Apple News Today
Episodes
Route 66 is turning 100. One writer drove all 2,448 miles of it — and watched it burst with new life.
25 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Apple News Today is off for Memorial Day. In place of our usual show, we’re bringing you something special: a story from Los Angeles Times staff wri...
Why America has more billionaires than ever (From the archives)
23 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on July 5, 2025. From Apple News In Conversation: Americans have a long history of obsession with the ultrarich, fr...
Republicans revolt over Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund
22 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A number of Republicans have come out against Trump’s DOJ “anti-weaponization” fund. Mary Clare Jalonick of the Associated Press exp...
Why the DOJ just charged Cuba’s Raúl Castro with murder
21 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro 30 years after two civilian planes were shot down near the island nation. Luc Cohen of Reu...
Trump sued the IRS. Now it’s banned from auditing his past tax returns.
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
House Republican Thomas Massie is paying the price for defying the White House after he lost his Kentucky primary to a Trump-backed candidate. The Wal...
What Trump’s approval ratings say about his hold on the GOP
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican critic of Trump, faces a primary challenge today. Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report joins to discuss how the pr...
How another Republican targeted by Trump lost a primary
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy is the latest Republican targeted by Trump to lose in a primary. Bloomberg’s Rachel Cohrs Zhang explains how Cassidy...
How one Supreme Court decision could shift political power for decades
16 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: At the end of April, the Supreme Court’s ruling on Louisiana v. Callais significantly weakened the Voting Right...
Vessels attacked in the Strait of Hormuz as sailors grow desperate
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 condit...
Trump touches down in Beijing — and gets a warning from Xi
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump arrived in Beijing for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Aamer Madhani from the Associated Press is there. ...
Inflation is soaring. How consumers are feeling the squeeze.
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 cos...
Trump heads to China for high-stakes talks — but Iran looms large
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 di...
“Totally unacceptable”: Trump rejects Iran’s latest negotiation offer
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Rebroadcast: They work full-time jobs. Why are they homeless?
09 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How the world is racing to contact trace a rare virus
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Health officials are rushing to complete contract tracing of passengers onboard the cruise ship struck with an outbreak of hantavirus. Stat’s He...
The U.S. and Iran inch closer to peace talks. What to know.
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Trump reverses course on helping ships transit the Strait of Hormuz
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Fresh attacks in the Gulf threaten the fragile truce with Iran
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tensions flared in the Gulf as Trump’s efforts to guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz began. The Guardian’s Julian Borger br...
Why Spirit Airlines abruptly shut down
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The real reason American men are struggling
02 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: The headlines say that American men are in crisis. But what does that actually mean — and what does it loo...
Trump hits a pivotal 60-day milestone in the Iran war
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today is the 60-day deadline for Trump to seek congressional approval for the war in Iran. Semafor’s Burgess Everett breaks down how Trump might...
Fed Chair Powell delivers surprises in his final announcement
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Elon Musk takes on OpenAI’s CEO in a bitter court battle
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
A man is charged with trying to assassinate Trump. What to know.
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The armed man who charged past a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump....
How another shooter got so close to Trump
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Authorities arrested an armed man as he attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ dinner while President Trump was onstage. Aamer Madha...
The unique power of an American pope
25 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Iran’s leaders are holding out against Trump. Is this why?
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Iran’s new supreme leader hasn’t been seen or heard since being named his father’s successor. Lee Keath of the Associated Press expl...
The U.S. and Iran are seizing tankers in a dangerous standoff
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Iran and the U.S. are targeting ships in the Strait as both sides enforce their blockades. The Washington Post’s Michael Birnbaum discusses why peac...
Trump buys time with a ceasefire extension — but Iran still won’t talk
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Aamer Madhani of the Associated Press details what may c...
Inside the high-stakes referendum that every Democrat is watching
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Voters in Virginia head to the polls today to decide whether to redraw the state’s congressional voting map. VPM’s Jahd Kahlil explains wh...
Trump wanted peace talks. Now the U.S. has seized an Iranian ship.
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 betwee...
How to make nostalgia your psychological superpower
18 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: The 1990s are back — especially for Gen Z. CDs, flip phones, and ’90s beauty trends are all having a...
Why Republicans are split over a major spying tool
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
States took on Ticketmaster in a blockbuster case — and won
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 L...
It’s Tax Day. Why some could be tempted to cheat this year.
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 Tr...
How two lawmakers were ousted over sexual-misconduct claims
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales and Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell are quitting Congress over sexual misconduct allegations. Sahil Kapur of NBC News expl...
How one of Trump’s and Putin’s closest allies abroad was toppled
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hungaryian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an ally of President Trump, was ousted from office in yesterday’s election. The Economist looks at the ...
Why so many people are falling in love with AI chatbots
11 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: A medieval-monster slayer. A tiny alien named Roscoe. A talking plate of spaghetti. These are just a few of the ...
The deadly strikes that could derail the Iran war ceasefire
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Israel’s strikes on Lebanon threaten the ceasefire with Iran. And Bloomberg’s Andrea Palasciano looks at President Trump’s difficult...
Trump hailed the ceasefire deal — but cracks are already showing
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The ceasefire deal between the U.S., Israel, and Iran is already showing signs of fraying. Avi Salzman from Barron’s tells us there’s litt...
Trump announces a ceasefire with Iran. What to know.
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump announces a two-week ceasefire with Iran, pulling back from threats he made earlier in the day. Phil Stewart from Reuters explains wha...
Trump’s latest deadline for a deal looms. Iran has its own demands.
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump says today’s deadline for Iran to fully open the Strait of Hormuz is firm. Will Weissert of the Associated Press details the lat...
New threats and a rescue in Iran: what to know after a busy weekend
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
American forces pulled off a daring rescue of a downed U.S. airman in Iran. The Wall Street Journal’s Shelby Holliday breaks down the chain of e...
He said yes to an IT job. He ended up enslaved in a scam compound.
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: Last June, journalist Andy Greenberg received an anonymous email from someone claiming to be trapped inside a sc...
Pam Bondi was a Trump loyalist. He fired her anyway.
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Pam Bondi is out as President Trump’s attorney general. Semafor’s Shelby Talcott joins to discuss why the president became frustrated with...
Trump gives a national address on the Iran war. Here are the takeaways.
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump delivers a national address on the war with Iran. Reuters has the takeaways. The confirmation of Trump’s nominee for the next U...
How Trump’s $400 million ballroom plans came to a halt
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court hears arguments today regarding President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. The Wall Street Journal’s J...
NASA’s $100 billion bet on the moon is about to launch
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
NASA’s Artemis program will soon send a four-person crew around the moon. Bloomberg’s Loren Grush explains why the agency is making a luna...
Thousands more U.S. troops arrive in the Middle East. What to know.
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. says it can only confirm about a third of Iran’s missile capabilities have been destroyed. Idrees Ali of Reuters joins to discuss what ...
Americans are obsessed with protein. How much do you actually need?
28 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: We are in the middle of a protein boom. Protein food products make up a more than $100 billion industry — and i...
How Houston’s airports became the face of TSA funding woes
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Senate reached a deal to fund DHS, as security wait times at the nation’s airports have continued to get longer. Juan Lozano of the Associated P...
She took on Meta and Google — and won a major victory
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The DHS shutdown has led to record-breaking wait times at airports as the Transportation Security Administration struggles with staffing shortages. NB...
Trump touts big diplomatic wins. Here’s where things stand.
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump said talks with Iran over ending the war have been productive. Humeyra Pamuk of Reuters joins to discuss whether that means a diplomat...
These countries stayed out of the war — but they’re suffering from it
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump reversed course on attacking Iran’s power plants Monday, saying they are in talks to end the war and fully open the Strait of Ho...
Trump gives Iran an ultimatum — and gets threats in return
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of crucial energy infrastructure. Reuters reports on ...
How Elon Musk transformed Twitter — and what it means for online discourse
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: Twitter was created 20 years ago. Many saw the platform as an online public square — a place to connect wi...
The inside story behind Banksy’s true identity
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. is considering lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil. The Washington Post’s Evan Halper explains why. Fallout from revelations about La...
They bet on the war — then tried to rewrite the news
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee Wednesday. NBC News reports on how Gabbard declined...
Iran’s top officials keep dying. This is how the regime is surviving.
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Iran is cracking down on dissent to prevent an uprising by its citizens. The Wall Street Journal’s Margherita Stancati breaks down the situation...
“This is not our war”: the countries refusing Trump’s call for help
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump’s call for military assistance from other countries at the Strait of Hormuz has met with a mostly cool reception. NBC News repor...
Snow, thunder, and heat: where to expect extreme weather this week
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump wants allies to send send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to provide security for oil tankers. The Guardian on how reports several co...
What it actually costs to win an Oscar
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: The Academy Awards are finally here. The race to win isn’t just about art — it’s also about creatin...
What we learned from a roller-coaster week in the markets
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Oil markets had a volatile week as concern about the future of the war in Iran grows. The Wall Street Journal’s David Uberti joins to discuss th...
Countries turn to emergency oil supplies. It won’t buy much time.
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A continuing military investigation revealed that a deadly strike on a school in Iran was likely carried out by U.S. forces. Idrees Ali of Reuters joi...
Why Trump is threatening to block his own party’s agenda
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Iran faced another intense day of bombing. The BBC reports attacks on minelaying ships near a vital shipping route. Republicans gathered in Florida fo...
Iran’s missile attacks are slowing down. Is this why?
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Iran buried its missile stockpiles deep underground in order to protect them. The Wall Street Journal’s David S. Cloud explains why that may hav...
Iran defies Trump and names a supreme leader. Here’s what to know.
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Iran has a new supreme leader. Reuters reports that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the deceased Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was chosen, in what many see as a di...
Why Trump really turned on Kristi Noem
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Thursday. The Wall Street Journal’s Michelle Hackman breaks down the factors that ...
People are trying to flee the Gulf. Some will pay any price to get out.
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Travelers across the Middle East who became stranded when fighting in Iran began are having trouble finding their way home. Bloomberg reports on how m...
How the war in the Middle East could spiral into an energy crisis
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new wave of attacks were carried out against Iran, as the war in the region moves into a fifth day. Reuters reports that retaliatory strikes hit mul...
War with Iran enters fourth day as more countries are drawn in
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has drawn in countries across the Middle East. AFP has the latest. The Wall Street Journal’s Alex Ward joins to d...
What comes next after massive strikes in Iran
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. and Israel carried out a massive military campaign over the weekend against Iran. The Wall Street Journal’s Jared Malsin breaks down th...
Rebroadcast: The truth about Johnson & Johnson
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: This is an episode from our archives. For more than a century, Johnson & Johnson has billed itself as one of the ...
Some companies want a tariff refund. It might be hard to get.
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Following the Supreme Court decision on tariffs, big companies including FedEx, Dyson, and L’Oréal are suing to recoup money paid. NPR&rs...
Meet the MAHA influencer Trump wants as the “nation’s doctor”
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump’s nominee to be the next surgeon general appeared before the Senate health committee. NBC News’s Aria Bendix breaks down t...
Trump delivers his State of the Union. These were the takeaways.
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump delivered his State of the Union. NBC News’s Sahil Kapur was in the press gallery and gives us his takeaways. Deadly cartel viol...
As Trump weighs a strike on Iran, the Pentagon has a warning
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Pentagon says an attack on Iran may lead to significant risks for U.S. soldiers, allies and resources. The Wall Street Journal’s Alex Ward j...
Mexico killed its most-wanted drug lord. A wave of violence followed.
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” was killed in a military raid in Mexico over the weekend. Laura Gottesdiener of Reuters ...
“In sickness and in health”: what no one tells you about caring for a loved one
21 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: When she was 28, Laura Mauldin became a full-time caregiver for her romantic partner with leukemia — an experie...
Trump is amassing a large fleet near Iran. Here’s what’s at stake.
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tensions with Iran are escalating as U.S. forces continue to build up in the region. The Wall Street Journal’s Alex Ward breaks down a new optio...
How one of California’s deadliest-ever avalanches unfolded
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A deadly avalanche killed at least eight people in the Lake Tahoe region in Northern California. KQED’s Sarah Wright explains what happened, and...
Why the L.A. Olympics chair is facing calls to quit
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In Trump’s second term, ICE has ramped up use of a program that deputizes local police forces to participate in immigration enforcement. NPR&rsq...
How the Pentagon smuggled Elon Musk’s Starlink into Iran
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. government undertook a covert mission to keep Iranian protesters connected to the internet with Starlink equipment. Alex Ward of the Wall Str...
Inside the MAGA battle to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Global leaders and influential power brokers gathered at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend. Reuters reports on how Secretary of State Ma...
The billionaire tech heir trying to buy the movie industry — on his father’s dime
14 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: A battle is underway over some of Hollywood’s most valuable properties. Paramount Skydance and Netflix are vyin...
There’s still no deal to fund the DHS. Now it faces a shutdown.
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Another partial shutdown appears to be certain after lawmakers failed to pass a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. ABC News reports on ...
“Chaos and confusion”: inside the shutdown of El Paso airspace
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Airspace over El Paso, Texas, was closed abruptly late Tuesday night. The Washington Post’s Dan Lamothe talks through what we know about the sud...
The measles is surging in the U.S. Here’s why — and where.
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A surge of measles cases has health experts around the country worried. Erika Edwards of NBC News breaks down the numbers and how current outbreaks go...
Trump cut off Cuba’s oil. Now it’s heading for economic collapse.
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Cuba is on the brink of economic disaster following U.S. actions in Venezuela. The Wall Street Journal’s José de Córdoba breaks do...
The Epstein files trigger a political crisis — but not in the U.S.
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Epstein documents are causing political crises abroad, with the British prime minister fighting for his political life. Politico unpacks why. The ...
How Bad Bunny went from bagging groceries to global superstardom
07 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: Bad Bunny is one of the most popular artists in the world. He’s won six Grammys — including Album of the ...
How Jeff Bezos changed the Washington Post
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Mass layoffs at the Washington Post have shocked the media industry. Semafor’s Max Tani discusses the cuts and explains why the paper has strugg...
Inside the battle to curb ICE powers
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Democrats have laid out their demands as lawmakers in Washington negotiate a deal on ICE accountability. Sahil Kapur of NBC News explains the breadth ...
Why the U.S. shot down an Iranian drone — and what comes next
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
U.S. forces shot down an Iranian drone as it approached an American aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. Idrees Ali of Reuters joins to discuss the in...
How Americans get caught up in ICE surveillance tools
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
ICE is using biometric tracers, cellphone-hacking tools, and other surveillance methods to track protesters and suspects. The Washington Post’s ...
The government is shut down again. Here’s what both sides want.
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The partial government shutdown isn’t likely to end until at least Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal’s Natalie Andrews breaks down the stic...
How ICE entered its most aggressive era — and what comes next
31 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From Apple News In Conversation: Since President Trump took office just over a year ago, federal immigration enforcement has substantially expanded &m...
The tentative immigration deal Democrats cut to avoid a shutdown
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Senate Democrats and Republicans struck a deal to avert a government shutdown over DHS funding, although a short lapse is still expected before the Ho...
What the Fed’s latest decision reveals about the U.S. economy
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Federal Reserve voted to keep rates steady on Wednesday. Bloomberg looks into the decision. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Se...
Why the new wave of ICE recruits is raising alarm bells
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
U.S. Border Patrol “commander at large” Gregory Bovino was removed from his position following the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. ...