SmartHERNews

From political to the personal, our Friday “Ask Me Anything”! What does the flu like in America? How long does it take to move a president in-and-out of the White House? Is there a deadline for cabinet nominees to be confirmed? Is this process taking longer than usual? Do former cabinet members get severance? (And ... how much do they make?) Where should we report from this summer? What about Elon Musk’s controversial "salute"? Who got pardoned? Plus the “MAGA granny” who didn’t want one … Got a favorite hobby? We got something for you consider! SHOW NOTES: Flu Map: https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/usmap.html Presidential Transition Graphics: https://presidentialtransition.org/confirming-the-cabinet-historical-trends-of-cabinet-secretary-confirmations-across-the-last-five-presidential-administrations/ Ex-MAGA Granny turns down pardon: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/01/22/maga-trump-reject-jan6-pardon/ Elon: https://thehill.com/video/dc-bureau-elon-musk-thanks-and-salutes-crowd/10385744Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The first words delivered by the new Secretary of State on his first day on the job. The underreported story of a border patrol agent killed in the line of duty. The backstory to a viral moment of the week: the Reverend who confronted President Trump from the pulpit. What was really said? Curious your thoughts: hello@smartHERNews.com Send a voice note and get a chance to be featured! SUPPORT OUR MISSION   Shop our gear!  If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

President Trump, like all presidents before him, has the power of the pen but not a magic wand. We take a a closer look at two of President Trump’s first moves in office: issuing pardons and executive orders – and both the extraordinary reach and extraordinary limitations of a president’s power (in less than 10 minutes!) Key Takeaways: Presidential power is often perceived differently than it is in reality. The power of forgiveness is a significant aspect of presidential authority. Clemency can take the form of pardons or commutations, each with different implications. Pardons restore civil rights but do not erase criminal records. Critics argue that executive actions can overstep presidential authority. SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The president did not take the oath of office while drunk ... nor did he deliver a 2-hour speech resisting a coat ... or end the day trying to keep "enthusiastic" supporters from standing on furniture at the White House - that just happened at OTHER inaugurations! A SmartHER take on the historic inauguration of President Trump: What to know and why it matters. SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

And where is RFK Jr.??? Jenna discusses the upcoming cabinet positions, focusing on the nominees for Attorney General and the head of the CIA. Takeaways: The cabinet can have varying numbers of members, not fixed by the Constitution. There are no specific qualifications required for cabinet members. The post office was once a cabinet-level department until the 1970s. Chapters: 00:00 Quick Intro: Did you know this about the President's cabinet? 02:00 Contentious Hearings: Attorney General Nominee 05:04 The Role of the CIA and National Security 07:06 Write a letter this weekend! An ode to a former cabinet member ...  SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The unexpectedly funny, and surprisingly bipartisan hearing of Sec. of State nominee, Senator Marco Rubio.. Takeaways A key focus on China. The Arctic become an increasingly important area of discussion. Personal stories in politics. The stakes of war and peace vs. viral moments. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of the Secretary of State 02:26 Key Takeaways from the Hearing 05:06 Insights on Global Engagement and Leadership 07:00: Greenland or bust?Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Summary President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Hegseth, a veteran, author and former Fox News host, faced tough questions on his personal and professional record. Jenna breaks down the three key takeaways of this four-hour hearing. Takeaways The Secretary of Defense is a historically significant role. The hearing revealed deep partisan divides in questioning. Hegseth's non-traditional background was acknowledged. Allegations against Hegseth became a focal point for Democrats. Republicans emphasized the military’s culture and Hegseth’s Christianity. Strategic questions about national security were largely overlooked. The confirmation process is likely to follow party lines. 00:00 The Importance of the Secretary of Defense - Did you know it was known as the Secretary of War? 02:28 Hearing Highlights: Party Lines and Allegations 05:57 - Character and Culture in Military Leadership 07:43 - Oversights in the Hearing 8:59 - Next Steps for Pete Hegseth's Nomination SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

✓ 2:00: Is it a full moon?  ✓ 3:00: An important caveat about timing in this week’s news cycle.   ✓ 5:00: Ceasefire talks happening in the Middle East.   ✓ 7:00: The Jobs Report.   ✓ 10:00: How does a surge at the border impact the labor market?  ✓ 15:00: Pres.-Elect Trump’s recent sentencing and why it matters.   ✓ 24:00: A quick caveat on eggs, always a lightning-rod topic for SmartHER News.  ✓ 27:00: The wildfires in California.  ✓ 31:00: Some context on fire retardant drops.  ✓ 33:00: This group fighting the wildfires may surprise you.  ✓ 36:00: The entanglement between nature and development.   SHOW NOTES  “December Jobs Report: ‘Surprisingly Strong’” (SmartHER News)  “How Immigration Remade the U.S. Labor Force” (The Wall Street Journal)  "Deadly California Wildfires Continue" (SmartHER News) “L.A. Will Keep Having Catastrophic Fires No Matter Who You Blame | Opinion” (Newsweek)  SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews   Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Your Top 5 News Stories To Watch In 2025: 1:03: Are we seeing a generational shift in the Middle East? Who will lead Syria and how does this change relationships all over the globe? 4:45: What does the border look like under a new Trump administration? Highlights from a new annual report from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 9:00: What does MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) look like in action at a government level?  Will Medicare and Medicaid cover semaglutide injections? 14:30: Do we have the next showdown over abortion law in America in the works? A Texas case vs. a New York doctor pulls new abortion law back into the spotlight. 19:30: What new political identities will emerge? SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews  Show Notes: * This was recorded before the recent events in New Orleans and Las Vegas New elections could take up to four years, Syria rebel leader says ICE Annual Report: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/eoy/iceAnnualReportFY2024.pdf Concerns About Ozempic and “Eye Rot” Texas AG's lawsuit sets up a red versus blue state abortion battleSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

We first published this interview in 2023 ~ celebrating 200 years of this popular poem's first, mysterious, appearance. We thought in this busy news year, you might appreciate some more insight on this holiday legend! ---- "Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house ..." These lines first appeared in a New York state newspaper on December 23, 1823. The author? Originally ... "Anonymous." 200 years later, many of us can still recite much of this poem from memory, solidifying the image of Santa and "his eight tiny reindeer" for generations. While the mystery over who precisely penned this famous Christmas poem swirled for years, the impact of the lyrical writing remains undeniable. Historian and author Pamela Mccoll spent ten years researching the poem's origins and global impact, documenting her findings in her book, "Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem." Pam joins us to share incredible insight about the curious origins of the poem (including the party-filled streets of New York City) and why she believes it has such incredible lasting power. A link to the poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43171/a-visit-from-st-nicholas A link to Pamela's book in the SmartHER Amazon storefront: Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem Shop SmartHER News Gear! Join us on SCOOP and support a free press!   Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands