A new Congestion Pricing System began in New York City this week, where it now costs a minimum of $9 to enter midtown Manhattan, depending when and where you are coming from. Michael gets the scoop from WABC "The Other Side of Midnight" host Frank Morano, who also tells us about some wild ways people are modifying their license plates to try and avoid the toll. Will this help ease congestion in the largest city in America? And, will it help pay for planned transportation infrastructure upgrades as officials have planned? Listen here. Original air date 7 January 2025.

Today's Poll Question: After the passage of a few years, should the media delete past coverage of minor crimes? Listen here to Michael's take! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Listen, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast.

Michael welcomes attorneys William J. Brennan and Michael van der Veen in studio on the 4th anniversary of the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. They represented President Trump in his second impeachment trial, and are currently representing several J-6 defendants. The conversation centers around Michael's poll question today on whether the Department of Justice should still prosecute non-violent January 6 participants, given Trump's pardon promises once he takes office again later this month. Original air date 6 January 2025.

Today's Poll Question: Given Trump's pardon promises, should the DOJ still prosecute non-violent January 6 participants? Listen here to Michael's take! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Listen, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast.

Michael is very taken by a guest essay in the New York Times written by longtime democratic strategist James Carville titled "I Was Wrong About the 2024 Election. Here’s Why." Listen and see if you agree with Carville's take, and what the audience says as to why Kamala Harris lost the 2024 election. Carville loudly predicted ahead of Election Day that Harris would win. Original air date 3 January 2024.

Today's Poll Question: Should the Philadelphia Eagles rest Saquon Barkley for the playoffs or let him chase Eric Dickerson’s rushing record on Sunday? Listen here to Michael's take! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Listen, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast.

Bruce Hoffman is a tenured professor in Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service where from 2010 to 2017 he was the Director of both the Center for Security Studies and of the Security Studies Program and from 2020-2023 the director of the Center for Jewish Civilization. In addition, Professor Hoffman is Professor Emeritus of Terrorism Studies at St Andrews University, Scotland. He previously held the Corporate Chair in Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency at the RAND Corporation and was also Director of RAND’s Washington, D.C. Office. Professor Hoffman also served as RAND’s Vice President for External Affairs and as Acting Director of RAND’s Center for Middle East Public Policy.Appointed by the U.S. Congress to serve as a commissioner on the Independent Commission to Review the FBI’s Post-9/11 Response to Terrorism and Radicalization, Professor Hoffman was a lead author of the commission’s final report. 

Today's Poll Question: Are the New Orleans attack and Las Vegas cybertruck explosion connected? Listen here to Michael's take! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Listen, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast.

Aaron Brown, who's first day on-air as an anchor at CNN was on September 11th 2001, where he took live breaking news reporting to a new level, died Sunday at 76. Michael remembers the journalist, and shares a conversation he had with him in 2012 about his work on 9/11, which taught us many lessons.

Dive into the wild world of online shopping as a hilarious tale unfolds about buying used cologne on eBay. Explore the nostalgia associated with discontinued fragrances, weaving memories of loved ones with quirky anecdotes. Enjoy whimsical discussions on germ aversion mixed with a dash of excitement for vintage scents. The humor continues as the speakers reflect on the evolving fragrance landscape and the social implications of scent. Join in for an amusing journey full of scented memories and savvy shopping tips.