Headlines

February 1, 2026

Daily Mail

Claim: Epstein – Putin Tie

The sources say it could explain why Epstein appeared to enjoy an ultra-wealthy lifestyle out of kilter with his career as a financier, although there is no documentary evidence linking Putin and his spies directly to Epstein's illicit activities.
Read Full Story
The Weather Channel

East Coast Bomb Cyclone Hits

On the heels of Winter Storm Fern, a strong storm will form off the East Coast this weekend that will bring snow, wind and coastal flooding. Blizzard conditions are even possible in a few areas.
Read Full Story
Star Tribune

Judge Blocks ICE Halt Request

A federal judge has denied an effort by Minnesota and the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis to swiftly halt the Trump administration’s surge of immigration agents to the state, saying officials have not cleared the threshold to bring an immediate pause to the operation.
Read Full Story
Texas Tribune

Menefee Wins TX Special Election

Former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee will serve out the remainder of former Rep. Sylvester Turner’s term after defeating former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards in a special runoff election. The two will face off again on March 3.
Read Full Story
USA Today

George Will Lose $469K per Game

Paul George's time with the Philadelphia 76ers has somehow gotten worse. The nine-time All-Star has been suspended 25 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, just four days after George's 32-point effort against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Read Full Story
The Washington Post

Trump’s Giant Arch Proposal

President Donald Trump proposes a 250-foot Independence Arch for America's 250th anniversary, sparking debate over its potential impact on historic Washington, D.C. sites and views, with architectural experts expressing concern about its size and location.
Read Full Story
The New Yorker

Trump’s $4B Profiteering

During his second term, President Donald Trump and his family have significantly increased their wealth through ventures intertwining their business interests with political influence, despite initial promises to avoid exploiting the presidency for personal gain.
Read Full Story
ABC News

SNAP Rule Changes Impact Millions

New SNAP work requirements effective February 2026 could lead to over 2 million Americans losing benefits, as age limits for able-bodied adults and caregivers are adjusted and exemptions for certain groups are removed, sparking debate over potential impacts on vulnerable populations.
Read Full Story
The Wall Street Journal

Seahawks Sale Sparks NFL Buzz

The Seattle Seahawks, controlled by a trust since the death of their owner, are expected to be sold this year. They were privately fined $5 million by the league for falling out of compliance with ownership rules.
Read Full Story
MassLive

Don’t Pray for Pretti

Chaplains of all faiths at Veterans Affairs facilities Massachusetts were told this week not to mention VA nurses at all, let alone the name Alex Pretti, at worship or gatherings.
Read Full Story
CNN

Stelter: Chilling Speech or Winning?

Legally speaking, the federal charges against journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are complex and unusual. Politically speaking, it’s pretty simple. The Trump administration wants to punish perceived opponents and raise the cost of critical news coverage.
Read Full Story
Politico

Legal Fallout Has Only Begun

Politico addresses the ongoing tensions and jurisdictional conflicts between Minnesota's local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, emphasizing the challenges in resource allocation and the implications for community relations and public safety.
Read Full Story
CBS News

“I Was There, I Saw Everything”

Jose Huerta Chuma, an Ecuadorian immigrant, reflects on a Border Patrol operation in Minneapolis that led to the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti, expressing remorse and questioning his own actions during the incident.
Read Full Story
WCTV

HOA Battles Over Generator Amid Storm

During a severe ice storm in Nashville, the Caravello family faced freezing conditions after losing power, and despite HOA's initial ban on their generator due to aesthetic concerns, they were later granted a temporary exception to use it, providing much-needed warmth until power was restored.
Read Full Story
The New York Times

NFL Athletes’ Homes Burgled

A spate of burglaries targeting the homes of professional athletes has sparked concern over security measures, prompting ongoing investigations by law enforcement to uncover connections and prevent further incidents.
Read Full Story
The Hill

What To Know About Don Lemon Case

Don Lemon was indicted Friday on federal civil rights charges related to his coverage of a protest inside a church in Minnesota, amid President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Lemon has maintained that while he was present at the protest, he was acting as a journalist.
Read Full Story
Fox News

Chappelle vs. Maher on Free Speech

During the Riyadh Comedy Festival, comedian Dave Chappelle claimed free speech was more accessible in Saudi Arabia than the U.S., prompting Bill Maher to challenge his view by suggesting a test involving a sensitive routine, sparking a broader debate on free speech and celebrity activism.
Read Full Story

Looking for previous newsletters?

Independent doesn’t mean indecisive.

Join our community of over 140K independent minds

Subscribe to the FREE Smerconish.com Daily Newsletter

The most important news of the day, delivered right to your inbox.

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 Mailchimp.

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