The Daily

It was an overcast Monday afternoon in late April, and Michael Oher, the former football player whose high school years were dramatized in the movie “The Blind Side,” was driving Michael Sokolove on a tour through a forlorn-looking stretch of Memphis and past some of the landmarks of his childhood.In the movie, Oher moves into the home of the wealthy white couple Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. They take him shopping for clothes, help him obtain a driver’s license, buy him a pickup truck and arrange for tutoring that helps improve his grades and makes him eligible to play college football. In real life, Oher went on to play eight seasons as a starting offensive tackle in the N.F.L. and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.Now, Oher is suing the Tuohys, claiming that they have exploited him by using his name, image and likeness to promote speaking engagements that have earned them roughly $8 million over the last two decades — and by repeatedly saying that they adopted him when they never did. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

A conversation with the legendary actor about, well, everything.Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

With Election Day fast approaching, polls show the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump to be the closest in a generation.The Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Shane Goldmacher, Maggie Haberman and Nate Cohn break down the state of the race and discuss the last-minute strategies that might tip the scales.Guest: Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.Maggie Haberman, a senior political correspondent for The New York Times.Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times.Background reading: The state of the race: a calm week and perhaps the clearest picture yet.Scenes of workers on strike, hurricane devastation in the Southeast and missiles over Israel pose tests for Ms. Harris.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Israel’s series of military successes against its longtime adversary Hezbollah had raised the question of whether the militant group’s backer, Iran, would retaliate. On Tuesday, that question was answered, when Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel.Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The Times, and Farnaz Fassihi, The Times’s United Nations bureau chief, discuss how they see events developing from here.Guest: Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.Farnaz Fassihi, the United Nations bureau chief for The New York Times.Background reading: Fiery balls of light could be seen falling from the sky over Jerusalem and loud explosions could be heard in Tel Aviv and other areas as Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel.After the missile attack, Israel may be more prepared to risk war with Iran.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Just three weeks after Kamala Harris and Donald J. Trump engaged in a fiery and often hostile presidential debate, their running mates, Tim Walz and JD Vance, met for their own face-off — and struck a very different chord.Reid J. Epstein, a politics reporter for The Times, explains why this debate was so different and what it could mean for the race.Guest: Reid J. Epstein, a politics reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: Read coverage of the debate.Analysis: Mr. Vance strained to sell a softer image of Mr. Trump.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Warning: This episode contains strong language and descriptions of death.Over the past few days, Hurricane Helene has left a trail of devastation, killing more than 100 people, driving thousands from their homes and leaving millions without power.Judson Jones, a meteorologist and weather reporter for The Times, and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a Times national reporter, discuss the toll left by the deadly storm.Guest: Judson Jones, a meteorologist and reporter for The New York Times.Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a national reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: Hurricane Helene spawned flash floods and landslides as it barreled north after devastating parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast.In less than a day, Helene transformed from a Category 1 hurricane to a Category 4. Read about how that happened so quickly.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

As wars in Ukraine and the Middle East deepen, the U.S. presidential campaign is raising a crucial question: Whose idea of American foreign policy will the world get next?Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The Times, walks us through the plans put forward by Kamala Harris and by Donald J. Trump.Guest: Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times.Background reading: Ms. Harris met with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, signaling that the White House was preparing her to take over a thorny diplomatic relationship.Mr. Zelensky also met with Mr. Trump as concerns mount in Kyiv that a second Trump administration could spell the end of American support against Russia.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

In “The Deserter,” Sarah A. Topol reports the story of Ivan, a captain in the Russian Army who fought in Ukraine and then ultimately fled the war and his country with his wife, Anna. Topol spoke to 18 deserters while reporting in eight countries across four continents over the last year and a half; their experiences helped paint a vivid picture of the Russian war operation and its corruption, chaos and brutality.Narrated by Liev Schreiber.“The Deserter” is a five-part special series in collaboration with The New York Times Magazine.All five parts of this audio feature can be found here or by searching for “The Deserter” on the NYT Audio app or wherever you get your podcasts.The text version of the story can be found here.  Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

In “The Deserter,” Sarah A. Topol reports the story of Ivan, a captain in the Russian Army who fought in Ukraine and then ultimately fled the war and his country with his wife, Anna. Topol spoke to 18 deserters while reporting in eight countries across four continents over the last year and a half; their experiences helped paint a vivid picture of the Russian war operation and its corruption, chaos and brutality.Narrated by Liev Schreiber.“The Deserter” is a five-part special series in collaboration with The New York Times Magazine. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

The host of "Last Week Tonight" talks about what he’s learned in the ten years of making the show, why he doesn't consider himself a journalist and not giving in to nihilism.Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

For the first time in New York history, federal prosecutors have indicted the city’s sitting mayor, accusing him of accepting illegal campaign donations and luxury gifts in return for political favors.Emma Fitzsimmons, the City Hall bureau chief for The Times, discusses the rise and fall of Mayor Eric Adams.Guest: Emma G. Fitzsimmons, the City Hall bureau chief for The New York Times.Background reading: The indictment plunges Mr. Adams’s embattled administration further into chaos just months before he is set to face challengers in a hotly contested primary.Here are the two ways Mr. Adams could be forced from office.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of captivity, mental-health trauma and suicidal thoughts.A Times investigation into a leading chain of psychiatric hospitals in the United States reveals a world where profits trump medical needs, and patients are detained against their will.Jessica Silver-Greenberg, an investigative reporter for the Business section of The New York Times, tells the story of one woman who was trapped inside.Guest: Jessica Silver-Greenberg, an investigative reporter for the Business section of The New York Times.Background reading: How a leading chain of psychiatric hospitals traps patients.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

In the past few days, Israel has waged intense air raids in Lebanon, killing more than 600 people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.Ben Hubbard, the Istanbul bureau chief for The Times, explains the origins of the spiraling conflict between Israel and its regional adversary Hezbollah.Guest: Ben Hubbard, the Istanbul bureau chief for The New York Times.Background reading: Israel’s strikes on Lebanon are some of the deadliest in decades. Here is what we know about the bombardment.As Lebanon reels from Israeli attacks, the future is murky for a wounded Hezbollah.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Over the past year, frustration over the cost of housing in the United States has become a centerpiece of the presidential race, a focus of government policy and an agonizing nationwide problem.Conor Dougherty, who covers housing for The Times, explains why the origin of the housing crisis is what makes it so hard to solve.Guest: Conor Dougherty, who covers housing for The New York Times.Background reading: Why too few homes get built in the United States.A decade ago, Kalamazoo — and all of Michigan — had too many houses. Now it has a shortage.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

A Times investigation has found that Telegram, one of the world’s biggest messaging apps, with nearly a billion users, is also a giant black market and gathering place for the likes of terrorists and white supremacists.Adam Satariano, a technology reporter for The Times, discusses the story of Telegram and the arrest of its founder, Pavel Durov.Guest: Adam Satariano, a technology correspondent for The New York Times.Background reading: How Telegram became a playground for criminals, extremists and terrorists.The criminal charges against Pavel Durov raised concerns in Silicon Valley about encryption and Telegram’s approach to privacy and security.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Robert Caro’s 1974 biography “The Power Broker” is a book befitting its subject, Robert Moses — the unelected parochial technocrat who used a series of appointed positions to entirely reshape New York City and its surrounding environment for generations to come. Like Moses, Caro’s book has exerted an enduring and outsize influence. Caro recently joined The Times’s Book Review Podcast to discuss his experience writing the seminal book, and how he accounts for its continuing legacy.You can find more information about that episode here. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

The star novelist discusses her public persona, the discourse around her work and why reinvention isn’t her goal.Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

As the presidential race enters its final 45 days, we assemble a campaign round table with our colleagues from the politics desk.Maggie Haberman, Shane Goldmacher and Nate Cohn interpret this week’s biggest developments.Guest: Maggie Haberman, a senior political correspondent for The New York Times.Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times.Background reading: Harris had stronger debate, polls find, but the race remains deadlocked.Here’s the latest on the 2024 elections.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Hundreds of electronic devices carried by Hezbollah members exploded simultaneously across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday in an audacious plot by Israel.Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times, discusses what the attack accomplished, and what it cost.Guest: Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.Background reading: What we know about the deadly wireless-device explosions in Lebanon.Israel’s pager attack was a tactical success without a strategic goal, analysts say.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.In the last year, the world’s eyes have been on the war in Gaza, which still has no end in sight. But there is a conflict in another Palestinian territory that has gotten far less attention, where life has become increasingly untenable: the West Bank.Ronen Bergman, who has been covering the conflict, explains why things are likely to get worse, and the long history of extremist political forces inside Israel that he says are leading the country to an existential crisis.Guest: Ronen Bergman, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine.Background reading: How extremist settlers took over Israel.What is the West Bank and who controls it?For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.