The Daily

This month, The Times released a list of the 50 best restaurants in America. The Food desk’s reporters, critics and editors crisscrossed the country from Portland, Ore., to Deer Isle, Maine, to scout places formal and casual, big and small, experimental and classic. Their survey is an evocation of what it’s like to dine out, right now, in America. On today’s episode, Gilbert sits down with the Food reporters Priya Krishna and Brett Anderson, two contributors to the list, for a veritable feast of dining wisdom. They discuss what makes a restaurant worthy of the 50 best list, how they go about finding those restaurants, and the dining trends they’re loving and hating in 2025. On Today’s Episode: Priya Krishna, reporter and video host for New York Times Food and Cooking Brett Anderson, reporter for New York Times Food and Cooking Background Reading: America’s Best Restaurants 2025 Photo: Chase Castor for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The actor and producer booked her first big role when she was 14 years old. More than 30 years later, she’s an entertainment-industry powerhouse. theinterview@nytimes.comyoutube.com/@TheInterviewPodcastnytimes.com/theinterview Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel are creating concerns and conversations about the state of free speech in the United States. Rachel Abrams, Jim Rutenberg, Jeremy W. Peters and Adam Liptak, all journalists for The New York Times, discuss Mr. Kimmel’s removal and why the action is provoking fears and applause from different camps of a polarized country. Guest: Jim RutenbergJeremy W. PetersAdam LiptakSidebarBackground reading: Trump administration has wielded its full toolboxWhat to know about “hate speech”finger pointing began before the evidence was inFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Samuel Corum for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

For weeks, fights have been escalating between top scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., culminating in his accusation that the agency’s top official, Dr. Susan Monarez, was untrustworthy. Dr. Monarez went before a Senate committee on Wednesday to give her side of the story. Sheryl Gay Stolberg, who covers health policy for The New York Times, discusses the testimony and the rift that the hearing exposed within the Republican Party over how far to go to support Mr. Kennedy and his vaccine agenda. Guest: Sheryl Gay Stolberg, a correspondent based in Washington who covers health policy for The Times. Background reading: The fired C.D.C. director described clashes with Mr. Kennedy and turmoil at the agencyFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Kenny Holston/The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

On Tuesday, prosecutors charged the man suspected of killing Charlie Kirk with aggravated murder, vowed to seek the death penalty and released a mountain of new evidence against him. Jack Healy, who has been covering the killing of Mr. Kirk for The New York Times, explains what the police have uncovered about his motives. Kenneth P. Vogel, an investigative reporter, discusses the emerging White House plan to use the federal government to crack down on the left-wing groups that it believes inspire political violence. Guest: Jack HealyKenneth P. VogelBackground reading: The suspect in Mr. Kirk’s killing faces an aggravated murder chargejustifying measures to silence his opponentsFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Loren Elliott for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Warning: This episode discusses suicide. Since ChatGPT began in 2022, it has amassed 700 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer app ever. Reporting has shown that the chatbots have a tendency to endorse conspiratorial and mystical belief systems. For some people, conversations with the technology can deeply distort their reality. Kashmir Hill, who covers technology and privacy for The New York Times, discusses how complicated and dangerous our relationships with chatbots can become. Guest: Kashmir Hill, a feature writer on the business desk at The New York Times who covers technology and privacy. Background reading: Here’s how chatbots can go into a delusional spiralThe answers distorted their views of realityA teenager was suicidal, and ChatGPT was the friend he confided inFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Trump to remake American government, siding with the president again and again. But many of those rulings have lacked something fundamental: an explanation for why the most important judges in the country came to their decision. Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The Times, explains the justices’ increased use of the so-called shadow docket, and why it has sown confusion — and in some cases frustration — in courts around the country. Guest: Adam Liptak covers the Supreme Court and writes Sidebar, a column on legal developments, for The New York Times. Background reading: The Supreme Court keeps ruling in Mr. Trump’s favorFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is tonight, honoring the best television shows released between June 2024 and May 2025. But before the festivities begin, Gilbert Cruz, the editor of The New York Times Book Review, would like to have a TV celebration of his own. On today’s episode, he gathers Jason Zinoman, a critic at large for The Times, and Alexis Soloski, a culture reporter for The Times, to “channel surf” through some of their favorite shows of the past year. On Today’s Episode: Jason Zinoman, a critic at large for The New York Times who writes a column about comedy. Alexis Soloski, a culture reporter for The New York Times. Additional Reading: The 9 People Who Check In to Every ‘White Lotus’ Sympathy for the Devil, er Boss: In ‘The Studio,’ the Powerful Are on Defense Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The writer-director made hit after hit movie, until he didn’t. But he doesn’t let it get him down. theinterview@nytimes.comyoutube.com/@TheInterviewPodcastnytimes.com/theinterview Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

We look at the hunt for the killer of the right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and at the political fallout of his assassination. Nicholas Bogel-Borroughs, an investigative reporter at The New York Times, discusses why the police are struggling to answer basic questions about the shooter. And Alan Feuer, who covers extremism and political violence, discusses how the assassination might become a turning point for the conservative movement. Guest: Nicholas Bogel-BurroughsAlan FeuerBackground reading: The chaotic huntraised fears of surging political violenceFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Kim Raff for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

On Friday morning, the police in Utah said they had arrested a suspect in Charlie Kirk’s assassination, ending a manhunt that had stretched over 33 hours. In this special episode of The Daily, we break down what we know about the suspect, and how the assassination of Mr. Kirk may be a turning point for the conservative movement. Background Reading Here’s what we knowraised fearsFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Charlie Kirk, the conservative organizer, activist and media mogul, died on Wednesday after being shot during an appearance at Utah Valley University. Mr. Kirk brought millions of young Americans in to the Republican Party, and to the ballot box for Donald Trump. Robert Draper, who profiled Charlie Kirk for The New York Times Magazine, discusses Mr. Kirk’s improbable rise to power, his stunning assassination, and his controversial legacy. Guest: Robert Draper, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist for The New York Times. Background reading: Read the profile of Charlie KirkRead updates about the shootingFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Nic Antaya for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

For months, President Trump has tried to dismiss questions about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, notably denying that he had been the author of a lewd birthday message to the financier and sex offender. On Monday, Congress released the message — and many more like it. David Enrich, a deputy investigations editor at The Times, explains how the book, and an investigation into Mr. Epstein’s finances, reveal how Mr. Epstein leveraged his rich and powerful friends to fund a yearslong criminal conspiracy. Guest: David Enrich, a deputy investigations editor for The New York Times. Background reading: released the drawingspent years supporting — and profiting from — the notorious sex offenderFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Uma Sanghvi/Palm Beach Post, via Associated Press Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Over the weekend, Russia bombarded Ukraine with the largest drone assault in the war thus far. It’s the latest in a relentless Russian offensive that keeps escalating, despite President Trump’s efforts to negotiate peace. Anatoly Kurmanaev, who covers Russia for The Times, discusses the economic war machine that’s driving Russia’s success on the battlefield, and making it so hard for anyone to get President Vladimir V. Putin to back down. Guest: Anatoly Kurmanaev, a reporter for The New York Times, covering Russia and its transformation following the invasion of Ukraine. Background reading: Why Putin thinks Russia has the upper hand against UkraineHere’s what they look likeFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Pool photo by Alexander Kazakov Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

One month after sending the National Guard into Washington, D.C. saying they would fight crime there, President Trump is so pleased with the results that he is discussing how to put federal troops onto the streets of cities across the country — from Chicago to New Orleans. It’s a potentially dramatic expansion of what has already become an unprecedented military deployment on domestic soil. Today, we hear from residents of Washington about what life is like with the National Guard in town. Guest: Background reading: sued the Trump administrationHere’s what we knowFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Alex Kent for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

As kids across America head back to school, Gilbert Cruz, the editor of The New York Times Book Review, is thinking about the books he read when he was in school. On today’s Sunday Special, Gilbert talks with the Book Review editor Sadie Stein and the author Louis Sachar (“Wayside School” series, “Holes”) about the books they read when they were students, and ways to encourage young readers today to keep reading. Additional reading 10 Books for Kids Starting Preschool 12 Books for Kids Starting Kindergarten 15 Books for Kids Starting Middle School For a future Sunday Special, ask us your personal style questions. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The author and podcaster wants to apply her old ideas about vulnerability and empathy to the workplace. theinterview@nytimes.comyoutube.com/@TheInterviewPodcastnytimes.com/theinterview Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In an extraordinarily tense showdown on Thursday, senators of both parties confronted Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his vaccine policies, his firing of the director of the C.D.C., and the growing list of federal health officials who have resigned in protest of his leadership. Sheryl Gay Stolberg, who covers health policy for The Times, explains what it was like in the room and describes what seems like a turning point in the relationship between Congress and Mr. Kennedy. Guest: Sheryl Gay Stolberg, a correspondent based in Washington covering health policy for The New York Times. Background reading: defended vaccine changesgo their own wayWill the C.D.C. surviveFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

For decades, the government has struggled with how to police monopolies in the tech industry. This week, a landmark ruling in a case against Google became the most aggressive attempt in the modern era to level the playing field. David McCabe, who covers tech policy for The Times, explains who won, who lost and what it all means for the race to dominate artificial intelligence. Guest: David McCabe, a New York Times reporter who covers the complex legal and policy issues created by the digital economy and new technologies. Background reading: Google avoided the harshest penaltiesFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Jason Henry for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In the last few weeks, the Trump administration has turned its sights on the Smithsonian, the latest target in a campaign to remake cultural institutions in its image. Officials are trying to change exhibits at the center of the country’s culture wars and reshape American history at one of the largest museum complexes in the world. Robin Pogrebin, who covers cultural institutions for The Times, discusses the clash over who gets to tell the American story. Guest: Robin Pogrebin, a New York Times culture reporter who covers cultural institutions, the art world and architecture. Background reading: The White House announced a comprehensive reviewdrew criticism from groups that represent scholars and promote free speechFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.