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!

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"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

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✓ 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 

An interview from our holiday vault! Be charmed by now 93-year-old Mrs. Koch - the "Chief Elf" of one Santa Claus, Indiana.

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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. 

✓ 2:00: The Manhattan Murder Mystery: Why is a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania making national news? 

✓ 7:00: We shift to an important international story. The fall of a 50-year regime in Syria. 

✓ 9:00: Why Syria’s geographic position matters.  

✓ 12:00: War Correspondent Hollie McKay joins us to discuss her previous experiences in Syria. 

✓ 14:00: Hollie’s take on this important interntional story. 

✓ 18:00: What we need to know about the rebel groups in Syria.  

✓ 22:00: What's happening in Syria, and why are U.S. troops there? 

✓ 27:00: A clip from “Face the Nation” ... what is HTS and who is its leader? 

✓ 36:00: Your questions ... answered. 

✓ 38:00: Hollie sheds light on what the news landscape of this story looks like abroad.  

✓ 44:00: Where is Austin Tice? We hear from the mother of a journalist assumed to be imprisoned in Syria.

✓ 48:00: The Manhattan Murder Mystery: Has there been a break in the case?

✓ 55:00: Pres-Elect Trump sat down for his first interview since winning the election. Jenna intentionally reports on a few important soundbites.  

✓ 1:13:00: The Manhattan Murder Mystery: The NYPD Police Commissioner goes on the record. 

 

SHOW NOTES 

“Developing: Upheaval in Syria” (SmartHER News)

Dispatches with Hollie McKay 

Pres. Elect Trump's Full Interview on "Meet the Press" (NBC News)

 

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 

Does the rule of law work in America?

Two stories this week highlight this question in unique ways: the pardon of the President's son, Hunter Biden & the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. 

We take a closer at this developing criminal investigation: the healthcare industry & the clues of the crime itself. 

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 

 

Plus ~ "Brain Rot"  ✓ 2:00: Did Thoreau foreshadow doom-scrolling? 

✓ 6:00: ‘tis the season for presidential pardons.  

✓ 7:00: A PSA on these “historic” times.  

✓ 9:00: An underreported detail when it comes to Pres. Biden’s son Hunter legal troubles.  

✓ 12:00: The cases. And a couple caveats.  

✓ 15:00: Let’s dig into pardons.  

✓ 23:00: “A full and unconditional pardon” and why that language matters.  

✓ 29:00: Can a president pardon themselves? And what Jenna’s curious about.  

✓ 31:00: #ICYMI ... We shift gears to the cases against Pres. Elect Trump. 

✓ 35:00: Pres. Trump’s clemency record compared to other modern Presidents, including Pres. Biden.  

✓ 36:00: Jenna takes questions from the LIVE audience. 

✓ 41:00: Barbara asks about breaking news interruptions, and Jenna provides some professional insight based on her experience.  

✓ 48:00: What the networks might be thinking.  

✓ 52:00: Why does the president have the power to pardon? 

✓ 54:00: Jenna reflects on the Hunter Biden laptop story.  

✓ 58:00: We leave you with one pardon from 50 years ago that got a lot of news.  

 

SHOW NOTES 

“Statement from President Joe Biden” 

“President Biden Pardons Son Hunter” (SmartHER News) 

 

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 

 

Inspired by the those who turned to us post-election and shared that relationships have become frayed or severed by the current political environment.

So we decided to present a possible solution ... just in time for Thanksgiving: We called a family meeting.

In the first annual SmartHER News Family Meeting, we address the tough topics head on - taking your questions on president-elect Trump and crime, abortion, gay marriage and beyond - carefully dissecting the issues at play so you can see the news clearly. 

We report about what to know, why it matters and share some needed insight about the different angles to these hot-button issues.

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✓ 2:00: Why a Family Meeting? 

✓ 3:00: A solution in news. 

✓ 6:00: A quick disclaimer – tough topics for young ears.  

✓ 8:00: Breaking news re: Pres-Elect Trump’s Cabinet and insight into our editorial choices at SmartHER News.  

✓ 14:00: Navigating the nuances of family dynamics and political conversations.  

✓ 23:00: Context on Pres-Elect Trump and sexual assault allegations.  

✓ 30:00: Is Pres-Elect Trump a felon? For now yes, but ...  

✓ 37:00: Abortion and Women’s Healthcare: Executive Action, Supreme Court Decisions, States’ Rights, Miscarriages and Gestational Care.  

✓ 1:06:00: What is the Comstock Act; why are we talking about it now? 

✓ 1:15:00: Constituional Rights. Your concerns regarding changes to Marriage Equality and Gay Marriage. 

✓ 1:30:00: Checks and balances. 

✓ 1:31:00: The gift of historical context, marking an important anniversary this week. 

 

SHOW NOTES 

“Why Infant Deaths and Abortions Are Both Rising After Roe’s Reversal” (Bloomberg) 

Many OBGYNs in States With Abortion Bans or Restrictions Report Constraints on Miscarriage Care and Concern About Legal Risk (KKP)

“Gettysburg Address” (SmartHER News) 

 

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 news you need to know for the week ahead:

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✓ 1:00: What we're watching: G20 sideline convos and Congressional Hearings.  

✓ 5:00: #ICYMI Aliens. 

✓ 11:00: UAP = Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. 

✓ 12:00: Looking ahead ... funding the federal government.  

✓ 13:00: Pres-Elect Trump’s team and why we’re not covering it, yet.  

✓ 15:00: Three things to keep in mind about Cabinet Nominees ... and how big is the Federal government?

✓ 21:00: Context on the Senate confirmation process.

✓ 24:00: China. Meetings at the G20 and a possible diplomatic role in the Russia-Ukraine War. 

✓ 27:00: Developing story ... the Russia-Ukraine War. 

✓ 31:00: What's happening with mortgage rates? 

✓ 35:00: Who is the next star player in the Democratic Party? The Republican Party? 

✓ 39:00: Pres. Elect Trump’s “Hush Money Trial” in NY. And quick updates on his other cases.

✓ 42:00: The heartfelt story behind a historic watch ... and why we're talking about it now. 

✓ 49:00: Save the Date for our first Family Meeting! 

 

SHOW NOTES 

“Tracking Trump’s Cabinet and Staff Nominations” (New York Times) 

“Are Mortgage Rates Going Down Since The Fed Lowered Rates? Addressing Client Misconceptions” (Forbes) 

"History-making Sale of Watch Given to ‘Titanic Hero’” (SmartHER News) 

 

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 

Heterodoxy becomes the word of the moment! We break down what it means and why it matters.

And ~ Why is the media in focus for its intersection with American politics? We provide an example of "media bias" and break down the difference between "independent" journalism and nonpartisan.    Plus ~ one final super moon to howl at in 2024.   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.    Instagram: Instagram.com/SmartHERNews   Website: SmartHERNews.com   YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/SmartHERNews 

Here's the SCOOP on this week's news: 

✓ 2:00: Veterans Day.  

✓ 5:00: The history of the holiday ... and honoring something bigger.  

✓ 10:00: Election Results takeaways.  

✓ 11:00: Are the exit polls correct, and do they reflect America overall? 

✓ 12:00: Republican momentum.  

✓ 14:00: We do not have certified results.  

✓ 15:00: Context re: number of voters in 2020 vs. 2024.  

✓ 16:00: The double dis-likers.  

✓ 18:00: Who will lead in Congress? 

✓ 19:00: Who will join Pres-Elect Trump’s team? Names we know thus far ... Susie Wiles, Rep. Stefanik, and Tom Homan.  

✓ 24:00: A soundbite from Tom Homan, Pres-Elect Trump’s newly appointed “border czar.”  

✓ 27:00: You ask, “Why are we using the term ‘czar’?” 

✓ 29:00: We shift our focus overseas.

✓ 30:00: What's happening in Israel? 

✓ 32:00: What’s happening in Qatar (and Hamas)? 

✓ 33:00: What’s happening in Ukraine (and Russia)?  

✓ 36:00: The outstanding criminal cases against Pres-Elect Trump ... a look at a few hypotheticals.  

✓ 45:00: The latest on the search for Amelia Earhart’s plane. 

 

SHOW NOTES 

An Adventurer Thought He Found Amelia Earhart’s Plane. Now He Says It Was a Rock. (The Wall Street Journal) 

 

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