WSJ What’s News
What's News brings you the biggest news of the day, from business and finance to global and political developments that move markets. Get caught up in minutes twice a day on weekdays, then take a step back with our What’s News in Markets wrap-up on Saturday and our What’s News Sunday deep dive.
Democrats Have Won Control of Congress. What Happens Next?
P.M. Edition for Nov. 4. We hear from reporter Rich Rubin about Democrats’ plans on Capitol Hill, from how to address the high cost of living to a rash of investigations targeting President Trump and the administration. Plus, Journal columnist Tim Higgins discusses the risks for Republican backer Elon Musk in Washington after Democrats’ win. And Jack Pitcher explains why the midterm results sent markets surging, with the Dow rising more than 1,500 points. Alex Ossola hosts.
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War Leaves U.S. Oil Refiners With Massive Profit Gains
Bonus Episode for Nov. 4. Refiners turn the crude oil pumped from the ground into products cars, planes and trains can use. Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine have damaged regional energy sectors, prompting U.S. companies like Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66, and Valero Energy to run at full tilt in an effort to fill a global shortage—and earning them huge profits.
Pierre Bienaimé hosts this special bonus episode of What's News in Earnings, where we dig into companies’ earnings reports and analyst calls to find out what’s going on under the hood of the...
A Blue Wave Just Swept Congress
A.M. Edition for Nov. 4. Democrats retake the House and Senate, making historic inroads into deep-red states. Deputy editor Joshua Jamerson, and a host of WSJ reporters across the country, explain what drove voters to rebuke the Republican party and what this blue wave means for U.S. politics in the years to come. Plus, President Trump distances himself from GOP losses, admitting the Iran war was partly to blame. And WSJ finance editor Alex Frangos details how markets are sizing up the change coming to Washington. Luke Vargas hosts.
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As Midterm Election Results Roll In, These Are the Races to Watch
P.M. Edition for Nov. 3. Reporters in battleground states tell us what they’re seeing on the ground, and WSJ national political reporter Ken Thomas explains what to watch for in the early results that offers a hint on whether Republicans can fend off Democrats’ efforts to take back Congress. Plus, Journal national security reporter Robbie Gramer explains why President Trump wants the U.S. to cut off military aid to Israel by the end of the year. And the president’s war on the term “AI” has tech CEOs walking a linguistic tightrope. Alex Ossola hosts.
Did Trump Do Enough to Help Republicans?
A.M. Edition for Nov. 3. It’s election day and Americans head to the polls with control of Congress in the balance. Washington bureau chief Damian Paletta lays out what’s at stake after President Trump’s closing arguments at the Lincoln Memorial. Follow election updates throughout the day at WSJ.com. Plus, the WSJ’s Jon Gambrell explains the significance of the latest U.S. strikes on Iran, as President Trump plays down the possibility of a return to war after the midterms. And the pressure mounts on Apple’s new CEO John Ternus, as the company’s stock slides...
Does Democrats’ Future Lie With Moderates or Progressives?
P.M. Edition for Nov. 2. It’s not just Democrats against Republicans on Tuesday. The battle between moderate and progressive Democrats is also on the ballot tomorrow. WSJ political reporter Sabrina Rodriguez walks us through key races that hint where the Democratic party might be headed. Plus, speeding cars endanger thousands of lives every year. We hear from Journal national affairs reporter Scott Calvert about how some states are trying to fight it with technology in cars that slows down reckless drivers. And Journal reporter Terell Wright explains why the best deal in higher education right now is a su...
Democratic Dust-up Puts Must-Win Seat at Risk
A.M. Edition for Nov. 2. President Trump plans to close his midterms campaign push with a speech at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington. Plus, Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorses former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. National politics reporter Sabrina Siddiqui breaks down what prompted the surprise move. And in a Journal exclusive, chief foreign-affairs correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov explains why the U.S. is pushing to restore Russian gas sales to Europe via Ukraine. Luke Vargas hosts.
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Navigating the Midterms: From Legal Challenges to Voter Rights
In the run-up to the 2026 midterms, the Trump administration has pushed to expand its role in elections, mounting legal challenges and seeking to change the rules around mail-in ballots. WSJ reporter Louise Radnofsky joins host Alex Ossola to discuss those efforts, as well as the controversy surrounding the Alaska Senate race. Then the Brennan Center for Justice’s Wendy Weiser offers practical advice voters should take with them to the polls.
Further Reading:
Trump Administration, States Harden Battle Lines Ahead of Election Day
Where the White House Stands in Its Pu...
What’s News in Markets: AI Selloff Deepens, Tech Earnings Disappoint, Binance Hack
Did disappointing earnings from Alphabet, Intel, and Amazon trigger a tech selloff? And why are Chevron and ExxonMobil posting record profits as fresh tension with Iran flares? Plus, are crypto markets panicking after the Binance hack? Host Jack Pitcher discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.
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Welcome to the Prediction-Market Election
P.M. Edition for Oct. 30. Journal reporter Kevin Dugan tells us why this election will be a crucial test for Kalshi and Polymarket. The prediction markets say that the wisdom of crowds beats out traditional political polling–but they’ve had some big recent misses. Plus, the tech selloff deepened today, pushing the Nasdaq to its worst month in more than a year. We hear from markets reporter David Uberti about the cracks in the AI market worrying investors. And flu season’s off to an early start. WSJ health reporter Jennifer Calfas explains what we know about the strain...
How UPS and FedEx Are Riding Diesel Costs to Higher Revenues
Bonus Episode for Oct. 30. Package-delivery companies this week described the U.S. consumer as resilient. UPS and FedEx posted revenue growth that beat Wall Street estimates, and raised their outlooks for the year. While higher energy costs added to expenses, both companies benefited from higher fuel surcharges pegged to the price of diesel. Also benefiting from the rising cost of diesel were railroads, which won new business as companies switched to rail from trucks for delivery.
Pierre Bienaimé hosts this special bonus episode of What's News in Earnings, where we dig into companies’ earnings rep...
The AI Trade Gets Spooky
A.M. Edition for Oct. 30. This week’s tech selloff is intensifying after earnings updates from Amazon and Intel fan fears around the AI trade. Plus, Binance is targeted in the largest cyber heist in history. Our Alexander Osipovich has the details. And confectioners head to the lab to hunt for chocolate alternatives amid a growing cocoa-bean shortage. Luke Vargas hosts.
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The U.S. Economy Has Its Best Quarter in a Year
P.M. Edition for Oct. 29. The U.S. GDP grew 3.4% over the summer, beating expectations. WSJ economics reporter Konrad Putizer discusses how consumers and the AI buildout drove growth, and how the strong reading could influence the Fed. Plus, there are fewer swing voters than there used to be. But as Journal national political reporter Eliza Collins explains, parts of President Trump’s 2024 coalition—including Gen Z voters, Hispanic voters and even farmers—might be up for grabs. And disappointing earnings, along with fears about the AI trade, gave Alphabet stock its worst day ever and wiped out almost half a...
‘AI Mode’ Is Denting Google’s Search Revenue
A.M. Edition for Oct. 29. Investors are punishing Alphabet after the company posted lower-than-expected revenue in its bread and butter search advertising business, while Microsoft gets a bump as growth in its cloud-computing unit eases investor worries about demand for its AI infrastructure services. Plus, Vice President JD Vance reaches out to one of Iran’s most powerful hard-liners in a bid to revive peace talks, even as President Trump threatens to restart the war after the midterms. And Trump ratchets up his election fraud allegations in Alaska’s senate race. Luke Vargas hosts.
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The Downfall of Weil Gotshal
P.M. Edition for Oct. 28. Last year, Weil Gotshal, a firm famous for handling bankruptcies of companies like Lehman Brothers and Enron, raked in more than $2 billion in revenue. Today, its leaders announced a plan to dissolve the firm. We hear from WSJ legal affairs reporter Erin Mulvaney about what’s behind the firm’s extraordinary fall. Plus, the Federal Reserve holds rates steady. But as Journal economics reporter Matt Grossman explains, dissents from two officials suggest that another rate hike might be close at hand. And Flávio Bolsonaro, who lost Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday, arrived in the...
Can Netanyahu Hold On?
A.M. Edition for Oct. 28. Early Israeli election results show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition ahead of rivals but still shy of a majority. WSJ’s Anat Peled reports from Tel Aviv that high voter turnout and the lack of a clear winner underscore deep splits in Israeli society ahead of what could be complex efforts to cobble together a new government. Plus, we’ll tune into dueling rallies in Texas, home to what could be the most expensive Senate race in history. And memory-chip titan SK Hynix reaps a windfall from surging demand for AI hardware. Luke Vargas...
Why Nurses Are Quitting in Droves
P.M. Edition for Oct. 27. Nurses have relatively high pay and job security in an AI world. But as the Journal’s Te-Ping Chen reports, workplace conditions that lead to burnout and threaten their safety are pushing them to quit more often. Plus, Brazil has revoked the passport of Flávio Bolsonaro, who over the weekend lost in the presidential election, as authorities investigate reports that he’s fled to Argentina en route to the U.S. We’ll also tell you the latest on the Israeli election as polls close there. And a ceasefire in a Ukrainian city is allo...
The Chip Giant Helping Anthropic Buy More Chips
A.M. Edition for Oct. 27. Just hours after unveiling details about its hotly-anticipated IPO, the AI startup announced a $63 billion debt deal to help fuel its AI infrastructure push. WSJ reporter Ben Dummett breaks down how Broadcom’s CEO intervened to seal the deal, which some critics have dubbed “circular financing.” Plus, tech reporter Amrith Ramkumar looks at the midterm races that could usher in fresh restrictions on data-center development. And despite once rapping that he’d never do it, Jay-Z is set to headline the next Super Bowl halftime show. Luke Vargas hosts.
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Jumping Revenue, Big Losses and Many Risks: Inside Anthropic’s IPO Filing
P.M. Edition for Oct. 26. Anthropic’s IPO paperwork is out, and the 400-page document gives unprecedented insight into the company’s current business and its future ambitions. Corrie Driebusch, who covers IPOs for the Journal, discusses what stood out and what comes next. Plus, tomorrow is Israel’s election, and tens of thousands of Israelis living in the U.S. and other countries are flying back to vote. WSJ’s Anat Peled reports from Tel Aviv about why the election is a referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu and why some consider it the most consequential election in Israel’s history. A...
The Internet Isn’t Buying Trump’s Economic Claims
A.M. Edition for Oct. 26. As President Trump campaigns on a booming economy, reporter Jack Gillum breaks down a new WSJ analysis that shows his claims about pocketbook issues are facing widespread criticism across social media, podcasts and political advertising. Plus, Brazil’s leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva clings to power after orchestrating a surprise victory over Flávio Bolsonaro. And San Francisco voters debate a ballot measure to restore weekday vehicle traffic to a closed stretch of highway along the Pacific Ocean that is driving some locals mad. Luke Vargas hosts.
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Social Security Is Breaking and Congress Doesn’t Have a Plan
Democrats and Republicans are pulling out all the stops as they vie to control the next Congress, but neither party is saying much about their plans to address the looming 2032 depletion of the fund that pays out retirement benefits to nearly 75 million Americans. Budget observers find that particularly concerning, given the Senators elected this November will serve until early 2033. In this episode, WSJ tax policy reporter Richard Rubin looks at the range of options that exist to address Social Security's crunch. Luke Vargas hosts.
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What’s News in Markets: Meta’s AI Bill, IBM’s Comeback, Musk Explores Merger
Can Meta afford to keep spending on AI? And why is IBM bucking the tech selloff? Plus, could Elon Musk combine Tesla and SpaceX? Host Imani Moise discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.
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Why Calling a Democrat a Socialist Isn’t the Insult It Once Was
P.M. Edition for Oct. 23. In midterm races around the country, Republicans are warning about radical socialists. But WSJ national security reporter Vera Bergengruen tells us that warnings of a “communist menace” don’t carry the sting they used to with U.S. voters. Plus, President Trump is rolling back 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods to boost ReSusan Collins’ bid to hold onto her Senate seat. And Xavier Martinez, who covers biotech for the Journal, explains why Moderna investors were underwhelmed by the leaked details of a clinical trial for a breakthrough cancer vaccine. Alex Ossola hosts.
AI Rout Finds a Floor. For Now.
A.M. Edition for Oct. 23. The tech selloff shows signs of easing at the end of a rollercoaster week, even as signs of stress in the AI trade continued overnight, after one of the boom’s biggest winners SK Hynix halted a planned U.S. IPO of its memory-chip business. Plus, as politicians across the country push back against AI projects, WSJ reporter Joe Wallace explains why it’s creating a conflict with pension fund investments, which have raked in billions of dollars for Americans in AI-fueled returns. And New York City Council has voted to ban horse carriages, sayi...
AI Fears Rise Again on Wall Street
P.M. Edition for Oct. 22. Investors dump stocks connected to the AI buildout and buy up almost everything else, giving Treasury yields their biggest drop since 2023. Plus, while the price of oil keeps going up, your home heating bill may be cheaper this winter. Journal commodities reporter Ryan Dezember tells us what’s holding down the price of natural gas—and whether that can last. And WSJ personal finance reporter Oyin Adedoyin explains why more students are turning to private lenders to fund their education. Alex Ossola hosts.
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Can Meta Turn Muse’s Popularity Into Profits?
A.M. Edition for Oct. 22. As the U.S. and Israel signal a possible escalation, Middle Eastern mediators scramble to give new life to talks with Iran. While President Trump said he won’t attack before the midterms, WSJ’s Middle East correspondent Benoit Faucon said he’s recently sounded some hawkish notes. Plus, tech stocks sell off globally after a bevy of earnings releases from AI companies disappoint investors and put an abrupt stop to Wednesday’s relief rally. And Mark Zuckerberg agrees to stay in California, for now, as Meta splits its stock to potentially help him pay a fu...
Why It’s So Hard to Buy One of the Country’s Top-Selling Cars Right Now
P.M. Edition for Oct. 21. Toyota’s RAV4 had long been the most popular SUV in the U.S. But now, as autos reporter Chris Otts discusses, production decisions from the Japanese carmaker undermined that leader status. Plus, Journal Ukraine bureau chief Marcus Walker fills us in on what’s happening on the battlefield. And security researchers, with the help of AI, discovered a vulnerability that puts up to 70% of the world’s websites at risk. Alex Ossola hosts.
Correction: The Honda CR-V has become America's best-selling vehicle that isn’t a pickup truck, and the...
Tesla and SpaceX Weigh a Mega Merger
A.M. Edition for Oct. 21. Elon Musk says Tesla and SpaceX are discussing a potential tie up that would create a $3.5 trillion tech giant. Plus, the U.K. says yes to more North Sea gas as the Iran war raises energy-security concerns and pushes inflation higher. And the CEO of staffing company Randstad tells us who’s hiring in a relatively quiet labor market, and what can be done to fix the mess that’s applying for a new job. Luke Vargas hosts.
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Elon Musk Ordered Last Week’s Starlink Slowdown
P.M. Edition for Oct. 20. The Wall Street Journal is exclusively reporting that the decision to cap the Starlink speeds, rendering some of Ukraine’s drones useless, came from Musk. Plus, a new draft prospectus ahead of Anthropic’s IPO shows that the company has red-hot revenue growth. But WSJ tech reporter Anissa Gardizy tells us it also has high compute costs and a long list of risks. And a bipartisan group of former U.S. officials is urging Congress to pass an energy bill that they say is critical for countering China. We hear from WSJ reporter Benoit More...
Are Americans’ Finances Better or Worse Under Trump?
A.M. Edition for Oct. 20. Albertans have voted to remain in Canada, avoiding a political crisis amidst the U.S. trade war. WSJ’s Canada correspondent Amanda Coletta explains what the results mean for Prime Minister Mark Carney’s plan for growth. Plus, Japan launches a spacecraft to explore Mars’s moons, as the country looks to carve out a role in the lucrative commercial space market. And just two weeks away from the midterms, WSJ’s Terell Wright details five ways Americans' finances have changed under President Trump. Luke Vargas hosts.
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Saudi Arabia Postpones ‘Davos in the Desert’ After Houthi Attacks
P.M. Edition for Oct. 19. Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative conference was scheduled for next week—now, its organizers are postponing the event until next year after Houthi attacks on the country. WSJ foreign correspondent Stephen Kalin explains why it’s a blow to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s push to attract foreign investment. Plus, high mortgage rates might be putting entry-level home buyers off, but the U.S. luxury housing market is booming. We hear from housing reporter Nicholas Miller about what’s driving the K-shaped housing market and what that means for home builders. And “You Can See...
Violent Rioting Sweeps France
A.M. Edition for Oct. 19. The French government is holding emergency meetings following a weekend of violence across the country. WSJ’s Paris bureau chief Stacy Meichtry reports on the cost-of-living protests. Plus, Vladimir Putin proposes talks with President Trump and China’s Xi to discuss ending the Ukraine war. And Anthropic says it will put 5% of its shares into a fund to offset disruption caused by AI, though ahead of a planned IPO, the company has shared few details on a trust empowered to shape its board and block major moves. Luke Vargas hosts.
To...
Will Gen Z Hand Democrats a ‘Blue Wave’ in the Midterms?
After losing ground with young voters, especially young men, in 2024, Democrats are trying to win back this critical part of the electorate ahead of the midterm elections. But the party faces widespread voter apathy and a debate over how best to connect with Gen Z on issues like affordability and housing. WSJ politics reporters Sabrina Rodriguez and Maya Davis join host Pierre Bienaimé to discuss how Democratic candidates are using social media, the rise of the party's progressive and Democratic socialist factions, and whether young voters will show up at the polls to propel a "blue wave."
What’s News in Markets: CoreWeave Selloff, Apple Milestone, Borrowing Boom
What does the CoreWeave selloff signal for the AI trade? And will the iPhone Duo revive Apple’s sales? Plus, why are brokerages like Charles Schwab cracking down on margin loans? Host Imani Moise discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.
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Katie Zacharia Is Out as White House Press Secretary
P.M. Edition for Oct. 16. The Journal has learned that White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia is out, after facing sharp criticism following her first briefing earlier this week. Plus, drones have struck two ships in Romanian territorial waters of the Black Sea—the first attack of its kind, and NATO says Russia is to blame. As Journal Brussels bureau chief Dan Michaels discusses, Russia’s increasingly brazen attacks are putting NATO in a tight spot: offer a rebuke without escalating the conflict unnecessarily. And gas prices are up all over the U.S., but it’s not hitting all Am...
AI Has an Insurance Problem
A.M. Edition for Oct. 16. A string of AI safety incidents is exposing a gaping hole for the fast-growing industry: the lack of available insurance. WSJ's Jean Eaglesham explains how AI’s ability to change the world also includes a wide-ranging capacity for harm that could leave companies that produce or use AI legally vulnerable. Plus, U.S.-Mexico trade talks hit a roadblock in Washington as WSJ’s Gavin Bade reports commerce secretary Howard Lutnick is refusing to cut tariffs on steel, aluminum and cars. And Tesla’s new Roadster takes flight, quite literally. Luke Vargas hosts.
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What We Know About the Engineer Accused of Bugging OpenAI Conference Room
P.M. Edition for Oct. 15. When the FBI arrested engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan earlier this week for allegedly planting a mic in an OpenAI conference room, AI companies had already been on alert for espionage. Journal reporter Maxwell Zeff discusses what we know about Alfozan and how Silicon Valley is trying to prevent incidents like these. Plus, Meta announces that it’s teaming up with Apple to deliver open-weight AI models to Mac computers. We hear from tech reporter Meghan Bobrowsky about why the two rivals have entered a partnership. And President Trump reverses a decision by Defense Secretary Pete He...
Big Banks Ride the AI Boom
Bonus Episode for Oct. 15. Big U.S. banks opened earnings season with growing profits—and warnings that rising interest rates could stop the party. Still, bankers said higher rates have yet to dent consumer or business appetite to borrow and spend. JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Wells Fargo each reported higher third-quarter profit and revenue from a year earlier. WSJ banking and payments reporter Ben Glickman says that’s in part because of the near-endless need for financing related to the artificial-intelligence industry. Revenue across all four increased 9% to $115 billion.
Pierre Bienaimé hosts this...
The Tech Selloff Deepens
A.M. Edition for Oct. 15. Wednesday’s tech selloff is poised to continue even as Anthropic and TSMC report blockbuster revenues. WSJ finance editor Alex Frangos says that what had been a relatively placid stock market is now facing threats from all sides. Plus, UBS mulls leaving Switzerland over proposed new capital requirements. And WSJ’s Anat Peled provides a glimpse inside Gaza where Israel’s military is expanding its footprint just weeks ahead of Israeli elections. Luke Vargas hosts.
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Gas Prices Fuel Higher Inflation in September
P.M. Edition for Oct. 14. September inflation rose to 3.7% from a year earlier . WSJ economics reporter Konrad Putzier discusses why that’s putting pressure on the Fed to raise rates at its meeting later this month. Plus, we hear from WSJ reporter Dylan Tokar on what comes next after a government investigation found examples of businesses that were debanked by some of America’s largest financial institutions. And nine years after it was first unveiled, the Tesla Roadster is finally set to make its debut tomorrow in Texas. Alex Ossola hosts.
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