SmartHERNews

Presidential historian and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky joins Jenna Lee to uncover Martha Washington’s essential role in the American Revolution — and the larger story of the women who helped sustain America’s fight for independence. From joining George Washington at military headquarters each winter to providing the wealth that helped lau...

Check Out Our Limited Edition Gear Launch For America250 Jenna highlights a health warning about the cyclospora parasite reported across at least 17 states, explaining symptoms, and why outbreaks are hard to trace. We also break down what to expect from a five-day preliminary hearing in Utah for Tyler Robinson, the man authorities say killed Charlie Kirk. We close with a few "reporter notebook" ob...

The single most costly battle of the American Civil War happened in the early days of July 1863, falling on the same days the Founding Fathers finalized the Declaration of Independence less than 90 years earlier. Ret. Marine Col Rob Abbott, one of the few Licensed Battlefield Guides of Gettysburg National Military Park, takes us through the days before, during, and after the Battle of Gettysburg....

As America turns 250, who has the new ideas? A key question to ask as we head into a busy week with Congress back to work, under the pressure of a shrinking schedule and looming midterms, and the President navigating how to advocate for his key priorities before the elections take precedent.  00:00 Week Ahead Preview 00:38 Surprise Health Update 03:26 Holiday Heads Up 03:42 Dangerous Heat Wav...

150 years ago, a pivotal battle took place between the U.S. Army and the American Indians - a "coalition of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors" (NPS). Often memorialized as Custer's Last Stand, named for the Lt Col George Armstrong Custer, the Battle of Little Bighorn remains a pivotal moment of great intrigue. To honor the story, we share our impromptu interview with National Park Ra...

Jenna highlights three major stories for the week:  U.S. negotiations with Iran and the implications of America negotiating with a state sponsor of terrorism.  Why a major leadership change in the UK matters to the U.S. What to watch for from the Supreme Court and how a pending decision could reshape more than a century of law. Plus - The drama over blue M&Ms.  00:00 Week Ahead...

As we approach Father's Day and 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, we share a truly unique conversation that highlights the intersection between parenting, policy and our current political environment with one of the nation's leading political figures — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Gov. Shapiro shares personal insight into his life behind the scenes as a father of 4 and describes...

The timing and the tool bring up new questions about the use of technology and your rights as a citizen. Jenna previews a consequential week as a major U.S. intelligence tool, FISA Section 702, expires ... amid reports of significant breakthrough in U.S.–Iran negotiations.  We highlight the broader debate about technology’s benefits and harms, including the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s an...

What does the turmoil at CBS News — and Scott Pelley’s departure from 60 Minutes — reveal about the state of American journalism? SmartHER News founder Jenna Lee draws on her experience as a former national news anchor to examine the changes at CBS, including the Ellison family’s influence, Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount and Bari Weiss’s appointment as editor-in-chief of CBS News. She also an...

Plus ~ A leak in the International Space station, a very curious admission by Sec. of State Marco Rubio in a Senate hearing and the latest jobs report surprises with better than expected numbers.  We do a deep dive into President Trump's interview with Meet The Press that has ignited global headlines. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:52 Space Surveillance Technology Revealed 02:51 Internati...

Jenna and commentator/analyst Mary Katharine Ham discuss the Los Angeles mayoral race, focusing on outsider candidate Spencer Pratt, a former reality star who entered in January after losing his home in wildfires and criticizing city services and leadership.  While votes continue to be counted, has Spencer Pratt already impacted the national political conversation?  From guns, to women v...

A drone strike in Romania near the Russia-Ukraine war that injured two people. More strikes exchanged in the Middle East between Iran, the U.S. and beyond. Congress returns to Capitol Hill in a heightened-election season. Escalation runs rampant. But will negotiations find a way?  Meanwhile, an unprecedented Trump-family IRS lawsuit settlement creating a $1.8B “de-weaponization” fund and broa...

**Sensitive Content** Camp Safety in America: Trey's Law, and Lessons From Camp Mystic. One click resource: beforeyougotocamp.com. As we move into another summer season, camp safety advocate Elizabeth Phillips says U.S. summer camp safety needs an overhaul.  Phillips, a Texas-raised mother of three, shares her road to advocacy, describing how her brother Trey endured abuse at a well-known sum...

What is the real origin of Memorial Day? More than 20 places across the United States claim a connection to the beginning of Memorial Day — and historians still don’t point to one single story as the origin. In this episode, Jenna explores the many stories behind one of America’s most solemn national holidays, from Charleston, South Carolina, to Waterloo, New York, to Arlington National Cemetery....

A "dark day for democracy" or a way to "right the wrongs" of the past? Jenna takes you inside the White House Press Briefing room, where the Vice President focused on two major topics: Iran and a controversial DOJ settlement creating a $1.77 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund.  Vance says he can’t know if Iran will ultimately reach a deal and suggests it’s unclear what Iran wants. Jenna provides...

Imagine going through airport security ... without being at the airport! Just one of the stories we cover as Jenna previews a busy news week ahead of Memorial Day. The focus remains on President Trump returning from a historic China trip while Congress readies for primary elections in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania as midterm pressure rises.  Did you know 250 year...

A quick preview of President Trump's historic trip to China to meet face-to-face with President Xi. We revisit our recent conversation with Asia analyst Gordon Chang for a part of the story receiving little coverage:  the internal dynamics in China.  Chang says fear of China's President Xi is widespread as Xi has conducted ruthless purges of civilian and military officials, with senior g...

Jenna breaks down a major news week as Congress returns to session, April job growth beats expectations, gas prices rise amid renewed uncertainty over U.S.-Iran tensions and oil prices, and several major stories develop at once. First: a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship now in the Canary Islands. Jenna explains what officials are saying about the virus, why this strain is raising concer...

The Surprising History of Mother’s Day — and What Its Founder Wanted Us to Remember Why do we celebrate Mother’s Day? The answer starts with two remarkable American women: Ann Jarvis, a mother who worked to improve health and sanitation in poor Appalachian communities, and her daughter Anna Jarvis, who never had children of her own but helped create one of America’s most recognized holidays. In th...

Sec. Rubio takes the podium ... in the White House Press Briefing room? Jenna reports on the Secretary of State briefly serving as de facto White House press secretary Tuesday, fielding questions on Iran. Note this update: Hours after America's top diplomat spoke at the White House, President Trump announced progress in talks with Iran AND a pause of Project Freedom. Here's how we got to this poin...

How much can race matter in redistricting? A key question for a major Supreme Court decision, sending shockwaves around the nation. Jenna from SmartHER News explains how we got here and why it matters. We review why the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed after the 15th Amendment failed to prevent barriers like literacy tests and intimidation, and how that intersects with current redistricting ef...

Jenna of SmartHER News shares a “cheat sheet” on why King Charles’s U.S. visit and address to Congress matters, noting his first trip as king, and only the second time a British monarch has addressed Congress.  The historic moment marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from the same country that King Charles. Jenna highlights the speech’s self-deprecating humor and i...

This episode covers a shooting incident at the Washington Hilton Hotel during a major annual dinner that brings together top politicians, press, corporate sponsors, and celebrities, featuring firsthand details from attendee Mary Katharine Ham. Mary Katharine explains the event’s layout and security, emphasizing the confrontation occurred a full floor above the ballroom, not outside its doors, and...

Can AI be held responsible for a crime? In this episode, Jenna breaks down a surprising move by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who announced a criminal investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT following a tragic shooting at Florida State University. At the center of the case: a new legal theory — if an AI chatbot “aids, abets, or counsels” a crime, could a company be held criminally liable?...

Jenna previews an unpredictable news week, highlighting uncertainty over planned U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan as the ceasefire deadline nears.  Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to climb after U.S. forces stopped and seized an Iranian vessel following hours of warnings, and questions about who is currently leading Iran’s government.  She flags a Louisiana domestic shooting that’s...