SCOOP: Style Vs. Substance

"It's hard to find a worse person than Raisi, to put it bluntly," recalls writer and war correspondent Hollie McKay who joins us to discuss the role of Iran's President Raisi and what his sudden death means for the future - of not only Iran but the Middle East. Hollie spent several weeks traveling in Iran in 2017 and shares some invaluable insight on the Iranian people ~ PLUS: How she noticed she was being followed...and an interesting anecdote on her trip home. 0:00: A quick reminder about Memorial Day 2:00: What a lost shoe taught us about the news. 5:00: The death of President Raisi - Iran's president and believed successor to the Supreme Leader. 7:30: Hollie McKay joins us with insight and perspective. 35:00: What to know about potential arrest warrnats from the International Criminal Court for top leaders of Hamas and Israel. 38:00: Latest on Capitol Hill before a district breather. 41:00: Presidential debates break with tradition and why this matters. 47:00: A new record holder: the oldest man in space fufills a mission several decades in the making. Keep SmartHER News ad-free and independent - join us on SCOOP: Become an insider! A few notes: 📝 Interview with the head of Commission on Presidential Debates Hollie McKay: Her latest work and her website  

On the seven-month anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack, Jenna takes you behind the security lines in New York City to a historic exhibit that uses real-life artifacts from the Nova Music Festival site from victims and survivors ~ an exhibit absent of politics that brings us back to what happened and why it matters. Plus ~ 0:00 What’s up with these electromagnetic storms? 4:00: Why listening to the news with your children is problematic – a funny, real life story. 8:00: A pivotal moment in the New York trial of former President Trump and why it matters. 15:00: The report from U.S. State Department that stoked further questions about America’s relationship with Israel. Plus ~ what it said about Hamas. 26:00 A special report: The exhibit that everyone should see, regardless of politics, region, or religion. Here’s a clip promised in the report – unlisted on YouTube: 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 Website: SmartHERNews.com YouTube Channel

 As we published this podcast, news broke of Hamas reportedly accepting terms of a ceasefire with Israel. While this headline has sparked a lot of attention, we have few specifics and many lingering questions. We have no response from Israel and the U.S. did not comment further midday Monday during a State Dept. briefing, saying only that the U.S. would be in contact with its "partners in the region." 0:00 The origin of Mother’s Day. 3:00: The $75,000 ticket to “fashion’s biggest night.” 9:00: The latest on the job market, Congress, Russia and beyond. 12:00: A bombing at China’s embassy in 1999 returns to the news. 18:00 Queen Rania of Jordan comments on Gaza – a perspective on the Middle East. 24:00 Prime Minister Netanyahu on Holocaust Remembrance Day – a perspective from Israel. 30:00 Something to consider on the college protests – new reporting and reflections. 47:00 Kate’s question on “backyard birds”! What would you like more of from SmartHER News? We look forward to hearing your thoughts or your news questions: [email protected] Thank you for your continued support of SCOOP! If you're listening for the first time, consider joining us LIVE and supporting a free press, checking out our SmartHER Shop or simply telling a friend about SmartHERNews.com Wife of convicted terrorist Sami Al-Arian was hanging out at Columbia encampment before dramatic raid The night the US bombed a Chinese embassy New Mutations Identified in Bird Flu Virus    

And all the news in between to prep you for the week ahead! 0:00: “Maycember.” 4:00: What to know about tornadoes. 7:00: The “Ted” behind the Fujita scale. 11:00: The latest report card on the U.S. economy and why the data raises concerns about “stagflation.” 17:00: The deadliest bird flu outbreak in U.S. history turns to concerns about the bird flu in dairy cows and the impact on the American milk supply. 25:00: An update on the war between Israel and Hamas and a potential opening in hostage negotiations. 30:00: What’s different about the 1960s and today’s college protests related to Israel? 34:00: How big are these campus protests and who supports the protestors? 37:00: We dive deep into Lucy’s question on Title IX. * I described Title IX related to athletics but it is important to note that Title IX is broader than that … and prohibits sex-based discrimination, including harassment and violence in programs at public schools and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities that accept federal funding. 44:00: How does this new additional policy clarification address transgender athletes. 47:00: Answering your questions! Show Notes: Professor Stephen Mintz: From Draft Cards to Hashtags FDA Update on cow’s milk: Updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) More on the Enhanced Fujita scale: Pioneering research by late UChicago scholar Ted Fujita saved thousands of lives Thank you for your continued support of SCOOP! If you're listening for the first time, consider joining us LIVE and supporting a free press, checking out our SmartHER Shop or simply telling a friend about SmartHERNews.com

From how many times you check your phone every hour to why we should watch what’s happening in Africa, your SCOOP on the news when it matters and why it matters. 02:00: The trauma of the dreaded “phone switch.” 5:00: Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin on how our media environment reminds her of the 1860s. 11:00: What happened in Congress this weekend and why it matters. 18:00: What’s going on at Columbia University. 25:00: Fmr. President Donald Trump’s big cases to watch. 32:00: A reminder about how our previous elections were so close. 38:00: Why is the U.S. military leaving Niger and what does this tell us about the state of play in Africa? 43:00: We take your questions live! What would you like more of from SmartHER News? We look forward to hearing your thoughts or your news questions: [email protected] Thank you for your continued support of SCOOP! If you're listening for the first time, consider joining us LIVE and supporting a free press, checking out our SmartHER Shop or simply telling a friend about SmartHERNews.com        

Did Israel attack Iran from inside Iranian territory? Why did Iran choose NOW to attack Israel? What does Iranian graffiti tell us about the state of the nation? How should we differentiate between the Islamic government of Iran and the Iranian people? All questions we tackle with Senior Fellow at the Foundation For Defense of Democracies, Behnam Ben Taleblu who warns: “What we see in the Middle East, is not going to be limited to the Middle East.” Notice an ad-free podcast? Consider shopping in our SmartHER Shop or joining SCOOP for the price of a cup of coffee once a month!

Welcome To Our New SCOOP Insiders! We just commemorated the sinking of the Titanic on April 14-15, 1912. More than 1,500 people died that night; the lessons from survivors still ring true today. We discuss this and more in our LIVE SCOOP. 0:00: Quick Welcome – Personal Reflection   4:00: We mark the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic – the 112th year since the ship’s sinking and loss of more than 1,500 lives.   9:00: The lesson we can learn from Titanic survivors.   11:00: A review of Iran’s historic attack on Israel.   17:00: What’s notable about the press coverage of the attack.   18:00: How your money is being spent: A snapshot of what’s happening in Congress.   23:00: What your elected leaders are saying about the state of affairs – the difference of topic and tone.   27:00: An interesting historic fact to consider as we summarize what exactly happened with Sec. Mayorkas’ impeachment.   31:00: We have new numbers on the state of the U.S. borders.   33:00: Why we can’t watch former President Trump’s historic trial in New York: The editorial quandary of the former President’s first criminal trial to start in earnest. What do you think is the best way forward?   45:00: Quick soundbite from a Titanic survivor.   CONSIDER BECOMING AN INSIDER AND JOINING SCOOP ~ A terrific way to support a free press! SHOW NOTES: IMPORTANT CONTEXT: I said "Israel is a nuclear country." I should have added "reportedly," as Israel has not officially confirmed or denied nuclear weapons. For years it has widely been reported that Israel has nuclear technology. The source I often use, and did in this piece, shows the commonly referenced number of nuclear weapons assigned to countries like Israel, America, Russia, etc.:  Arms Control Association   Another interesting read: Do Israel and Iran Have Nuclear Weapons? It's Complicated   Walter Lord’s account of  The Titanic: "A Night To Remember"  

A quick scoop - a personal reflection from the path of totality and a few news items to have on your radar as we get back to business after the solar eclipse!   Congress returns to Washington D.C. - questions linger on the path forward for funding and other legislation, and the next step in impeachment of Sec. Mayorkas, Dept. of Homeland Security.   Both presidential candidates provide new insight into their priorities:   Former President Trump announces his perspective on abortion law (deferring to the states).   President Biden releases a new plan for “student debt relief”.   We provide a quick overview of why these announcements matter and what to watch:   One thing that made us SmartHER this week? “There’s A Better Way To Do Email” by Ezra Klein. CONSIDER BECOMING AN INSIDER AND JOINING SCOOP ~ A terrific way to support a free press! Show Notes: President Biden's announcement on "student debt relief": READ MORE Former President Trump's announcement: MORE HERE INTERVIEW: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE SOLAR ECLIPSE SmartHER With MIT-Engineer, New York Times Bestselling Author, and The Space Gal, Emily Calandrelli 

SmartHER With MIT-Engineer, New York Times Bestselling Author, and The Space Gal, Emily Calandrelli The celestial event captivating a nation ... On Monday, April 8th, 2024 a total solar eclipse will occur in North America, and our SmartHER News headquarters happens to be in the path of totality. We discuss this historic event with a very special guest, Emily Calandrelli also know as The Space Gal. Inspired by her father's perseverance, Emily entered the STEM field for practical reasons and now ignites people's curiosity with her infectious passion for science. The Space Gal gives us the scoop on the eclipse, why it matters, how to keep your eyes safe, what she'll be watching, and more. Show Notes: The Space Gal website The Space Gal Instagram Certified Eclipse Glasses and More

Words matter, particularly for journalists, wheN a simple word choice or missing context can change the meaning of a story. We have a good example of this today: A mysterious attack on an Iranian consulate in Syria, with many news reports not mentioning the terrorist designations belonging to the groups involved.  Why? Jenna provides one reason in this quick SmartHER Take. Thoughts? [email protected] Consider supporting our quick, concise, nonpartisan news through becoming an insider or shopping in our SmartHER Shop. AP STYLEBOOK