From Apple News In Conversation : At the end of April, the Supreme Court’s ruling on Louisiana v. Callais significantly weakened the Voting Rights Act. The decision made it easier for states to legally draw districts that reduce the voting power of Black voters and other minority groups. In response, several Republican-controlled Southern states have moved to redraw their congressional maps. Adam Serwer, a staff writer at The Atlantic , joins Apple News In Conversation guest host Sam Sanders to ...
May 16, 2026•25 min
Two ships were hit in a fresh round of strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal ’s Joe Parkinson joins to discuss the dire conditions faced by sailors stuck in the region. The Supreme Court’s recent decision on redistricting could shift political power for decades. On this week’s Apple News In Conversation , The Atlantic’s Adam Serwer explains how the battle over electoral maps is reshaping American democracy. The mayor of Arcadia, California, will plead guilty to being an unregi...
May 15, 2026•16 min
President Trump arrived in Beijing for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Aamer Madhani from the Associated Press is there. Trump said he wants to suspend the federal gas tax but it will take an act of Congress to make that happen. Politico ’s Andy Picon joins to discuss why some lawmakers are hesitant. Meteorologists say a super El Niño could hit the globe this year. Ben Noll of The Washington Post explains what scientist have learned from past El Niño events. Plus, the Se...
May 14, 2026•14 min
Inflation hit its highest rate in close to three years, driven by the war with Iran. Andrew Ackerman of the Washington Post breaks down how rising costs are squeezing consumers. Many of the American passengers who were aboard the cruise ship struck by hantavirus are now in a specialized quarantine facility in Nebraska. The Washington Post ’s Lauren Weber explains what life is like on the inside. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under intense pressure to step down. Reuters reports on how hi...
May 13, 2026•16 min
President Trump is set to visit Beijing this week for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trevor Hunnicutt of Reuters joins to discuss what to expect from the summit. The war with Iran is hitting U.S. farmers in especially hard. Kayla Steinberg of NBC News breaks down how the rising costs of fuel and fertilizer are presenting them with big challenges. After drastically shortening its training program for new recruits, ICE will now restore previous standards. The Washington P...
May 12, 2026•17 min
President Trump firmly turned down Iran’s counter proposal to restart negotiations with the U.S. to end the war. The Wall Street Journal reports Iran’s nuclear program is a main sticking point. Virginia’s Supreme Court rejects a referendum result to redraw the electoral map in Democrats favor, as USAToday reports. And Politico ’s Alec Hernandez explains how wins for Trump-backed candidates in Indiana is putting pressure on Republicans elsewhere to redraw their maps. Health Security Robert F. Ken...
May 11, 2026•13 min
From Apple News In Conversation : This week, Brian Goldstone was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his book, There Is No Place for Us , which is featured in this episode from our archives. Millions of Americans cannot afford housing despite working full-time jobs. They live in cars, shelters, or extended-stay hotels and often don’t qualify for assistance programs. Journalist and anthropologist Brian Goldstone follows five Atlanta families who are stuck in this cycle in his new book, There Is No Place...
May 09, 2026•40 min
Health officials are rushing to complete contract tracing of passengers onboard the cruise ship struck with an outbreak of hantavirus. Stat ’s Helen Branswell joins to discuss what experts are looking out for. After Trump launched Project Freedom, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait barred the U.S. from using their bases and airspace. The Wall Street Journal ’s Shelby Holliday explains why the two Gulf countries have since reversed course. Many thought the Sphere in Las Vegas would be a failure after huge b...
May 08, 2026•16 min
The U.S. and Iran are working on a memorandum of understanding to begin negotiations on ending the war. The Wall Street Journal ’s Benoit Faucon breaks down the details. Victory Day, Russia’s celebration of the defeat of Nazi Germany, takes place on Saturday. Samya Kullab of the Associated Press joins to discuss why Russia is worried about how Ukraine might disrupt its most important secular holiday. Travel forecasts for 2026 indicated that demand would be high for air travel. The The Wall Stree...
May 07, 2026•15 min
President Trump said his recently announced plan to help ships cross the Strait of Hormuz is now on pause. The Hill reports that the move came hours after U.S. officials said combat operations in Iran have concluded. Three people died on a cruise ship after an outbreak of deadly hantavirus. Tim Cocks of Reuters joins to discuss what went on aboard the ship. A vast array of American schools use YouTube for educational purposes. The Wall Street Journal ’s Shalini Ramachandran explains how the Goog...
May 06, 2026•15 min
Tensions flared in the Gulf as Trump’s efforts to guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz began. The Guardian ’s Julian Borger breaks down how the operation has raised the stakes in the region. Indiana Republicans who defied Trump on redistricting face primary challenges today. NPR ’s Tamara Keith joins to discuss why voters are fed up with the negativity surrounding the campaigns. New clinical trials showed promising results in the fight against pancreatic cancer. The Washington Post ...
May 05, 2026•16 min
Spirit Airlines suddenly shut down over the weekend after a failed bailout attempt by the U.S. government. CNBC ’s Leslie Josephs breaks down the factors that led to the budget airline’s closure. Trump says the U.S. will guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz as the competing blockades continue. Meanwhile, the president is withdrawing troops from Germany as he criticizes Europe’s response to the war. The Washington Post ’s Noah Robertson explains. Several Republican states could move to change...
May 04, 2026•16 min
From Apple News In Conversation : The headlines say that American men are in crisis. But what does that actually mean — and what does it look like up close? Journalist Jordan Ritter Conn spent five years inside the lives of four different men to find out. His new book, American Men , explores the gap between masculine ideals and the reality of men’s lived experience. Apple News In Conversation guest host Sam Sanders sat down with Ritter Conn to talk about what those four lives reveal about mascu...
May 02, 2026•28 min
Today is the 60-day deadline for Trump to seek congressional approval for the war in Iran. Semafo r’s Burgess Everett breaks down how Trump might skirt that deadline and whether lawmakers will intervene. The House passed a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security Thursday, ending the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history. Bloomberg ’s Erik Wasson joins to discuss the winners and the losers. Maine Governor Jane Mills ended her Senate campaign saying she lacked the campaign f...
May 01, 2026•16 min
The Supreme Court dealt a significant blow to the Voting Rights Act. The Wall Street Journal ’s James Romoser breaks down how the decision could affect redistricting efforts and upcoming elections. Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in court after being indicted for a second time. Eric Tucker of the Associated Press unpacks the charges against him. Jerome Powell will stay on at the Federal Reserve board after his term as chair expires next month. NPR reports that Powell says his decision w...
Apr 30, 2026•16 min
A blockbuster trial between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is underway. David Ingram of NBC News breaks down the first day in court. The Federal Reserve will convene today and share its third rate decision for the year. It will also likely mark Jerome Powell’s final meeting in charge. Chris Rugaber of the Associated Press joins to discuss from the central bank. The United Arab Emirates says it is leaving the oil cartel OPEC just as gas prices in the U.S. spike as a result of the blockades a...
Apr 29, 2026•14 min
The armed man who charged past a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump. Will Weissert of the Associated Press joins to discuss potential changes to security protocols surrounding the president as he prepares for upcoming large events. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a new congressional voting map that heavily favors Republicans. Politico ’s Gary Fineout explains why it could be the GOP’s last chance to gain an edge befor...
Apr 28, 2026•16 min
Authorities arrested an armed man as he attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ dinner while President Trump was onstage. Aamer Madhani of the Associated Press details how events unfolded inside the ballroom. How the would-be attacker got so close to Trump has raised serious questions about security at the venue. Politico reports on authorities’ efforts to understand the protocols that allowed the suspect to approach so closely and how he brought firearms inside. News of the incident ...
Apr 27, 2026•18 min
From Apple News In Conversation : Nearly a year ago, Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, the first pope in history from the U.S. His papacy so far has been relatively calm — until recent weeks, when a sharp public conflict with President Trump over the Iran war thrust him onto the political stage. Scott Detrow, host of NPR’s All Things Considered and coauthor of the upcoming American Pope: Leo XIV’s Road From the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City , joins guest host Sam Sanders to explore wha...
Apr 25, 2026•31 min
Iran’s new supreme leader hasn’t been seen or heard since being named his father’s successor. Lee Keath of the Associated Press explains why it’s difficult to know who exactly in the regime is in charge. Candidates for California governor squared off in a debate this week. Politico ’s Melanie Mason joins to discuss why the departure of Eric Swalwell following allegations of sexual assault still lingers over the race. Pope Leo wrapped his tour of Africa and urged the U.S. and Iran to go back to t...
Apr 24, 2026•16 min
The U.S. could unfreeze $20 billion in Iranian assets as part of a deal to end the war. The Washington Post ’s Michael Birnbaum breaks down why Trump is considering certain concessions he previously denounced. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been on a marathon run of appearances before lawmakers. Ali Swenson of The Associated Press explains the relations between Kennedy and one Republican Senator walking a tightrope over support of his The UN has begun the process to select its next S...
Apr 23, 2026•17 min
President Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Aamer Madhani of the Associated Press details what may come next. Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee to be the next Federal Reserve chair, appeared before the Senate Banking Committee. Politico ’s Victoria Guida dissects his testimony. Some estimates say immigrants pay up to $60 billion in taxes to the government. The Washington Post ’s Marissa Lang joins to discuss how Trump’s immigration crackdown might aff...
Apr 22, 2026•16 min
Voters in Virginia head to the polls today to decide whether to redraw the state’s congressional voting map. VPM ’s Jahd Kahlil explains where the campaigns stand. Following multiple hostile comments by President Trump about NATO, European nations are working on a fallback plan should the U.S. leave the alliance. The Wall Street Journal ’s Bojan Pancevski joins to discuss what it might look like. FIFA and transportation officials in New Jersey are in a standoff over who should foot the bill for ...
Apr 21, 2026•15 min
U.S. forces seized an Iranian ship in the Gulf of Oman. Michelle Price of the Associated Press assesses what it means for potential peace talks between the U.S. and Iran. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s term is up in May. The Wall Street Journal ’s Nick Timiraos explains the political tug-of-war over his successor. The portal for businesses to claim refunds for tariffs the Supreme Court ruled illegal goes live Monday. Tim Aeppel of Reuters joins to discuss why some businesses are wary abou...
Apr 20, 2026•15 min
From Apple News In Conversation : The 1990s are back — especially for Gen Z. CDs, flip phones, and ’90s beauty trends are all having a moment among people in their teens and 20s. To understand why this generation is nostalgic for a past they didn’t experience, Apple News In Conversation guest host Sam Sanders talks with psychologist Clay Routledge. Routledge is the author of Past Forward: How Nostalgia Can Help You Live a More Meaningful Life and executive vice president and COO at the Archbridg...
Apr 18, 2026•28 min
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is now in effect. Reuters reports on new comments from President Trump signaling more talks this weekend. FISA 702, a major tool for the U.S. spy apparatus, will expire on Monday without more intervention from Congress. NPR ’s Eric McDaniel explains why lawmakers on both sides worry the provision might lead to warrantless surveillance of Americans. President Trump has implemented a ban on certain students from Africa. The Wall Street Journal ’s Carol...
Apr 17, 2026•15 min
The U.S. blockade at the Strait of Hormuz has brought traffic in the waterway to even more of a standstill. The Washington Post ’s Júlia Ledur explains how geography aides Iran’s efforts to control the vital passageway. Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo have drawn condemnation from global leaders and members of the president’s base. Joshua McElwee of Reuters joins to discuss why this could be a seminal moment for the U.S. Catholic Church. A court ruled that concert giant Live Nation, which owns Ticket...
Apr 16, 2026•16 min
Today is the deadline to file a federal tax return. The Wall Street Journal ’s Richard Rubin joins to discuss what to know about Tax Day after Trump’s moves to shrink the IRS. The U.S. hosted talks between Israel and Lebanon at the White House on Tuesday. Simon Lewis of Reuters breaks down how those discussions play into larger peace talks to end the Iran war. After the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, dozens of abortion clinics shut down in states where the practice is still legal. Kate W...
Apr 15, 2026•16 min
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales and Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell are quitting Congress over sexual misconduct allegations. Sahil Kapur of NBC News explains how the threat of expulsion is forcing them out. Trump’s blockade on the Strait of Hormuz has taken effect. Politico ’s Sam Sutton assesses the growing impact of the Iran war on the U.S. economy. The Wall Street Journal ’s Juan Forero reveals how investors are eyeing up Venezuela. Plus, the DOJ charged a man with attempting to firebomb the hom...
Apr 14, 2026•15 min
Hungaryian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an ally of President Trump, was ousted from office in yesterday’s election. The Economist looks at the results. U.S. Central Command said it will impose a blockade at the Strait of Hormuz after weekend negotiations with Iran failed to produce a deal. Phil Stewart of Reuters joins to discuss where talks could go next. Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell quit his campaign to be California governor after allegations of sexual assault. Alexei Koseff of the San Franc...
Apr 13, 2026•17 min
