SmartHERNews

Happy New Year, from your SmartHER News family! Today, we explore three curiosities ... three news items to watch in 2024 – including the election (a twist you may not have considered), a conflict (a seldom talked about nation), and the U.S. border (but not the border that may first come to mind). What stories are you most curious about in 2024? We'd love to hear from you: scoop@SmartHERNews.com We wish you and your loved ones a beautiful start to a new chapter! ... Show Notes: The Economist - "the biggest election year in history." The data on the U.S. Border – DATA The GAO report on military readiness: CLICK HERE Some background on Sudan from Reuters Interesting read on the election of 2024 via ABCSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

"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/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Your Questions ... Answered! (Along with the news you need to know.) Plus ~ We share one of our most important stories of the year. We cover the election (Where does political money come from?), polling (Who can we trust?), the economy (Why are prices so high?), and even SmartHER News (Who is on the team and what is it REALLY like to work with Jenna?)! And a special story about Grace, a member of our community and a hero, who we will keep in our hearts this season and never forget. Show Notes: The GoFundMe Page for Grace: https://www.gofundme.com/f/xhpjb-the-contreras-family Recall by Quaker Oats: Here's the information How Arificial Intelligence May Impact News: News Publishers See Google’s AI Search Tool as a Traffic-Destroying Nightmare ELECTION MONEY INFO: https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/contribution_limits_chart_2023-2024.pdf RealClearPolitics: Polls Leif Babin's Books: "Extreme Ownership" and "Dichotomy of Leadership" EchelonFront.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Have you heard of Santa Claus, Indiana? Founded in 1856, this town serves as one of the main destinations for "Dear Santa" letters from all over the world. And this happened, in many ways, because one family took the reins (no reindeer jokes ... yet). Meet 92-year-old Mrs. Koch (pronounced "Cook"). She holds many titles – including Santa's daughter, Chief Elf, and founder of the Santa Claus Museum – preserving the stories of the past that she now shares with us, including: How Santa Claus, IN got its name How a WW1 veteran became Santa's best helper How the team receives and responds to tens of thousands of letters mailed from around the world. A perfect news break for anyone who needs a little Christmas spirit – or has some to spare! We hope this interview leaves you with one thought this season ... "Believe!" --- Thank you for supporting SmartHER News! You keep us ad-free and independent. Please consider joining our insider service SCOOP or grabbing some gear in our SmartHER shop. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The presidents at several of America's top universities ignite a firestorm over their comments in front of Congress on the topic of antisemitism. We take a dive into the now-viral moment that led to the resignation of one university president and raised questions about what we value as an American society.     Plus – how the Republican race for the White House has shifted dramatically in recent weeks.    And – do you feel like you have bad cell phone service? You aren't alone!   Show Notes:    Biden goes into 2024 with the economy getting stronger, but voters feel horrible about it (The Associated Press)   'I Am Sorry': Harvard President Gay Addresses Backlash Over Congressional Testimony on Antisemitism (The Harvard Crimson)    You're Not Imagining It: Cell Phone Reception Is Getting Worse (TIME)  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A serious attack off the coast of Yemen kicks off our coverage: commercial ships bombed, a U.S. navy ship targeted, and questions about what's next. Meanwhile, Congress tackles the following in the final workdays of the year: whether to extend  a highly controversial post 9/11 law, Section 702 of The Foreign Surveiliance Act, and whether to extend more money to national security priorities like Ukraine, Israel and the border. What happens next may set the stage for not only the rest of December but for the critical election year ahead. Notice an ad-free conversation? We'd love you to consider supporting quick, concise, nonpartisan SmartHER News by becoming an insider on SCOOP or shopping in our SmartHER shop! Thank you for helping build a solution in news! scoop.smarthernews.com smarthernews.com/shop Show Notes: Attack in the Red Sea: https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/3605010/houthi-attacks-on-commercial-shipping-in-international-water-continue/ Background on 702: https://www.dni.gov/files/icotr/Section702-Basics-Infographic.pdf U.S. Border Numbers: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/nationwide-encounters    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It starts out like the common cold - with a cough, maybe a sneeze - but can suddenly turn into a serious illness unaffected by "normal" treatments, that can linger for weeks. Sound familiar? But this illness impacts DOGS! And no, it's not COVID. So what is it? And why have we heard about cases in at least 14 U.S. states, if not more? Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller, clinical professor at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, joins us with her take on what to know and why it matters. . Notice an ad-free conversation? We'd love you to consider supporting quick, concise, nonpartisan SmartHER News by becoming an insider on SCOOP or shopping in our SmartHER shop! Thank you for helping build a solution in news! . Dr. Lori Teller: https://www.avma.org/about/avma-board-of-directors/lori-m-teller-dvm-dabvp-caninefeline-cvj Some background reading: https://smarthernews.com/mysterious-respiratory-illnesses-in-dogs/ . www.smartHERNews.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

New Attacks on U.S. forces ... and the impact of Rudolph's Red Nose on Your Gas Mileage (how DO those antlers on your car slow you down? We have the data!). The World Health Organization releases a bulletin on an "upsurge" in respiratory illnesses in China, specifically among children. Flu and COVID prevalance in the United States. A salmonella outbreak leading to deaths and infections across 30+ states. The continued "pause" in fighting between Israel and Hamas. What's the controversey over the phrase "We don't negotiate with terrorists"? Escalating attacks against U.S. forces (and how this may change the current story in the Middle East, as well as oil prices). A main stage debate between two party leaders: Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. Plus ~ A special gift for our SCOOP insiders! Not getting this delivered to your inbox? Come join us at Scoop.SmartHERNews.com and receive a month free for Cyber Monday!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Did you know .... the author of "Mary Had A Little Lamb" played a role in making Thanksgiving a national holiday? the Mayflower ship spanned only a third of a football field and carried more than 100 people? a famous Founding Father refused to officially proclaim Thanksgiving as a national holiday? What was definitely not part of the first Thanksgiving feast ...vs. what was probably present in 1621 (that few of us likely serve)...  And how this holiday that pre-dates the founding of the United States actually became an OFFICIAL American holiday! A SmartHER Thanksgiving served up for all! We are so grateful for you and your support for SmartHER News! Thank you for helping us build a solution in news! . Get the SCOOP delivered to your inbox: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A full serving of SCOOP before the holiday week! Congressman Nehls of Texas gives us his assessment of the challenge that lies before House Republican leadership this week: “I don’t think the Lord Jesus himself could manage this group.” He said this while smoking a cigar near the U.S. Capitol. We'll take that as a tone setter for the week ahead: Onward! Here's our show: What to know about the latest in the war between Israel and Hamas. What to watch as the week starts with repeated, strategic references to hopes for hostage-release as the White House announces a 3 year-old American toddler as one of the prisoners. What does Qatar have to do with it? More on the Middle Eastern nation that provides neutral negotiating ground. The U.S. strikes "a training facility and a safe house" in Syria, used by Iranian-backed groups, after attacks from said-groups leads to the injury of more than 50 service members since the war between Israel and Hamas (another Iranian-backed terrorist group) began. Pres. Biden meets with President Xi in San Francisco. Is "ballet diplomacy" the new "panda diplomacy" between the two largest economies in the world? The challenge for the House of Representatives as a government shutdown looms and the new House Speaker presents a brand new idea. Senator Scott (R-SC) drops out of the run for the White House and Sen. Manchin (D-West Virginia) makes a surprising announcement. How early is too early for Christmas decorations? Asking for a friend.  Love our ad-free podcasts? Consider treating yourself for the holidays and join us in building a solution in news for less than the price of a latte a month!  https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy