Have you heard of Santa Claus, Indiana? Founded in 1856, this town serves as one of the main destinations for "Dear Santa" letters from all over the world. And this happened, in many ways, because one family took the reins (no reindeer jokes ... yet). Meet 92-year-old Mrs. Koch (pronounced "Cook"). She holds many titles – including Santa's daughter, Chief Elf, and founder of the Santa Claus Museum – preserving the stories of the past that she now shares with us, including:  How Santa Claus, IN got its name How a WW1 veteran became Santa's best helper How the team receives and responds to tens of thousands of letters mailed from around the world.  A perfect news break for anyone who needs a little Christmas spirit – or has some to spare! We hope this interview leaves you with one thought this season ... "Believe!" --- Thank you for supporting SmartHER News! You keep us ad-free and independent. Please consider joining our insider service SCOOP or grabbing some gear in our SmartHER shop. 

How Santa Claus, Indiana Saves Christmas

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"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: 

SCOOP: How Did "The Butcher of Tehran" Get His Nickname? War correspondent Hollie McKay on the death of Iran's president.

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

SCOOP: A MUST-SEE MOMENT

 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: scoop@SmartHERNews.com  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    

SCOOP: Style Vs. Substance

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

SCOOP: Tornadoes To Title IX

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: scoop@SmartHERNews.com  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        

How Santa Claus, Indiana Saves Christmas

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