Slate News

The Texas state legislature is at a standstill. A month ago, House Democrats fled to DC to prevent the passage of a restrictive voting law but as time ticks by it’s becoming clear that they might have to go back to the drawing board -- and back to Texas. Guest: Ashley Lopez, Senior Reporter at KUT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American forces are leaving Afghanistan after 20 years of fighting the country’s longest war. Following a hasty withdrawal of U.S. forces, the Taliban now controls most of the country, including the capital of Kabul. The U.S.-backed government has fled, leaving many civilians desperate to find a way out. How did things get so bad so quickly?Guest: Fred Kaplan, Slate’s War Stories columnist. Kaplan is the author of The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Masks were uncontroversial for many state leaders at the onset of the pandemic last year. But now, masks have become politicized, and in Mississippi, Governor Tate Reeves has reversed his previous stance, refusing to order a mask mandate and leaving local school districts to fend for themselves during a massive surge in COVID cases.Guest: Nick Judin, reporter for the Mississippi Free Press. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Professor Michael Heller, one of the authors of Mine! How the Hidden Rules of Ownership Control Our Lives, for the latest installment of Amicus’ summer season of episodes exploring books and films about the law. Podcast production by Sara Burningham.Sign up for Slate Plus now to listen and support our show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck and Stacy-Marie Ishmael discuss the effects of the Delta variant, rising gas prices, and the rise of ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ fintech. In the Plus segment: Mr. White Hat.Mentioned in the Show:“How the Pandemic Now Ends’,” by Ed Yong for the Atlantic “Biden’s OPEC Plea Is Really Directed at Anxious Drivers,” by Liam Denning for Bloomberg“How Sweden Became the Silicon Valley of Europe,” by Colm Fulton and Supantha Mukherjee for Reuters Email: slatemoney@slate.comPodcast production by Jessamine Molli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experts say that a “fully approved” designation for the vaccines could have sweeping effects. Broader vaccination mandates, inclusion for new age groups, and reassurance for those hesitant to take a vaccine without the designation. As calls for approval grow louder and more urgent, the Food and Drug Administration is yet to give its blessing. What’s happening inside the FDA as they work toward this milestone?Guest: Sarah Owermohle, health care reporter at Politico Host:Lizzie O’Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experts say that a “fully approved” designation for the vaccines could have sweeping effects. Broader vaccination mandates, inclusion for new age groups, and reassurance for those hesitant to take a vaccine without the designation. As calls for approval grow louder and more urgent, the Food and Drug Administration is yet to give its blessing. What’s happening inside the FDA as they work toward this milestone?Guest: Sarah Owermohle, health care reporter at Politico Host:Lizzie O’Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng  Public Citizens: The Attack on Big Government and the Remaking of American Liberalism, by Paul SabinPaul Sabin for the New York Times: “How Liberals Can Attack From the Left—and Win”Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration, by Emily BazelonThe Genius Factory: Unravelling the Mystery of the Nobel Prize Sperm Bank, by David PlotzThe Most Dangerous Writing AppHere’s this week’s chatter:Josie: How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America, by Clint Smith; Maya and the Robot, by Eve L. EwingEmily: Ally Mutnick and Zach Montellaro for Politico: “Redistricting Sprint Begins With Major Census Data Drop”David: Jen Senior for the Atlantic: “What Bobby McIlvaine Left Behind”Listener chatter from Matt Gousman: “Starbase Tour With Elon Musk” For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Josie, David, and Emily share their experiences and advice about trying to write a book.Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)Podcast production by Jess Miller.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap and Grace Woodruff. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, the northern California mountain town of Greenville was wiped out by the Dixie Fire, which has lasted for nearly a month and is now the largest wildfire in California history. Greenville residents have just begun to assess the damage to their homes and businesses. Is it safe to rebuild? Is it even ethical, when wildfires are only expected to get worse? Guest: Margaret Garcia, also known as Meg Upton, reporter at Plumas News. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re still learning the details about how Donald Trump and his supporters tried to get the 2020 presidential election results overturned. One scheme involved attorneys general across several states, and lawyers deep in the Department of Justice. This is the story of one of those lawyers, Jeffrey Bossert Clark, and his desperate attempts to keep Trump in power.Guest: Mark Joseph Stern, staff writer for Slate on the courts and law.If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.