, 2024
Alexei Navalny, Putin’s Loudest Critic, Dies in a Russian Prison
For years, anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny has been an outspoken critic and political foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Today, Russian prison authorities reported Navalny died at the age of 47. WSJ’s Ann Simmons delves into Navalny’s life, death and what this moment means for Russia.
February 15, 2024
The Deal to Hide Bad Actors in the Funeral Industry
Unethical funeral homes have exploited grieving customers for decades. What consumers may not know is that many of the industry’s bad actors have been hidden from the public thanks to a sweetheart deal struck between the Federal Trade Commission and the funeral industry more than 25 years ago. WSJ’s Dominique Mosbergen unpacks her multi-year investigation.
February 14, 2024
Sam Altman’s $7 Trillion ‘Moonshot’
OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman kicked off an AI revolution with the viral ChatGPT. Now, Altman has set his sights on another ambitious goal: Raise up to $7 trillion to overhaul the world’s semiconductor chip industry. WSJ’s Keach Hagey explains what the plan entails, and why skeptics think it will be an uphill battle.
February 13, 2024
The Spectacular Fall of 23andMe
Five years ago, 23andMe was one of the buzziest startups in the world. Now, 23andMe’s stock is worth less than $1. WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler unpacks the startup’s meteoric rise and fall.
February 12, 2024
Why Three Media Giants Are Betting on Sports Streaming
While the National Football League was getting ready for yesterday’s Super Bowl, major news was announced that caught high-level NFL executives off guard: Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery said they are teaming up to create a new sports streaming service. WSJ’s Joe Flint explains what we know about the new venture and how it could change sports broadcasting.
February 9, 2024
The Epic Battle Between the 49ers and Their Home City
As the 49ers contend for Super Bowl rings this Sunday, the team has another battle to fight. The 49ers are in a decadelong war with their home city of Santa Clara over whether the team's $1 billion stadium is providing the economic boost promised. WSJ’s Zusha Elinson unpacks the conflict, which has involved lawsuits and heated local elections.
February 8, 2024
Will the Supreme Court Kick Trump off the Ballot?
In December, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump couldn’t appear on the presidential ballot because his actions on January 6 disqualified him. The case made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. WSJ’s Jan Wolfe listened to today’s arguments, and explains why it appears the decision will likely be overturned.
February 7, 2024
The Day the Music Died on TikTok
Music from major artists like Taylor Swift and The Weeknd has been muted on TikTok after a licensing deal fell apart. WSJ’s Anne Steele breaks down what happened to billions of videos and why the two companies are at loggerheads over the terms of a new deal.
February 6, 2024
Mark Cuban on ‘Shark Tank,’ the Mavs and Elon Musk
Mark Cuban is best known as a panelist on the reality TV show “Shark Tank” and for his ownership of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. Now, the billionaire investor is switching gears. This will be his last season on “Shark Tank,'' and he recently sold a majority stake in the Mavericks. Instead, he’s focusing more on an industry he wants to disrupt: healthcare.
February 5, 2024
Money, Drugs, Elon Musk and Tesla's Board
Elon Musk and some members of Tesla's board of directors have deep personal and financial ties. The connections are an extreme blurring of friendship and fortune and raise questions among some shareholders about the independence of the board members charged with overseeing Musk. WSJ's Rebecca Elliott reports.
February 2, 2024
The UN Agency Accused of Links to Hamas
Amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, no aid group has the reach of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the organization that for decades has provided schooling, healthcare and other assistance to Palestinian refugees in Gaza. But an Israeli intelligence report alleges that 12 UNRWA staff members were directly linked to the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. As WSJ’s David Luhnow explains, t...
February 1, 2024
Why Buying Paramount Global Won't Be Easy
Paramount Global is a media titan and lately potential buyers have been circling, hoping to get some of its parts. But as WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel explains, there’s a problem. The company’s owner is only interested in selling the whole thing.
January 31, 2024
Ukraine's $30 Billion Problem
The U.S. and the European Union have promised Ukraine billions of dollars in new financial aid to keep the country running as the war with Russia drags on. But both pledges have been delayed by political infighting in Washington and Brussels. WSJ’s Chelsey Dulaney reports that without this foreign money, the Ukrainian government could be forced to take painful economic measures to stay afloat.
January 30, 2024
Argentina’s New President Takes a Chainsaw to the Country’s Government
Argentine President Javier Milei took office in December promising a free-market revolution to fix the country’s ailing economy. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Milei explained his agenda, which includes privatizing state companies and slashing government spending. WSJ’s Ryan Dubé unpacks Milei's goals and the challenges he faces.
January 29, 2024
A Deadly Drone Attack and Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’
Three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 injured in a drone strike in Jordan on Sunday. It’s the latest in a series of attacks in the Middle East by armed militia groups linked to Iran. WSJ’s Sune Engel Rasmussen explains how Iran uses these groups to fight proxy wars and to extend its influence in the region.
January 26, 2024
A Russian Billionaire, an Art Dealer and an Epic Feud
Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev owned art by da Vinci, Picasso and Magritte. But over more than a decade, he says his trusted art dealer defrauded him by as much as $1 billion. WSJ’s Kelly Crow tells us about the case that Rybolovlev alleges is the biggest art fraud in history.
January 25, 2024
How China's BYD Overtook Tesla
A few years ago, the founder of Chinese automaker BYD was worried the company might not survive. But last year, BYD surpassed Tesla to become the world’s top seller of electric vehicles. WSJ’s Selina Cheng chronicles BYD’s ascent, as well as the challenges it faces holding onto the top spot.
January 24, 2024
The Company Taking on Apple’s Watch Technology
If you own an Apple Watch, you may have noticed the device’s pulse oximeter feature. Masimo, a medical technology company, claims that the oximeter technology is theirs and it is suing Apple. Masimo CEO Joe Kiani and WSJ’s Aaron Tilley on the story of how Masimo decided to take on a tech giant.
January 23, 2024
The Computer Glitch That Caused Nearly 1,000 Convictions
Between 1999 and 2015, some 983 people were convicted for stealing from post offices in the U.K. Some people ended up in jail. At least four died by suicide. Turns out, it was a computer glitch. WSJ’s Max Colchester explains how one TV series helped bring their stories to light— and to justice.
January 22, 2024
Smuggling Migrants Toward the U.S. Is a Booming Business
Hundreds of thousands of migrants try to get from South America to the United States each year. But first, they have to get past the treacherous Darien Gap, a 70-mile stretch of dense jungle. WSJ’s Juan Forero explains the booming business that has cropped up to help smuggle migrants through — or around — it.
January 19, 2024
How the Stanley Cup Became the Internet's Favorite Water Bottle
The Stanley Quencher, an insulated water bottle, is everywhere these days. And the popularity has been good for the company. Stanley generated $750 million in revenue last year. WSJ's Callum Borchers explains how a brand traditionally loved by outdoorsmen has become the new favorite of moms and teen girls.
January 18, 2024
What Happens to Privacy in the Age of AI?
The AI industry is controlled by only a few powerful companies. Is that concentration of power dangerous? WSJ's Sam Schechner interviews Meredith Whittaker, president of encrypted messaging app Signal, at a live event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
January 17, 2024
Food Fight: PepsiCo vs. Carrefour
Carrefour, one of the world’s biggest grocery chains, said it’s dropping PepsiCo products from roughly 10,000 stores across five European countries. Carrefour says it’s taking a stand against high prices. But as WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney explains, PepsiCo has a different take on the story.
January 16, 2024
Bitcoin's Long Journey to the Stock Market
The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the creation of Bitcoin ETFs, exchange-traded funds that buy the cryptocurrency, allowing retail investors to buy and sell Bitcoin as easily as stocks. WSJ’s Vicky Ge Huang breaks down the 10-year battle to bring Bitcoin to Wall Street investors.
January 14, 2024
Artificial: Episode 4, Behind Sam Altman’s Firing
When the OpenAI board ousted CEO Sam Altman last November, very few people knew exactly why. In the final episode of our series, we reveal what led to Altman’s firing and explain why he was able to get his job back just days later.
January 12, 2024
The 2024 College Financial Aid Mess
A student's financial aid package is one of the most important factors in students’ college decisions. WSJ’s Oyin Adedoyin tells us that this year, the revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or Fafsa, is causing grief for some families.
January 11, 2024
Will Florida’s Plan to Get Cheap Drugs From Canada Work?
Florida recently became the first state to win approval from the Food and Drug Administration to import prescription drugs from Canada. As WSJ’s Liz Essley Whyte explains, i t's a milestone in efforts to reduce the cost of medications, but the plan faces opposition from pharmaceutical groups and Canadian officials.
January 10, 2024
‘We Were Attacked’: Militants Upend Global Shipping
Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in the Red Sea for months. Now the U.S. and its allies have given the Yemeni militant group a final warning to stop the attacks. WSJ's Nancy A. Youssef explains what's motivating the Houthis and what the attacks mean for a region already on edge.
January 9, 2024
A Hole in a Plane and a Headache for Boeing
The last thing Boeing needed was more trouble with its 737 MAX jet. That is exactly what it got at the start of the new year. The company had just started to regain its footing after years of tumult around the popular but troubled line of narrow-body jets when a Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines had a structural failure Friday night. WSJ’s Alison Sider unpacks what happened.
January 8, 2024
A Messy Start to the 2024 Presidential Election
Primaries that don’t count. An incumbent President’s write-in campaign. The 2024 election is off to a weird start. WSJ’s Eliza Collins explains why.
January 7, 2024
Artificial: Episode 3, ChatGPT
OpenAI launched ChatGPT with low expectations and little fanfare. But the chatbot was an instant hit and went on to become one of the fastest growing consumer apps in tech history. ChatGPT’s surprise success gave OpenAI its first shot to make big money, and the company moved quickly to cash in — even as critics called out some very real problems with the company’s hit product.
January 5, 2024
China Wants More Babies. Many Women Are Saying No.
The Chinese government is concerned about the country's birth rate. The population in China is now approximately 1.4 billion and could drop to roughly half a billion by 2100. Beijing is demanding that women have more children, but many Chinese women are saying no. WSJ's Liyan Qi reports.
January 4, 2024
Behind the Campaign to Push Harvard’s President Out
Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned Tuesday, after being dogged for weeks by allegations of plagiarism and accusations that she didn't respond with enough urgency to concerns about antisemitism on campus. WSJ's Melissa Korn unpacks Gay's brief, tumultuous tenure.
January 3, 2024
One Company’s Quest to Burst Apple’s Blue Bubble Texts
If you text on a smartphone, chances are you’ve seen the problem: blue text bubbles versus green texts. It's a visual symbol of the problems that Android and iPhone users have when trying to text each other. WSJ’s Nicole Nguyen on the blue-green texting divide and one company’s fight to pop Apple’s iMessage exclusivity.
January 2, 2024
'The Ultimate Confidence Trickster': The Double Life of a Tech Exec
For more than three years, Jan Marsalek has been on the run. He was the jet-setting COO of Wirecard, the German company that imploded after a financial fraud scandal. But now, Western intelligence and security officials are saying Marsalek had likely been a Russian spy for nearly a decade. WSJ's Bojan Pancevski tells the tale of the investigations into Marsalek's covert operations.
December 26, 2023
The Taco Tuesday Fight Is Over
Earlier this year, we brought you the story of a New Jersey restaurant owner named Gregory Gregory, who took on Taco Bell over the trademark for "Taco Tuesday.” After months of negotiations, their fight is now over. Producer Rachel Humphreys spoke to Gregory Gregory to find out why.
December 22, 2023
Mariah Carey on the Rise of Her Christmas Anthem
We are off for the holidays, but still have a great episode for this Christmas weekend.
December 21, 2023
Inside an iPhone Heist
Thieves across the U.S. are stealing people’s iPhones, using them to loot victims’ bank accounts and personal information. After investigating for over a year, WSJ’s Joanna Stern unpacks how the crime works and how Apple is trying to prevent it.
December 20, 2023
What Happened to GM’s All-Electric Bet?
General Motors CEO Mary Barra is 10 years into her tenure and deep into her quest to turn GM into an electric-car powerhouse. WSJ’s Mike Colias profiles the CEO and discusses the challenges she’s faced in getting her big vision for GM’s future on track.
December 19, 2023
Why an AI Pioneer Is Worried
Yoshua Bengio, known as a godfather of AI, is one of hundreds of researchers and tech leaders calling for a pause in the breakneck development of powerful new AI tools. We talk to the AI pioneer about how the tools evolved and why he's worried about their potential.
December 18, 2023
Who's Keeping Zombie Malls Alive?
There are hundreds of zombie malls throughout the U.S. WSJ's Kate King investigates why some of America's empty and dilapidated malls stick around for so long even as local communities want them to be repurposed.
December 15, 2023
The Wonderful Accident Behind a Christmas Classic
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is one of the most iconic Christmas movies. But when it first came out in 1946, it was considered a flop. WSJ’s Ben Cohen explains how the movie went from nearly forgotten to a Christmas favorite.
December 14, 2023
Actors Recorded Videos for ‘Vladimir.’ It Turned Into Russian Propaganda.
Russia-aligned propagandists tricked celebrities like Elijah Wood, Pricilla Presley and Ice T into recording videos that would later be used to attack Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. WSJ’s Robert McMillan and the CEO of the app Cameo unpack the scheme.
December 13, 2023
The Mysterious CEO Leading Shein to an IPO
In the decade since he co-founded Shein and turned it into one of the world's most popular fast-fashion brands, CEO Sky Xu has remained a mystery – even to his employees. Now, Shein is preparing for an initial public offering in the U.S. which will put Xu on the global stage. WSJ’s Shen Lu profiles the elusive CEO and describes some of the problems the company is facing as it tries to go public.
December 12, 2023
Janet Yellen on Inflation and the U.S. Economy
Today, WSJ’S Chief Economics Correspondent Nick Timiraos sat down with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen who said inflation is “meaningfully coming down” and the U.S. is on path to achieving a so-called soft landing.
December 11, 2023
Big Donors Clash with Universities Over Antisemitism, Free Speech
The president of the University of Pennsylvania, Liz Magill, resigned on Saturday, capping a tumultuous week at the Ivy League school. After statements Magill made about antisemitism at a congressional hearing, influential donors threatened to pull millions in gifts if she didn't leave her post. WSJ's Melissa Korn talks about antisemitism, free speech, and the rising tensions between elite universi...
December 10, 2023
Artificial: Episode 2, Selling Out
OpenAI’s breakout product, ChatGPT, had humble origins. What started as a small research project ballooned into something much bigger: a groundbreaking large language model. But developing that technology was expensive, and to fund it, OpenAI would make a big compromise.
December 8, 2023
Does Nikki Haley Have a Chance At Beating Trump?
Nikki Haley, former U.N. ambassador and governor of South Carolina, has been gaining traction in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. But can she catch up to the front-runner, former President Donald Trump? WSJ’s Molly Ball breaks down Haley’s growing momentum.
December 7, 2023
Meta Is Struggling to Boot Pedophiles Off Facebook and Instagram
Meta has spent months trying to fix child-safety problems on Instagram and Facebook. But as WSJ's Jeff Horwitz explains, the social media giant is still struggling to prevent its own systems from enabling and promoting a vast network of pedophile accounts.
December 6, 2023
Why Goldman Sachs and Apple Weren't Happily Ever After
Apple has filed for divorce from its partnership with Goldman Sachs.. It also marks a swift about-face for a partnership that, just last year, was extended through 2029. WSJ’s AnnaMaria Andriotis discusses the messy details she’s learned about the breakup.
December 5, 2023
Why Some Opioid Victims Are Challenging Purdue’s Settlement
The Supreme Court is weighing an $8-billion settlement between opioid victims, Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family. Two claimants explain their views on the deal and WSJ’s Alexander Gladstone reports.
December 4, 2023
She Tried to Get Sober. She Got Scammed Instead.
For months, state and federal law-enforcement officials have been investigating a Medicaid scam in which hundreds of fraudulent sober-living homes in the Phoenix area have recruited Native Americans from across the West. Raquel Moody shares her experience in what she believes were fraudulent sober homes, and WSJ's Dan Frosch unpacks how the scam worked.
December 3, 2023
Artificial: Episode 1, The Dream
In 2015, a group of Silicon Valley heavy-hitters met for a dinner that would change tech history. They believed that the time had come to build a super-intelligent AI, and they founded a non-profit lab to try to do it. In part 1 of our series, Artificial: The OpenAI Story, we explore the company’s idealistic origins and speak with early employees about the struggle to make their AI dream a reality....
December 1, 2023
Charlie Munger: Curmudgeon, Sage and Investing Legend
Billionaire investor Charlie Munger died Tuesday, just weeks short of his 100th birthday. Munger was vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, and he was best known for his close partnership with CEO Warren Buffett. As WSJ’s Jason Zweig explains, Munger often played Buffett’s sidekick, but his investing expertise made him a celebrity in his own right.
November 30, 2023
The Oil Giant Hosting This Year’s U.N. Climate Summit
Dubai, a city known for private jets, giant yachts and other symbols of carbon-heavy living, is an awkward location for a conference on climate change. The man organizing the COP28 summit also runs the country’s national oil company. WSJ’s Ed Ballard digs into the contradictions at the heart of this month’s climate summit and why they may not be that unusual.
November 29, 2023
Lewd Photos, Booze and Bullying: Inside the FDIC’s Toxic Culture
A Journal investigation reveals a years-long culture of sexual harassment and intimidation at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a government agency that regulates banks. WSJ's Rebecca Ballhaus on the allegations and how some of the problems went all the way to the top.
Introducing - Artificial: The OpenAI Story
OpenAI was founded in 2015 as an idealistic nonprofit. Its goal was to build artificial general intelligence or AGI — an AI that could do most jobs better than a human could.
November 28, 2023
The Family Drama Inside Estée Lauder
Shares of Estée Lauder, the beauty giant, have plunged about 50% this year. And the members of the Lauder family are at odds about what to do. WSJ's Emily Glazer reports on the company's business mistakes and its rumblings of succession.
November 27, 2023
The Fall of (Another) Crypto King
Changpeng Zhao built Binance into the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, and became one of the faces of crypto in the process. Last week, he appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to violating U.S. anti-money-laundering laws and agreed to step down as CEO. WSJ’s Patricia Kowsmann explains what the deal means for Zhao, Binance, and the future of crypto itself.
November 24, 2023
Pig-Butchering: A Texting Scam With a Crypto Twist
We’re off today, but we still have a great episode for you. 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. WSJ’s Robert McMillan explains how pig-butchering works, and one victim shares how it’s impacted her.
November 22, 2023
Canned or Homemade? America’s Biggest Cranberry Company Wins Either Way
Ocean Spray’s farmers are responsible for 65% of the world’s cranberries. It’s not a publicly traded company. It’s not a traditional private company, either. It’s a cooperative founded nearly a century ago and owned by roughly 700 families. WSJ’s Ben Cohen tells the story of how the cranberry got into the can, and how the company is planning for a future beyond your Thanksgiving table.
November 21, 2023
Cheap Drones Are Transforming the Battlefield
Cheap drones, once the domain of hobbyists, are now in high demand on battlefields. Following Hamas's attack on October 7, Israel has been flooding suppliers with requests for drones: it wants as many as possible, as soon as possible. WSJ’s Heather Sommerville unpacks the benefits and perils of the use of off-the-shelf drones in modern warfare.
November 20, 2023
OpenAI’s Weekend of Absolute Chaos
OpenAI unexpectedly fired its CEO and co-founder Sam Altman on Friday. The move kicked off a series of twists and turns that left the company and its staff in upheaval. WSJ’s Deepa Seetharaman wades through the chaos and explains what might be next for the company.
November 17, 2023
Why So Many Emergency Rooms Are Failing Kids in America
A Wall Street Journal investigation found that only 14% of emergency departments nationwide have been certified to treat kids. WSJ’s Melanie Evans explains why this is a problem across the country, and one family recounts their son’s experience in an ER.
November 16, 2023
Inflation Is Down. Unemployment Is Low. Is This a Soft Landing?
Inflation has been a big problem in the U.S. economy over the past couple of years. The Federal Reserve has been trying to tamp it down without crashing the economy. WSJ’s Amara Omeokwe explains why a so-called soft landing is coming into view.
November 15, 2023
The Actors Strike Is Over. Who Won?
The longest actors strike in Hollywood history finally came to an end last week. WSJ’s Joe Flint explains why it took so long, and how the industry might change as a result.
November 14, 2023
The Hospital at the Center of Israel’s War on Hamas
On Monday, Israeli troops reached Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa where Israel says Hamas conceals a major command center. WSJ’s Chao Deng and Margherita Stancati discuss what's happening at the hospital, where thousands of people, including patients and doctors, are trapped because of the fighting.
November 13, 2023
China’s Plans for Its Unemployed Youth: Send Them Away
An economic downturn in China has resulted in historically high youth unemployment. At the same time, China’s leader Xi Jinping thinks the countryside is in need of rejuvenation. WSJ’s Brian Spegele explains how the Chinese leader is trying to tackle both issues in one fell swoop.
November 10, 2023
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: What Happens Next?
The trial of Sam Bankman-Fried is over. Rachel Humphreys and Caitlin Ostroff reflect on their month at court and answer outstanding questions about what happened at FTX, the trial and what comes next. Plus they reveal the final court cafeteria coffee tally.
November 9, 2023
He Thought Instagram Was Safe. Then His Daughter Got an Account.
Former Meta engineer Arturo Bejar thought he could help make Instagram safer after his daughter experienced harassment on the platform. But Bejar said that his concerns were not sufficiently addressed by senior leadership at the company and that teens are still at risk for harassment and bullying on Meta's platforms.
November 8, 2023
Oregonians Decriminalized Hard Drugs. Now Many Regret It.
Oregon became the first state to decriminalize all drugs in 2020. The goal was to steer people to treatment who otherwise might have faced jail time. WSJ’s Zusha Elinson explains why many in Oregon have since turned against the decriminalization initiative.
November 7, 2023
WeWork: From $47 Billion Unicorn to Bankruptcy
WeWork, the office space coworking company, filed for bankruptcy yesterday. The company’s decision comes after it struggled with debt and a slump in the commercial real estate market. WSJ’s Eliot Brown recounts how the embattled startup ended up in bankruptcy.
November 6, 2023
A Case of Conspiracy in Real Estate
Home buyers and sellers face the prospect of major changes to the ways they pay their real-estate agents, following a historic verdict against the National Association of Realtors and large residential brokerages. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto explains the stakes.
November 3, 2023
'Our Refinery Is On Fire': Two Brothers and a Deadly Explosion
Brothers Ben and Max Morrissey were killed over a year ago by an explosion at their workplace, an oil refinery co-owned and operated by the oil giant BP in Ohio. WSJ's Jenny Strasburg talks to family members the brothers left behind and investigates what went wrong at the refinery.
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Guilty On All Counts
A jury convicted FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried of stealing billions of dollars from customers and lenders, in what prosecutors called one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history. Rachel Humphreys and Caitlin Ostroff were inside the courtroom for the verdict.
November 2, 2023
Would You Pay to Use Instagram Without Ads?
Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, will soon find out how much users in Europe are willing to pay to access its social media platforms without ads. Meta’s subscription plan is the company’s latest move to address data privacy concerns from European Union regulators. WSJ’s Sam Schechner explains.
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Closing Arguments
Both the prosecution and the defense make their final pitches to the jury as FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial comes to a close. Rachel Humphreys and Caitlin Ostroff unpack closing arguments and look ahead to the trial’s conclusion.
November 1, 2023
The Two Scientists Taking Down Cold Medicines That Don't Work
Randy Hatton and Leslie Hendeles spent nearly two decades trying to convince the Food and Drug Administration that phenylephrine, a drug commonly used in cold medicines, was ineffective. In September, an advisory panel finally agreed. Now, some of the medicines are being pulled from store shelves.
October 31, 2023
How an Antiques Dealer Uncovered a Massive Museum Heist
A Danish antiques dealer named Ittai Gradel noticed a particular seller repeatedly listing valuable items for sale online at rock-bottom prices. WSJ's Max Colchester recounts how Gradel's sleuthing would eventually reveal a major antiques heist involving stolen British Museum antiquities.
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: The Government Grills SBF
Prosecutors have started to cross examine Sam Bankman-Fried on the witness stand. Rachel Humphreys and Caitlin Ostroff explore the competing narratives being painted by the government and the defense.
October 30, 2023
Workers Win Big as UAW Strike Nears End
Today, General Motors became the last of the Detroit automakers to reach a tentative deal with the United Auto Workers union. It follows tentative agreements struck last week with Ford and Stellantis and is expected to end a strike that has spanned more than six weeks. We speak to WSJ’s Nora Eckert about the agreements reached and what it means for the U.S. auto industry and labor movement.
October 28, 2023
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Things Sam Is Testifying About
With the jury in attendance, Sam Bankman-Fried took the stand to testify in his defense. Rachel Humphreys and Caitlin Ostroff break down where his story of the FTX collapse has differed from the testimony of his former colleagues Caroline Ellison and Nishad Singh.
October 27, 2023
TikTok Wants to Be More Like Amazon. Amazon Wants to Be More Like TikTok.
TikTok is launching its Shop feature in the U.S. after mixed success in other countries. Meanwhile, Amazon’s Inspire feature brings short-form video to its shopping app. WSJ’s Meghan Bobrowsky on why the two companies are taking pages from each other’s playbooks.
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Bankman-Fried Testifies
After a short break, court is back in session as Sam Bankman-Fried takes the stand to testify in his defense. Rachel Humphreys and Caitlin Ostroff were inside the courtroom to hear some of Bankman-Fried’s side of the story and how the prosecution worked to pick it apart.
October 26, 2023
Mike Who? The New Speaker of the House
Just a few days ago, Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana was so unknown that fellow Republicans had to google his name. Now he’s Speaker of the House. WSJ’s Siobhan Hughes explains his meteoric rise.
October 25, 2023
Two Parents on a Crusade to Free Their Son
WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia in March while on a reporting trip. He is being held in a Moscow prison awaiting trial. We speak to his parents Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich on the eve of Evan's 32nd birthday about their efforts to free their son.
October 24, 2023
A Tiny Crew, a Wooden Boat and a Mission to Hit Back at China
The Philippines and China are in an ongoing dispute over competing territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea. A recent incident at Scarborough Shoal has added to tensions. WSJ’s Niharika Mandhana explains.
October 23, 2023
Will Israel Face a Second Front?
As Israel’s war with Hamas enters its third week, increased violence in the West Bank and on the border with Lebanon is fueling concerns of a larger regional war. WSJ’s Sune Rasmussen reports on Iran’s support of three militant groups: Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
October 20, 2023
A Conversation with OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Mira Murati
Two of the creators of ChatGPT discuss job disruption, data and the ‘person-ness’ of AI chatbots with WSJ’s Joanna Stern.
October 19, 2023
What We Know About the Gaza Hospital Blast
On Tuesday evening, an explosion rocked a hospital in northern Gaza where hundreds were sheltering from Israeli airstrikes. The Gaza Ministry of Health blamed Israel for the blast but Israel, the U.S. government and independent security experts said preliminary evidence pointed to a local militant group. WSJ’s Yaroslav Trofimov explains what we know so far about the blast.
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Where Did The Money Go?
Over the course of Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial, the jury has seen evidence and heard testimony about the money circulating through FTX and Alameda. Rachel Humphreys and Caitlin Ostroff break down the prosecution’s case, and trace where the government says the money was coming from and where it went.
October 18, 2023
Disney Gets Into Gambling
After years of internal debate, Disney did a deal with a gambling company and will launch a betting app next month through its sports channel ESPN. WSJ’s Robbie Whelan explains how the family-friendly entertainment giant got to this point.
October 17, 2023
The Hostage Crisis in Gaza
More than a week after Hamas militants launched a deadly attack on Israel, the fate of around 200 hostages held captive in Gaza is unclear. Direct lines of communication with Hamas are difficult, but two countries in the region have positioned themselves as key intermediaries: Qatar and Turkey. WSJ’s Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson on what we know about who was taken and how the backchannel diplomac...
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Nishad Singh Speaks Up
Nishad Singh— another critical member of Sam Bankman Fried’s inner circle— testified Monday saying FTX customer money was used to fund political donations and that he pushed back on Bankman-Fried’s spending on celebrities. Rachel Humphreys and Caitlin Ostroff unpack his testimony and discuss a medical issue Bankman-Fried raised to the judge.
October 16, 2023
Israel-Hamas War Tests Musk's Content Policies
The war between Israel and Hamas is one of the biggest tests of social-media’s content policing in years. Platforms have been dealing with a range of challenges, such as misidentified video footage, fabricated information and violent content. As WSJ's Tim Higgins explains, Elon Musk’s Twitter-turned-X has had major stumbles and is drawing European regulators' scrutiny.
October 13, 2023
2023: The Year of the Strike
Americans are walking off the job at a rate not seen in years. The U.S. has lost seven million workdays to walkouts so far this year. WSJ’s David Harrison on the factors that are making this year one of the best in recent memory to strike.
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Cross Examining Caroline Ellison
Caroline Ellison took the stand for a third day as attorneys for Sam Bankman-Fried questioned her about her role in the collapse of FTX and Alameda Research. Rachel Humphreys and Caitlin Ostroff caught up with WSJ’s James Fanelli after court to unpack the defense’s strategy.
October 12, 2023
For Palestinians Trapped in Gaza, There's No Way Out
As Israel retaliates against Hamas for its deadly attack Saturday, it has launched unrelenting air strikes on Hamas-controlled Gaza. Neighborhoods, hospitals and schools now lie in ruins. More than a quarter-million people have fled their homes. And water, food and fuel are scarce. We talk to the WSJ’s Jared Malsin and a doctor on the ground in Gaza about the mounting crisis there.
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Caroline Ellison
Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda, took the stand for a second day Wednesday. Producer Rachel Humphreys and WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff discuss Ellison’s testimony and what it revealed about alleged bribes to Chinese officials, misleading statements to investors, and the final days of FTX.
October 11, 2023
Why the House Still Doesn’t Have a Speaker
The U.S. House of Representatives has been without a Speaker for more than a week. Now, Republicans say that they have a nominee for the position. WSJ’s Katy Stech Ferek describes the recent chaos, why Republicans appear to have rallied around Steve Scalise and what happens next.
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Caroline Ellison Speaks
Caroline Ellison met Sam Bankman-Fried trading at Jane Street. The two would go on to have a close professional and personal relationship as his crypto empire grew and then eventually imploded. Now, she has pleaded guilty and is testifying against him. Producer Rachel Humphreys and WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff discuss her testimony and how the government is using it to build their case against Bankman-Fri...
October 10, 2023
The War Between Israel and Hamas
Early Saturday, Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israel as its fighters poured across the border from Gaza, killing hundreds and taking others hostage. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and began retaliatory strikes on Gaza, also killing hundreds. WSJ’S Dov Lieber on a “game-changing” moment in Israeli-Palestinian relations and what comes next.
October 9, 2023
Introducing: WSJ's Take On the Week
We're off today for the holiday, but we still have an episode for you!
October 7, 2023
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: The First Key Witness
Gary Wang, FTX’s former chief technology officer, took the stand in the government’s case against Sam Bankman-Fried. Producer Rachel Humphreys and WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff discuss what Wang says he knows about the secret code that allowed Alameda Research to borrow billions of dollars of customer money from FTX.
October 6, 2023
What Is Amazon's Secret ‘Project Nessie’?
When the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against Amazon last week, there was a big redacted section. WSJ’s Dana Mattioli on what she discovered underneath the redactions.
October 5, 2023
NYC’s Food Delivery Workers Fight for a Minimum Wage
A legal battle is unfolding in New York City over a law that sets a roughly $18 minimum wage for food delivery workers. Four major app-based delivery companies — DoorDash, Grubhub, Relay and Uber Eats — have sued to block the law. WSJ’s Erin Ailworth unpacks the legal arguments, and a food delivery worker explains what’s at stake for him.
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Opening Arguments
With a jury selected, lawyers from the prosecution and defense make their opening statements. Rachel Humphreys and WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff get their first clues into some of the strategies that will unfold throughout the trial.
October 4, 2023
Philip Morris Tried to Pivot to Pharmaceuticals. It Didn't Go Well.
In 2021, Philip Morris International acquired three pharmaceutical companies for more than $2 billion as part of a plan to pivot away from cigarette sales. The deals inserted the Marlboro maker into the market for inhalers and other treatments for respiratory diseases that are linked to cigarette smoking. We talked with WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney about how the company’s plan hasn’t gone so smoothly.
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy: Jury Selection
On the first day of trial, Sam Bankman-Fried debuts a new haircut and the judge begins the process of selecting a jury. WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff delves into the judge who will preside over this historic trial, and the jury who will determine Bankman Fried’s fate.
October 3, 2023
Ford vs. GM: A Battle to Shape the Future of EVs in America
Long-time rivals Ford and General Motors are battling over how a $7,500 tax credit for electric cars should be interpreted. WSJ’s Andrew Duehren explains how this bleeds into the Biden administration’s conflicting priorities of reducing American reliance on Chinese batteries while also achieving clean energy goals.
October 2, 2023
Why Black Lung Is Rising in Coal Country
Black lung, a devastating illness caused by prolonged exposure to dust, has made a comeback in the past two decades after hitting a low in the 1990s. One in five coal miners in Central Appalachia now have the disease. WSJ’s Kris Maher and former miner James Howerton on how black lung is gripping coal country and upending miners’ lives.
October 1, 2023
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy, Episode 2: Imaginary Numbers
In 2022, crypto markets were in turmoil, but Sam Bankman-Fried's empire seemed to weather it all. That is until one week in November, when he went from crypto's savior to its biggest villain. WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff tracks the unprecedented collapse of Bankman Fried’s empire, and the big secret that would prove to be its downfall.
September 29, 2023
The Twinkie: From Bankruptcy to Billions
Twinkies have been around for almost a hundred years. During the course of the cake’s history, the company that makes Twinkes went into bankruptcy twice. WSJ’s Jesse Newman explains the strategic changes and snacking trends that led J.M. Smucker to announce it is buying Hostess for $4.6 billion.
September 28, 2023
The Billionaire Keeping TikTok on Your Phone
TikTok had hardly any friends in the U.S. government when, earlier this year, the Biden administration and Congress threatened to ban the Chinese-owned video giant. WSJ’s Stu Woo profiles financier Jeff Yass, who made a big bet on the app and is a top donor to lawmakers opposing a ban.
September 27, 2023
JPMorgan's $75 Million Jeffrey Epstein Settlement
JPMorgan is paying $75 Million to settle a lawsuit accusing the bank of aiding Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking. WSJ’s Dave Benoit delves into the twists and turns revealed during the legal proceedings and discusses what the settlement means for the bank’s reputation.
September 26, 2023
The Band of Debunkers Busting Bad Scientists
WSJ’s Nidhi Subbaraman on the scientists who moonlight as data detectives and whose discoveries have upended careers.
September 25, 2023
Wagner Group’s New Frontman in Africa
After Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash last month, he left behind a vast network of political connections, companies and mines throughout Africa. WSJ’s Benoit Faucon chronicles the rise of Wagner’s Dmitry Sytii, the current frontman of Wagner’s African operations.
September 24, 2023
The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy, Episode 1: The Limit Does Not Exist
Before his downfall, Sam Bankman-Fried drew comparisons to Warren Buffett, J.P. Morgan and other titans of finance. As his trial approaches, WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff charts the meteoric rise of crypto’s golden boy, exploring how he sold customers and powerful people on his ideas, while hiding secrets under the hood of his flashy crypto empire.
September 22, 2023
A Murder That Sparked a Diplomatic Crisis
Ties between Canada and India have sunk to a low. This week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India was potentially involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist in a suburb of Vancouver, a charge India denies. WSJ’s Tripti Lahiri explains why the crisis is now ensnaring other big democracies.
September 21, 2023
Media Giant Rupert Murdoch Is Stepping Down
Rupert Murdoch, 92, announced he's stepping down as chairman of Fox and News Corp, the two companies that have made him a force in global media. WSJ's Amol Sharma discusses how Murdoch became a media tycoon and what comes next for his empire.
September 20, 2023
Why a Soft Landing for the Economy Could Be Hard
Federal Reserve officials voted to hold interest rates steady at a 22-year high but signaled they were prepared to raise rates once more this year to combat inflation. WSJ's Nick Timiraos explains the Fed’s “soft landing” goal of lowering inflation without crashing the economy.
Introducing: The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy
Sam Bankman-Fried built a crypto empire. Then the exchange he founded collapsed, revealing that billions of dollars of customer money was missing. Bankman-Fried was charged with fraud, and his trial begins Oct. 3. In a new series from The Journal, WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff explores Bankman-Fried meteoric rise, devastating fall and the trail that will determine his future.
September 19, 2023
Why Wells Fargo Is Still Trying to Fix Itself
A former Wells Fargo executive was recently sentenced for her role in the bank's 2016 fake account scandal. WSJ's Ben Eisen explains why that sentencing isn't the end of this story for Wells Fargo as the bank has struggled to overhaul the way it manages risks, even seven years later.
September 18, 2023
Inside Exxon’s Strategy to Downplay Climate Change
In 2006, after years of denial, ExxonMobil publicly acknowledged climate change for the first time. But internal documents show that behind the scenes, Exxon officials pushed to diminish concerns about climate change. WSJ’s Christopher M. Matthews breaks down the new findings.
September 15, 2023
‘We’ll Strike All Three’: The UAW’s Historic Walkout
For the first time, the United Auto Workers is striking all three Detroit car companies at once, targeting factories in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri. WSJ’s Nora Eckert explains the union’s unprecedented strategy and how much bigger the walkout could get.
September 14, 2023
A University Spent Lavishly to Attract Students. Enrollment Fell.
For years, West Virginia University, a state flagship, poured money into gleaming new research facilities and dormitories to attract new students. It had to borrow money to do so. The university now faces a huge deficit and major cuts. It's a problem facing many major public universities, as WSJ’s Melissa Korn explains.
September 13, 2023
How Apple Lost to the EU
Yesterday, Apple announced a new iPhone 15 with a USB-C charger, the same cable its competitors use. As WSJ’s Kim Mackrael and Sam Schechner explain, at least some credit for the change can go to the European Union bureaucrats who have been increasingly battling Big Tech.
September 12, 2023
Elon Musk's 'Demon Mode'
Elon Musk’s wild mood swings are legendary. His “demon mode" gets a lot of attention from biographer Walter Isaacson in a new book about Musk. WSJ’s Tim Higgins talks with Isaacson about what fuels Musk’s "demon mode" and how it plays out in his business ventures.
September 11, 2023
ESPN’s Big Bet on an F-Bomb-Throwing YouTube Star
As ESPN tries to transition to streaming and attract younger viewers, the sports-media giant is venturing outside its comfort zone with its newest star: Pat McAfee. WSJ's Isabella Simonetti explains why the F-bomb-throwing former NFL punter is a big bet for the network.
September 8, 2023
America's Maternal Mental Health Crisis
In the U.S., one in five mothers suffers from mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy or after birth. But many of them struggle to find help. Last year, the CDC reported that the leading cause of maternal deaths in the country are suicide or drug overdose. We spoke with two mothers about their experience postpartum and to reporter Anna Mutoh about the FDA’s approval of a new drug to fight postp...
September 7, 2023
Spotify's $1 Billion Bet Isn't Going Well
Spotify spent more than $1 billion to build up its podcasting empire. After years of costly acquisitions and celebrity partnerships, most of its shows are still not profitable. WSJ’s Anne Steele unpacks why Spotify’s big bet hasn’t paid off yet.
September 6, 2023
Meet the Man Who Has Detroit on Edge
United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain is throwing out the traditional union playbook for contract negotiations. WSJ’s Nora Eckert reports that Fain is preparing for a strike, possibly against three automakers at once.
September 5, 2023
New York City’s 'De Facto Ban' on Airbnb
Airbnb listings in New York City are disappearing as the city cracks down on short-term rentals as a way to address its housing shortage. As of today, it will now enforce some of the toughest laws in the nation around short-term rentals. WSJ's Allison Pohle unpacks what's happening and why other big cities are taking note.
September 4, 2023
One Town's Fight Against 'Forever' Chemicals
Happy Labor Day! We’re bringing you an episode that was originally published in June 2022.
September 1, 2023
What’s Going On With Mitch McConnell?
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s health is raising concerns. On Wednesday, McConnell froze and fell silent during a press conference. He had a similar incident earlier this summer. WSJ’s Siobhan Hughes reports on the veteran Republican’s health scare and the speculation about who might succeed him.
August 31, 2023
The Showdown Over Medicare's Drug Prices
This week, the U.S. government named 10 drugs that will be subject to the first ever price negotiations by Medicare. WSJ’s Jared Hopkins talks about how this major change came about and pharmaceutical companies’ efforts to stop it.
August 30, 2023
China’s Property Market Crisis
Another Chinese real estate developer could be on the brink of collapse. Country Garden, the nation’s largest property developer, announced it lost $6.7 billion in the first six months of the year. WSJ’s Rebecca Feng explains how China’s real estate market — a key part of the country’s economy — ended up on such shaky ground.
August 29, 2023
The Kiss Rocking Women’s Soccer
Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup this month was quickly overshadowed when Luis Rubiales, a top Spanish soccer official, abruptly kissed a player on the lips while on stage. As WSJ’s Rachel Bachman explains, the incident has been met with condemnation and calls for bigger changes in the sport.
August 28, 2023
The Future of Self-Driving Cars Is Here
San Francisco has been the testing ground for self-driving car companies Cruise and Waymo. Now the companies want to expand statewide and to other cities across the U.S. But as WSJ’s Meghan Bobrowsky reports, the companies have faced opposition from some residents in their bid to compete with Lyft and Uber.
August 25, 2023
The New Race to the Moon
Two countries— Russia and India— raced to the moon this week. But only one landed there successfully. WSJ’s Micah Maidenberg lays out the latest in the global space race, and explains the significance of this week’s moon landing.
August 24, 2023
The Plane Crash That Killed Yevgeny Prigozhin
Two months after leading a failed uprising in Russia, Wagner paramilitary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead. A plane that Prigozhin was traveling in crashed outside Moscow on Wednesday. The cause of the crash is still unknown. WSJ’s Yaroslav Trofimov reports on the demise of the mercenary boss who challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin.
August 23, 2023
The Other Side of 'The Blind Side'
“The Blind Side” is an Oscar-winning movie about a wealthy family that adopts an underprivileged kid and helps him achieve his dreams. But now that narrative is being questioned. Michael Oher, the retired NFL player whose life the movie is based on, has filed a petition with a Tennessee court that alleges he was never adopted by the Tuohy family and that they made millions off his story. WSJ’s Andr...
August 22, 2023
Hawaiian Electric Knew of Wildfire Threat, but Waited Years to Act
In 2019, Hawaiian Electric concluded that it needed to do more to prevent equipment failures that could spark wildfires. In the wake of the Maui fires, the deadliest in the United States in more than a century, WSJ’s Katherine Blunt reports on why the company completed little such work.
August 21, 2023
Why Washington Went to Wall Street to Revive the Chips Industry
Since the Chips Act passed last summer, the Commerce Department has been building a small team of elite Wall Street financiers to help allocate $39 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies to hundreds of companies. We speak to WSJ’S Yuka Hayashi about the Chips Program Office team and to Todd Fisher, the man who leads it.
August 18, 2023
The Financial Legacy of the Nuclear Tests on Bikini Atoll
As part of the U.S. nuclear tests after World War II, a total of 23 nuclear weapons were detonated on and around Bikini Atoll. Eventually, the U.S. set aside funding to help the people of Bikini and their descendants. But, as WSJ’s Dan Frosch reports, those compensation funds have been drained.
August 17, 2023
Nike’s Sneaky Sneaker Thieves
Nike’s supply chain is under attack. WSJ’s Inti Pacheco explains how crime rings are swiping valuable, limited-edition sneakers as the shoes make their way from factories to store shelves, often staying steps ahead of police.
August 16, 2023
‘Everything Is Gone’ — One Resident on the Maui Wildfires
The wildfires that swept through Maui are America's deadliest in over a century, with at least 106 people killed. We speak to Javier Barberi, a local businessman who lost a house, restaurant and shaved ice shop in the fires.
August 15, 2023
The Prosecutor Bringing a Racketeering Case Against Trump
Yesterday, former President Donald Trump was indicted for the fourth time. This case, in Georgia, is the most ambitious and sweeping one against him yet. WSJ’s Cameron McWhirter reports on Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the prosecutor leading the case.
August 14, 2023
Bankman-Fried Sent to Jail Before Trial
On Friday, a federal judge revoked FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s bail. The judge said SBF had pushed the limits of his bail conditions repeatedly and will await his expected October trial in jail. WSJ's Caitlin Ostroff reports on what she witnessed in the courthouse.
August 11, 2023
Biden's New Move Against Chinese Tech
Earlier this week, President Biden issued an executive order banning American firms from investing in some Chinese technology companies, citing national security concerns. WSJ's Andrew Duehren explains how the move fits into the complicated relationship between the two countries.
August 10, 2023
Meet Jack Smith, the Special Counsel Prosecuting Trump
Jack Smith, the special counsel who brought two indictments against former President Donald Trump, has developed a reputation as an aggressive prosecutor known for trying high-stakes, politically explosive cases. But WSJ's Sadie Gurman says Smith has a mixed record on convictions.
August 9, 2023
A League of Champions Implodes
The Pac-12, the so-called “Conference of Champions,” is melting down. Its revenue had been lagging behind the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences, which now dominate college sports. But just as the Pac-12 was trying to revive itself and its revenue prospects, a rapid series of defections by member schools have left it hobbled. WSJ’s Laine Higgins unpacks what happened.
August 8, 2023
Why Millions of Chinese Young People Are Unemployed
More than one in five young people in China are jobless. The government blames college graduates, insisting that their expectations have gotten too high. WSJ’s Brian Spegele unpacks why new grads are holding out and what it could mean for China’s economy.
August 7, 2023
Wesleyan's President on Admissions Post-Affirmative Action
After the Supreme Court struck down race-based affirmative action earlier this summer, Wesleyan University dropped its admissions preference for children of alumni. But it will still consider whether applicants can afford tuition as part of the admissions process. Wesleyan President Michael Roth on why the elite institution is making those decisions.
August 4, 2023
After 99 Years, Yellow Heads for Bankruptcy. What Went Wrong?
Yellow, a nearly century-old trucking company and a major player in the American logistics industry, hit the brakes on operations and told its workers it plans to file for bankruptcy. WSJ’s Paul Page says Yellow’s financial woes have been decades in the making.
August 3, 2023
How Allbirds Lost Its Footing
Allbirds shot to fame with eco-friendly wool sneakers, leaning on its popularity to pursue a hyperfast growth model. But after a series of missteps, the startup that was once a cultural symbol of cool is now a standout example of a hot company that lost its way. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner documents the rise and fall of the brand.
August 2, 2023
What Will Trump's Third Indictment Cost Him?
Former President Donald Trump will appear in court tomorrow on charges related to his efforts to reverse his 2020 election defeat, which prompted his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. WSJ’s Sadie Gurman discusses the indictment and WSJ’s Alex Leary explains what Trump's legal challenges could mean for his campaign war chest and his presidential campaign.
August 1, 2023
Homeowners Don’t Want to Sell. So Builders Are Cashing In.
It’s tough to find existing homes for sale these days. High mortgage rates are dissuading potential sellers. WSJ’s Nicole Friedman on a rare bright spot for house hunters: brand-new construction.
July 31, 2023
How a Drug Maker Plans to Cut Off Money for Opioid Victims
Mallinckrodt, one of the country's largest opioid makers, is considering a plan to get out of paying more than $1 billion in settlement money to opioid victims. WSJ's Alexander Saeedy explains.
July 28, 2023
The Case of the Hollywood Shutdown
Amid Hollywood’s biggest strike in 60 years, WSJ’s Amol Sharma dons his investigator’s hat to find out who’s to blame for the standstill.
July 27, 2023
Elon Musk Wants to Build an Everything App
Elon Musk says he’s turning X, the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter, into an “everything app,” an all in one place for messaging, entertainment and banking. WSJ’s Tim Higgins unpacks the vision and the hurdles ahead for Musk and his company.
July 26, 2023
A Dramatic Turn in Hunter Biden’s Plea Deal
The Justice Department announced a plea deal with Hunter Biden over two tax charges last month. But a hearing today didn't go as expected. WSJ’s Sadie Gurman on the latest twist in the legal case and what it means for President Biden ahead of next year's election.
July 25, 2023
Will the Fed Stop Raising Interest Rates?
The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates again on Wednesday. The question is: Will this be enough to finally tame inflation? WSJ’s Nick Timiraos tells us about the fight between two camps of economists who are at odds about what will help – or hurt – the economy.
July 24, 2023
Texas Took On Border Security. Is It Working?
For two years, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has inundated the U.S.-Mexico border with thousands of state troopers and National Guardsmen and started work on a state-controlled border wall. He also built a new skeleton justice system with its own courts, judges and jails to lodge misdemeanor state trespassing charges against migrants. WSJ’s Elizabeth Findell discusses Operatio n Lone Star and w...
July 21, 2023
Mattel Bets Big on Barbie
"Barbie," the highly anticipated movie based on the iconic doll, hits theaters this weekend. But making the movie didn't come without challenges. We spoke with the head of Mattel Films, Robbie Brenner, about the creative push and pull to make the movie, whether it can be called a "feminist film," and Mattel's plans to open up its toy chest for more movies.
July 20, 2023
FTC Chair Lina Khan on Microsoft Merger, ChatGPT and Her Court Losses
When Lina Khan took over as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, she vowed to stiffen antitrust enforcement. Two years in, her attempts to rein in big mergers through the court system have been mostly unsuccessful. We speak to Khan about her big tech losses and why the FTC is concerned about ChatGPT.
July 19, 2023
The Troubled Second Act of Disney CEO Bob Iger
Eight months after returning as Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger is straining to put out fire after fire, including streaming losses, an activist investor and TV woes. WSJ’s Robbie Whelan explains why Disney’s troubles run deeper than Iger had expected.
July 18, 2023
A Crypto Ruling Ripples Across the Industry
Last week, a federal judge ruled that crypto company Ripple Labs did not violate securities laws by selling its token to retail investors. The ruling is seen as a setback for the Securities and Exchange Commission's strategy to regulate cryptocurrencies and as a victory for the crypto community as a whole. WSJ’s Vicky Huang explains.
July 17, 2023
Inside Russia’s Spy Unit Targeting Americans
Slashed tires, moved bookcases, a dead dog. For years, U.S. diplomats posted to Russia have experienced some strange things. WSJ’s Joe Parkinson and Drew Hinshaw report on the little-known spy unit, which U.S. officials believe is responsible for the surveillance and harassment of Americans in Russia, including WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich.
July 14, 2023
What AT&T and Verizon Knew About Toxic Lead Cables
For decades, telecom companies have known that lead in their networks posed risks to workers, and did little about it. Lead can cause a variety of ailments in adults, affecting the kidney, heart and reproductive systems, and it is classified as a probable human carcinogen. WSJ’s Shalini Ramachandran explains the danger of lead cables -- and what telephone companies knew.
July 13, 2023
America Is Wrapped in Toxic Lead Cables
In an 18-month investigation, The Wall Street Journal found thousands of lead covered cables across America, some leaching the toxic metal into places where people live, work and play. We travel with the team across the country to test the soil and water around these cables and speak to families living near them. WSJ’s Susan Pulliam and Shalini Ramachandran explain what these high levels of lead in...
July 12, 2023
Microsoft’s Big Win Against the FTC
Microsoft has cleared a big hurdle to purchase Activision Blizzard, the publisher of popular videogame franchises like “Call of Duty, “World of Warcraft” and “Candy Crush.” The Federal Trade Commission had tried to block the roughly $75 billion acquisition, but a federal judge has allowed the deal to move forward. WSJ’s Jan Wolfe explains what the ruling means for Microsoft and for the FTC.
July 11, 2023
The Hidden Workforce That Helped Filter Violence and Abuse Out of ChatGPT
ChatGPT is one of the most successful tech products ever launched. And crucial to that success is a group of largely unknown data workers in Kenya. By reviewing disturbing, grotesque content, often for wages of just two to three dollars an hour, they helped make the viral chatbot safe. WSJ’s Karen Hao traveled to Kenya to meet those workers and hear about what the job cost them.
July 10, 2023
Can Threads Be the ‘Twitter Killer’?
Meta recently launched a new app that's a direct competitor to Twitter. It's called Threads, and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg said it has garnered 50 million sign-ups in its first five days. WSJ's Salvador Rodriguez says the new app poses the biggest threat to Twitter, fanning the flames of a long rivalry between Twitter’s Elon Musk and Meta’s Zuckerberg.
July 9, 2023
With Great Power, Part 4: Endgame
Behind the scenes of Hollywood’s most successful studio, Marvel’s Ike Perlmutter and Kevin Feige clash over budgets and creative control. Marvel lawyer John Turitzin and screenwriter Stephen McFeely share new details of a corporate civil war.
July 7, 2023
With Great Power, Part 3: It’s All Connected
Meet Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios and the man who weaves all its films into one cinematic universe. The idea proves so popular that Feige becomes the most successful producer in modern Hollywood history. Meanwhile, rival DC Comics launches its own cinematic universe, led by director Zack Snyder. But can DC’s “Justice League” match Marvel’s “The Avengers”?
July 6, 2023
With Great Power, Part 2: Some Assembly Required
In a meeting at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, Marvel’s Ike Perlmutter is pitched an unusual idea: That a small comic book publisher should make its own movies.
July 5, 2023
With Great Power, Part 1: Origin Story
Marvel Studios is the most dominant film studio on the planet today. But 25 years ago, it was bankrupt and selling furniture for cash. Its astonishing revival begins with two men: Ike Perlmutter and Avi Arad.
July 3, 2023
The Underdog Coffee Bean That’s Making a Comeback
We’re off today and tomorrow, but we still have a great episode for you.
June 30, 2023
What One School District Is Doing About Rising Gun Violence
Gun violence among young people is on the rise. In Denver, Colorado, one high school in particular has experienced a number of violent incidents in the past year, including two shootings in which two students died. We visited East High School to meet students, teachers and the superintendent who decided to bring armed police back to schools.
June 29, 2023
The Supreme Court Rules Against Affirmative Action
The Supreme Court has ruled that affirmative action is unconstitutional in college admissions. We talk with WSJ's Douglas Belkin about how the decision upends decades of admissions policies at the nation's most selective schools. And WSJ's Lauren Weber describes how this ruling could impact corporate America.
June 28, 2023
Is There an Ethics Problem at the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court is heading into the final stretch of its current session and there are a number of cases with major social implications yet to be decided. But as we wait for decisions on student loan forgiveness and affirmative action, another major issue is hanging over the court. WSJ’s Jess Bravin discusses ProPublica’s recent investigations into alleged ethical misconduct of Supreme Court just...
Introducing - With Great Power: The Rise of Superhero Cinema
Superheroes have conquered Hollywood. They generate billions of dollars at the box office and have pushed other movies to the margins. That revolution has been led by Marvel Studios.
June 27, 2023
Who Owns Taco Tuesday?
In May, Taco Bell filed a petition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, claiming that ‘Taco Tuesday’ is a common phrase and that any restaurant should be able to use it. The trademark owners—Taco John’s and Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar— have both moved to fight back in court to protect their exclusive rights. WSJ’s Joseph De Avila breaks down the clash of the taco titans.
June 26, 2023
The Mutiny That Shook Putin's Grip on Power
It was a weekend of chaos in Russia, as forces of the paramilitary Wagner Group marched towards Moscow in a short-lived revolt. WSJ's Yaroslav Trofimov describes what happened and explains why this is the biggest threat to President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power.
June 23, 2023
The Zombie Mortgages Stalking American Homeowners
Long-dormant mortgages are coming back to bite. Homeowners around the country are facing large bills and even foreclosure threats from investors who own their second mortgages, often made more than a decade ago. We talk to WSJ’s Ben Eisen and a homeowner about why these seemingly dead mortgages are now coming back to life.
June 22, 2023
How North Korea’s Hacker Army Stole $3 Billion in Crypto
North Korean hackers have stolen more than $3 billion over the past 5 years. The U.S. government says a big share of that is being funneled into the country’s nuclear missile program. WSJ’s Robert McMillan discusses how these hackers have reached the top of the crypto hacking game.
June 21, 2023
The War Inside Goldman Sachs
Cracks are forming in a prestigious Wall Street institution: Goldman Sachs. Most bank CEOs make big decisions with a cadre of executives. But Goldman maintains a partnership with about 420 members, many of whom like to have a say in how the firm is run. WSJ’s AnnaMaria Andriotis explains why CEO David Solomon has come under fire from partners who complain about bonuses, strategy and that DJ side gi...
June 20, 2023
Insuring a Home in California Is Getting Harder
As wildfires increase in severity and frequency, thousands of homes in California have been destroyed and insurance companies' earnings have taken a hit. Now, two companies, State Farm and Allstate, have announced they will no longer offer new home insurance policies in the state. We speak to one homeowner and WSJ’s Jean Eaglesham about why the situation has escalated.
June 19, 2023
The Battle over Reparations at Georgetown
We’re off today, but we still have an episode for you!
June 16, 2023
The Unlikely Successor to the George Soros Empire
George Soros, the legendary investor, philanthropist and right-wing target, is handing control of his $25 billion empire to his fourth child—Alexander Soros, a former party boy and self-described center-left thinker. WSJ’s Gregory Zuckerman on how Alex Soros plans to deploy his family’s vast fortune.
June 15, 2023
One Small Business Is Booming. So Why Can’t It Get a Loan?
Tamara Keefe, owner of Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery in St. Louis, says she moved forward with plans to open two new ice cream shops based on her bank’s assurances it would provide loans. But she says the bank moved slowly, and now she’s running out of cash. WSJ’s Ruth Simon discusses why many local banks are tightening lending standards and what that could mean for small businesses like Tam...
June 14, 2023
SEC Chair Gary Gensler on His Crypto Crackdown
Kate Linebaugh sat down with SEC Chair Gary Gensler to discuss why the agency is working to reign in crypto.
June 13, 2023
The Government Banker Channeling Billions Into Clean Energy
Jigar Shah wants to change the nation’s energy future. He runs a crucial but little-noticed piece of the Biden administration’s strategy to address climate change, the Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office. And Shah presides over its giant pot of money to lend to companies. We speak with Shah about where he thinks the private sector is falling short in funding green energy and why he thinks the ...
June 12, 2023
How Americans Watch Sports Is Changing
For decades, the only way to watch all of your local baseball team’s games was on cable television. But as millions of Americans switch to streaming services, the economics of broadcasting baseball is changing. WSJ’s Amol Sharma explains baseball’s local broadcast deals and how one company’s bankruptcy is disrupting the model.
June 9, 2023
United States of America v. Donald J. Trump
Federal prosecutors are accusing Donald Trump of holding on to sensitive military secrets he knew he shouldn’t have retained access to, sharing them, and directing his staff to help him evade authorities’ efforts to get them back. According to the indictment which was unsealed today, the classified documents in Trump’s possession included information about defense and weapons capabilities, nuclear ...
June 8, 2023
The U.S. Wants American-Made Chips. Can Intel Deliver?
Once a titan in the tech industry, Intel is now trying to climb out of what its CEO describes as a “mud hole.” Rivals from Taiwan and South Korea have overtaken the semiconductor company in advanced chip making, and would-be Intel customers have backed away from projects. WSJ’s Asa Fitch unpacks the stakes of Intel’s comeback plan.
June 7, 2023
The Downfall of CNN’s CEO
Chris Licht has stepped down as CEO of CNN, ending a short tenure that was marked by a series of missteps. WSJ’s Amol Sharma on what led to Licht’s departure and what is next for the network.
June 6, 2023
A Crypto Exchange Crackdown
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase— two of the biggest crypto exchanges. WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff discusses the allegations and the potential impact on the global crypto ecosystem.
June 5, 2023
Apple Bets Big on ‘Nerd Helmets’
Today, Apple released its Vision Pro headset, the company’s first major new product launch in a decade. WSJ’s Joanna Stern on whether the augmented-reality headset has the potential to take a niche device for nerds into the mainstream.
June 2, 2023
Italy Caught a Russian Fugitive. Then He Vanished.
Artem Uss is a Kremlin-linked businessman accused of illegally exporting American military technology to Russia. Last October he was arrested in Italy at the U.S.’s request. Then he vanished. WSJ’s Margherita Stancati explains how he escaped.
June 1, 2023
The $1 Trillion Company That Started at Denny’s
Only seven American companies have ever been worth a trillion dollars. Some came from garages. Others were started in college dorm rooms. Nvidia was born in a Denny's. WSJ's Asa Fitch on how the explosion of AI helped the chip maker become one of the most valuable companies in the world.
May 31, 2023
The Showdown Over Hulu
For years, Disney and Comcast have been locked in a battle over Hulu. Now, the streamer’s co-owners are trying to bring an end to their uneasy marriage. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel unpacks the years of wrangling and the looming deal that could leave Disney with full ownership of Hulu.
May 30, 2023
The Downfall of a Real Estate Empire
Over the past four years, Jay Gajavelli built a real-estate empire using funds from small investors who wanted to make passive income. Last year, Gajavelli’s company owned more than 7,000 apartments in the Houston area. Now he’s at the center of one of the biggest commercial real-estate blowups in years. WSJ’s Will Parker details what happened and what it says about the housing market going forward...
May 29, 2023
Thousands of Government Officials Own Stocks In Companies Their Agencies Oversee
May 26, 2023
Evicted on Wood Street: California's Housing Crisis
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.
May 25, 2023
Is Supreme Still the King of Streetwear?
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.
May 24, 2023
Elon Musk on 2024 Politics, Succession Plans and Whether AI Will Annihilate Humanity
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.
May 23, 2023
Kia and Hyundai’s ‘Kia Boyz’ Problem
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.
May 22, 2023
The Clock Is Ticking on the Debt Ceiling
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.
May 19, 2023
Why Some Companies Keep Getting Away With Higher Prices
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.
May 18, 2023
IRS Might Make Tax Season a Whole Lot Easier
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.
May 17, 2023
Closing the Wealth Gap With a Trust Fund for Babies
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.
May 16, 2023
The Story Behind the Stabbing of a San Francisco Tech Exec
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.
May 15, 2023
Twitter's New CEO: The Velvet Hammer
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.
May 12, 2023
Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows
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.
May 11, 2023
The Charges Against George Santos
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.
May 10, 2023
China’s Crackdown on Foreign Consulting Firms
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.
May 9, 2023
What the End of Title 42 Means for U.S. Immigration Policy
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...
May 8, 2023
Can Bud Light Still Be the Beer for Everyone?
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.
May 5, 2023
What’s Behind the Adderall Shortage?
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.
May 4, 2023
One Hollywood Writer on the Industry’s ‘Dire’ Situation
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...
May 3, 2023
PepsiCo’s New Healthy Diet: More Potato Chips and Soda
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.
May 2, 2023
America's Biggest Bank Just Got Bigger
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.
May 1, 2023
The Grim Story of a Russian Prisoner Turned Recruit
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.
April 28, 2023
Why Disney Is Suing DeSantis
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.
April 27, 2023
Behind the Breakup of Fox and Tucker Carlson
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.
April 26, 2023
Banking Troubles Are Not Over
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.
April 25, 2023
The Debt Ceiling Fight Begins
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's proposal and what’s at stake for the economy.
April 24, 2023
The World's Richest Person Is Planning for Succession
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 ...
April 21, 2023
Nursing Shortage? There's an App for That
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.
April 20, 2023
How Investigators Cracked a $3.4 Billion Crypto Heist
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.
April 19, 2023
Russian Court Upholds WSJ Reporter’s Detention
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.
April 18, 2023
Two Executives On What It's Like to Stop a Bank Run
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 FDI tried to stabilize a banking crisis.
April 17, 2023
Dominion Voting Systems vs. Fox News
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.
April 14, 2023
The Curtain Closes on Phantom of the Opera
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.
April 13, 2023
An Arrest in the Classified Documents Leak
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.
April 12, 2023
A $175 Million 'Huge Mistake'
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.
April 11, 2023
Baby Powder, Bankruptcy and the Texas Two-Step
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.
April 10, 2023
The Abortion Pill’s Uncertain Future
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.
April 7, 2023
Google CEO Sundar Pichai on How AI Could Change Search
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.
April 6, 2023
How Indonesia Tamed Rainforest Destruction
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.
April 5, 2023
Jack Ma Returns to China and Breaks Up the Company He Built
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.
April 4, 2023
Donald Trump Is Charged on 34 Felony Counts
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.
April 3, 2023
A WSJ Reporter Arrested in Russia
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.
March 31, 2023
The Rise of Chinese Apps
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.
March 30, 2023
Millions of Women Left Work During the Pandemic. Where Are They Now?
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.
March 29, 2023
A Plan to Hack the Planet
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.
March 28, 2023
The Ranking Battle in Higher Ed
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.
March 27, 2023
The Arrest of a Crypto Fugitive
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.
March 24, 2023
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.
March 23, 2023
Why the Fed Raised Interest Rates Amidst a Banking Crisis
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.
March 22, 2023
Yachts, Custom Cars and $36,000 Mattresses: Inside an Alleged Fraud
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.
March 21, 2023
Biden's Flip on Drilling in Alaska
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.
March 20, 2023
Exclusive: TikTok’s CEO on the App’s Future in the U.S.
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.
March 17, 2023
Why Google Is Behind in the AI Race
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.
March 16, 2023
What Just Happened at Credit Suisse?
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.
March 15, 2023
Bird Flu and the High Price of Eggs
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.
March 14, 2023
Why WeightWatchers Wants in on Drugs Like Ozempic
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.
March 13, 2023
Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis?
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.
March 10, 2023
The Push to Test Drugs for Fentanyl
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.
March 9, 2023
The Economy Is Too Hot for the Fed
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.
March 8, 2023
What a New Law in Tennessee Means for Drag
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.
March 7, 2023
When AI Comes for Your Art
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.
March 6, 2023
The FTX Insiders Turning Against Sam Bankman-Fried
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.
March 3, 2023
Conservatives Come for ESG
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."
March 2, 2023
How a Year of Sanctions Is Impacting Russians
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.
March 1, 2023
Will Student Debt Get Canceled? The Supreme Court Decides.
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.
February 28, 2023
America’s Answer to the Chip Shortage
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.
February 27, 2023
What Caused a Train to Derail in East Palestine, Ohio?
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 ...
February 24, 2023
Three Ukrainians on Enduring a Year of War
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.
February 23, 2023
The Five People Keeping Bitcoin Alive
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.
February 22, 2023
Is This Painting a Masterpiece? AI Is On the Case
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.
February 21, 2023
Two Hotels in Turkey and a Tragic Twist of Fate
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.
February 20, 2023
How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App
We’re off today for the holiday, but we still have an episode for you!
February 17, 2023
Mass Layoffs or Hiring Boom — Which Is It?
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.
February 16, 2023
Disney Wars: Attack of the Activist Investor
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.
February 15, 2023
How CVS Went From Drugstore to Healthcare Juggernaut
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 Matthews unpacks why the deal is happening and how it’s cementing CVS’s status as a healthcare giant.
February 14, 2023
The Price of Dating Apps
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.
February 13, 2023
How a Balloon Burst U.S.-China Relations
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.
February 10, 2023
A Spy Turned Up Dead in Ukraine. Who Was He Working For?
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.
February 9, 2023
Is the Party Over for Best-Selling Drug Humira?
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.
February 8, 2023
Why Is the U.K.'s Free Healthcare Service Falling Apart?
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.
February 7, 2023
Consumers Are Starting to Freak Out
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.
February 6, 2023
The Short Seller Costing the Adani Group Billions
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.
February 3, 2023
China’s Accidental Dissidents
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.
February 2, 2023
'Putin's Chef' Now Serving Up Gains for Russia in Ukraine
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.
February 1, 2023
Hacking the Hackers
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.
January 31, 2023
Ukrainian President Zelensky's Fight Against Corruption
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.
January 30, 2023
Why an Arctic Treasure Is Spurring Hope and Dread
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.
January 27, 2023
Blackouts, Corruption and a Poisoned CEO
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.
January 26, 2023
Why the DOJ Is Suing Google Again
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 ...
January 25, 2023
The Unraveling of Stitch Fix
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.
January 24, 2023
Tesla’s Big Price Cut
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.
January 23, 2023
What's Going on With Biden's Classified Documents?
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.
January 20, 2023
What the End of Zero-Covid Means for China
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.
January 19, 2023
Sam Bankman-Fried’s Big Investment: Bitcoin Mining in Kazakhstan
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.
January 18, 2023
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's Big Bet on AI
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.
January 17, 2023
The Company Behind ChatGPT
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.
January 13, 2023
Could This Be the End of Noncompetes?
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.
January 12, 2023
Miss Universe Is Now Owned by a Woman. Will It Change?
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.
January 11, 2023
The New Layoff: On a Wednesday On Zoom
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.
January 10, 2023
Why Protesters Rioted in Brazil’s Capital
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.
January 9, 2023
A Small Bank Bet Big on Crypto. Can It Survive the Crash?
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.
January 6, 2023
What's Up With All the TikTok Bans?
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.
January 5, 2023
The Fight Over the Speaker of the House
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.
January 4, 2023
How Southwest Airlines Melted Down
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.
January 3, 2023
What Will the Economy Look Like in 2023?
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.
December 26, 2022
See You in 2023
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.
December 22, 2022
Uncontrolled Substances, Part 4: The Reckoning
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 Winker and Khadeeja Safdar started reporting on Cerebral. Their reporting would lead to federal investiga...
December 21, 2022
Uncontrolled Substances, Part 3: Anthony
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 inf...
December 20, 2022
The Highs and Lows of Diversifying the Cannabis Industry
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.
December 19, 2022
The Disney Boss Who Wouldn't Let It Go
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.
December 16, 2022
Uncontrolled Substances, Part 2: Adderall
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 den...
December 15, 2022
What's Allowed on Elon Musk's Twitter?
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.
December 14, 2022
Are Apple and China Breaking Up?
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.
December 13, 2022
The Charges Against FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried
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.
December 12, 2022
Russia’s Campaign to Leave Ukraine in the Dark
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.
December 9, 2022
Uncontrolled Substances, Part 1: Subscribe and Prescribe
Cerebral is a tech 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.
December 8, 2022
Elon Musk's Boring Company Is Ghosting Cities
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.
December 7, 2022
Iran’s Protests Show No Signs of Slowing Down
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.
December 6, 2022
‘Do You Expect to Go to Prison?’: An Interview With SBF
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.
Introducing - Uncontrolled Substances: The Cerebral Story
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...
December 5, 2022
How the White House Blocked a Rail Strike
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.
December 2, 2022
How Jiang Zemin Made China a Global Superpower
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.
December 1, 2022
An Exit Interview With Dr. Anthony Fauci
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.
November 30, 2022
Beyond Meat Loses Its Sizzle
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.
November 29, 2022
China's Biggest Protests in Decades
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.
November 28, 2022
The Surprising Origins of Russia’s Drones
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.
November 23, 2022
Elon Musk's 'Extremely Hardcore' Twitter
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.
November 22, 2022
What Walmart’s Aisles Say About the American Consumer
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.
November 21, 2022
A Controversial World Cup Begins in Qatar
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.
November 18, 2022
The Taylor Swift Ticketmaster Debacle
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.
November 17, 2022
A Historically Bad Year to Retire
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.
November 16, 2022
The Fall of Crypto's Golden Boy
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.
November 15, 2022
The Downfall of a $300 Million Sneaker King
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.
November 14, 2022
RSV Is Bad. Where's the Vaccine?
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.
November 11, 2022
Introducing Bad Bets Season 2: The Unraveling of Trevor Milton
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...
November 10, 2022
How Crypto Giant FTX Suddenly Imploded
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.
November 9, 2022
Why the Red Wave Didn’t Happen
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.
November 8, 2022
Banks’ Alliance to Fight Climate Change is on the Rocks
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.
November 7, 2022
Why Elon Musk’s Twitter Is Losing Advertisers
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.
November 4, 2022
How TikTok Became The World’s Favorite App
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.
November 3, 2022
Show Me the Money: More Job Listings Have Salary Details
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.
November 2, 2022
Pig Butchering: A Texting Scam With a Crypto Twist
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.
November 1, 2022
Meta’s Metaverse Mess
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.
October 31, 2022
How High Will Interest Rates Go?
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.
October 28, 2022
The Rise of the Minions
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.
October 27, 2022
Disney CEO Bob Chapek on Whether the Company Is “Too Woke”
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.
October 26, 2022
The Collapsing U.S.-Saudi Relations
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.
October 25, 2022
Is Big Money Souring Pickleball?
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.
October 24, 2022
The Rise of Botox and the Wrinkle in Its Future
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.
October 21, 2022
Why Florida's Coast Is Becoming the 'Preserve of the Wealthy'
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.
October 20, 2022
Will There Be a Recession? America's Top Bankers Weigh In
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.
October 19, 2022
How a Miami Couple Used Empty Mansions to Pocket Millions
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.
October 18, 2022
How a New 'Anti-Woke' Bank Stumbled
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.
October 17, 2022
How Xi Jinping's Dream Slowed China's Economy
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.
October 14, 2022
How to Build a Metaverse, Part 4: Why Build a World?
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.
October 13, 2022
Government Officials and Their Stocks
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.
October 12, 2022
Does the Future of Streaming Look More Like Cable?
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.
October 11, 2022
Ukraine Makes a Deal with Wall Street
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.
October 10, 2022
Are Rotisserie Chickens ‘Inflation-Proof’?
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.
October 7, 2022
How to Build a Metaverse, Part 3: Prime Time
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.
October 6, 2022
The U.K. Tried to Stimulate Growth. It Got Backlash Instead.
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.
October 5, 2022
Elon Musk Wants to Buy Twitter After All
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.
October 4, 2022
Losing in the War, Putin Raises the Stakes
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.
October 3, 2022
The Former MoviePass CEO on What Went Wrong
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.
September 30, 2022
How to Build a Metaverse, Part 2: Avatars Behaving Badly
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.
September 29, 2022
The Pros and Cons of a Strong U.S. Dollar
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.
September 28, 2022
The Four-Day School Week Is Here
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.
September 27, 2022
The Republican Push to Flip Latino Voters
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.
September 26, 2022
The Cheating Accusation Rocking Competitive Chess
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.
September 23, 2022
How to Build a Metaverse, Part 1: Genesis
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.
September 22, 2022
People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump
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.
September 21, 2022
Puerto Rico's Long Struggle to Keep the Lights On
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.
September 20, 2022
The Fed's Plan to Curb Inflation
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.
September 19, 2022
The Fight Over Your Credit Card Swipe
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.
Introducing - How to Build a Metaverse
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.
September 16, 2022
Who Is Long Covid Hurting?
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.
September 15, 2022
Ukraine Shifts the War With a Surprise Attack
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.
September 14, 2022
Who Should Pay for Pakistan's Historic Flood?
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.
September 13, 2022
Diving Deep for Battery Metals
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.
September 12, 2022
The Media Mogul Taking an Ax to Hollywood
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.
September 9, 2022
A Queen's Legacy and a King's Future
During the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth, 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.
September 8, 2022
A Battle of Wills Over Russian Energy
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.
September 7, 2022
Jackson Water Crisis Is Harbinger for Other Cities
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.
September 6, 2022
The U.K.'s New Prime Minister Faces an Economic Crisis
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.
September 2, 2022
Lauded in the West, Shunned at Home: Gorbachev’s Divisive Legacy
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.
September 1, 2022
Are Carbon Credits Still Working?
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.
August 31, 2022
The Suicide Hotline Overhaul
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.
August 30, 2022
The Booming, Unregulated Marketplace for Abortion Pills
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.
August 29, 2022
Who Is the Twitter Whistleblower?
Last week, Twitter’s former head of security emerged as a whistleblower. Better known as "Mudge", Pieter Zatko started his career as a hacker. WSJ’s Robert McMillan explains Twitter's alleged security issues.
August 26, 2022
CDC Director on Her Plans to Shake Up the Agency
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.
August 25, 2022
Breaking Down Student Debt Relief
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.
August 24, 2022
A LIV Executive on Upending the Business of Golf
The goal of LIV is to disrupt golf as fans know it. Funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, they’ve 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 LIV and its vision for the future of golf.
August 23, 2022
The Fight Over Water in the West
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.
August 22, 2022
What Went Wrong at Bed Bath & Beyond?
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.
August 19, 2022
Why Private Equity Is Buying Up Car Washes
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.
August 18, 2022
An Energy CEO on the Winding Path to a Green Grid
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.
August 17, 2022
The Fight Over Afghanistan’s Money
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.
August 16, 2022
Electric Cars Need Lithium. Can Chile Provide It?
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.
August 15, 2022
Why Ben & Jerry’s Is Suing its Parent Company Over Israel
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.
August 12, 2022
A Business Tries to Solve a Town’s Housing Problem
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.
August 11, 2022
The Private Equity Lobby Wins Again
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.
August 10, 2022
How Teen Gamers Built a Billion Dollar Business
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.
August 9, 2022
Why FBI Agents Searched Mar-a-Lago
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 raid.
August 8, 2022
How Much Will Alex Jones Pay for his Sandy Hook Lie?
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.
August 5, 2022
Europe Is Turning to Coal. What Does That Mean for Climate Change?
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.
August 4, 2022
The Promise and Peril of One Self Driving Truck Company
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.
August 3, 2022
Why Everyone Is Mad at Instagram
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.
August 2, 2022
The Biotech Founder Facing Murder Charges
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.
August 1, 2022
Kansas’ Big Abortion Vote
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.
July 29, 2022
Are We in a Recession? It’s Complicated.
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.
July 28, 2022
Rent the Runway’s CEO on How it Survived the Pandemic
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.
July 27, 2022
The Company Behind the World's Only Monkeypox Vaccine
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.
July 26, 2022
How a Crypto Bank Went Bankrupt
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.
July 25, 2022
Is Healthcare Amazon's Next Big Thing?
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.
July 22, 2022
Shein Took Over Fast Fashion. Then Came the Backlash.
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.
July 21, 2022
A Fight in Elon Musk's Inner Circle
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.
July 20, 2022
Netflix Turns to Ads
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.
July 19, 2022
Why Amazon is Dialing Back Its Own Brands
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.
July 18, 2022
Somalia's Hunger Crisis
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.
July 15, 2022
Why The James Webb Telescope Nearly Didn't Make It
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.
July 14, 2022
The Roots of Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis
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.
July 13, 2022
Rural America Is Still Waiting for Fast Internet
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.
July 12, 2022
The Battle to Get Brittney Griner Home
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.
July 11, 2022
Elon Musk Doesn't Want to Buy Twitter Anymore
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.
July 1, 2022
Two Friends Pulled Apart by a Changing Hong Kong
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.
June 30, 2022
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.
June 29, 2022
Is Nuclear Power Poised for a Comeback?
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.
June 28, 2022
The ‘Existential Threat’ Facing Big Tobacco
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.
June 27, 2022
Murder in the Amazon
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.
June 24, 2022
The Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade
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.
June 23, 2022
June 22, 2022
The CEO Scandal at WWE
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.
June 21, 2022
'We Are Helpless': Indian Heat Wave Hurts Mango Farmers
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.
June 17, 2022
Is BTS Breaking Up?
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.
June 16, 2022
Amazon Went Big During the Pandemic. Now It’s Feeling the Hangover.
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.
June 15, 2022
Celebrities Loved Crypto and NFTs. Then the Markets Crashed.
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.
June 14, 2022
The Teen Jobs Boom
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.
June 13, 2022
The Saudi Money Splitting Golf
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.
June 10, 2022
Hack Me If You Can, Part 1: The Making of a Russian Hacker
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.
Hack Me If You Can, Part 2: Counterstrike
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.
Hack Me If You Can, Part 3: The Infiltrator
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.
June 9, 2022
The Love Triangle Over Spirit Airlines
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.
June 8, 2022
The Most Hated Solar Company in America
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.
June 7, 2022
FanDuel CEO on Sports Gambling's Big Boom
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.
Introducing: Hack Me If You Can
Wall Street Journal reporter Bob McMillian 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.
June 6, 2022
Biden’s Plan to Bring Down Inflation
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.
June 3, 2022
Sheryl Sandberg's Complicated Career at Facebook
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.
June 2, 2022
Why Snap's Stock Fell 43% in a Day
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.
June 1, 2022
A Tale of Two Top Guns
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.
May 31, 2022
Can My Stock Portfolio Save the Planet?
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.
May 30, 2022
The Quest to Find a Lost Purple Heart
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.
May 27, 2022
Old Navy Tried to Make Sizes for All. It Backfired.
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.
May 26, 2022
The Fight Over Banning the AR-15
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.
May 25, 2022
As the Stock Market Tumbles, so Does a YouTuber's Influence
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.
May 24, 2022
Beware the Big Bad Bear Market
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.
May 23, 2022
Can a Hedge Fund Win the World Series?
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.
May 20, 2022
How the Baby Formula Industry Broke
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.
May 19, 2022
U.S. Soccer’s Equal Pay Deal and One Player Who Helped Negotiate It
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 ...
May 18, 2022
The ‘Death Spiral’ of a Stablecoin
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.
May 17, 2022
How Will We Know When the Pandemic's Over?
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.
May 16, 2022
The Political Cost of China's Faltering Economy
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.
May 13, 2022
Why An Online Telehealth Startup Is Limiting Adderall
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.
May 12, 2022
Fidelity’s Controversial Bet on Bitcoin
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.
May 11, 2022
Can the Fed Lower Inflation Without Causing a Recession?
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.
May 10, 2022
Are Stock-Market Games Turning Teens Into Risky Investors?
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.
May 9, 2022
Australia Wanted Facebook to Pay for News. Facebook Played Hardball.
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.
May 6, 2022
The Battle Over Reparations at Georgetown
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.
May 5, 2022
The Fight Over a Menthol Cigarette Ban
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.
May 4, 2022
Germany’s Difficult Breakup with Russian Energy
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.
May 3, 2022
The Potential End of Roe v. Wade
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.
May 2, 2022
How Inflation is Causing Americans to 'Unretire'
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.
April 29, 2022
Why Airbnb Is Letting Employees Work Anywhere
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.
April 28, 2022
The Rise of the Yimbys
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.
April 27, 2022
Why Florida is Fighting with Walt Disney World
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.
April 26, 2022
Afghanistan’s Desperation Economy
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.
April 25, 2022
Elon Musk is Actually Buying Twitter
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.
April 22, 2022
The Quick End to CNN+
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.
April 21, 2022
How Biden Plans to Tackle Student Debt
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.
April 20, 2022
Will France Elect a Far-Right President?
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.
April 19, 2022
Starbucks CEO Faces Brewing Union Efforts
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.
April 18, 2022
Amazon Takes On SpaceX in Battle for Space Internet
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.
April 15, 2022
Red-Flag Laws, Their Application and One Mother’s Experience
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.
April 14, 2022
Elon Musk’s $43 Billion Offer to Buy Twitter
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.
April 13, 2022
Russia's Central Banker Dismantles What She Built
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.
April 12, 2022
Why Workers Can’t Get Enough Hours, Even in a Jobs Boom
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.
April 11, 2022
Why So Many Russians Are Going to Turkey
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.
April 8, 2022
The Basquiat Sisters on Managing One of Art's Hottest Brands
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.
April 7, 2022
One Ukrainian Factory Owner Joins the War Effort
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.
April 6, 2022
Elon Musk's Twitter Surprise
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.
April 5, 2022
Carl Icahn, Activist Investor, Takes on Pork
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.
April 4, 2022
‘We Just Took Down Amazon:’ Activist on Amazon’s First U.S. Union
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.
April 1, 2022
An Undercover Operation to Reveal an Alleged Ponzi Scheme
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.
March 31, 2022
Bribes, Cartels, and Extradition: How a Honduran President Became a U.S. Target
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.
March 30, 2022
The TikTok That Changed College Hoops
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.
March 29, 2022
The Beef Between Cattle Ranchers and Meatpackers
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.
March 28, 2022
The Supply Chain Saga at One Port
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.