Le Heist

As wildfire seasons grow longer and deadlier, states are increasingly relying on private companies to provide thousands of firefighters to the front lines.Hannah Dreier, who has been covering the story, explains how lax rules and regulatory loopholes have left many of these firefighters sick, in debt and on their own.Guest: Hannah Dreier, a New York Times reporter who writes in-depth stories about national issues.Background reading: Wildfire fighters, unmasked in toxic smoke, are getting sick and dying.Read the story about Joel Eisiminger. Just before turning 25, he was diagnosed with a cancer that usually strikes people more than twice his age.Photo: Loren Elliott for The New York TimesFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

A federal investigation into illegal gambling has rocked the N.B.A. On Thursday, more than 30 people were indicted in the case, which involves the Mafia, high-profile players and the manipulation of professional basketball games to rig bets.Jonah E. Bromwich and Jenny Vrentas, who have been covering the story, discuss the shocking facts and the growing concern that online betting might be compromising the integrity of the sport.Guest:Jonah E. Bromwich, a New York Times reporter covering criminal justice in the New York region, with an emphasis on federal prosecutors and judges.Jenny Vrentas, a New York Times reporter covering money, power and influence in sports.Background reading: The United States charged an N.B.A. coach and others in gambling schemes.Who was the unnamed “Player 3” in the N.B.A. gambling case?Photo: USA TODAY Sports, via ReutersFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

The only thing Gilbert Cruz loves more than celebrating Halloween is watching scary movies. And between the classic horror franchises that span decades and the prestige original films of the current moment, he has seen hundreds of them. On today’s episode, Gilbert puts his knowledge to use in conversation with his fellow horror aficionados Jason Zinoman and Erik Piepenburg. They comb through a century of spooks, frights and screams to crown the Top 10 franchises in cinema history. Horror franchises discussed on this episode:“A Nightmare on Elm Street”“A Quiet Place”“Alien”“The Amityville Horror”“Candyman”“Child’s Play”“The Conjuring”“The Exorcist”“The Evil Dead”“Final Destination”“Friday the 13th”“Halloween”The Hannibal Lecter films“Hellraiser”“The Hills Have Eyes”“Insidious”“Jaws”“Night of the Living Dead”“The Omen”“Paranormal Activity”“Phantasm”“Poltergeist”“Psycho”“The Purge”“The Ring”“Saw”“Scream”“Terrifier”“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”The Universal monster films“V/H/S” On Today’s Episode:Jason Zinoman is a critic at large for The Times and the author of “Shock Value: How a Few Eccentric Outsiders Gave Us Nightmares, Conquered Hollywood, and Invented Modern Horror.”Erik Piepenburg covers culture for The Times, and writes a monthly column about horror movies.Additional Reading:25 Jump Scares That Still Make Us JumpFive Horror Movies to Stream Now‘Good Boy’ Review: Sit. Stay. Scream. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

The legendary actor, 87, is looking back with tears in his eyes.Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcastFor transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

The Trump administration completed its demolition of the East Wing of the White House on Thursday to make way for a new presidential ballroom.Luke Broadwater, who covers the White House, explains who is paying for President Trump’s latest construction project and why the demolition is striking a nerve.Guest: Luke Broadwater, who covers the White House for The New York Times.Background reading: After 123 years, the East Wing is gone.See the White House as it stood and what Mr. Trump envisions.Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/Associated PressFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

For months, President Trump has been ratcheting up the pressure on Venezuela with increasingly aggressive military actions that the administration claims are about targeting drug traffickers.But behind the scenes, some U.S. officials are pushing toward a regime change.Anatoly Kurmanaev, who has been covering the story, discusses the battle in the White House over whether to topple the government of President Nicolás Maduro.Guest: Anatoly Kurmanaev, a reporter for The New York Times covering Russia and its transformation since the invasion of Ukraine.Background reading: The United States attacked more boats as tensions with Venezuela continued to rise. Here’s what has happened so far.The Trump administration has authorized covert C.I.A. action in Venezuela.Trump officials say the mission aims to disrupt the drug trade. But military officials and analysts say the real goal might be driving Venezuela’s president from power.Photo: Jesus Vargas/Getty ImagesFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

In just under 10 minutes on Sunday, thieves stole precious jewelry from the Louvre Museum in Paris after using a truck-mounted ladder to break into a second-floor window.Catherine Porter, a New York Times international correspondent in the French capital, explains how the robbery unfolded.Guest: Catherine Porter, an international correspondent for The New York Times based in Paris.Background reading: What we know about the Louvre jewelry theft.Before the robbery, there were lingering security concerns.Photo: Kiran Ridley/Getty ImagesFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

During his second term, President Trump has upended 60 years of civil rights, largely under the guise of attacking diversity, equity and inclusion.Nikole Hannah-Jones, who covers racial injustice and civil rights for The New York Times Magazine, discusses the end of an era, and the growing fears of what a post-civil rights government will mean for Black Americans.Guest: Nikole Hannah-Jones, a domestic correspondent for The New York Times Magazine covering racial injustice and civil rights.Background reading: How Mr. Trump upended 60 years of civil rights in two months.The “colorblind” campaign to undo civil rights progress.Photo: Doug Mills/The New York TimesFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Tariffs are at their highest rate in nearly a century, and the labor market is weakening. These are volatile times for the U.S. economy — but the stock market keeps going up.Joe Rennison, a reporter covering financial markets for The New York Times, explains what is going on.Guest: Joe Rennison, a financial reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: Read about the factors helping markets climb past bad news.The specter of a trade war between Washington and Beijing has the potential to roil markets.Photo: Jeenah Moon/ReutersFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

On Friday, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” will be released in theaters. Rather than chronicling Bruce’s entire life, the film focuses on the making of his stripped-down 1982 album “Nebraska” and on his concurrent mental health struggles.This movie is the latest in a long history of musician biopics featuring stars like Bob Dylan, Loretta Lynn, Eminem and Elvis Presley. Hollywood clearly loves telling the stories of influential artists.In this episode, Gilbert Cruz chats with Lindsay Zoladz, a pop music critic for The Times, and Joe Coscarelli, a Times culture reporter, about the tropes of the genre and their favorite films that break the mold.On Today’s Episode:Lindsay Zoladz, a pop music critic at The Times and the writer of The Amplifier newsletter.Joe Coscarelli, a culture reporter at The Times and co-host of “Popcast.”Additional Reading:The Boss Finally Gets a Biopic, Just Not the One We ExpectedHe’s Ringo. And Nobody Else Is.Why Music Movies Stink: ‘Back to Black’ + ‘The Idea of You’ ReactionsJoe Coscarelli’s “Bobby + Joanie” playlistPhoto: 20th Century Studios Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.