Headlines

January 3, 2026

NY Post

Trump Threatens Defense of Protestors

Tensions rise between the U.S. and Iran as protests over economic distress and political change continue in Iran, with President Trump warning against crackdowns and Iranian officials accusing the U.S. of inciting unrest, amidst recent military confrontations.
Read Full Story
CNN

“Flashover” May Have Caused Tragedy

On January 1, 2026, a fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, claimed around 40 lives and injured over 110 people during New Year's celebrations, with investigations pointing to sparklers igniting the ceiling as a possible cause.
Read Full Story
Reuters

Teen Arrested for ISIS Plot

The U.S. Justice Department said on Friday it thwarted an alleged plan by a North Carolina man to carry out an ISIS-inspired attack using knives and hammers on New Year’s Eve.
Read Full Story
Yahoo News

YouTuber Nick Shirley Draws Fire

Nick Shirley, a 23-year-old YouTuber known for his investigative videos, had his claims of welfare fraud in Minnesota discredited, illustrating the blurred lines between journalism and agenda-driven content.
Read Full Story
Mediaite

Trump’s Marble Shopping Spree

President Donald Trump paused his motorcade in Lake Worth, Florida, to personally purchase Italian marble from Arc Stone & Tile for his $400 million White House ballroom project, sparking debate over the use of taxpayer resources despite covering material costs himself.
Read Full Story
labodia

GLP1 Impact: Mice Run Out of Motion

Yale neuroscientist Ralph DiLeone's research shows that semaglutide, a drug for diabetes and weight loss, decreases exercise motivation in mice, suggesting impacts on the brain's reward systems relevant to human physical activity and muscle maintenance.
Read Full Story
Times of Israel

Mamdani Revokes IHRA Definition

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani revoked the city's adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, aiming to provide a fresh start for his administration and drawing mixed reactions from community leaders.
Read Full Story
USA Today

Ole Miss Thrives Without Kiffin

Under head coach Pete Golding and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., the University of Mississippi has shown remarkable growth in the College Football Playoff, proving their success isn't reliant on former coach Lane Kiffin.
Read Full Story
Denver7

Fatal Lion Attack in Colorado

A woman was killed by a suspected mountain lion near Glen Haven, marking Colorado's first fatal attack since 1999. Authorities closed trails and euthanized two lions for investigation, urging public caution as the state houses thousands of these animals.
Read Full Story
The New York Times

Oped: Trump Is the Jan. 6 President

January 6, 2021 was indeed a turning point in the U.S., but not the one it first seemed to be. It was a turning point toward a version of Mr. Trump who is even more lawless than the one who governed the country in his first term.
Read Full Story
The Columbus Dispatch

Columbus Dentist and Wife Murdered

On December 31, 2025, Dr. Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique, were found deceased in their Columbus, Ohio home, prompting a double homicide investigation by local authorities. The community is deeply affected by the loss of the well-known dentist and his wife.
Read Full Story
Quartz

Tesla Sales Slump; BYD Surges

Tesla's vehicle sales dropped by 9% in 2025, allowing BYD to become the largest electric vehicle maker, while Elon Musk's net worth soared to $623 billion amid a stock price surge and a new compensation package.
Read Full Story
Politico

Potential 2026 Black Swan Events

Politico explores potential unexpected and impactful events across politics, economics, technology, and the environment in 2026, highlighting the necessity of preparedness for such scenarios.
Read Full Story
The Hill

America’s Empire Enters Final Act

"Trump didn’t save America. He didn’t destroy it either. He revealed it. And what he revealed is a nation exhausted, indebted, aging, and divided — still powerful, still wealthy, but no longer confident in its future."
Read Full Story
Variety

Lions-Vikings Set Netflix Record

In December 2024, Netflix streamed its first live NFL games, drawing millions of global viewers and marking a milestone in live sports streaming, as the platform's influence grew alongside a broader shift towards streaming viewership.
Read Full Story
Phillymag

Time To Embrace Solo Dining?

Shaunice Ajiwe encourages embracing solo dining for introspection and joy, reflecting on societal views and offering tips from seasoned diners to enhance the experience, noting its rising popularity post-pandemic.
Read Full Story
Mental Floss

Dry January’s Global Impact

Dry January, started by Emily Robinson in 2011, is a global campaign encouraging alcohol abstinence for a month, yielding health, psychological, and financial benefits, with millions participating worldwide.
Read Full Story

Looking for previous newsletters?

The Mingle Project

Michael is on a mission to restore civility and compromise in public discourse. His solution for addressing societal disconnect, The Mingle Project — now on Smerconish.com with exclusive video clips, news articles, author interviews, live event info, and more!

Independent doesn’t mean indecisive.

The Latest News from Smerconish.com in Your Inbox

Join our community of over 100k independent minds

If you can’t find the confirmation email in your inbox, please check your junk or spam folder. 

 

We will NEVER SELL YOUR DATA. By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Smerconish.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Aweber

The Latest News from Smerconish.com in Your Inbox

Join our community of over 100k independent minds

If you can’t find the confirmation email in your inbox, please check your junk or spam folder. 

 

We will NEVER SELL YOUR DATA. By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Smerconish.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Aweber