Spiked "60 Minutes" Segment Spreads A “60 Minutes” segment pulled by CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss surfaced online after Canada’s Global TV aired and streamed the unedited episode, sparking backlash from the reporting team and renewed debate over editorial versus political decision-making.Insert Preheader
Incogni
Balance Delivered Daily


Today's Poll Question


Is Turning Point USA ultimately a political asset or liability for the Republican Party?


VOTE HERE
Access Episodes of The Smerconish Podcast

Spiked "60 Minutes" Segment Spreads

The Hollywood Reporter

A “60 Minutes” segment pulled by CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss surfaced online after Canada’s Global TV aired and streamed the unedited episode, sparking backlash from the reporting team and renewed debate over editorial versus political decision-making.

 READ MORE

Blanche Defends Epstein Disclosures

NBC News

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the DOJ temporarily removed some photos from the Epstein files at the request of victim advocacy groups to review potential redactions, insisting the decision had nothing to do with Trump

 READ MORE

Powerball Jackpot Soars Again

CNN

The winning numbers for Saturday’s $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot were 4, 5, 28, 52 and 69, with Powerball 20, offering the chance to choose between a massive annuity or a $689.3 million lump sum.

 READ MORE

MAGA Media Rifts at Convention

Axios

At Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, MAGA figures publicly clashed over conspiracies, antisemitism, and leadership, exposing deep divisions within the movement ahead of the 2028 election.

 READ MORE

Watch Michael Discuss Today's

Parx Casino Poll Question

Aussie PM Heckled at Bondi Beach

The Sydney Morning Herald

Thousands gathered at Bondi for a vigil marked by grief, resilience and calls for unity after the deadly Hanukkah attack, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was met with boos and shouts of “shame” amid palpable anger from the crowd.

 READ MORE

Thousands at Winter Stonehenge Solstice

The Guardian

Thousands of people from around the world, including druids and pagans, gathered at Stonehenge Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England before dawn to celebrate the winter solstice and watch the sunrise on the shortest day of the year.

 READ MORE

Be Careful in Giving This Gift

USA Today

Holiday DNA test kits like 23andMe can unearth life-altering family secrets — including unknown parents or siblings — leaving some users reeling and prompting experts to warn that these popular gifts may bring far more emotional upheaval than expected.

 READ MORE

Power Outage Paralyzes Waymo

SFGATE

Waymo temporarily suspended its San Francisco ride-hailing service after a major power outage left about 30% of the city without electricity, causing safety concerns and traffic disruptions as driverless cars stalled at intersections, unable to detect traffic signals.

 READ MORE

Incogni

Unknown Number Calling? It's Not Random

The BBC caught scam call center workers on hidden cameras as they laughed at the people they were tricking. One worker bragged about making $250k from victims. The disturbing truth? Scammers don't pick phone numbers at random. They buy your data from brokers.

Once your data is out there, it's not just calls. It's phishing, impersonation, and identity theft. That's why we recommend Incogni: They delete your info from the web, monitor and follow up automatically, and continue to erase data as new risks appear.

Try Incogni here and get 55% off your annual subscription with code SMERCONISH.

     

No Blacks or Women Represented in Coins

The Washington Post

The Trump administration has rejected recommendations to feature civil rights or women’s suffrage figures on commemorative quarters for America’s 250th anniversary, opting instead for traditional designs centered on early presidents and colonial imagery.

 READ MORE

FBI Ignored This Epstein Warning

New York Post

Newly released documents show the FBI was warned as early as 1996 that Jeffrey Epstein was involved in child pornography and threatening a former employee, but the complaint was ignored for nearly a decade before authorities took significant action.

 READ MORE

Rand Paul Sees "Prelude To War"

ABC News

Sen. Rand Paul called the U.S. seizure of multiple oil tankers in the Caribbean a "provocation and a prelude to war," criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of suspected drug traffickers as inconsistent and dangerous.

 READ MORE

Israel Approves 19 New Settlements

CBS News

Israel’s Cabinet approved 19 new settlements in the West Bank, boosting the total under the current government by nearly 50% and drawing international criticism amid ongoing U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire efforts.

 READ MORE

Success Secrets of the Emanuel Family

The Wall Street Journal

Rahm Emanuel reflects on parenting lessons learned from his own upbringing, emphasizing the importance of shared meals, presence, love, guidance, and nurturing children’s interests to help them thrive as well-rounded adults.

 READ MORE

Chappelle Defends Saudi Performance

The Hollywood Reporter

In his new Netflix special, Dave Chappelle defended performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, saying he doesn’t “feel guilty at all” and that his transgender jokes “went over very well” while also reflecting on free speech and recent U.S. political events.

 READ MORE

DK Metcalf Swat Explained

Detroit Free Press

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf swung at a Detroit Lions fan at Ford Field after the fan called him by his full name, DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf, causing minor contact but no ejection.

 READ MORE

Steelers Set NFL Record

NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, marking their 22nd consecutive non-losing season and 19th under Mike Tomlin, setting a new NFL record.

 READ MORE

Vance Won't Set Red Lines Over Bigotry

Associated Press

Vice President JD Vance declined to set boundaries on bigotry at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, insisting the conservative movement should welcome anyone who “loves America” amid ongoing Republican disputes over antisemitism.

 READ MORE

Here's Some Good News From 2025

Nice News

From groundbreaking medical advances and environmental victories to historic legislation and cultural comebacks, 2025 delivered a remarkable year of progress, innovation, and uplifting news across science, society, and entertainment.

 READ MORE

CBS Postpones "60 Minutes" Segment

Mediaite

CBS News chief Bari Weiss faced sharp criticism after “60 Minutes” abruptly pulled a report on Trump-era deportations to a brutal El Salvador prison just hours before it was set to air.

 READ MORE

Actor James Ransone Dies

People

Actor James Ransone, known for his roles as Ziggy Sobotka on “The Wire” and the elder version of Eddie Kaspbrak in Stephen King’s “It: Chapter Two”, has died by apparent suicide at age 46.

 READ MORE


Looking for previous newsletters?


Newsletter Archive


Mamdani, Patinkin Share Hanukkah Video

For the Left

NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shared a Hanukkah video with actor Mandy Patinkin to connect with Jewish communities while addressing criticism over his Israel stance. 

READ MORE

Judge to Decide Abrego Garcia

For the Right

A federal judge will decide whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia should return to immigration custody amid disputes over his deportation and valid removal orders. 

READ MORE

Keep Reading