Podcast appearances and mentions of The Christian Science Monitor

Drug Boats Strikes. Hegseth Doubles Down. Trump's Wild Pardons.J6 Bomber Arrest. Affordability Messaging. Tenn Special Election. GOP Healthcare Chaos. Ballroom inflation. With Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor, Kirk Bado, Editor of The National Journal Hotline and Philip Bump, former Washington Post Columnist and current MS-Now(MSNBC), Contributor. Today Bill suggests a Carol Press Scarf as a great holiday gift. Hand woven, each a work of art. Take a look at CarolPressScarves.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For political opponents to find common ground on immigration matters seems rare. Yet, in Arizona, a progressive activist and a Republican district party chair are uniting around a detained woman who has been a positive force in her community. Also: today's stories, including a look at what could happen when Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week; how one town in Senegal honors religious diversity; and a Q&A with scholar Bobby Donaldson on how Marshall Thurgood became a Supreme Court icon. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

Though the Trump administration says its strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean are allowed, its tactics are raising questions around potential war crimes and generating support for more congressional oversight. Also: today's stories, including how a year after an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, the Lebanese people are still caught in the middle; how teachers and officials in Europe are trying to combat violence in schools by restricting youth's access to social media; and our essayist writes how his name is a thread that connects him to home. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

President Donald Trump has vowed to attack drug trafficking across Latin America. But in promising to pardon a convicted trafficker from Honduras, he has swayed politics and unsettled policy. Also: today's stories, including how a fragile deal Washington brokered between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the rebel M23 group shows how economics might lead toward peace; how Boston is building apartments on top of libraries in an experiment with affordable housing; and how one science educator in Pakistan is getting marginalized children excited about learning. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

In New York, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and the city's business leaders have begun a wary rapprochement. The democratic socialist's proposals are anathema to many business leaders, and collaboration will likely require mutual concessions. In today's stories, we also look at the confusion around different Ukraine peace plans, why Xi Jinping praised a former Chinese leader whose death sparked the Tiananmen Square protests, and the new Disney animation “Zootopia 2.” Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

JEFF KASS - Columbine: A True Crime Story - People think of school shootings as random, unpredictable events, but Jeff Kass says there are patterns to the violence and, more importantly, ways to prevent it. Kass was one of the first reporters on the scene at Columbine on April, 20, 1999, and his definitive book, COLUMBINE: A True Crime Story, is the result of ten years of research. In the face of determined opposition, Kass uncovered important details about Columbine and what led to it. He has translated those insights to school shootings and other shootings across the world: who's likely to commit them, where they tend to happen, and what circumstances often precede them. As students from elementary school through college return to class, Kass can talk to your audience about several school violence issues. Jeff Kass has been a reporter for the Rocky Mountain News and Los Angeles Times, and a regular contributor to U.S. News & World Report, the Boston Globe, the Christian Science Monitor, and Newsday. He has appeared on CNN, Court TV, MSNBC, NBC, Fox News, and radio. He also blogs and writes op-eds on Columbine and other mass shootings. - www.jeffkassauthor.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.Please note that all XZBN radio and/or television shows are Copyright © REL-MAR McConnell Meda Company, Niagara, Ontario, Canada – www.rel-mar.com. For more Episodes of this show and all shows produced, broadcasted and syndicated from REL-MAR McConell Media Company and The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network and the 'X' Zone TV Channell, visit www.xzbn.net. For programming, distribution, and syndication inquiries, email programming@xzbn.net.We are proud to announce the we have launched TWATNews.com, launched in August 2025.TWATNews.com is an independent online news platform dedicated to uncovering the truth about Donald Trump and his ongoing influence in politics, business, and society. Unlike mainstream outlets that often sanitize, soften, or ignore stories that challenge Trump and his allies, TWATNews digs deeper to deliver hard-hitting articles, investigative features, and sharp commentary that mainstream media won't touch.These are stories and articles that you will not read anywhere else.Our mission is simple: to expose corruption, lies, and authoritarian tendencies while giving voice to the perspectives and evidence that are often marginalized or buried by corporate-controlled media

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

A roller-coaster diplomatic saga, with a mercurial US president at the helm, has left Ukrainians confused about what it will take to end their war with Russia. But could a deal be just around the corner? Also: today's stories, including how Americans are focusing on practicing gratitude this holiday season, how cranberries became a Thanksgiving staple, and why the number of children's cafeterias has exponentially increased across Japan. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Upholding public trust has long been a central tenet of American democracy. But ethical norms have fallen under President Donald Trump even as his net worth has grown. The White House denies conflicts of interest. Ethics experts disagree. Also: today's stories, including how the European Union is impeded by energy needs and foot-dragging member states as it tries to end its dependence on Russian gas; whether the ceasefire in Gaza can go forward if Hamas refuses to disarm; and whether the focus on artificial intelligence should be on unleashing innovation or protecting the people who use it. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

General stores are a lifeline to many rural communities. But in Vermont, towns are fighting to keep their general stores alive. In today's issue, we also look at the EPA's new clean-water rules, the toll of Sudan's civil war on women, and why an Indiana state senator is resisting pressure to redraw the state's congressional map. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

The public falling-out between U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and President Donald Trump has brought splits in the MAGA movement into the open. In Ms. Greene's solidly Republican district, voters are weighing their populist allegiances. Also: today's stories, including how members of traditionally unionist Protestant communities in Northern Ireland are starting to look toward the republic; how realistic a unified Ireland is, both politically and practically; and how, in one of President Donald Trump's most high-profile prosecution efforts against a perceived political enemy, a series of government missteps means the case may collapse. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

Richard Nixon's “war on drugs” has always entailed a degree of U.S. pressure on foreign allies. But the Trump administration's strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats off Venezuela charts a new course of non-cooperation. Also: today's stories, including how a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand is falling apart — and possibly pushing Bangkok closer to China; how gerrymandering in the U.S. has evolved; and our Q&A with Representative Jim Clyburn on his new book, “The First Eight.” Join the Monitor's Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news.

Despite Israel's war with Hamas and Iran, its economy grew, if modestly, due mostly to its strong tech sector. But calls to boycott Israel over the conduct of its war in Gaza appear to have hit some exports. Will that rage subside if the ceasefire holds? Also: today's stories, including how, after the deadliest fire in 100 years of U.S. history, people of Lahaina are trying to rebuild their buildings and culture; how girls marrying before age 18 was prohibited in Bolivia this year, but the cultural norms and attitudes that drive the practice remain; and how President Donald Trump is pressuring cities and states to end cashless bail. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

The House is set to pass a bill calling to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. President Donald Trump's last-minute support helps mask the first major rebuke of the president in the House since he returned to office in January. This comes amid other challenges facing Mr. Trump and Republicans. Also: today's stories, including a teacher in Gaza and his determination to teach music amidst war, what China's reaction is to Japan's Prime Minister's consideration of an attack on Taiwan, and how the U.S. Border Patrol is taking a leading role in immigration enforcement.

n this episode Derek Champagne, CEO of The Artist Evolution, interviews Tim Sanders. Tim Sanders spent most of his early career on the cutting edge of innovation and change. He was an early stage member of Mark Cuban's Broadcast.com, which had the largest opening day IPO in history. After Yahoo acquired the company, Tim was tapped to lead their ValueLab, and by 2001, he rose to Chief Solutions Officer. In 2005, he founded Deeper Media, which provides consulting services for leading brands. Today, he is one of the top-rated speakers on the lecture circuit.Tim is the author of four books, including the New York Times bestseller Love Is the Killer App: How To Win Business & Influence Friends. It's been translated into over a dozen languages and has been featured in Fast Company, USA Today, the New York Times, The Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor and on CNN. He's a master storyteller who offers listeners actionable takeaways that produce results right away. That's why he's one of the top speakers on the lecture circuit.Learn more at www.timsanders.comBusiness Leadership Series Intro and Outro music provided by Just Off Turner: https://music.apple.com/za/album/the-long-walk-back/268386576

Four years of leftist rule have not rid Chile of social inequalities, but worries about a crime wave blamed on immigrants appear to give a right-wing presidential candidate an edge in Sunday's election. Also: today's stories, including how Syria is facing new tension with Israel, how Boston's struggling subway system got back on track, and how one Monitor writer learned the power of kindness through helping a stranger buy bread. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Four years of leftist rule have not rid Chile of social inequalities, but worries about a crime wave blamed on immigrants appear to give a right-wing presidential candidate an edge in Sunday's election. Also: today's stories, including how Syria is facing new tension with Israel, how Boston's struggling subway system got back on track, and how one Monitor writer learned the power of kindness through helping a stranger buy bread. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

As the COP30 climate conference gathers in Brazil, Beijing and Washington have taken opposing positions on climate change. Donald Trump calls it a “con.” Xi Jinping has invested billions this year on green tech. Whose view will prove more prescient? Also: today's stories, including how one digital initiative in Kashmir expands nomadic children's sense of their own possibilities; how a female soccer coach has become an unlikely savior for boys caught up in gang violence in the Nigerian city of Kano; and our Monitor film critic's review of Richard Linklater's “Nouvelle Vague.” Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

With the U.S. government shutdown drawing to a close, the next steps come into view: Turning the federal government back on after six weeks may not be easy. Or instantaneous. The shutdown was felt across the country, from airport delays to missed paychecks from America's largest employer. And politically, Washington may find itself more divided than before the shutdown. Also: today's stories, including how Ukrainians are staying motivated after more than 3.5 years of war with Russia; how California is reconsidering its oil reserves and policies; and how scholars at Howard University are fighting to preserve Black newspapers. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

With the U.S. government shutdown drawing to a close, the next steps come into view: Turning the federal government back on after six weeks may not be easy. Or instantaneous. The shutdown was felt across the country, from airport delays to missed paychecks from America's largest employer. And politically, Washington may find itself more divided than before the shutdown. Also: today's stories, including how Ukrainians are staying motivated after more than 3.5 years of war with Russia; how California is reconsidering its oil reserves and policies; and how scholars at Howard University are fighting to preserve Black newspapers. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

After eight senators crossed the aisle to break the shutdown impasse, the House is poised to vote Wednesday to reopen the federal government. Also: today's stories, including why many experts remain skeptical of the Trump administration's killings of alleged “narcoterrorists”; a look at protests in the Philippines over the government's alleged misuse of money meant for flood-control efforts; and how an increase of Bible sales in the U.S. are leaving many faith leaders and communities hopeful for a religious revival. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

As South Africa gets ready to host the first Group of 20 gathering on African soil, it is struggling to reclaim the world-inspiring ideals of its post-apartheid founding. In this essay, a longtime resident observer in Johannesburg traces what went wrong. Also: today's stories, including how Hamas is drawing closer to rival Palestinian factions; how U.S. football is becoming big overseas; and how the Insurrection Act, meant to stifle rebellions, gives the president greater leeway but comes with restrictions, and its use could draw lawsuits. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

Democratic Sweep. Affordability and Trump Key. GOP's Struggles. New Blood Wanted. GOP More Blamed for Shutdown. Nancy Pelosi Retires. What's Up With MTG? Dick Cheney's Legacy. With Sabrina Siddiqui, National Politics Reporter at The Wall Street Journal, Linda Feldmann, White House Correspondent and DC Bureau Chief at The Christian Science Monitor and Philip Bump, former Columnist for The Washington Post and author of the How to Read This Chart Newsletter. You can follow Philip's work at HowtoReadThisCh.artToday's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some Republicans might grow wary of creating pickup opportunities that make some GOP seats slightly less safe; others might feel more motivated now to redraw lines. Democrats could feel emboldened to push for redistricting in states beyond California, or perhaps conclude they can win without it. Also: today's stories, including why the Monitor visited Michigan to gauge the economic climate 9 months into the Trump Administration, how President Trump's conduct of foreign policy echoes ancient Athens' behavior, and why Head Start is important to rural communities. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Some Republicans might grow wary of creating pickup opportunities that make some GOP seats slightly less safe; others might feel more motivated now to redraw lines. Democrats could feel emboldened to push for redistricting in states beyond California, or perhaps conclude they can win without it. Also: today's stories, including why the Monitor visited Michigan to gauge the economic climate 9 months into the Trump Administration, how President Trump's conduct of foreign policy echoes ancient Athens' behavior, and why Head Start is important to rural communities. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

How will Democrats' success in U.S. elections this week affect the politics of the government shutdown? Tuesday's results have set off alarm bells for President Donald Trump and could strengthen Democrats' resolve in seeking leverage, even as both parties seek an off-ramp from the weekslong shutdown. Also: today's stories, including how federal subsidies in the Affordable Care Act have changed and their effects, what the fall of El Fasher in western Sudan means to the ongoing civil war, and how one Monitor writer learns to cook authentic handmade noodles, deep in rural China.

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

Independent journalism is under grave threat in the Sahel region of Africa. In Mali, one community radio station shows the lengths to which local reporters go in order to keep their communities informed. Also: today's stories, including how new curriculum in Ukraine prepares students for war; a look at U.S. programs designed to educate teachers on the “science of reading”; and whether local control could help preserve Gullah heritage on one South Carolina island. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

After lower courts struck down the legal argument for the Trump administration's most sweeping tariffs, the Supreme Court now takes up the matter. The case is important not only for the economic policy of the United States, but for the Constitution's separation of powers. Also: today's stories, including how one biologist in Libya plans to protect critically endangered Mediterranean angel sharks, how 2025 election results in the U.S. will be closely watched for signs of growing or waning political support for Republicans and Democrats, and how Israelis are grappling with the notion of trusting an international force to preserve the fragile Gaza ceasefire. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Swiss cheese agreements. Overspending by big tech - could that be their  downfall? A rate cut in the dark and AI's Impact on Future Workforce. Guest: Vitaliy Katsenelson is discussing the basic math of the markets, including where to actually find bargains. NEW! DOWNLOAD THIS EPISODE'S AI GENERATED SHOW NOTES (Guest Segment) Follow @andrewhorowitz Vitaliy Katsenelson, born  and raised in Murmansk, Russia (the home for Russia‘s northern navy fleet, think Tom Clancy‘s Red October). Immigrated to the US from Russia in 1991 with all his  family three brothers, father, and stepmother. His  professional career is easily described in one sentence: He invest, He educates, he writes, and he could not dream of doing anything else. He is Chief Investment Officer at Investment Management Associates, Inc (IMA), a value investment firm based in Denver, Colorado. After he received his  graduate and undergraduate degrees in finance (cum laude) from the University of Colorado at Denver, and finished his  CFA designation, he wanted to keep learning. He figured the best way to learn is to teach. At first he taught an undergraduate class at the University of Colorado at Denver and later a graduate investment class at the same university that he designed based on his  day job. He found that the university classroom was not big enough, so he started writing. He writes a monthly column for Institutional Investor Magazine and he has  written articles for the Financial Times, Barron‘s, BusinessWeek, Christian Science Monitor, New York Post, and the list goes on. He was profiled in Barron‘s, and has  been interviewed by Value Investor Insight, Welling@Weeden, BusinessWeek, BNN, CNBC, and countless radio shows. Vitaliy has authored the Little Book of Sideways Markets (Wiley, 2010) and Active Value Investing (Wiley, 2007). Follow @vitaliyk Check this out and find out more at: http://www.interactivebrokers.com/ More information available on Horowitz & Company's TDI Managed Growth Strategy Stocks discussed this week (ORCL), AMZN), (MSFT), (DIS), (AMD), (NVDA), (NOK)

Workarounds have shielded most Americans from the government shutdown's effects, but program interruptions might soon test public patience and political will. Also: today's stories, including how consent laws in France have now changed, how one Colorado Christian remains grounded in her church community amidst a trend of women leaving churches, and why activists and diplomats are talking reform on climate conferences like COP. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Beijing and Washington have been locked in a costly trade war for six months. In South Korea on Thursday, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping called a truce and pledged to work more closely together in the future. Also: today's stories, including how building more units could help Califonia's affordability gap in housing, how the Trump administration's pursuit of a "new economic Monroe Doctrine" is raising suspicions in Argentina, and why the World Series holds extra meaning for Toronto and Canada. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

A rising U.S. military presence near Venezuela has stirred questions around whether the goal is a drug crackdown or regime change. An effort to oust the regime of Nicolás Maduro would carry risks – with or without U.S. troops on the ground. Also: today's stories, including a look at how and why food benefits are ending for millions in the U.S.; how residents of a Black Chicago neighborhood are reacting to a recent federal immigration enforcement campaign; and how South Korea utilizes K-pop as a form of soft power. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

A trade war with Canada might be less visible to Americans than one with China. But it has big impacts on both sides of the border, felt by U.S. households as prices for materials from metals to lumber jump. Also: today's stories, including how Russia may require graduates to do national service in exchange for student loans, how analysts say Tehran is trying to change the narrative about its regional posture by painting Israel as the real threat, how one teen in Nigeria's most populous city is determined to prove that even in the most crowded corners, children can have fun. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

A dozen states are drawing new congressional district maps, or thinking about it, as Republicans and Democrats maneuver for control of the U.S. House after the 2026 midterm elections. The efforts could diminish the importance of individual voters. Also: today's stories, including how the populist campaign of Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor has energized the growing number of democratic socialists across the U.S., how two side-by-side restaurants in Detroit have been embroiled in a (mostly) friendly hot dog rivalry, and how Syria's new school year, the first since the fall of the Assad regime, has a revised look at history and increased emphasis on religion. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

This episode of the Daily is a little different. Listen as Monitor editor Christa Case Bryant and Middle East correspondent Taylor Luck discuss  the importance of fairness in news coverage, the Monitor approach to journalism, and covering the Middle East with nuance and objectivity. They also take a look behind-the-scenes of Taylor's reporting process.

Argentina votes Sunday in midterm legislative elections that serve as a report card for President Javier Milei's economic policies. He tamed inflation, but now the economy is stalled, many are worse off, and corruption has emerged as an issue. Also: today's stories, including why the daylight robbery of jewelry from the Louvre has shocked Paris, a look at how one woman affected by the LA wildfires is shaping her future, and how the new movie “Springsteen,” portrays a more subdued Bruce. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

U.S. sanctions on Russia's largest oil companies place new pressure on President Vladimir Putin. But, evidenced by President Donald Trump's frequently shifting positions, it's still unclear where he will land on how to end the war in Ukraine. Also: today's stories, including why one U.S. Representative-Elect has yet to be sworn in after a month, why youth voter apathy in Ivory Coast isn't a rejection of democracy, and our review of film director Richard Linklater's poignant portrait of legendary lyricist Larry Hart. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

The world's second-largest economy, China, is deciding its economic strategy for the next five years, a decision with high global stakes. Also: today's stories, including how a ceasefire could help Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban lessen the tension; a look at the challenges facing those seeking to reestablish democracy in Venezuela; and commentary on how the murders of civil rights activists have been lost in the current conversation about the Voting Rights Act at the Supreme Court. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

When President Donald Trump hiked the cost of H-1B visas, Indian professionals looked to be the hardest hit. But with the West shunning immigrants, India may also be the beneficiary of the new pool of job seekers. Also: today's stories, including how Pittsburgh wants to be a hub for artificial intelligence that makes a difference in peoples' daily lives, how one solution to chronic absenteeism in schools is gaining traction, and whether boycotts of Israeli academic and artistic institutions further the cause of peace. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Democrats and Republicans are at odds nationally, as the continued government shutdown shows. But in Three Rivers, Michigan, local leaders are setting aside differences for the common goal of real problem-solving. Also: today's stories, including how one scientist is turning marshes around in India, how the docuseries “Mr. Scorsese” probes the innermost thoughts of the Oscar-winning filmmaker, and how market changes and a shifting world order in the last 20 years may be why gold is gaining new ground. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

The volume of U.S. military hardware headed to Puerto Rico suggests an escalation of the Trump administration's military campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The president says land strikes might follow. Also: today's stories, including a look at the state of Indigenous rights in Bolivia; how some French voters still have faith in government despite turmoil; and a review of Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi's latest movie, “It Was Just an Accident.” Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Bolton Indicted. Retribution Continues. Is Adam Schiff Next? Putin Trump Summit-Again. Will Gaza Deal Hold? Shutdown Continues. SCOTUS vs Voting Rights Act. GOP's Racist “Kids.” No Kings Protest. With Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief of CQ-Roll Call, S. V. Date, Senior White House Correspondent for HuffPost and Cameron Joseph, Senior Washington Reporter for the Christian Science Monitor. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the Justice Department moves to indict people President Donald Trump says have done him wrong, the weaponization of the legal system is pushing the country into uncharted waters. Also: today's stories, including how Donald Trump is trying to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine after his success with a Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal, whether Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan holds the key to peace in the Middle East, and one author's look at how supporters of expanded rights in the U.S have shifted their fight to the courts. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a case asking whether using race as a factor in congressional maps violates the Constitution. If the justices decide it is, the decision could open the door for Republican politicians to redraw maps to eliminate a number of Black and Hispanic districts. Also: today's stories, including whether tungsten mining in Yukon might prove influential in mending the U.S.-Canada relations; how an Altadena family navigates the red tape that is hampering recovery after California's Eaton fire; and how volunteers are reconnecting communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway after mudslides from Hurricane Helene. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Kim Crooks Korinek, CSB, from St. Paul, Minnesota, USAYou can read Kim's article in The Christian Science Monitor.