Are We Safer Now? 25 Years After 9/11: Al-Qaeda, AI, and Drone Threats

Twenty-five years after 9/11, how safe are we—and what threats are national security officials watching now?Jenna breaks down testimony from two congressional hearings examining the evolving terrorism landscape, including Al-Qaeda’s presence in Afghanistan, reports of new training sites, and concerns about how extremist groups could use artificial intelligence, drones and other emerging technologies.She also explains who now leads Al-Qaeda, why officials are focused on drone threats at major public events, and what lawmakers’ questions—and the answers they didn’t receive—reveal about America’s current security challenges. Plus, one practical takeaway: Is your family prepared if an emergency makes travel or communication difficult?00:00 Are We Safer Now03:44 Afghanistan and Al Qaeda05:45 UN Report and New Terrorist Training Camps10:36 Who Leads Al Qaeda Now12:48 Drones as the New Risk16:03 Big Events and Mass Panic18:42 What to Watch Next19:55 Family Emergency Planning21:06 Thanks and Final Sign OffSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

On September 11, 2001, Linda started her morning like many others. As a 23-year-old equity research associate on Wall Street, she headed to work on the 89th floor of the World Trade Center’s South Tower for the boutique investment firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW).What unfolded in the early hours of that workday would change Linda’s life forever and alter the course of American history.Twenty-five years later, Linda shares her sweeping firsthand account with SmartHER News about what happened inside the building as al-Qaeda terrorists intentionally crashed a passenger plane into the South Tower, instantly severing her elevator’s cables.Linda describes what followed: a miraculous development, near-death escapes, the heroes who helped her, and the coworkers she wants the world to remember: Dean Eberling, Russell Keene, Sean Lugano, and Greg Trost.She reflects on rebuilding her life, how that day changed her priorities, and why she chose to share her story now.As we commemorate 250 years since the founding of our nation, we honor 25 years since the deadliest terrorist attack in American history.Linda’s primary-source account forever ensures that America, and the world, will never forget.0:00 How This Interview Came Together6:36 A Morning That Changed Everything9:33 Inside the World Trade Center Culture12:03 The First Signs of Trouble15:44 Trapped in the Elevator Shaft23:24 Escaping the Collapsing Towers31:04 Rebuilding and RememberingExecutive Producer/Reporter: Jenna Lee, Journalist and Founder of SmartHER NewsAssociate Producer / Researcher: Stephanie WagnerAssociate Producer / Researcher: Courtney Stein LesskisAudio Engineer: Kaleb MuñozField Producer/Production Manager: Buddy QuaidHair & Makeup: Leah Trogan BlackEditor: Joel KnoopMotion Graphics: Michael WilfongAudio Post: Jason Kuehn

My father passed away last week. I know many of you got to "meet" my dad through our broadcasts during the various Super Bowl news cycles that we've covered ~ and I'm sorry to have to share this development with you as I know many of you enjoyed our time together as well. These are three things I've learned from the last 8-months that I felt an urgency to share with you and your family, in the immediate aftermath of such a chaotic few months. I'll see you soon.Thank you for the love and support,Jenna 

Jenna interviews Dr. Lynn Silver, a pediatrician and co-author of a new large California study examining how adolescent cannabis use relates to later mental health outcomes. Using Kaiser Permanente screening data from 463,000 teens ages 13–17 and following them up to seven years (or until age 25), the study compared youth who reported past-year cannabis use with those who did not, excluding those with prior diagnoses. Teens who reported cannabis use were about twice as likely to later be diagnosed with psychosis/schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, about one-third more likely to develop depression, and about one-quarter more likely to develop anxiety. The discussion also covers barriers to cannabis research, rising THC potency and new products, how genetics and environmental triggers may interact, and why decriminalization differs from for-profit legalization and youth marketing.00:00 Why Cannabis Risks Matter00:41 Meet Dr Lynn Silver03:00 Why Research Lagged03:34 THC Potency Revolution05:58 Inside the Kaiser Study08:40 What the Study Found11:20 Correlation vs Causation14:35 How Cannabis May Trigger Illness18:37 Real World Psychosis Stories20:30 Decriminalize vs Legalize24:02 Forms of Use and Family Rules25:58 Closing Thanks and TakeawaysRead the study here. 

With the success Democratic Socialists of America candidates (and those adjacent with progressive platforms) in the early Midterm primary races, is the Democratic Party having a reckoning? And what does Pres. Trump have to do with it?A quick, but thorough overview so you have what to know and why it matters for the weeks ahead. 00:00 Socialists Storming Gates?01:23 Why Politics Matters02:35 Trump Parallel And Pendulum05:44 Why Socialism Headlines06:50 Defining Democratic Socialism08:57 Midterms And NYC Signal11:06 Michigan Swing State Upset12:52 Abdul El Sayed Speech Clip14:22 What The Win Means18:08 Wisconsin Candidate Preview19:18 Wrap Up And Viewer QuestionsSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

Become a SmartHER News Insider and listen to this podcast ad-free, get additional context from Jenna and join a private community for thoughtful conversations about the news — away from the noise of social media. Plus, your membership also helps keep SmartHER News independent!Six months after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Arizona home, the case remains unsolved.Jenna speaks with crime expert and former detective Morgan Wright, CEO of the National Center for Open and Unsolved Cases, about what investigators know, what remains unclear and whether early assumptions shaped the investigation.Morgan explains why he believes the evidence points to a targeted abduction rather than a burglary gone wrong. He also analyzes two communications released as “ransom notes” and questions whether they prove the author was connected to Nancy’s disappearance.The conversation explores:• Why the suspect’s clothing and behavior may suggest planning and experience• What the blood trail and missing camera could indicate• Whether AI could have been used to write the messages• Why Morgan considers them attempted extortion rather than confirmed ransom notes• The limits of video, cellphone and signal analysis• Questions about the crime scene and timing of the FBI’s involvement• How a later arrest, plea deal or fractured relationship could lead to a breakThe episode also puts Nancy’s case in a broader context: On any given day, an estimated 90,000 missing-person cases remain active in the United States.00:00 The broader missing-persons crisis00:52 Meet Morgan Wright01:34 Challenging the case’s assumptions03:36 Why Morgan believes this was targeted05:10 The released “ransom notes”07:07 Ransom or attempted extortion?08:28 Bitcoin, AI and language clues13:54 The second communication17:37 Cameras, cellphone data and signals20:24 Analyzing the sheriff’s statements27:17 Questions raised by Wall Street Journal reporting29:18 Crime-scene and evidence concerns34:15 How the case could eventually be solved35:55 Final thoughts and personal safety

Hear the incredible backstory from Santa Cruz resident and photographer Scott Vander Dussen who found himself at the right place, at the right time, with the right camera. Scott captured the video that made news around the world of 16-year-old Santa Cruz lifeguard, Ryder, rescuing a 10-year-old from a "sneaker wave." Scott provides incredible perspective on the rescue that even got the attention of the White House.Plus ~ learn with us about House Resolution 1188 - proposed legislation that would recognize lifeguards as first responders.Instagram/SantaCruzNow 00:00 Rescue Goes Viral00:54 Witnessing the Sneaker Wave02:37 What Is a Sneaker Wave04:25 Why He Started Filming05:56 Three Minutes of Chaos07:55 Aftermath and Privacy09:24 Meeting Ryder the Lifeguard10:16 Training and Humility12:13 How the Video Blew Up14:15 White House ReactionSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 16:59 Push for Lifeguard Recognition20:01 Final Thanks and Update

Become An InsiderShop Our America250 Gear!The Cyclospora outbreak has hit *at least* 45 states and thousands of people, and while we have more questions, we have fewer answers about the cause.University of Delaware professor and food safety researcher Dr. Kali Kniel joins SmartHER News to explain what makes this outbreak different — and why the parasite is so difficult to detect and trace. She breaks down how Cyclospora spreads, why seemingly minor “stealth ingredients” such as cilantro, parsley and basil can complicate investigations and how water, sanitation and growing conditions may play a larger role than any one food.We also discuss what researchers are learning about the parasite, the vulnerabilities within the food supply and the practical steps families can take when buying, washing and preparing fresh produce.SUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

BECOME AN INSIDER — SUPPORT A FREE PRESS AND LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST AD-FREEThe number of states reporting people sick from the parasite cyclospora has risen to 41. Many questions remain about:The source of the outbreak.Why cyclospora presents such a challenge to track as a foodborne illness.What proper precautions every family should apply to keep its food as parasite-free as possible!Food safety expert Gretchen Wall, senior director of food safety at the leading consulting group Food Safety Strategy, provides clarity and context about what makes this outbreak particularly unusual and explains what it tells us about the current state of food safety in America overall.00:14 Meet Food Safety Expert Gretchen Wall01:18 Why Cyclospora Is Unique02:16 Life Cycle And Transmission03:52 Why This Year Is Bigger04:45 Tracing The Source06:15 How Contamination Spreads08:08 Taco Bell Confusion08:56 Testing Limits Explained10:19 Cooking Versus Fresh Risk12:08 Washing Produce Advice14:13 Do Home Washes Work14:40 Should You Still Eat Produce16:30 Food Safety In America18:19 Media Focus And PreventionSHOP OUR NEW AMERICA250 GEAR!

Become An InsiderA SmartHER Review of the President's Thursday primetime address on election integrity. What To Know; Why It Matters; What's Missing From The Coverage; What Questions We Have.00:00 What He Said01:16 Style Versus Substance02:50 Setting The Stage07:00 China Data Breach09:40 Voting Machines Risks11:29 Michigan Fraud Claim14:08 Noncitizen Voting Questions16:47 Messaging And Priorities19:16 Intel Withheld Allegation22:36 Foreign Money In Media26:29 Networks Skip The Speech34:08 Smoke Fire Wrap Up37:13 Final Thoughts Sign OffSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews