The Journal.

After decades of manufacturing in the United States moving overseas, there are calls to bring it back. But doing that is not straightforward. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner and the founder of American Giant explain how that company produced inexpensive T-shirts in the U.S.

Further Reading:

-How a $12.98 T-Shirt Is Made in America—at a Profit  

Further Listening:

-How One Business Owner Is Getting Ahead of Trump's Tariffs 

-China, an Alabama Business and a 20-Year Battle 

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Gunmen of the Gulf Clan, a drug-trafficking militia in Colombia, are seizing tunnels inside one of the largest gold motherlodes in Latin America. The mine belongs to Zijin Mining Group, a Chinese company, which says it has surrendered nearly two-thirds of its tunnels and lost an estimated $200 million worth of gold in 2023. WSJ's Juan Forero reports.

This episode has been updated to include comment from the Gulf Clan.

Further Reading:

-A Drug Gang Stole 3 Tons of Gold in a Scam So Perfect It’s Still Going 

Further Listening:

-Smuggling Migrants Toward the U.S. Is a Booming Business 

-Why Black Lung Is Rising in Coal Country 

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Last year, China’s foreign minister, Qin Gang, suddenly disappeared. Qin was a rising star in Chinese politics and a protegé of China’s strongman leader, Xi Jinping. In the first episode of our three-part investigation, we chart Qin’s rise and begin to untangle the mystery of his disappearance. This series was originally published in October.

Further Listening:
- Episode 2: The Affair - Apple | Spotify
- Episode 3: The Downfall - Apple | Spotify

We'll be back with something new on January 2.

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Mariah Carey released "All I Want for Christmas Is You" in 1994 to moderate success. Today, the song is a megahit and Christmas playlist staple. What happened? WSJ's John Jurgensen called up the "Queen of Christmas" to find out. This episode was originally published on December 11, 2020.

We'll return with something new on January 2.

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James Bond is one of Hollywood's most famous characters. So when Amazon bought the rights to distribute Bond, executives had big plans for the brand’s intellectual property. But so far, Amazon hasn't made a single Bond movie. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel takes us inside the feud that’s tying up the franchise. 

Further Reading:

-Where Is James Bond? Trapped in an Ugly Stalemate With Amazon 

Further Listening:

-Why Hollywood Is Betting Big on 'Wicked'

-Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows 

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The killing of a top health insurance executive outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel this month triggered an outpouring of public anger at private health insurance companies. WSJ’s Julie Wernau reports that many doctors are among the aggrieved. And two doctors explain how dealing with health insurers is getting worse.

Further Listening:

- The Suspect in the UnitedHealth Killing 

Further Reading:

- Doctors Say Dealing With Health Insurers Is Only Getting Worse 

- Clues Left by a Killer Echo Widespread Anger at Health Insurers

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BookTok, the corner of TikTok that’s all about books, has shaken up the publishing world. Over the last few years, the platform has pulled in new readers, especially in the romance and fantasy genres. And now some of the largest publishers in the U.S. are finding new talent and rethinking their strategies because of TikTok. We hear from an author, a bookstore owner and a publisher about how TikTok has transformed the book industry.

Further Listening:

-The Rise of the Tween Shopper 

-Inside One Publisher’s Fight Against Book Bans 

-Scholastic's Succession Drama 

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After nearly a decade and $10 billion in development, General Motors is ending its robotaxi program. WSJ’s Christopher Otts explains why Cruise wasn’t working for the legacy car company.

Further Reading:

-General Motors Scraps Cruise Robotaxi Program 

-GM’s Self-Driving Car Unit Skids Off Course 

Further Listening:

-How Waymo Won Over San Francisco 

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Intel—the company whose chips were “inside” your ‘90s desktops—has fallen behind in recent years. Now, the CEO hired to turn things around is suddenly out. WSJ’s Asa Fitch explains how the once-dominant chip brand lost its edge.

Further Reading:

- He Was Going to Save Intel. He Destroyed $150 Billion of Value Instead. 

- Intel Co-CEOs Outline Strategy Following Pat Gelsinger’s Ouster 

Further Listening:

- America’s Answer to the Chip Shortage 

- Why Washington Went to Wall Street to Revive the Chips Industry 

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Since the war in Ukraine began, strange attacks have been happening across Europe, including a plot to set DHL packages on fire. WSJ’s Bojan Pancevski on Russia’s escalating shadow war in Europe.  

Further Reading:

-Chinese Ship’s Crew Suspected of Deliberately Dragging Anchor for 100 Miles to Cut Baltic Cables 

-Russia Suspected of Plotting to Send Incendiary Devices on U.S.-Bound Planes 

-The Misfits Russia Is Recruiting to Spy on the West 

Further Listening:

-Elon Musk’s Secret Conversations with Vladimir Putin 

-How Ukraine Built a Weapon to Control the Black Sea 

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This week, a federal judge blocked a proposed $20-billion merger between the U.S.’s two largest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons. WSJ’s Patrick Thomas reports on what happened in the trial, why the two chains turned on one another and what’s next for the grocery business.

Further Listening:

- The Fight for 7-Eleven 

- Why the FTC is Challenging a $25 Billion Supermarket Merger 

Further Reading:

- Albertsons Sues Kroger, Terminates Merger After Judge Blocks Supermarket Megadeal 

- Kroger-Albertsons Merger Blocked by Court, Handing Victory to Biden Antitrust Enforcers 

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Last week, the price of Bitcoin reached $100,000 per coin, an all-time-high as President-elect Donald Trump promises his administration will be crypto-friendly. WSJ’s Alexander Osipovich breaks down the outlook for cryptocurrency.

Further Reading:

-Bitcoin Hits $100,000, Lifted by Hopes of a Crypto-Friendly Washington 

-Crypto Players Celebrate SEC Pick, Bitcoin Touches $100,000 

Further Listening:

-Inside the Trump Crypto Bromance 

-Coinbase’s CEO on the Future of Crypto 

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After a manhunt lasting nearly a week, authorities have arrested and charged a suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson. WSJ’s Joshua Chaffin unpacks what we know about the alleged killer, his possible motivations, and the public rage that has bubbled up as the search continued. 

Further Reading:

- Suspect in UnitedHealth Killing Was Ivy Leaguer With Anticapitalist Leanings 

- Manhunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer Meets Unexpected Obstacle: Sympathy for the Gunman 

- Murder at Dawn: A Top Executive’s Final Moments in Manhattan 

Further Listening:

- The Story Behind the Stabbing of a San Francisco Tech Exec 

- Why So Many Emergency Rooms Are Failing Kids in America 

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After decades of brutal dictatorship in Syria, the regime of Bashar al-Assad fell in a matter of days. WSJ’s Yaroslav Trofimov reports on the rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani and how regional players are responding to political change in Syria.

Further Listening:

- What the Ceasefire in Lebanon Means for the Middle East 

- Ten Days That Shifted Power in Syria 

Further Reading:

- The 11-Day Blitz by Syrian Rebels That Ended 50 Years of Assad Rule 

- Assad’s Downfall Marks a New Realignment in the Middle East 

- How a Syrian Rebel Went From an American Jail to Seizing Aleppo 

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Last month, Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian,” a piece of conceptual art that consists of a banana duct taped to a wall, sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $6.2 million. WSJ’s Kelly Crow traces the banana’s origins from Art Basel Miami in 2019 to the top of the art market this year.

Further Listening:

- A Russian Billionaire, an Art Dealer and an Epic Feud 

- The Basquiat Sisters on Managing One of Art's Hottest Brands

Further Reading:

- A $6.2 Million Banana and the Unexpected Return of the Art Market 

- Someone Just Paid $6.2 Million for a Banana Duct-Taped to a Wall 

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Target used to be a cheap and chic place to shop, but now the retailer is in a sales funk, losing market share to competitors like Walmart, Costco, and Amazon. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer explores what happened to the beloved box store’s numbers and the strategies executives may be discussing to get back on target.  

Further Reading:

-Target’s Slide From Cheap Chic to Dull Chore 

Further Listening:

-What Went Wrong at Bed Bath & Beyond? 

-Old Navy Tried to Make Sizes for All. It Backfired. 

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President-elect Donald Trump has proposed radically downsizing the federal government, and two of his allies are going to be in charge: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. WSJ’s John McCormick walks us through the plans for DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency.

Further Reading:

- Musk, Ramaswamy Want Federal Workers in the Office Full Time. There’s a Hitch. 

- Vivek Ramaswamy’s Marching Orders: Cut Trillions for Trump 

Further Listening:

- Uncovering Elon Musk's Secret Political Donations 

- The Scramble Is on to Fill Trump’s Cabinet 

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As President-elect Donald Trump lays out his plan for increasing tariffs on goods made in China and Mexico, some U.S. businesses are stockpiling. Small business owner Jason Junod explains what he thinks the impacts of the proposed tariffs will be, and why he hasn’t been able to go fully “Made in America.”

Further Reading:

-American Companies Are Stocking Up to Get Ahead of Trump’s China Tariffs 

-Trump Fires Salvo on North American Trade Pact 

Further Listening:

-China, an Alabama Business and a 20-Year Battle 

-Why China Is Risking a Trade War 

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To ease flight delays and staffing shortages in the New York City area, the FAA shifted oversight of Newark Airport’s airspace to Philadelphia earlier this year. But WSJ’s Andrew Tangel reports that problems remain and new risks have surfaced. 

Further Listening:

-How Spirit Airlines Landed in Bankruptcy 

-How Southwest Airlines Melted Down 

Further Reading:

-Why Fixing New York Air Traffic Has Been a Bumpy Ride 

-To Ease Newark Flight Delays, the FAA Turned to Philly. Here’s Why. 

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Happy Thanksgiving! This episode was originally published in November 2023. 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. 

Further Reading:

-These People Are Responsible for the Cranberry Sauce You Love to Hate 

Further Listening:

-Are Rotisserie Chickens 'Inflation-Proof'? 

-The Twinkie: From Bankruptcy to Billions 

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Israel and Lebanon have reached a ceasefire agreement that ends more than a year of fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah. WSJ’s Jared Malsin takes us inside the deal and explores what it could mean for the region.

Further Reading:

-Israel Says Cease-Fire Takes Effect in Lebanon 

-Israel Approves Cease-Fire With Lebanon Aimed at Ending Hezbollah Conflict 

Further Listening:

-The Risk of an All-Out War in the Middle East 

-Exploding Pagers and the Risk of a Spreading War 

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After two weeks of uncertainty, Donald Trump nominated Scott Bessent, a longtime Wall Street investor, as his next Treasury secretary. The pick capped a behind-the-scenes battle one advisor called a “knife fight.” WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia takes us inside the decision, explores why Bessent triumphed and unpacks what his tenure could mean for the U.S. economy.

Further Reading:

-How Scott Bessent Won the ‘Knife Fight’ to Be Trump’s Treasury Secretary 

-Scott Bessent Sees a Coming ‘Global Economic Reordering.’ He Wants to Be Part of It. 

Further Listening:

-Gaetz, Bondi and Trump's Department of Justice 

-The Scramble Is on to Fill Trump's Cabinet 

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The movie musical “Wicked” collected a blockbuster $114 million in its opening weekend. Over the past year, Universal and its parent company Comcast have launched an all-out marketing blitz to blanket the world in “Wicked.” WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel reports on how it is the new Hollywood playbook.

Further Listening:
- The Curtain Closes on Phantom of the Opera 

- The Rise of the Minions 

- Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows 

Further Reading:

- Inside Hollywood’s Big ‘Wicked’ Gamble 

- ‘Wicked’ Flies High on Big Screen, With $114 Million Opening Weekend 

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After recognizing his nomination was facing an uphill battle, former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration for U.S. Attorney General. WSJ's Sadie Gurman describes how president-elect Donald Trump's first pick unraveled and why he chose former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the role instead.

Further Reading:

-Trump Picks Pam Bondi for Attorney General After Gaetz Withdraws 

-Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Consideration as Trump's Attorney General 

-Matt Gaetz Had Sex With 17-Year-Old, Witness Told House Ethics Committee 

Further Listening:

-The Scramble Is on to Fill Trump’s Cabinet

-What a Republican Congress Could Mean for Trump 

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When TNT lost the rights to broadcast NBA games this year, fans worried that the network’s long-running popular show “Inside the NBA” would also end. But, as WSJ’s Joe Flint explains, a complicated trade has allowed the show to live on. 

Further Listening:

- The NBA’s Media Rights Are Up For Grabs. Billions Are At Stake. 

- The Media Mogul Taking an Ax To Hollywood 

Further Reading:

- Warner Bros. Discovery, NBA Settle Legal Battle Over TV Rights 

- Warner’s TNT Sues NBA, Alleging Breach of Media-Rights Contract 

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For years, Spirit Airlines soared with a low-cost, no-frills business model. This week, it came in for a bumpy landing. WSJ's Alison Sider explains how the big airlines learned to compete with Spirit––and helped put the carrier in bankruptcy.

Further Listening:

-The Love Triangle Over Spirit Airlines 

-Frontier, Spirit and the Future of Low-Cost Airlines 

Further Reading:

-How Spirit Airlines Went From Industry Maverick to Chapter 11 Bankruptcy 

-Discount Airline Spirit Files for Bankruptcy 

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Earlier this year, Canadian convenience store company Alimentation Couche-Tard put in a bid to acquire 7-Eleven. Then, management from inside 7-Eleven’s parent company, Seven & i, proposed a record-breaking buyout to counter. WSJ’s Jinjoo Lee on the drama around who will own the world’s largest convenience store chain. 

Further Listening:

-The Fight Over U.S. Steel and the Community Caught in the Middle 

-Why the FTC is Challenging a $25 Billion Supermarket Merger 

Further Reading:

-The Fight for 7-Eleven Isn’t Just About Money 

-Talk of a 7-Eleven Takeover Has Japan Worried About the Rice Balls 

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Grocery bills are going up for a lot of reasons. One has to do with how food gets on grocery store shelves. WSJ’s Jesse Newman explains a hidden layer of fees that are getting passed down to the consumer. 

Further Reading:

- The Mysterious Fees Inflating Your Grocery Bill 

- After Years of Raising Prices, Food Companies Hit Consumers’ Limits 

Further Listening:

- The Twinkie: From Bankruptcy to Billions 

- Food Fight: PepsiCo vs. Carrefour 

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The Onion, the satirical news outlet, wants to buy Infowars, the platform conspiracy theorist Alex Jones used to defame families of the Sandy Hook massacre. Onion CEO Ben Collins shares why and John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, explains what it means to Sandy Hook families and the fight against disinformation.

Further Reading:

-The Onion Is Buying Alex Jones’s Infowars Site 

-Alex Jones Files for Bankruptcy Following Sandy Hook Trial Losses 

Further Listening:

-How Much Will Alex Jones Pay for his Sandy Hook Lie? 

-What One School District Is Doing About Rising Gun Violence 

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Leaders from around the world are meeting in Azerbaijan for the U.N.’s COP29 climate conference. With Donald Trump’s recent election victory looming over the event, the U.S.’s role will be diminished. WSJ’s Matthew Dalton explains why this moment might be China’s chance to shine.

Further Listening:

-The Oil Giant Hosting This Year’s U.N. Climate Summit 

-The Fight Over Climate Change's Price Tag 

Further Reading:

-Trump Victory Leaves China Calling the Shots at COP29 Climate Negotiations 

-Welcome to Baku, a City Built on Oil Hosting the World’s Climate Conference 

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The famous investor and muti-billionaire CEO of Berkshire Hathaway is doing something unusual: selling stocks and hoarding cash. WSJ’s Spencer Jakab breaks down possible reasons why and what everyday investors can learn from his choices.

Further Reading:

- Does Warren Buffett Know Something That We Don’t? 

- A $150 Billion Question: What Will Warren Buffett Do With All That Cash? 

Further Listening:

- Charlie Munger: Curmudgeon, Sage and Investing Legend 

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After abortion access wins in 2022, Democrats made a bet that voters backing abortion on states’ ballot measures would also back Democratic candidates. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto explains why that bet turned out to be wrong.

Further Listening:

The Scramble Is on to Fill Trump’s Cabinet 

What a Republican Congress Could Mean for Trump 

Further Reading:

Voters Continued to Back Abortion Rights. It Didn’t Help Democrats. 

A State-by-State Guide to Abortion Access in the U.S. 

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The incoming Trump administration has just named its White House chief of staff and more appointments will be coming soon. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia on who is in the running and how this transition could be different from 2016.

Further Reading:

-The Scramble Is On to Fill Out Trump’s Cabinet  

-Lutnick Consults With Musk, Kushner, Wall Street in Rush to Staff Trump White House  

-Meet the Wall Street Bigwig Who Has Become Trump’s Headhunter in Chief  

Further Listening:

-Red, White and Who? Why Trump Won and Where Democrats Go Next 

-What a Republican Congress Could Mean for Trump 

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The race is over! Molly Ball and Ryan Knutson dive into the election results to understand what the electorate is feeling. Plus, where did it all go wrong for Democrats and what will day one of a Trump presidency look like?

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? It’s Trump. 

- Red, White and Who? An Electoral College Blowout? 

Further Reading:

- How Trump Won the Economy-Is-Everything Election 

- Trump Win Marks a Blow to Biden’s Legacy 

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Former president Donald Trump is now president-elect. But that wasn’t the only win this week for the GOP. Republicans have also secured a majority in the Senate, and they’re poised to win the House of Representatives. WSJ’s Siobhan Hughes breaks down what this Republican trifecta could look like.

Further Reading:

-Republicans Poised to Keep Control of House After Winning Senate 

-How Republicans Regained Control of the Senate 

Further Listening:

-Red, White and Who? It's Trump. 

-How Donald Trump Pulled Off a Historic Comeback 

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Republican former president Donald Trump defeats Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, reclaiming the White House. WSJ’s Alex Leary reports on Trump’s winning strategy and the campaign that fueled it.

Further Listening:

-Red, White and Who? Playlist 

Further Reading:

-Trump Defeats Harris, Marking Historic Comeback 

-How Donald Trump Won—by Being Donald Trump 

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After flipping Georgia, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, Donald Trump will become the 47th President of the United States. In the early hours of the morning, Molly Ball and Ryan Knutson discuss election night and Trump's victory.

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? An Electoral College Blowout? 

- Red, White and Who? The Undecided Voters Who Could Decide The Election 

Further Reading:

- Live Coverage from WSJ 

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Election night is here, and the U.S.–and the world–is watching as the votes come in. WSJ's Politics Editor Ben Pershing walks us through what he's keeping a close eye on, and how long it might take before a winner is called.

Further Reading:

-Election Day 2024 Live: It's Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump as America Votes 

-A (Don’t Hold Us to It) Hour-by-Hour Guide to Election Night 

Further Listening: 

-Harris, Trump and the Inflation Election 

-Red, White and Who? An Electoral College Blowout? 

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Tomorrow is Election Day, and both Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump have campaigned on bringing down inflation. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos breaks down how both candidates’ plans will impact everyday costs.

Further Listening:

-Why Trump and Harris Aren’t Talking About the $1.8 Trillion Deficit 

-Red, White and Who? Playlist 

Further Reading:

-Economists Warn of New Inflation Hazards After Election 

-Inflation Continues Its Bumpy Decline With Mixed September Reading 

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For decades, activists and lawmakers have tried to change the way child care works in the U.S. But they haven’t had much success. More recently, a fight has been brewing at the local level. This Tuesday, several places around the country will vote on whether to subsidize childcare. WSJ’s Harriet Torry explains what that could mean for one county in Texas.

Further Reading:

-Are American Taxpayers Ready to Foot the Bill for Child Care? 

-Child Care, Rent, Insurance: Where Inflation Hits Hardest Now 

Further Listening:

-How Employer-Funded Child Care Can Work 

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Rachel Humphreys and Molly Ball share dispatches from two major campaign events with Ryan Knutson. Molly analyzes the closing arguments and outlines what to expect on election day. Plus, we finally answer listeners’ most asked question: What’s up with the electoral college? 

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? The Undecided Voters Who Could Decide The Election 

- Red, White and Who? The Desperation Stage 

Further Reading:

- America Is Having a Panic Attack Over the Election 

- Pennsylvania Has Already Become Ground Zero for Election-Fraud Claims 

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After a rocky start, self-driving car company Waymo seems to have won over riders in San Francisco. WSJ’s Meghan Bobrowsky talks about the company’s push to convince the public its robotaxis are safe and the challenges of replicating that progress elsewhere.

Further Reading:

-How San Francisco Learned to Love Self-Driving Cars 

-America’s Most Tech-Forward City Has Doubts About Self-Driving Cars 

Further Listening:

-The Future of Self-Driving Cars Is Here 

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For four generations, the Merwin family has worked in Boeing’s factories in Washington state. But for the last six weeks, Tony Merwin and his son Patrick have been on strike, along with 33,000 machinists. They explain why they’re demanding higher wages and pension benefits. 

Further Reading:

-For This Boeing Family, the Job Is the Same. The Payoff Isn’t 

-Boeing Strike Extended After Union Machinists Reject Contract 

-Boeing’s CEO Is Shrinking the Jet Maker to Stop Its Crisis From Spiraling 

Further Listening:

-Why 33,000 Boeing Workers Walked Off the Job 

-Boeing's Long Flight Delay – in Space 

-Boeing Agrees to Felony Plea. Now Its Future Is Up in the Air. 

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During the Trump administration, Chris Krebs was the top cybersecurity official at the Department of Homeland Security. He spoke with WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler at WSJ Tech Live about the upcoming U.S. election and growing cyber threats from foreign governments.

Further Listening:

-The Chinese Hackers Spying on U.S. Internet Traffic 

-Red, White and Who? Playlist 

Further Reading:

-China-Linked Hackers Breach U.S. Internet Providers in New ‘Salt Typhoon’ Cyberattack 

-U.S. Wiretap Systems Targeted in China-Linked Hack 

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For the past two years, tech billionaire Elon Musk has been having regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. WSJ’s Thomas Grove reports on what we know about the nature of their conversations and why that contact raises potential national security concerns for some in the current administration.

Further Reading:

- Elon Musk’s Secret Conversations With Vladimir Putin 

- Musk Says He Thwarted Attack on Russian Fleet in Ukraine’s Crimea 

Further Listening:

- Uncovering Elon Musk's Secret Political Donations 

- The Russian Military is Using Elon Musk’s Starlink 

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Hans Zimmer, Academy Award-winning composer, and Golnar Khosrowshahi, CEO of Reservoir Media, discuss AI in the music industry, why human creation is still unique and whether or not Zimmer approves of “The Journal” theme music.

Further Listening:

-Artificial: The OpenAI Story

-When AI Comes for Your Art

Further Reading:

-Hans Zimmer, Movie Maestro

-Music Labels Take On AI Startups With New Lawsuits

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Five undecided voters in swing states speak to Rachel Humphreys about how they're feeling as election day looms. Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball unpack the stakes. Plus, will betting markets predict the winner?

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? The Desperation Stage 

- How Betting on U.S. Politics Is Getting Big 

Further Reading:

- Trump Takes Narrow Lead Over Harris in Closing Weeks of Race 

- Meet the Traders Making Money Off the Trump Shooting and Biden’s Stumbles 

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Mike Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, was arrested and charged with running an international sex-trafficking ring. WSJ’s Khadeeja Safdar describes the alleged crimes and the potential fallout for the company.

Further Reading:

-Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries Is Arrested, Charged in Sex-Trafficking Case 

Further Listening:

-The Resurrection of Abercrombie & Fitch 

-JPMorgan's $75 Million Jeffrey Epstein Settlement 

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Across the country, elections officials are bracing for a potentially contentious election day. At the same time, a network of conservative election integrity groups are preparing to challenge the result. WSJ's Rebecca Ballhaus reports on the billionaire-funded effort to contest the election, and WSJ's Jim Carlton reports how Maricopa County, Arizona is preparing for the worst.

Further Reading:

-The Secretive Billionaire Network Funding ‘Stop the Steal’ 2.0 

-‘It Feels Very Dystopian.’ Republican County Officials Brace for Election Deniers—Again 

Further Listening:

-Red, White and Who? The Desperation Stage  

-Uncovering Elon Musk's Secret Political Donations 

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For 17 days last year, unidentified drones swarmed an area in Virginia that is home to a military base and other sensitive intelligence sites. WSJ’s Gordon Lubold looked into why it was so difficult for U.S. officials to stop them. 

Further Reading:

-Mystery Drones Swarmed a U.S. Military Base for 17 Days. The Pentagon Is Stumped. 

Further Listening:

-How Ukraine Built a Weapon to Control the Black Sea 

-Cheap Drones Are Transforming the Battlefield 

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Clouds are gathering over the Sunshine State’s housing market. Especially along the state’s Gulf Coast, housing inventory is up and buyer interest is slowing. WSJ’s Deborah Acosta talks through the cooling-off of one of America’s biggest housing booms and what it says about what it means to live in Florida now.

Further Listening:

- Is Asheville No Longer a 'Climate Haven? 

- Years After Surfside Collapse, Florida Condos Are In Crisis 

Further Reading:

- The Great Florida Migration Is Coming Undone 

- Why the Tampa Area Is So Vulnerable to a Hurricane 

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Last year, China’s foreign minister, Qin Gang, suddenly disappeared. Qin was a rising star in Chinese politics and a protegé of China’s strongman leader, Xi Jinping. In the first episode of our three-part investigation, we chart Qin’s rise and begin to untangle the mystery of his disappearance.

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In the second episode of our investigation, we examine the life and career of Fu Xiaotian: the prominent Chinese TV host who had an affair with Qin Gang. Like Qin, Fu was sharp and ambitious, but her high-flying career would come to an abrupt halt. And like Qin, she would also mysteriously disappear. 

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In our final episode, we get a break in the case of the missing minister: According to our sources, Chinese officials were told that Qin disappeared due to an explosive allegation. We dig into that story and its consequences for Fu and for Qin – Xi Jinping’s trusted aide. 

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With millions of votes already cast, the race is on for each campaign to get their supporters to the polls. Ryan Knutson talks with Molly Ball about the different strategies Trump and Harris are taking, and why election denial is such a big issue in Arizona. Plus, Rachel Humphreys speaks to a Gen Z Voter.

Further Listening: 

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? Foreign Policy and the Rise of Donald Trump Jr. 

- Red, White and Who? Veep Veep! All Eyes on Vance and Walz 

Further Reading:

- Republicans Rush to Bolster Trump’s Ground Game 

- Kari Lake’s 2022 Fraud Claims Are Costing Her in 2024 

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Lilly Ledbetter, equal pay trailblazer, died on Saturday. WSJ’s Joseph De Avila reports on how Ledbetter faced pay discrimination at her job and sued her employer, taking her case all the way to the Supreme Court. And WSJ’s Lauren Weber discusses the persistence of the gender pay gap. 

Further Reading:

-Fair-Wage Advocate Lilly Ledbetter Dies at 86 

-Data Show Gender Pay Gap Opens Early 

Further Listening:

-The TikTok That Changed College Hoops 

-What Corporate America Can Learn From Coke’s Reckoning With Race 

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Investigators say that Arion Kurtaj’s life in cybercrime began at age 11, and ultimately led to his participation in the hacks of major companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Uber. WSJ’s Robert McMillan explains how Kurtaj’s case has brought worries about a new breed of fearless young hackers.

Further Reading:

-This Teenage Hacker Became a Legend Attacking Companies. Then His Rivals Attacked Him. 

-Hackers Leaked ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Footage, Rockstar Games Says 

Further Listening:

-Hack Me If You Can, Part 1: The Making of a Russian Hacker 

-How North Korea’s Hacker Army Stole $3 Billion in Crypto 

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Over the summer, an outbreak of listeria in Boar’s Head products killed 10 people and sickened dozens more. In the months after the crisis, the family that runs the company has said little. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer dug through court documents to piece together a decades-long story of a family fighting over ownership of a deli meat empire.

Further Reading:

- Inside the Half-Century Feud Dividing the Boar’s Head Family 

- Boar’s Head Closing Virginia Factory Tied to Deadly Listeria Outbreak 

Further Listening:

- Farm-to-Table Pioneer on Why We Still Need Better Food 

- Food Fight: PepsiCo vs. Carrefour 

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TD Bank’s U.S. entity pleaded guilty and agreed to pay more than $3 billion in penalties, acknowledging it failed to properly monitor money laundering by drug cartels and other criminal groups. WSJ’s Dylan Tokar unpacks the investigation that led to such a historic deal.

Further Listening:

-The Suitcases Full of Cash Flowing Through Airports 

Further Reading:

-TD Bank Agrees to $3 Billion in Penalties and Growth Restrictions in U.S. Settlement 

-TD Pays Hefty Penalties as Prosecutors Detail Nearly a Decade of Lax Controls 

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Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball explore what we know about both candidates’ approach to foreign policy. Plus, Molly shares what she learned about the future of MAGA from an interview with Donald Trump Jr. and JD Vance.

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? Veep Veep! All Eyes on Vance and Walz 

- Red, White and Who? It's Always the Economy! 

Further Reading:

- How Donald Trump Jr. Became the Crown Prince of MAGA World 

- JD Vance’s Version of Trump Is Better Than the Real Thing 

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The U.S. budget deficit topped $1.8 trillion in the last fiscal year. Meanwhile, both candidates for president are proposing plans that would increase the deficit for years to come. WSJ’s Richard Rubin explains how the deficit got so large and why the candidates don’t talk about it. 

Further Listening:

-The Economy: Trump vs. Harris 

-The Clock Is Ticking on the Debt Ceiling 

Further Reading:

-Federal Deficit Hit $1.8 Trillion for 2024, CBO Says 

-Federal Debt Is Soaring. Here’s Why Trump and Harris Aren’t Talking About It. 

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Elon Musk's financial support for Republican causes has been much more extensive and started earlier than previously known. WSJ’s Dana Mattioli reports on Musk’s rightward political shift and explains how he hid his donations. 

Further Listening:

- Elon Musk and Silicon Valley Turn Towards Trump 

Further Reading:

- Elon Musk Gave Tens of Millions to Republican Causes Far Earlier Than Previously Known 

- Inside Elon Musk’s Hands-On Push to Win 800,000 Voters for Trump 

- How Elon Musk Broke With Biden and the Democrats

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WSJ reporting has revealed a major cyberattack from a group tied to the Chinese government. Hackers penetrated the networks of several broadband providers and gained access to the U.S. domestic wiretapping system. Dustin Volz unpacks what the attack could mean for national security.

Further Listening:

- ‘Hack Me If You Can’ 

- Hacking the Hackers 

Further Reading:

- U.S. Wiretap Systems Targeted in China-Linked Hack 

- Chinese-Linked Hackers Breach U.S. Internet Providers in New ‘Salt Typhoon’ Cyberattack 

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Asheville, North Carolina, was thriving until floodwaters and heavy wind from Hurricane Helene ripped through the region and destroyed large parts of the city's commercial districts. We talk to two business owners who are trying to figure out what comes next. 

Further Reading:

-The Hurricane That Threatens to Sink Asheville’s Feel-Good Success 

-North Carolina in Crisis Mode as Helene Rescues Continue 

Further Listening:

-Hot, Dry and Booming: A Texas Climate Case Study 

-‘Everything Is Gone’ — One Resident on the Maui Wildfires 

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Last month, Microsoft and Constellation Energy announced a deal to restart Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island, the site of the country’s worst nuclear power accident. WSJ’s Jennifer Hiller reports that the goal is to power the tech giant’s growing artificial intelligence ambitions.

Further Listening:

- Artificial: The OpenAI Story 

- Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's Big Bet on AI 

Further Reading:

- Three Mile Island’s Nuclear Plant to Reopen, Help Power Microsoft’s AI Centers 

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The vice-presidential candidates took center stage at a debate this week. Ryan Knutson talks with Molly Ball about the important takeaways, and Rachel Humphreys speaks to a listener about why she’s thinking about climate change this election. 

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? It's Always the Economy! 

- Red, White and Who? Why Ohio Could Decide the Senate 

Further Reading:

- JD Vance’s Version of Trump Is Better Than the Real Thing 

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Under CEO John Donahoe, Nike pulled away from retailers and ramped up production of its classic sneaker lines. Now sales have plummeted, the company has lost market share to competitors and Donahoe is stepping down. WSJ's Inti Pacheco discusses what went wrong.

Further Reading:

-Nike CEO John Donahoe Stepping Down After Rocky Tenure 

-How Nike Missed the Boom in Running Culture 

-Nike Reverses Course as Innovation Stalls and Rivals Gain Ground 

Further Listening:

-Nike’s Sneaky Sneaker Thieves 

-How Allbirds Lost Its Footing 

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Israel is now fighting on multiple fronts, after clashing with Hezbollah in Lebanon and sustaining Iranian strikes yesterday. WSJ’s Michael Amon explains the growing risk of an all-out regional war.  

Further Reading:

- Israel Clashes With Hezbollah in Lebanon 

- Israeli Response to Iran’s Attack to Set Course of Widening War 

- Israeli Review Shows Minor Damage From Iran’s Missile Barrage 

Further Listening:

- Exploding Pagers and the Risk of a Spreading War 

- The Brutal Calculation of Hamas’s Leader 

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In less than two years, OpenAI—the company behind ChatGPT—has gone from a little-known nonprofit lab to a world-famous organization at the forefront of an artificial intelligence revolution. But the company has faced a series of challenges, culminating last week in another high-profile departure and the decision to become a for-profit corporation. WSJ’s Deepa Seetharaman discusses the permanent change to OpenAI's ethos and what it could mean for the AI industry.

Further Listening:

- Artificial: The OpenAI Story 

- Artificial: Episode 1, The Dream 

Further Reading:

- Turning OpenAI Into a Real Business Is Tearing It Apart 

- OpenAI’s Complex Path to Becoming a For-Profit Company 

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The Department of Justice is taking Visa, the largest card network in the U.S., to court, accusing the company of illegally monopolizing the debit card market. WSJ's Angel Au-Yeung breaks down the Justice Department's allegations.

Further Listening:

- The Unusual Economics of the Bilt Credit Card 

- The Deal That Could Change Credit Cards 

- The Trustbuster Taking on Ticketmaster 

Further Reading:

- Justice Department Sues Visa, Alleges Illegal Monopoly in Debit-Card Payments 

- Google Faces Blockbuster Antitrust Case—Again 

- Getting Oasis Tickets Was a Nightmare. Ticketmaster Is Again Being Asked for Answers. 

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The mayor of America’s largest city likes to say he’s been “rejected, arrested and then elected.” Now, he’s been indicted. WSJ’s Jimmy Vielkind unpacks the unprecedented federal foreign bribery case against Eric Adams.

Further Listening:

-Gold Bars, Cash and a Mercedes: A U.S. Senator's Corruption Trial 

Further Reading:

-Inside the Eric Adams Indictment 

-After the Eric Adams Indictment, What’s Next? 

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After two big economic speeches this week, Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball discuss the candidates’ different economic strategies. Plus, voting has begun! We explore mail in voting and its impact on this election!

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? Why Ohio Could Decide the Senate 

- Red, White and Who? A Swing-State Debate 

Further Reading:

- Harris Puts Government Intervention at Heart of Economic Policy 

- Trump Says Plan Will Convince Foreign Companies to Shift Jobs to U.S. 

- Voters Love the Policies That Economists Love to Hate 

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Milton Magnus, an Alabama businessman who runs one of the last makers of wire hangers in the U.S., has waged a decades-long tariff battle against Chinese manufacturers to try to stay afloat. We hear from Magnus and we talk to Chao Deng about th e effectiveness of tariffs as the trade tool becomes more popular with politicians. 

Further Listening:

-Why China Is Risking a Trade War 

-The Fight Over U.S. Steel and the Community Caught in the Middle 

Further Reading:

-The Family Business in Alabama That Fights China for Survival 

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Former president Donald Trump wants to be the crypto president. With stops at a bitcoin conference and a bitcoin-themed bar, Trump is tapping into an industry that’s eager to support a crypto-friendly candidate. WSJ’s Vicky Huang explains how Trump and the crypto industry have cozied up ahead of the 2024 election.

Further Reading:

- Trump Hitches His Campaign to the Crypto Crowd 

- That Time Donald Trump Walked Into a Bar and Bought a Round Using Bitcoin 

- The Crypto Industry Is Trying to Elect Political Allies. The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher. 

Further Listening:

- Elon Musk and Silicon Valley Turn Towards Trump 

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This month, Red Lobster emerged from bankruptcy. At the helm of the restaurant chain is its new CEO, 35-year-old Damola Adamolekun. Ryan Knutson talks to Adamolekun about what brought about Red Lobster’s decline and his plan to revitalize the company. 

Further Listening:

- McDonald’s Wants To Offer Quality And Value. Can It Do Both? 

Further Reading:

- The 35-Year-Old CEO Plotting Red Lobster’s Comeback 

- Red Lobster Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy With New Owners, CEO 

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Christian filmmakers have surprised Hollywood with a series of box office hits and now investors are pouring in millions. WSJ’s John Jurgensen explains how their successes could change the entertainment industry.

Further Reading: 

- Religious Movies Are Sweeping Hollywood. Rich Investors Are Pouring In Millions. 

- Fans Pour Funding - and Faith - Into a Hit Drama About Jesus 

- A Child-Trafficking Thriller Is Taking on Hollywood. Who’s behind it? 

Further Listening: 

- With Great Power, Part 1: Origin Story 

- Mattel Bets Big on Barbie 

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The Federal Reserve cut interest rates this week, after a two year battle with inflation. David Uberti explains how that will impact the economy and we hear from two couples about what they hope this means for their finances. 

Further Listening:

- A Fed Insider on the Looming Rate Cut 

- What the Stock Market Panic Says About the Economy 

- Trump Allies Draft Plans to Rein in the Fed 

Further Reading:

- Americans Are Desperate for Relief. The Rate Cut Is a Glimmer of Hope. 

- The Fed Aims to Repeat Greenspan’s 1990s Masterpiece 

- Fed Cuts Rates by Half Percentage Point 

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Ryan Knutson talks with Molly Ball and Rachel Humphreys about their recent trip to Ohio, where they talked to voters about a tight Senate race and why it might matter so much for both parties. Plus, look at another important Senate race in Montana.

Further Listening: 

- Red, White and Who? Playlist 

- Red, White and Who? A Swing-State Debate 

- Red, White, and Who? How Abortion Plays for Trump and Harris 

Further Reading:

- A Populist Democrat Fights to Survive the Trump-Fueled Populist Wave 

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On Tuesday afternoon, thousands of pagers issued to Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon exploded at the same time, killing 12 people and injuring more than 2,800. The next day, walkie-talkies detonated in a similar way. Michael Amon reports on one of Israel’s most ambitious covert operations and what the attacks could mean for a broader war.

Further Listening:

-The Brutal Calculation of Hamas’s Leader 

-Why Israel and Hamas Could Be Headed Into a Forever War 

Further Reading:

-How a Covert Attack Against Hezbollah Unfolded Across Lebanon’s Streets and Malls 

-Israel Scored a Stunning Blow Against Hezbollah. Its Path to Victory Is Less Clear. 

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Organized crime used to be considered a remote threat in much of Western Europe, but ruthless violence by criminal gangs is now rattling the peace in some of the world’s safest societies. WSJ’s Sune Rasmussen explores the rise of one drug kingpin and how his brutal tactics have spread around the continent. 

Further Reading:

- Violent Drug Gangs Bring Mayhem to Western Europe 

Further Listening:

- The Push to Test Drugs for Fentanyl 

- Afghanistan's Desperation Economy 

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This week, a trial got under way to determine whether Rupert Murdoch can change a trust holding the family’s assets for his children. Murdoch wants to ensure that when he dies control of the trust passes to his oldest son, Lachlan. Three of his other children, James, Elisabeth and Prudence, oppose the change because they would stand to lose voting power. Amol Sharma reports. 

Further Listening:

- Media Giant Rupert Murdoch Is Stepping Down 

- Behind the Breakup of Fox and Tucker Carlson 

Further Reading:

- The Family Rift Driving Rupert Murdoch to Redo His ‘Irrevocable’ Trust 

- Murdochs Face Off in a Reno Courthouse Over Family Trust 

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Tens of thousands of Boeing’s unionized workers are on strike after they rejected a new contract last week. WSJ’s Sharon Terlep reports on the rising tensions that have led to this breaking point and what it could mean for the only American manufacturer of both commercial and military aircraft.

Further Reading: 

- Boeing Freezes Hiring, Delays Pay Raises as Strike Worsens Finances 

- Boeing Union Goes on Strike, Halting 737 Production 

Further Listening: 

- Boeing's Long Flight Delay – in Space 

- Boeing Agrees to Felony Plea. Now Its Future Is Up in the Air. 

- The Failures Inside Boeing's 737 Factory 

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Scammers are exploiting retailers’ online return programs like never before, fueled by websites and messaging apps. WSJ’s Liz Young reports on the bind retailers now find themselves in, stuck between helping their customers and stopping the fraud.

Further Reading:

- Online Returns Fraud Finds a Home on Telegram, Costing Retailers Billions 

- Brick-Filled Boxes. Bogus Receipts. Retailers Battle Fraudulent Returns. 

Further Listening:

- How Cyber Thieves Are Disrupting U.S. Goods 

- The Slaves Sending You Scam Texts 

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After a tense debate, Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball unpack a busy election week and examine what’s next for both campaigns in crucial swing states like Pennsylvania. Plus, could a state like Nebraska decide the election?

Further Listening:

- Red, White, and Who? How Abortion Plays for Trump and Harris 

- For Kamala Harris, a Big Interview and a Narrow Lead 

- Is the Trump Campaign Going Off Track? 

Further Reading:

- We Asked Undecided Voters Who Won the Trump-Harris Debate 

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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.

Further Listening:

-Why China Is Risking a Trade War 

Further Reading:

-Biden Prepares to Block $14 Billion Steel Deal 

-Japan Bid for U.S. Steel Runs Up Against U.S. Politics 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Testosterone Clinics Sell Virility. Some Men End Up With Infertility. 

Further Listening:

- Trillion Dollar Shot, Episode 1: Birth of a Blockbuster 

- The Rise of Botox and the Wrinkle in Its Future 

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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.

Further Listening:

- How North Korea’s Hacker Army Stole $3 Billion in Crypto 

- North Korea’s Propaganda Mastermind 

- The Cyberattack That’s Roiling Healthcare 

Further Reading:

- North Korean Spies Are Infiltrating U.S. Companies Through IT Jobs 

- Kim Jong Un Wants to Block All North Koreans From Escaping. It Isn’t Working. 

- A North Korean Diplomat Managed a Rare Defection: A Flight Out of Cuba 

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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.  

Further Reading:

- Meet the Traders Making Money Off the Trump Shooting and Biden’s Stumbles 

- Judge Holds Off on Allowing Election Bets–For Now 

- The Hot New Trade That Everyone Is Watching: Will Biden Drop Out? 

Further Listening:

- How Gambling Scandals Are Rocking Sports Leagues 

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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. 

Further Listening:

- A Plan to Hack the Planet

Further Reading:

- This Texas City Is Too Hot, Short on Water—and Booming 

- Welcome to Y’all Street, Texas’ Burgeoning Financial Hub 

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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?

Further Listening:

- For Kamala Harris, a Big Interview and a Narrow Lead 

- Hope, Unity (and Some Nerves at the DNC) 

- Is the Trump Campaign Going Off Track? 

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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. 

Further Listening:

- What the Stock Market Panic Says About the Economy 

- Why the Fed Is Steering Away From Rate Cuts 

Further Reading:

- The Make-or-Break Moment That Will Determine the Economy’s Fate 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Teen Girls Are Spending Big. She Tells Them What to Buy. 

- Why Tweens Are Obsessed With This $110 Sweatsuit 

Further Listening:

- How the Stanley Cup Became the Internet's Favorite Water Bottle 

- Teens Are Falling Victim to AI Fake Nudes 

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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 platforms.

Further Reading:

- Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Charged by French Authorities 

- Exclusive | Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Was Wooed and Targeted by Governments 

Further Listening:

- Is Fighting Misinformation Censorship? The Supreme Court Will Decide. 

- What Happens to Privacy in the Age of AI? 

- Meta Is Struggling to Boot Pedophiles Off Facebook and Instagram 

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Kamala Harris is trying to step out of President Biden’s shadow without distancing herself from their 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.  

Further Reading:

- Harris Has Taken Narrow Lead Over Trump, WSJ Poll Finds 

- Race Is On To Reach the Rapidly Shrinking Pool of Undecided Voters 

Further Listening:

- Is the Trump Campaign Going Off Track? 

- Kamala Harris, In Context  

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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.

Further Reading:

-Private Equity Ownership Is Coming to the NFL 

-College Sports Is About to Turn Pro. Private Equity Wants In. 

Further Listening:

-Why Three Media Giants Are Betting on Sports Streaming 

-ESPN’s Big Bet on an F-Bomb-Throwing YouTube Star 

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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.

Further Listening:

- How Xi Jinping's Dream Slowed China's Economy 

- The Political Cost of China's Faltering Economy 

Further Reading:

- Why China Is Starting a New Trade War 

- China Revives Socialist Ideas to Fix Its Real-Estate Crisis 

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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.

Further Reading:

-Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover Is Now the Worst Buyout for Banks Since the Financial Crisis 

-Elon Musk’s Hard Turn to Politics, in 300,000 of His Own Words 

Further Listening:

-Elon Musk and Silicon Valley Turn Towards Trump
-Tesla’s Multibillion-Dollar Pay Package for Elon Musk
-Why Elon Musk’s Twitter Is Losing Advertisers 

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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.’ 

Further Listening:

- What’s Behind Amazon’s Review Problem 

- The Resurrection of Abercrombie & Fitch 

Further Reading:

- Temu’s U.S. Entry Is an Orange Flag for Etsy 

- Etsy to Cut 11% of Marketplace Workforce in Restructuring 

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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. 

Further Listening:

- Is the Trump Campaign Going Off Track?  

- Takeaways from the RNC: Trump Is in Control 

Further Reading:

- Kamala Harris Defines the Democrats’ New Normal 

- Democrats’ Upbeat Convention Has Nancy Pelosi to Thank 

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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.

Further Reading:

-How Bank of America Ignores Its Own Rules Meant to Prevent Dangerous Workloads 

-Bank of America Urges Bankers to Sound Alarm on Overwork After WSJ Investigation 

Further Listening:

-Lewd Photos, Booze and Bullying: Inside the FDIC’s Toxic Culture 

-JPMorgan's $75 Million Jeffrey Epstein Settlement 

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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.  

Further Listening:

- Can Chinese Customers Rescue Starbucks?  

- The Underdog Coffee Bean That’s Making a Comeback 

Further Reading:

- Inside Starbucks’s Surprising CEO Firing and Hiring 

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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.

Further Reading:

-DNC 2024 Live Updates 

-DNC Protesters Have a Message for Kamala Harris: ‘Talk Is Cheap’ 

-Pro-Gaza Activists Size Up Kamala Harris 

Further Listening:

-The Economy: Trump vs. Harris 

-Trump Courts the Union Vote 

-Pro-Palestinian Protests and Arrests at U.S. Colleges 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Harris Calls for Expanded Child Tax Credit, 3 Million New Housing Units 

- Harris, Trump Propose Divergent, Costly Solutions for Inflation 

Further Listening:

- Is the Trump Campaign Going Off Track? 

- 'Phony' and 'Weird.' Trump and Harris Size Each Other Up 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Race Is On To Reach the Rapidly Shrinking Pool of Undecided Voters 

- Inside Elon Musk’s Hands-On Push to Win 800,000 Voters for Trump 

Further Listening:

- The Week that Changed the Presidential Race 

- Kamala Harris, In Context  

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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.

Further Reading:

-Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki Dies at Age 56 

-YouTube’s Susan Wojcicki on Transforming the Video Service 

Further Listening:

-Why the DOJ Is Suing Google Again 

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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. 

Further Listening:

-Conservatives Come for ESG 

Further Reading:

-The Activist Pushing Companies to Ditch Their Diversity Policies 

-Diversity Goals Are Disappearing From Companies’ Annual Reports 

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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.

Further Reading:

-China Restricts Fentanyl Chemicals After Years of U.S. Pressure 

Further Listening:

-The Push to Test Drugs for Fentanyl 

-How a Balloon Burst U.S.-China Relations 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Boeing Sent Two Astronauts Into Space. Now It Needs to Get Them Home. 

- NASA Says Starliner Astronauts Could Return With SpaceX—Next Year 

- Two Astronauts Are Stuck in Space. Here’s How They’re Passing the Time. 

Further Listening:

- Elon Musk’s Unusual Relationships With Women at SpaceX 

- The New Race to the Moon 

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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 the law will impact millions of cocoa farmers in West Africa.

Further Reading:

- Chocolate Prices Have Soared. A New Law Threatens to Keep Them High. 

- Your Sweet Tooth Is Getting Expensive 

Further Listening:

- How Indonesia Tamed Rainforest Destruction 

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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. 

Further Reading:

-Can Bill Ackman Turn Social-Media Stardom Into a Blockbuster IPO? 

-What Bill Ackman Got Wrong With His Bungled IPO 

Further Listening:

-The Life of One of Wall Street’s Greatest Investors 

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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 Google’s business and potentially change how we search the internet. 

Further Reading:

-Google’s Antitrust Loss Set to Reshape Search and Mobile Industries 

-Google Loses Antitrust Case Over Search-Engine Dominance 

Further Listening:

-Why the DOJ Is Suing Google Again 

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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.

Further Listening:

-Live from Seattle: A Weird Economy + Election = ?? 

-Why the Fed Is Steering Away From Rate Cuts

Further Reading:

-Market Selloff Upends Fed Rate-Cut Calculus 

-Lousy Jobs Report Forces Fed to Reckon With Hard Landing 

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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.

Further Reading:

- The Law Firm Hitting Businesses With Thousands of Disability Suits 

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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. 

Further Listening:

- The Week That Changed the Presidential Race 

- Takeaways from the RNC: Trump Is in Control 

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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. 

Further Listening:

-Russia Tries a WSJ Reporter in a Secret Court 

-Two Parents on a Crusade to Free Their Son 

Further Reading:

-Inside the Secret Negotiations to Free Evan Gershkovich 

-WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich Is Free 

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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. 

Further Reading:

-Alexa Is in Millions of Households—and Amazon Is Losing Billions 

Further Listening:

-Amazon's Secret Operation to Gather Intel on Rivals 

-What Is Amazon's Secret 'Project Nessie'? 

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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. 

Further Reading:

- Paris Olympics Postpones Triathlon Because of Pollution in River Seine 

- Yes, They’re Actually Doing Olympic Swimming in the River Seine. Gulp.  

- Herculean Feat in Paris Olympics: Make the Seine Safe to Swim  

Further Listening:

- Simone Biles and the Power of Saying No 

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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.

Further Listening:

- Pig Butchering: A Texting Scam With A Crypto Twist 

Further Reading:

- Posing As ‘Alicia,’ This Man Scammed Hundreds Online. He Was Also A Victim. 

- ‘She Hooked Me’: How An Online Scam Cost A Senior Citizen His Life’s Savings 

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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. 

Further Listening:

- Takeaways from the RNC: Trump Is in Control 

Further Reading:

- Biden Withdrawal Caps Weeks of Epic Political Turbulence 

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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.

Further Listening:

- Will Florida’s Plan to Get Cheap Drugs From Canada Work? 

- Trillion Dollar Shot 

Further Reading:

- Drug Shortages in America Reach a Record High 

- Drug Shortages Trigger FTC Probe 

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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.

Further Listening:

- Biden Taps Out. Harris Taps In. 

- Takeaways from the RNC: Trump Is in Control 

Further Reading:

- Inside the Slow-Building Biden-Harris Relationship 

- How Kamala Harris Views Policy 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Blue Screens Everywhere Are Latest Tech Woe for Microsoft 

- CrowdStrike Made Its Name Fighting Technology Problems. Now It Has Caused One. 

Further Listening:

- The Computer Glitch That Caused Nearly 1,000 Convictions 

- Hacking the Hackers 

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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. 

Further Listening:

- Takeaways from the RNC: Trump Is in Control 

- Will Biden Stay in the Race? 

Further Reading:

- How the Bet on an 81-Year-Old Joe Biden Turned Into an Epic Miscalculation 

- Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race, Endorses Harris 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Trump Hasn’t Changed, but the GOP Has 

- Crypto Dads, Trump Suits and Four-Letter Words: Scenes from the Cultural Frenzy at the RNC 

Further Listening:

- Elon Musk and Silicon Valley Turn Towards Trump 

- Trump Courts the Union Vote 

- The Secret Service’s Failure to Protect Trump 

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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. 

Further Listening:

- Tesla’s Multibillion-Dollar Pay Package for Elon Musk 

- Money, Drugs, Elon Musk and Tesla’s Board 

- Trump Courts the Union Vote 

Further Reading:

- Musk Turbocharges Silicon Valley Support for Trump 

- Elon Musk Has Said He Is Committing Around $45 Million a Month to a New - Pro-Trump Super PAC 

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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.

Further Reading:

- The Shadowy Judicial System That Controls the Fate of WSJ’s Evan Gershkovich 

Further Listening:

- A WSJ Reporter Arrested in Russia 

- Russian Court Upholds WSJ Reporter’s Detention 

- Two Parents on a Crusade to Free Their Son 

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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.

Further Listening:

-‘We’ll Strike All Three’: The UAW’s Historic Walkout 

Further Reading:

-For Embattled Biden, Union Members Aren’t the Reliable Support They Used to Be 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Trump Rally Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks Said to Have Been Loner Who Rarely Voiced Politics 

- Trump Shooting Is Secret Service’s Most Stunning Failure in Decades 

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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.

Further Reading:

- ‘I Felt Shameful and Fearful’: Teen Who Saw AI Fake Nudes of Herself Speaks Out 

- AI Fake Nudes Are Now a Frightening Reality for Teens  

Further Listening:

- Artificial: Episode 1, The Dream 

- He Thought Instagram Was Safe. Then His Daughter Got an Account. 

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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. 

Further Listening:

- Shein Took Over Fast Fashion. Then Came the Backlash. 

- The Unraveling of Stitch Fix 

- Old Navy Tried to Make Sizes for All. It Backfired. 

Further Reading and Watching:

- How Jeans for Millennials Helped Revive Abercrombie & Fitch Stock 

- Abercrombie & Fitch Is Reaping the Rewards of Taking Adult Women Seriously 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Menendez Declared His ‘Resurrection.’ Then He Fell in Love. 

Further Listening:

- The 'Mystery Man' Tells Us How He Helped Free Rod Blagojevich 

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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. 

Further Listening:

-The Failures Inside Boeing’s 737 Factory 

-A Hole in a Plane and a Headache for Boeing 

Further Reading:

-Boeing Agrees to Plead Guilty in 737 MAX Criminal Case 

-Inside DOJ’s Wrenching Decision on Whether to Prosecute Boeing 

-Boeing Violated Criminal Settlement After 737 MAX Crashes, Justice Department Says 

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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.

Further Listening:

- The Trial of Crypto’s Golden Boy 

- The Fall of (Another) Crypto King 

Further Reading and Watching:

- Who Is Brian Armstrong? Coinbase CEO Is Taking On the SEC 

- Coinbase CEO Says He’ll Challenge the SEC for ‘Clarity’ on Crypto 

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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.

Further Reading:

- The Fast-Food Fight Over the $5 Meal Deal 

- A Day in the Life of a California Fast-Food Manager Who Makes Up to $174,000 

Further Listening:

- Farm-to-Table Pioneer on Why We Still Need Better Food 

- Beyond Meat Loses Its Sizzle 

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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. 

Further Listening:

- Behind Closed Doors, Biden's Age is Showing 

Further Reading:

- Tight Inner Circle Urges Biden to Press On 

- Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping 

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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. 

Further Reading:

- Britain’s Radical Plan to Tackle the Migrant Crisis Turns Into a Cautionary Tale 

Further Listening:

- Smuggling Migrants Toward the U.S. Is a Booming Business 

- Texas Took On Border Security. Is It Working? 

- What the End of Title 42 Means for U.S. Immigration Policy 

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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. 

Further Reading:

-Supreme Court Deals Blow to Trump’s Prosecution, Ruling He Has Broad Immunity 

Further Listening:

-Will the Supreme Court Kick Trump off the Ballot? 

-The Origin Story of Trump's Guilty Verdict 

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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.

Further Listening:

– Could Paris Hilton Create the 'Next Disney?'

– Live from Seattle: A Weird Economy + Election

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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.

Further Reading:

- Presidential Debate Carries Great Opportunity—and Risk—for CNN 

- Biden-Trump Debate Takes Shape 

- We Rewatched the 2020 Trump-Biden Debates. Here’s What We Learned. 

Further Listening:

- The Downfall of CNN’s CEO 

- Behind Closed Doors, Biden’s Age is Showing 

- The Origin Story of Trump’s Guilty Verdict 

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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.

Further Reading:

- How Ukraine’s Naval Drones Turned the Tide in the Battle of the Black Sea 

Further Listening:

- Ukraine Makes a Deal with Wall Street 

- Ukraine's $30 Billion Problem 

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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.

Further Listening:

-The Fight Over Your Credit Card Swipe 

-The Deal That Could Change Credit Cards 

Further Reading:

-Wells Fargo Bet on a Flashy Rent Credit Card. It Is Costing the Bank Dearly. 

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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. 

Further Reading:

- Southwest Changed Flying. Now It Can’t Change Fast Enough 

- Meet the Southwest Superfans Who Don’t Want the Airline to Change 

Further Listening:

- Ryanair: Cheap, Cramped and Making Its CEO a Fortune 

- The Love Triangle Over Spirit Airlines 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Zyn Nicotine Pouches Take Off—and Land in the Culture Wars 

- Why America Is Running Low on Zyn Nicotine Pouches 

Further Listening:

- The Juul Paradox 

- The ‘Existential Threat’ Facing Big Tobacco 

- How Puff Bar Became the Most Popular Vape for Kids 

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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.

Further Reading:

- The Opaque Investment Empire Making OpenAI’s Sam Altman Rich 

Further Listening: 

- Artificial: The OpenAI Story 

- Tesla's Multibillion-Dollar Pay Package for Elon Musk 

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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.

Further Reading:

-How Soda, Chocolate and Chewing Gum Are Funding War in Sudan 

-What Is Happening in Sudan? The Fighting Explained 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Gaza Chief’s Brutal Calculation: Civilian Bloodshed Will Help Hamas 

- The Hamas Leader Who Studied Israel’s Psyche—and Is Betting His Life on What He Learned 

Further Listening: 

- Why Israel and Hamas Could Be Headed Into a Forever War 

- Inside the White House's Scramble to Avert a Bigger Middle East War 

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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.

Further Listening: 

- Elon Musk’s Unusual Relationships With Women at SpaceX 

- Why is Tesla Pulling Back on EV Charging? 

- Money, Drugs, Elon Musk and Tesla’s Board 

Further Reading: 

- Tesla Shareholders Vote to Uphold Elon Musk’s $48 Billion Pay Package 

- Elon Musk’s $55.8 Billion Tesla Pay Package Struck Down by Judge 

- Tesla Hits the Road to Persuade Shareholders to Pay Elon Musk $46 Billion 

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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.

Further Reading:

- The Hidden Life of Google’s Secret Weapon 

- For Years, an Esteemed Law Professor Seduced Students. Was He Too Important to Fire? 

- Hubris, Revenge and a Breakup Brought Down Big Tech’s Proudest Ally 

Further Listening:

- Elon Musk’s Unusual Relationships With Women at SpaceX 

- Lewd Photos, Booze and Bullying: Inside the FDIC’s Toxic Culture 

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The billionaire founder showed several female employees at SpaceX an unusual amount of attention or pursued them. WSJ's Joseph Palazzolo describes the revelations.

Further Reading:

-Elon Musk’s Boundary-Blurring Relationships With Women at SpaceX 

Further Listening:

-Money, Drugs, Elon Musk and Tesla's Board 

-Elon Musk's 'Demon Mode' 

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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.

Further Reading:

-New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Abruptly Halts Manhattan Congestion Pricing 

Further Listening:

-NYC’s Food Delivery Workers Fight for a Minimum Wage 

-New York City's 'De Facto Ban' on Airbnb 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Shein Promised to Have a Big U.S. IPO. Its China Roots Got in the Way. 

- Fast-Fashion Giant Shein Files to Go Public 

Further Listening:

- Shein Took Over Fast Fashion. Then Came the Backlash. 

- The Mysterious CEO Leading Shein to an IPO 

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The rising popularity of GLP-1 drugs could cause all kinds of ripple effects.

According to one estimate, 9% of the U.S. population could be on Ozempic or similar medications by 2030. Meanwhile, drugmakers are already developing the next generation of weight-loss drugs and researchers are studying the possible health benefits beyond weight loss and diabetes, including addiction.

In the final episode of our series we ask: What could all this development mean for businesses, from the food sector to airlines? And who wins and who loses in the post-Ozempic economy?

Guests include: David Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly; and Mehdi Farokhnia, an addiction researcher at the National Institutes of Health.

Listen to Episodes 1, 2 and 3 of “Trillion Dollar Shot” here. 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Dr Pepper Ties Pepsi as America’s No. 2 Soda

Further Listening:

- The Agony and Ecstasy of Tab 

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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?

Further Reading:

-Biden Issues Executive Actions on Immigration: What to Know 

Further Listening:

-What the End of Title 42 Means for U.S. Immigration Policy 

-What Trump's Immigration Restrictions Could Mean for the Economy 

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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. 

Further Reading:

- Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping 

Further Listening:

- Inside the White House's Scramble to Avert a Bigger Middle East War 

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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.

Further Watching:

-Astro Teller’s Meaning of Life 

Further Listening:

-Google CEO Sundar Pichai on How AI Could Change Search 

-The Future of Self-Driving Cars Is Here 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Claudia Sheinbaum Elected as Mexico’s First Female President 

- The Most Dangerous Job in Mexican Politics: Running for Mayor 

Further Listening:

- Texas Took On Border Security. Is It Working? 

- When the Drug Cartel Takes Over 

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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. 

In this episode, Brad talks about his experience on the medicine and grapples with everything the drug couldn’t fix, from his self image to our food system. He confronts the ghosts of diets past and wades into the larger cultural conversation around weight loss. Guests include: Gary Foster from WeightWatchers; Virgie Tovar, a body positivity advocate; Dr. Robert Lustig, an endocrinologist. 

Listen to Episodes 1 and 2 of “Trillion Dollar Shot” now. 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Nine Memorable Moments From Donald Trump’s Hush-Money Trial 

- A History of WSJ’s Hush-Money Investigation 

Further Listening:

- Donald Trump’s First Criminal Trial Is Underway 

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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. 

Further Reading:

-The Folly of China’s Real-Estate Boom Was Easy to See, but No One Wanted to Stop It
-Evergrande Was Once China’s Biggest Property Developer. Now, It Has Been Ordered to Liquidate. 

Further Listening:

-China’s Property Market Crisis 

-China’s Evergrande Crisis 

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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.

Further Reading:

- Justice Department to Sue Live Nation, Seek Breakup of Concert and Ticketing Giant 

- Justice Department Sues to Break Up Live Nation-Ticketmaster 

Further Listening: