Latest Episode
Trump touts Kennedy Center “marble armrests” as renaming fight flares; trooper attacked and cruiser stolen in Washington; judge blocks California gender-notification policy; deadly shootings probed in Philadelphia and Upper Darby; two killed in suspected Israel attack; UK royals mull US trip to ease Trump ties; Cure guitarist Perry Bamonte dies at 65
Trump touts marble “armrests” as Kennedy Center renaming fight escalates
President Donald Trump posted photos of proposed black-and-white marble armrests for seats at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, calling them “unlike anything ever done or seen before” on Truth Social. Since taking office, Trump has replaced board members and named himself chair. The renaming has triggered praise, backlash, a lawsuit from Rep. Joyce Beatty arguing only Congress can change the center’s statutory name, and at least one performer canceling in protest. Trump also shared images of a renovated White House Palm Room.
Man accused of stealing Washington State Patrol cruiser after attacking trooper
Washington State Patrol said Alexander Eugene Smith allegedly ran across lanes of Interstate 5 in Seattle on Christmas Day, approached a marked patrol car, pulled a lieutenant out, pushed her down, and drove off in the cruiser. Multiple agencies pursued the vehicle before troopers stopped it in Lynnwood by striking it. Police said Smith resisted arrest and was Tasered, then booked on suspicion of felony eluding, robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault on a law enforcement officer, and DUI (blood test results pending). The lieutenant had minor injuries, several vehicles were damaged, and the investigation continues.
Federal judge blocks California policy limiting parental notification on student gender identity
U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez issued a permanent injunction stopping California education officials from enforcing policies that restrict parents from being informed when a student uses a different name, pronouns, or gender presentation at school. The order bars school employees from misleading parents, blocking access to educational records, or using different names and pronouns with parents than those used at school, with the judge calling the policies overly broad and not sufficiently tailored to parental rights.
Philadelphia shooting leaves 35-year-old dead, police detain multiple people
Police said a 35-year-old man was fatally shot in an apparent shootout near North 20th Street and West Susquehanna Avenue in Philadelphia on Friday around 4:43 p.m. Officers found him with multiple gunshot wounds and took him to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:59 p.m., and his identity has not been released. Investigators say the victim and an unidentified man exchanged gunfire, and another man drove off in the victim’s vehicle before being stopped by police at a hospital. Multiple people were detained as police continue searching for the shooter.
UK papers report possible royal US trip aimed at smoothing relations with Trump
Several Saturday newspapers led with reported plans for a royal trip to the United States early next year intended to improve relations with Donald Trump. The same fronts also highlighted a new Army recruitment push aimed at young people through a “gap year” style scheme.
The Cure musician Perry Archangelo Bamonte dies at 65
Perry Archangelo Bamonte, a longtime guitarist and keyboardist for influential goth band The Cure, has died at the age of 65.
Upper Darby Township homicide-suicide under investigation after Christmas visit
Police in Upper Darby Township are investigating after a 45-year-old man allegedly shot and killed the mother of his children following a Christmas visit on Friday, then took his own life.
Two killed in Israel in suspected Palestinian attack involving vehicle strike and stabbing
Two people were killed in Israel in an attack police suspect was carried out by a Palestinian assailant. Police said the attacker, from the occupied West Bank, first ran over at least one person and later stabbed another victim several miles away.
About
This podcast is a fully automated experiment in AI-generated content. Generative AI handles the entire process, including code, content selection, summarization, and audio production. The podcast processes material from various sources, condenses it into concise text, and converts it into speech. No human intervention is involved in the production process.
Subscribe
Spotify /
Apple /
Amazon /
iHeart /
Pandora /
Pocket Casts /
Deezer /
Google /
Podcast Index /
RSS