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SmartHERNews

SmartHERNews
Author: Jenna Lee
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Life is too short to waste time filtering through headlines searching for the facts. That’s when we realized the need for a quick, trustworthy news source that makes staying up-to-date easy and interesting.
Our Goal is to Clear the Clutter. We’re committed to providing non-partisan news, in small servings, available wherever you are, whenever you want it.
And for the Record: We Believe You’re Already Smart. We don’t need to tell you what to think or how to feel or what to believe. We just want to equip you with clear facts so you’re prepared for any conversation, any vote, any choice and never feel like you’re falling behind.
Bullet-Points Without The Bias ~ We’re bringing you #SmartHERNews.
SmartHER News is created and hosted by journalist Jenna Lee.
Our Goal is to Clear the Clutter. We’re committed to providing non-partisan news, in small servings, available wherever you are, whenever you want it.
And for the Record: We Believe You’re Already Smart. We don’t need to tell you what to think or how to feel or what to believe. We just want to equip you with clear facts so you’re prepared for any conversation, any vote, any choice and never feel like you’re falling behind.
Bullet-Points Without The Bias ~ We’re bringing you #SmartHERNews.
SmartHER News is created and hosted by journalist Jenna Lee.
297 Episodes
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War correspondent Hollie McKay shares what she learned after digging into the independent watchdog reports about the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, funding. As the news continues to swirl around the agency's spending on everything from media outlets to overseas programs, Hollie breaks down what she found and why it matters. 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
A round-up of this week's top stories: President Trump's proposal for Gaza. Why POTUS' latest comments on Iran matter. Quick heads up on the cabinet nominees advancing to a final vote in the Senate, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard. Sec. Rubio on foreign aid/update on USAID. Why Barbies may cost you more (and Hot Wheels). Some mixed messages from the U.S. Postal Service. What's going on with the Department of Education - Did you know it dates back to 1867??? 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
One week since the midair collision in Washington DC, we speak to a first responder who was also flying in the sky over our nation’s capital at the very same time of the accident. What he says and why it matters, as investigators look to piece together the clues of what happened. 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
Why tariffs really matter (and a breaking development on this story as we record). The Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) starts making moves, raising both praise and questions, depending on who you ask and who weighs-in. Plus ~ the latest on the ongoing cabinet nominations. What do you really want from American leaders in style and substance? Curious your thoughts! hello@Smarthernews.com 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
An unexpected news story breaks in the middle of an already busy news week. We navigate the latest on the midair collision in Washington D.C., how Pres. Trump’s comments sparked a debate on DEI, the latest on the hearings for both the presidents nominees for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and the head of the FBI, Kash Patel. 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
President Trump's nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., goes before the Senate Finance Committee. What happened and why it matters. Plus - We highlight a few key exchanges on important topics from vaccines to Big Macs! And ~ why RFK Jr. believes every American can now have concierge medicine. 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
A quick look at the first press briefing of the new administration, led by the youngest press secretary in U.S. history, Karoline Leavitt. Plus ~ how the price of eggs made it into the Q & A and why it matters. Is the topic as critical as it's cracked up to be? (Sorry - couldn't resist) 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 Rundown: 0:00 Introduction to the New Administration's Press Briefing 02:03 Historical Context of White House Press Briefings 03:20 The Impact of Rising Egg Prices 06:45 Economic Factors Influencing Food Prices
Perspective on executive actions issued by President Trump - from orders from the Oval Office on immigration to the declassification of files related to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy. Plus ~ a captivating story about a recent heist in the Netherlands involving a mysterious gold helmet, once used as a water can for chickens ... And ~ who to watch as cabinet nominees face senators this week - from RFK Jr. To Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard. Curious your thoughts: hello@smartHERNews.com Send a voice note and get a chance to be featured! SHOW NOTES: POLITICO ARTICLE HEIST BACKGROUND 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
Just a quick "Hello" on a Monday with an equally quick announcement! We have a big news week ahead and look forward to providing quick, concise, nonpartisan news to you! "I love my weekly SCOOP! It is one of the best decisions I made to navigate the crazy news cycle we encounter these days. I feel prepared and ready for the week after the SCOOP live broadcast. And, I love that when life inevitably interrupts my ability to attend live, it is delivered into my inbox to watch at my convenience. Thank you @jennaleeusa and the @smarthernews team for the fantastic service you deliver!" Dara, SCOOP member Here's how you can join us! scoop.smarthernews.com or https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/
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/10385744
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
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
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
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
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?
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
✓ 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
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 battle
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!
✓ 1:00: The imagery of doves as a symbol for peace. ✓ 3:00: A quick, fun anecdote about a camel and our nation’s first president. ✓ 5:00: Monday's breaking news: a school shooting in Wisconsin. ✓ 11:00: Why details matter and what we’re watching for next. ✓ 19:00: A key takeaway that needs more attention on how exactly “Targeted violence is preventable.” ✓ 23:00: A story gaining speed: Will the government shutdown? ✓ 29:00: The next generation of Democratic party leaders. ✓ 31:00: What’s up with these drones? Plus, important context: the question about mysterious drones pre-dates this recent news cycle. ✓ 34:00: Who is responsible for taking the lead? ✓ 39:00: Trust ... and how has the relationship between the people and those elected changed in recent years? ✓ 41:00: NY Judge Upholds Pres-Elect Trump’s Conviction in “Hush Money” Case. ✓ 43:00: A settlement between Pres. Trump’s team and ABC News. ✓ 47:00: The Travis Manion Foundation ... “If not me, then who?” Jenna ends today's broadcast sharing a special message from a remarkable speech. SHOW NOTES Developing: Shooting at Wisconsin Christian School (SmartHER News) Gun Violence Archive Clock Ticks As Government Shutdown Looms (SmartHER News) Federal Agencies Respond to Drone Sightings on East Coast (SmartHER News) NY Judge Upholds Pres-Elect Trump’s Conviction in “Hush Money” Case (SmartHER News) Travis Manion Foundation 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
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