The Government Shutdown: Who Will Blink First?

For decades, one of the biggest questions fueling conspiracy theories has been: is the U.S. government hiding secret knowledge of extraterrestrial life? But when the Pentagon started investigating, it uncovered a different kind of coverup. WSJ's Joel Schectman reports on what's in that investigation, and what the government ultimately decided to leave out of it. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How a Balloon Burst U.S.-China Relations Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 days into the government shutdown, services are unavailable and federal workers are facing instability. Both sides have dug in, with Democrats and Republicans pointing fingers at each other. WSJ’s Siobhan Hughes explains what it would take to end the shutdown. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: -Why This Government Shutdown Is Different -Kathy Hochul on Mamdani, Trump and Where Democrats Went Wrong Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep in a heavily guarded mountain hideout in the heart of the Sierra Madre mountains, a new drug king is reigning. He is 59-year-old Nemesio “Mencho” Oseguera and his cartel has achieved dominance capitalizing on America’s resurgent love of cocaine and the Trump administration’s escalating war on fentanyl. WSJ’s José de Córdoba recounts the rise. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Drug You’ve Never Heard of Wreaking Havoc Across Europe- A Cocaine Kingpin and the Rise of Drug Violence in Europe Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re off today for the holiday, but wanted to share this episode. Sonos, the high-end speaker company, is still reeling from its disastrous app update over a year ago. WSJ’s Ben Cohen explains how the company lost revenue and approximately $600 million in market capitalization. Then came the layoffs and a CEO exit. Jessica Mendoza hosts. This episode was first published in March 2025. Further Listening:  The Glitch That Crashed Millions of Computers The Snowballing Problems at Vail Resorts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has a lot to juggle, from a federal government shutdown to immigration enforcement to the state’s affordability crisis. In a conversation taped at The Journal live event, Hochul joins host Ryan Knutson to talk about how she’s managing those challenges, what her private conversations are like with President Donald Trump, and her take on New York City’s next potential mayor, Zohran Mamdani.  Further Listening:  - Why This Government Shutdown Is Different - Is NYC’s Mayoral Race All About Rent? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to end the war in Gaza. The deal would free the remaining hostages held by Hamas. The Trump administration hopes it is the first step towards a longer term peace. WSJ’s Shayndi Raice explains how all the parties got to the table and what big hurdles remain. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: -The Struggle to Get Aid Into Gaza -A Fragile Cease-Fire Deal in Gaza Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paramount has acquired news and opinion website the Free Press for $150 million. The company's co-founder, Bari Weiss, has a new job as editor in chief of CBS News. She's a polarizing figure, known for her outspoken support of Israel and strong views on topics like gun rights and DEI. WSJ’s Joe Flint on why Paramount thinks CBS News needs a shakeup. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: -Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension and Trump’s FCC -What Killed 'The Late Show'? -Will Paramount Settle With Trump? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2021, Tamar Veatch won millions of dollars in a sweepstakes competition run by Publishers Clearing House, the company best known for delivering oversized checks to winners. But then last April, Publishers Clearing House went bankrupt. WSJ’s Akiko Matsuda explains why the company went under, and what it means for winners like Tamar. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How ‘The Joker’ Rigged the Texas Lottery- How Parlays Became the Biggest Bet in Sports Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last month, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield quit the brand after 47 years, accusing parent company Unilever of not allowing the company to speak out on social issues. Host Jessica Mendoza talks to Ben Cohen, the co-founder who stayed, about why he’s not leaving, what he wants next for the company, and why political messaging is important for his ice cream brand.  Further Listening:  - Why Ben & Jerry’s Is Suing its Parent Company Over Israel - Kraft Heinz’s Big Breakup Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For more than two years, Jennifer Foley has been an advocate for her brother Scott Spivey. But to get the criminal investigation into his death reopened, Jennifer has to convince some of the most powerful leaders in South Carolina that this was not a Stand Your Ground case. WSJ’s Valerie Bauerlein reports. Read the Reporting: Police Say He Killed in Self-Defense. His Phone Tells Another Story. ‘You’re Taken Care of’: Did Police Promise to Shield a Killer?  Nobody Suspected Police Shielded a Killer Until the Dead Man’s Sister Dug In Follow the Story: Camp Swamp Road Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices