The Journal.

Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026!

The stories that defined 2025, the themes to watch in 2026. Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza hear from top editors across the paper. Plus, Ryan's bold proposal to switch Christmas and Valentine's Day.Thanks for listening to the show in 2025. We’ll see you in 2026! Listen to Ryan and Jess’s playlist of their Greatest Hits of 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Camp Swamp Road Ep. 5: Jacksonville

According to a WSJ analysis, the epicenter for Stand Your Ground killings is in the state where the laws were first enacted: Florida. From 2021 through 2024, the Jacksonville area had a larger share of its homicides classified as justifiable killings by civilians than any U.S. city or county with a population greater than 500,000. WSJ’s Hannah Critchfield reports on the law’s unintended consequences and one case labelled as a self-defense killing, where no killer came forward at all. Valerie Bauerlein hosts and reveals a major update on the Scott Spivey case. Read the Reporting: - The Self-Defense Cases That Made Jacksonville No. 1 in Legal Homicides - 29 Shots in 24 Seconds: How a Killing Was Cast as Self-Defense Follow the Story: - Camp Swamp Road Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drug Cartels' New Weapon: Chinese Money Launderers

Federal officials say Chinese money launderers moved more than $300 billion in illicit transactions through U.S. banks and other financial institutions in recent years. WSJ’s Dylan Tokar explores the rise of these highly lucrative schemes and former federal prosecutor Julie Shemitz takes us inside the federal investigation to bring them down. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Money Laundering Behind TD Bank's $3 Billion Fine - Mexico's New Cocaine Kingpin is Cashing In Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Almost 2026. How’s the Economy?

How did the U.S. economy do in 2025? With unemployment ticking up, tariffs shaking up global trade and the stock market booming, it has been hard to make sense of it all. Ryan Knutson talks with three WSJ economics reporters–Justin Lahart, Rachel Wolfe and Jeanne Whalen– about the state of the economy as we wrap up the year, and about what to expect in 2026.  Further Listening: - The Era of AI Layoffs Has Begun - Is the Economy Getting Better or Worse? The Fed Says It's Hard to Tell Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Battle Over a Church Worth Millions

After a historic church in the heart of Nashville was taken over by a businessman, the family of the church’s original founder, including Christian pop star Amy Grant, says the building was “steeple-jacked.” The businessman leading the church denies the allegations. WSJ’s Cameron McWhirter explains to Ryan Knutson why many American churches are vulnerable to a hostile takeover. Further Listening: - ‘Exmo’ Influencers Are Taking On Mormonism - The Financial Mess Facing the Vatican - Why the New Pope Is Taking on AI Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices