New York Times Podcasts

Plus, the Friday news quiz.  Here’s what we’re covering: • Republicans Ramp Up Investigation Into Democratic Plan to Pack Alaska’s Ballot (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/29/us/politics/alaska-dan-sullivan-peltola-ballot-investigation-trump.html) , by Kellen Browning, Anna Griffin and Glenn Thrush • Justice Dept. Pressures California With Expanded Election Investigation (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/29/us/trump-doj-california-voter-rolls-midterms.html) , by Devlin Barrett and Shawn H

An investigation from The New York Times has uncovered how two candidates named Dan Sullivan ended up on the ballot for U.S. Senate in Alaska and the secret role that Democrats played in making it happen. Kellen Browning, a political reporter for The Times, takes us inside the political scheme and explains what it means for a race that could determine which party controls the Senate. Guest: Kellen Browning (https://www.nytimes.com/by/kellen-browning) , a political reporter for The New York T

A look at candidates from President Trump’s party who are running on a platform of criticizing him.  In next week’s midterm elections, a specific kind of Republican candidate is appealing to disillusioned voters of both parties: moderates willing to criticize President Trump. Jess Bidgood explains how some Republicans are trying to bring back an older version of their party. Guest: Jess Bidgood (https://www.nytimes.com/by/jess-bidgood) , a political journalist for The New York Times Back

Plus, a contentious character is back on “The Simpsons.”  Here’s what we’re covering: • How California’s Ultrarich Are Trying to Stop the World’s First Billionaire Tax (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/14/magazine/california-billionaires-tax.html) , by Michael Steinberger • Trump Swings Through Deep-Red States Seeking to Reverse Lagging G.O.P. Enthusiasm (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/19/us/politics/trump-midterm-rally-red-states.html) , by Emily Davies and Jonathan Swan • Israeli P

Plus, the legacy of a competitive eating champion.  Here’s what we’re covering: • The Race to Defend Kyiv Against Terrifying New Jet-Powered Drones (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/15/world/europe/ukraine-jet-drone-interceptor.html) , by Maria Varenikova and Paul Mozur • Ukraine’s Exposure Grows as Satellite Use Is Restricted and Russia Escalates (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/14/world/europe/ukraine-starlink-energy.html) , by Constant Méheut • Higher Energy Prices Lift U.S. Inflat