One week after Uvalde and Depp v. Heard concludes: 5 news podcast episodes from this week’s headlines

It’s been a week since the horrifying mass shooting at Robb Elementary School that killed 19 students and two teachers. We continue to be flooded with stories from survivors and surviving family members, as well as news of Uvalde’s police response during the actual massacre. We’re sharing an episode from “The Daily” in which you’ll hear first-hand accounts from that day and an episode from “Axios Today” telling us why Uvalde might spark action in U.S. Congress.

Plus, the highly publicized Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial came to a conclusion yesterday, Meta’s longtime COO Sheryl Sandberg stepped down from her position, and Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Platinum Jubilee.

Hear all of these stories and more with these news podcast episodes from the headlines.

The Daily

This heavy episode of “The Daily” from Wednesday shares the stories of some of those who survived the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and the stories of those who didn’t. Now, a week after the shooting, the small community faces many days of mourning as nearly two dozen funerals begin.

Axios Today

While the “Axios Today” episode “Why federal action on guns may be in reach” is from last Friday, we feel that it shares an important message. Amidst the nihilism shared and re-shared on social media after yet another mass shooting killed yet another classroom of elementary school children, Axios reporter Alayna Treen says this time may be different. Listen to this episode to hear if the majority of Americans who support stricter gun laws will be heard by Congress this time.

What A Day

While a jury found both Depp and Heard liable for defamation in their lawsuits against each other, the jury awarded Depp significantly more damages to Depp and his team, essentially marking it a legal win. “What A Day” looks at what standard this lawsuit sets for victims of domestic violence.

Plus, the L.A. County Sheriff primary election is turning out to be a heated one, and incumbent Sheriff Alex Villanueva faces a number of challengers. Also, the Buffalo gunman was indicted on 25 counts and Sheryl Sandberg steps down as Meta’s COO.

WSJ What’s News

It’s the beginning of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebration, marking 70 years on the throne. But it also marks a moment of reckoning for the aging monarch and the long-term stability she’s provided to the position. WSJ U.K. correspondent Max Colchester joins “WSJ What’s News” to talk about the end of the Queen’s era.

The Journal

You may have heard of a little movie called Top Gun: Maverick that was released last week. The Paramount Pictures film is smashing records at the box office, but it also tells a different story. The original film was a classic 1980s show-off extravaganza of a nearing-the-end-of-the-Cold-War-American might, from hot girls to fast planes to Tom Cruise’s sex appeal.

But, the sequel had to think beyond the American market of that decade, taking into account China and its vast Hollywood market. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel joins this fascinating episode of “The Journal” to talk about how Top Gun: Maverick attracted, and then lost, Chinese financing.