Have you seen headlines like this? Alcohol sales have suffered – and some blame the rampant rise of the “sober curious”! So, I ran an impromptu experiment: stop drinking for 100 days and report back. The benefits surprised me! And although I am back to enjoying a spirit or two, I learned a few really important lessons that changed me for the better (just not the lessons I expected). This report includes a dash of news with a mix of personal reflection. What’s our next “SmartHER in 100 days”??

Show Notes:

In the red: global wine sales fall to lowest levels since 1961 (The Guardian)

Wine industry uncertainty tied to shifts in drinking habits (NBC Bay Area)

Lower-end wines drag on Constellation Brands Q1 results just before big sale (North Bay Business Journal)

Young men are binge drinking less than young women for the 1st time. What's going on? (Yahoo)

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The New York Times issues a correction to a front page photo that ignited outrage around the world about the starvation of Palestinian children. What to know about this "clarification" and what to consider about this story as you form your own opinion. Plus: three quick things to consider on the war between Israel and Hamas: a key fact, a reminder and a question we can all ask.

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The most interesting thing we've seen/read this week - New skepticism about the treatment of depression and new hope about treatment for severe mental illness.

Plus: What does "tsunami" even mean?

Helpful links:

FDA Panel: FDA Expert Panel on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Pregnancy

New Yorker "Reporter At Large"

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For Insiders! We usually chit-chat a bit before our podcast. If you want to skip the chat, just fast-forward to 4:00

On our broadcast today ... let's bring back recess (like Congress) - PLUS:

• Watch out for man-eaters (aka "Screwworms)
• President Trump announces trade deals (and not everyone is happy - here's looking at you, France)
• President's mother = domestic servant?
• President Trump announces more aid to Gaza and meeting with Netanyahu
• Different voices on what's happening in Gaza & challenges of the crisis.
• Jenna takes us to her first trip to Kerr County, the site of the historic July 4th flooding.

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When old news becomes new news & the passing of a legend:

• Hulk Hogan passes away; cardiac arrest vs. heart attack
• Why headlines from 2016 and 2019 continue to dominate our news
• Congressional action on Epstein investigation; what to know about what's next.
• Record high housing prices (and falling sales)
• The "impending" fraud crisis.

Link to Miami Herald article (2018): How a future Trump Cabinet member gave a serial sex abuser the deal of a lifetime

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• The U.S. Postal Service turns 250.
• The Coldplay viral moment that swirled into its own news cycle.
• Are beef prices the new egg prices?
• A new report from the Director of National Intelligence accuses former officials of "treasonous conspiracy" - Democrats push back.
• Texas hits a dead-end in New York in a case against an abortion provider - Is the Supreme Court next?
• A potential turning point in the war between Israel and Hamas; The president and the pope find themselves on the same page. Here’s the prime minister’s statement on X after the church bombing.

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48 hours before the historic and deadly flash flood in Central Texas, Penn State University published an article describing recent research on "Improving predictions of flood severity, place and time with AI."

We speak to one of the scientists behind this cutting-edge research.

Professor Chaopeng Shen joins us to explain the extraordinary power, and fascinating limits, of A.I. - and how the technology is, and will change our ability to predict the future.

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What's "New" News.

What's Old News.

What Matters Most.

We walk you through:

An important Supreme Court deadline for the DOJ and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's convicted co-conspirator.

The now infamous Department of Justice/FBI memo on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

The new questions raised and why they matter.

What questions do you now have? Let us know on voice memo or email: [email protected].

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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/  

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We tackle the big stories on your radar this week:

• The potential for more severe weather and flooding in multiple states: What to know and why its happening.
• Is "cloud seeding" real? What should we know about this technology and did it impact the historic Texas Hill Country flood?
• The President's new deal with NATO and a new proposal to Putin.
• What to know about the latest news from the Dept. of Justice on Jeffrey Epstein and why his convicted colleague has appealed to the Supreme Court.
• Finally ... how many vehicle cup holders will bring you happiness? In the age of AI, is this all that it takes? We report. You decide.

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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/  

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The United States had more than 550 flooding reports across at least 35 states last week ... and this week ... and the weeks ahead ... may bring many, many more.

This is the reporting of meteorologist Ben Noll - The Washington Post's Global Weather Writer - who joins us to discuss both the recent historic floods in Texas, and why the next few weeks are one to watch.

Ben shares insights into his journey in meteorology, the importance of understanding weather patterns, the challenges of communication during extreme weather events, and the future of weather prediction.

Check out Ben's work on X @BenNollWeather and The Washington Post

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