The Journal.

The 2026 midterm cycle is the most expensive election in American history. At a time when huge sums of campaign money are flowing into races across the country, federal oversight has weakened. WSJ’s Maggie Severns explains where the influx of election cash is coming from and why the regulator charged with monitoring campaign funding is struggling to do its job. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Red, White and Who? The Swing Voters in South Texas

- Red, White and Who? The Inflation Election

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The real estate brokerage Compass sells many homes through private listings. But that strategy has received a lot of criticism. After a major acquisition earlier this year, Compass is now a behemoth in the industry, and private listings are becoming more common. WSJ's Katherine Clarke explains how Compass’s strategy is causing drama in the real estate industry. Imani Moise hosts.

Further Listening:

- Compass vs. Zillow: The Real Estate Wars

- A Case of Conspiracy in Real Estate

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This past weekend, mayhem broke out alongside peaceful demonstrations in France. What started as a protest over school resources spiralled into anger over potential big cuts to social services. For years the country had a high appetite for borrowed money taken out at low interest rates. But today France is facing a fiscal reckoning as more than $1 trillion of that debt will come due by 2030. WSJ’s Stacy Meichtry explains how France’s debt bomb contributed to the unrest. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Germany’s Economy Is Broken. There’s No Plan B.

- Will France Elect a Far-Right President?

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On Tuesday, OpenAI employee Abdulrahman Alfozan was charged with planting a recording device behind a conference room TV at its San Francisco headquarters. Imani Moise talks to WSJ’s Maxwell Zeff about the case, the suspect and why tech leaders are concerned about corporate espionage.

Further Listening:

- Apple vs. OpenAI

- Inside a Debate at OpenAI Over Mass Shootings

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Anthropic is preparing for what could be one of the biggest IPOs in history. WSJ's Anissa Gardizy got a look at a draft of the company's S-1. It reveals soaring revenue, a business heavily reliant on a few customers and a long list of risk factors, including the possibility of a catastrophic AI incident. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- The Great AI Freakout Has Begun

- A Data Center Offered $26 Million for Her Land. She Said No.

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