The Daily

After 148 days on strike, writers of movies and television are returning to work on Wednesday with an agreement in hand that amounts to a major win for organized labor in Hollywood. John Koblin, a media reporter for The Times, explains why the studios acquiesced to writers’ demands and what the deal means for the future of American entertainment. Guest: John Koblin [https://www.nytimes.com/by/john-koblin], a media reporter for The New York Times. Background reading: * After Hollywood’s bitter monthslong labor dispute, [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/business/media/hollywood-writers-strike-deal.html]the Writers Guild of America got most of what it wanted [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/business/media/hollywood-writers-strike-deal.html?smid=pc-thedaily]. * Now the focus turns to actors [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/business/media/actors-strike-negotiations.html?smid=pc-thedaily]: The studios and the actors’ union haven’t spoken for more than two months, and a deal is needed before the entertainment industry can fully return. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

In one of the most serious political corruption cases in recent history, federal prosecutors have accused a senior U.S. senator of trading the power of his position for cash, gifts and gold. Tracey Tully, who covers New Jersey for The Times, tells the story behind the charges against the senator, Robert Menendez, and his wife, Nadine, and describes the role played by Wael Hana, an Egyptian American businessman at the center of the allegations. Guest: Tracey Tully [https://www.nytimes.com/by/tracey-tully] covers New Jersey for The New York Times. Background reading: * Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, charged with taking bribes in exchange for exerting political influence [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/nyregion/menendez-bribery-charges.html], predicted that he would be exonerated. * Inside the Menendez investigation [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/23/nyregion/bob-menendez-indictment-bribery-investigation.html]: Federal prosecutors have accused the senator and his wife, Nadine, of accepting bribes in exchange for official actions by Mr. Menendez. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

California is poised to become the first state to outlaw discrimination based on a person’s caste. The system of social stratification, which dates back thousands of years, has been outlawed in India and Nepal for decades. Amy Qin, a correspondent who covers Asian American communities for The Times, explains why so many believe a prejudice that originated on the other side of the globe now requires legal protection in the U.S.  — and why so many are equally convinced that it would be a bad idea. Guest: Amy Qin [https://www.nytimes.com/by/amy-qin], a national correspondent covering Asian American communities for The New York Times. Background reading: * The bill, recently passed by the California State Legislature [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/08/us/california-caste-discrimination.html], has led to intense debate among South Asian immigrants. * Meena Kotwal [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/world/asia/india-caste-discrimination-dalit-journalist-mooknayak.html?searchResultPosition=3], a Dalit journalist, started a news outlet focused on marginalized groups in India, hoping that telling their stories would help improve their lives. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily] Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.