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Breaking down the legal troubles Michael McKee was facing before he was charged with killing Monique and Spencer Tepe. Court records reveal two active lawsuits in Nevada that paint a picture of a doctor allegedly running from accountability long before the murders.In Clark County, a patient named Guilherme Schwanz is suing McKee and Las Vegas Surgical Associates over a July 2023 procedure gone wrong. The lawsuit alleges a catheter sheared during surgery, leaving 8.6 inches of plastic inside the patient's body. He required emergency surgery. The complaint claims defendants concealed the error and failed to provide truthful medical records. A jury trial is scheduled for July 2027.In federal court, an incarcerated man alleges McKee served on Nevada's prison medical review panel and repeatedly delayed specialist care for a serious condition. The result, according to the lawsuit: permanent injury, including the loss of a testicle. McKee and the other defendants deny the allegations.What's striking isn't just the allegations—it's what happened when attorneys tried to serve McKee. Fake addresses. A fax number instead of a phone. Colleagues telling process servers he "just disappeared." The attorney handling the malpractice case says it was only the second time in his twelve-year career he had to serve someone by newspaper notice.McKee has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of the Tepes. He has indicated he will plead not guilty. The malpractice cases remain pending. Today we break down what these lawsuits reveal.#TrueCrimeToday #MichaelMcKee #TepeCase #SpencerTepe #MoniqueTepe #OhioHomicide #MalpracticeLawsuit #LasVegas #TrueCrimeNews #BreakingCrimeJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.
THE GLORIOUS REVOLUTION Colleague Jonathan Healey. James II, a Catholic, succeeds Charles II despite the earlier "Exclusion Crisis" which birthed the Whig and Tory parties. Initially surviving due to Tory support, Jamesalienates his allies by promoting Catholics to power. The birth of a Catholic male heir triggers panic, prompting Whigsand Tories to invite the Protestant William of Orange to intervene. William lands on November 5, 1688, and James IIflees rather than face trial. William and Mary become joint monarchs, securing a Protestant succession and parliamentary sovereignty in what is known as the Glorious Revolution. NUMBER 81700 WINDSOR CASTLE
A LANDSLIDE VICTORY AND POLITICAL REALIGNMENT Colleague David Pietrusza. On election night, early returns from Connecticut signal a massive victory for Roosevelt, contradicting expectations of a close race. FDRsweeps the nation, winning 46 states and securing 334 House seats, while Landon carries only two states. This landslide marks a permanent realignment of American politics, solidifying the Democratic Party's strength in urban areas. Roosevelt carries 104 of the nation's 106 major cities, supported overwhelmingly by the children of immigrants who came of age during the 1930s. The result validates the "liberal ideal" and leaves the Republican opposition in complete disarray. NUMBER 81936 JAVELIN WINNERS
CAMPAIGN RHETORIC AND ELEANOR ROOSEVELT'S ROLE Colleague David Pietrusza. Alf Landon proves to be an ineffective campaigner with a terrible radio voice, while Eleanor Roosevelt becomes a star, drawing immense crowds. Eleanor is crucial in securing the African-American vote in the North, even as FDR refuses to back anti-lynching laws to avoid alienating the South. The campaign culminates in Roosevelt's blistering speech at Madison Square Garden, where he denounces "economic royalists" and welcomes their hatred. While early polls suggest a contest, Landon's momentum fades as the President aggressively defends the New Deal and attacks wealthy business interests. NUMBER 71936 POLAND
THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION OF ALF LANDON Colleague David Pietrusza. The Republican Partysearches for a candidate to challenge FDR, rejecting a return of Herbert Hoover. After considering isolationist William Borah and publisher Frank Knox, they settle on Kansas Governor Alf Landon. Known as the "Kansas Coolidge," Landon is a progressive Republican who balanced his state budget, though he is considered unexciting. William Randolph Hearst throws his support behind Landon, ordering his papers to praise the governor. Landon secures the nomination largely because the GOP talent pool was decimated by previous election losses, making his rise to the top a "fluke." NUMBER 61936 SUMMER OLYMPICS AND CHILE MILITARY Â IN ATTENDANCE
WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST'S OPPOSITION TO FDR Colleague David Pietrusza. Media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who controls a vast network of newspapers and radio stations, turns against Roosevelt as the New Deal moves left. Hearst's reputation suffers after a controversial 1934 meeting with Hitler, which accelerates his decline in popularity. By 1936, Roosevelt views Hearst and the wealthy "economic royalists" as political targets. In a conversation with an intermediary, Roosevelt jokes about throwing millionaires to the wolves, further inflaming Hearst. Consequently, the publisher commits his media empire to unseating the President, seeking a Republican candidate to support. NUMBER 51936 BRITISH ARMY AT THE JAFFA GATE FOR THE TURMOIL IN PALESTINE
RADICAL PARTIES AND THE POPULAR FRONT STRATEGY Colleague David Pietrusza. Roosevelt contends with fringe parties, including the Socialists led by Norman Thomas and the Communists led by Earl Browder. Browder, selected by Stalin for being pliant and non-Jewish, navigates the "Popular Front" strategy. Fearing a Republican victory might aid Hitler, the Communists run a separate candidate but tacitly support Roosevelt to keep him in power. In the upper Midwest, radical agrarianism presents another challenge, with figures like Minnesota Governor Floyd Olson operating in a violent political landscape. Roosevelt must manage these splinter groups to prevent them from costing him electoral votes in key states. NUMBER 41936 CHILE AT THE OLYMPICS
THE TOWNSEND PLAN AND THE BREAK WITH FATHER COUGHLIN Colleague David Pietrusza. Francis Townsend proposes a popular plan to give the elderly $200 a month, pressuring Roosevelt—who disliked the "dole"—to introduce Social Security. Meanwhile, the radio priest Father Coughlin turns against FDR after feeling brushed off by the administration. Coughlin joins forces with Townsend and Gerald L.K. Smith to form a third-party challenge. A tense six-hour meeting at Hyde Park between Roosevelt and Coughlin, arranged by Joseph Kennedy, fails to repair the relationship. Consequently, Coughlin uses his massive radio platform to wage war against the President during the election season. NUMBER 31936 HUNGARY
THE DEATH OF LOUIS HOWE AND THE POLITICAL VACUUM Colleague David Pietrusza. In April 1936, Franklin D. Roosevelt faces a critical moment as his longtime advisor, Louis Howe, lies dying. Howe, an unsightly and acerbic man who "worshipped" Roosevelt, had guided FDR from the New York State Senate to the White House. He was instrumental in political strategy and also pushed Eleanor Roosevelt toward greater activism following the revelation of Franklin's affair. With Howe's death, Roosevelt loses his "political mastermind" just as the re-election campaign begins. This loss raises questions about whether the President has the political smarts to navigate the upcoming challenges without his mentor's guidance. NUMBER 11936 SWITZERLAND REVENUE
CHALLENGES FROM AL SMITH AND SOUTHERN POPULISTS Colleague David Pietrusza. Roosevelt faces opposition from his former mentor Al Smith, who felt snubbed after 1932 and now leads the conservative American Liberty League. Smith attacks the New Deal as class warfare and claims it steals from socialist programs. Simultaneously, FDR worries about the populist threat from the South, represented by the legacy of Huey Long and the rhetoric of Eugene Talmadge. Although Long was assassinated in 1935, his "Share Our Wealth" program remains popular. In Georgia, Talmadge rallies support with race-baiting and accusations that the New Deal is influenced by communism. NUMBER 21936 JOAN CRAWFIORD AND FRANCHOT TONE IN ITALY
THE RESTORATION AND THE BLAZING WORLD Colleague Jonathan Healey. Seeking stability after political chaos, England invites Charles II to return in 1660. The Restoration maintains parliamentary taxation power but brings a severe Anglican religious reaction against dissenters. Royalists exact revenge, grotesquely exhuming and hanging Cromwell's corpse. Charles II rules with more financial independence due to growing customs revenue from trade and empire. The era also sees intellectual vibrancy, exemplified by Margaret Cavendish, whose book The Blazing Worldblends science fiction with critiques of technology and gender roles during a time of scientific curiosity. NUMBER 71669 ALLEGORY OF BEHEADING CHARLES I
THE REPUBLIC AND THE RULE OF CROMWELL Colleague Jonathan Healey. Following the regicide, John Lambert drafts the "Instrument of Government," creating a constitution with checks and balances. Oliver Cromwellbecomes Lord Protector, achieving stability and military success despite the shock of the King's execution. However, his rule relies on the army, alienating democratic radicals and Royalists. Parliament offers Cromwell the crown to legitimize his power, but he refuses, believing God had cast down the monarchy. Cromwell manages to hold the factions together through force of personality, but his death in 1658 leaves a dangerous power vacuum. NUMBER 61690 ETON COLLEGE
THE NEW MODEL ARMY AND THE REGICIDE Colleague Jonathan Healey. Parliament reorganizes its forces into the New Model Army under Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell, prioritizing merit over social status. After defeating the Royalists at Naseby, political divisions emerge between Presbyterians and Independents regarding the settlement. The Army debates a new constitution at Putney, pitting Henry Ireton against democratic Levelers. Charles I's refusal to negotiate leads to a second civil war. Concluding the King is a tyrant, radicals try and execute Charles I in 1649, a shocking public act performed in the name of the people. NUMBER 527TH CENTURY LONDON
THE OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR Colleague Jonathan Healey. By late 1641, Parliament forces reforms, executing Strafford and imprisoning Laud. The King attempts to arrest five parliamentary members in the House of Commons but fails, leading to massive street protests that force him to flee London. Charles travels the country gathering support while Parliamentarians argue that the safety of the people supersedes the King's authority. Both sides utilize print media to rally troops, with Royalists claiming divine right and Parliamentarians asserting popular sovereignty. This period marks the irrevocable transition from political dispute to open military conflict. NUMBER 4LONDON FOR THE TUDORS
THE PERSONAL RULE OF CHARLES I AND THE SLIDE TOWARD REBELLION Colleague Jonathan Healey. Tensions rise as lawyer Edward Coke champions the Petition of Right against Charles I's arbitrary imprisonment and taxation. After the Duke of Buckingham is assassinated by a disillusioned soldier, Charles dissolves Parliament in 1629, beginning a decade of "personal rule." He levies controversial taxes like "ship money," which judges uphold, fearing the public. Religious rigidness led by Archbishop Laud and the ruthless administration of the Earl of Strafford alienate the populace. Charles's attempt to impose a new prayer book on Scotland triggers a rebellion, causing his control over England to collapse. NUMBER 31680 CHARLES II
THE SPANISH MATCH AND THE PATH TO WAR Colleague Jonathan Healey. In 1623, Prince Charles and the Duke of Buckingham travel to Madrid in disguise to secure a marriage with the Spanish Infanta, hoping her dowry will solve royal financial issues. This "Spanish Match" is deeply unpopular in England due to religious tensions and the ongoing continental war involving James's son-in-law. The diplomatic mission fails, leading to public celebrations in England. Upon their return, Charles and Buckingham push the aging James I toward war. James dies in 1625, leaving Charles I to face immediate debt and friction with Parliament. NUMBER 21689 CHARLES II AND JANE LANE
JAMES I, THE GUNPOWDER PLOT, AND THE RISE OF THE MIDDLING SORT Colleague Jonathan Healey. King James I faces a divided England upon his accession, navigating religious tensions between Catholics, Puritans, and the mainstream. The 1605 Gunpowder Plot, a radical Catholic attempt to blow up Parliament, fuels lasting anti-Catholic paranoia and associates Catholicism with tyranny. Healey explains the rise of the "middling sort," a wealthy, literate class of farmers and lawyers who increasingly comprise the voting body in Parliament. Meanwhile, Jamesstruggles with structural inflation and attempts to avoid the fractious Parliament by keeping England out of expensive foreign wars. NUMBER 11670 CHARLES II
INDIGENOUS RELATIONS AND HIDDEN HISTORIES Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Washington meets with the Catawba nation to promise federal protection for their lands, even as his administration wages war against tribes in Ohio. Philbrick visits Old Salem to explore Moravian history and slavery, concluding with a discovery of physical ruins at Coles Ferry where Washington once crossed. NUMBER 71921 FOCH AND PERSHING VISIT MT. VERNON
DALLAS THE DOG DEFENDS BACKYARD FROM DESTRUCTIVE COCKATOOS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis reports that his dog, Dallas, now serves as an air defense system, specifically barking at destructive cockatoos attempting to land. Dallas ignores other birds but, allied with local magpies, protects the property from these "vandals" known for damaging roofs and scavenging through trash bins.
SEVERE STORMS AND BUSHFIRES PLAGUE AUSTRALIA'S CHAOTIC SUMMER Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis describes a tumultuous Australian summer featuring severe storms on the east coast and dangerous bushfires in Victoria. Shifting winds from the desert and Antarctica have exacerbated fires near the Great Ocean Road, threatening rural agriculture and tourism while forecasters predict continued unpredictable weather patterns.1913 BRISBANE
BRISBANE WOMAN WAKES TO FIND 8-FOOT PYTHON ON CHEST Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis recounts a shocking story from Brisbane where a sleeping woman mistook an 8-foot python curled on her chest for her dog. Her husband alerted her, and a snake catcher removed the heavy, non-venomous intruder, which likely entered the home through plantation shutters seeking warmth and comfort.
AUSTRALIA RETAINS ASHES VICTORY AS ENGLAND'S BAZBALL STRATEGY FAILS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis discusses Australia's humble celebration after winning the 2026 Ashes series 4-1, noting that England'saggressive "Bazball" strategy was deemed fundamentally flawed by cricket chiefs. While Australia's bowling remains a focus for improvement, captain Pat Cummins has recovered from injury to continue leading the team.1937
A STORMY SEA VOYAGE TO RHODE ISLAND Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Washington sails to Newport to embrace the former holdout state of Rhode Island, a trip Philbrick reenacts while surviving a terrifying tornado on the water. The discussion uncovers Rhode Island's deep economic ties to slavery, exemplified by the Brown family's conflicting abolitionist and slave-trading histories. NUMBER 51889 APRIL 30.. Â CENTENNIAL WASHINGTON, NYC
THE ARDUOUS SOUTHERN TOUR AND CIVIL WAR ECHOES Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Washingtonundertakes an exhausting 2,000-mile journey through the South to unify the country, visiting federalist cities like Charleston. Philbrick notes the eerie experience of following this path, where the ruins of plantations burned during Sherman's March create a visible link between the founding era and the destruction of the Civil War. NUMBER 61919 EDWARD Â DUKE OF WINDSOR VISITS MT. VERNON
PARTISAN RIFTS AND THE CAPITAL CITY Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Washington selects the Potomac for the new capital to connect the West, while rivals Jefferson and Madison organize political opposition during a northern tour. The series concludes with James Monroe's eventual embrace of Washington's model and a reflection on the first president's enduring, complex legacy. NUMBER 81939 FDR AT MT. BERNON FOR THE 150TH CELEBRATION OF WASHINGTON INAUGURAL
THE INAUGURATION AND THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Overwhelmed by the moment, Washington collapses into a chair after taking his oath on a hastily acquired Bible. Philbrick parallels this vulnerability with the "only a man" folklore and recounts how artist N.C. Wyeth, like Washington, experienced a near-death fall that haunted his dreams of the general. NUMBER 21789
POWER STRUGGLES IN BOSTON AND THE PARADOX OF SLAVERY Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. In Boston, Washington asserts federal supremacy by refusing to dine with Governor John Hancock until the governor visits him first. The segment contrasts this political victory with Washington's simultaneous pursuit of the enslaved woman Ona Judge, highlighting the disturbing paradox of liberty and slavery at the nation's founding. NUMBER 31889 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WASHINGTON INAUGURAL
SECRET GRATITUDE TO THE LONG ISLAND SPY RING Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Philbrick details Washington's unadvertised 1790 tour of Long Island, which appears to have been a covert mission to thank members of the Culper Spy Ring. This journey included stops at safe houses like Austin Roe's tavern, serving as a quiet chapter of gratitude to those who risked everything for the Revolution. NUMBER 4
PREVIEW THE FOLKLORE OF THE ONLY A MAN STORY Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Nathaniel Philbrickdiscusses a recurring oral tradition where Washington, touring the country, tells awestruck observers that despite his title, he is "only a man." Philbrick argues these stories, though absent from contemporary newspapers, likely reflect Washington's genuine efforts to humanize the presidency and acknowledge his own flaws.1787 ASHINGTON DEPARTS NEW YORK.
THE RELUCTANT PRESIDENT'S JOURNEY TO NEW YORK Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Washingtontravels from Mount Vernon to New York for his inauguration in April 1789, plagued by inner turmoil and a sense of impending doom. Philbrick describes the President as feeling like a "condemned man," fearing the adulation of the crowds would eventually turn against him as he faced the reality of governing. NUMBER 11914 CAPTURED FLAG TRENTON 1776
ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN INDICATORS AND SECRECY AT THE WHITE HOUSE Colleague Jim McTague, Former Washington Editor of Barron's. Jim McTague observes unusually light traffic and retail activity in Washington, D.C. and Lancaster, signaling a potential economic slowdown. He notes blocked views of White House construction and predicts a recession driven by rising state taxes and the depletion of pandemic-era stimulus funds for local governments. NUMBER 161835
DIPLOMATIC COUPS AND THE WEAK CONFEDERATION Colleague Joseph Ellis. John Jay secured a diplomatic triumph by defying instructions to consult the French, negotiating directly with Britain to establish the Mississippi River as the western border. Post-war, the government was a loose confederation of sovereign states rather than a unified nation, leaving it ill-equipped to handle slavery or indigenous rights. Robert Morris, the "Financier," personally funded the army's demobilization when Congress failed to pay the troops. NUMBER 71821
PERU NAMED NON-NATO PARTNER AS US COUNTERS CHINESE INFLUENCE Colleague Oscar Sumar, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Universidad CientÃfica del Sur. Oscar Sumar discusses Peru's designation as a US non-NATO partner, a move designed to counter Chinese geopolitical expansion through infrastructure like the Chancay port. Sumar warns that while cultural ties are strong, the Chinese Communist Party poses a threat to Peru's democratic stability and political transparency. NUMBER 151941 PERU
ISS LAUNCHPAD ACCIDENT AND RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR ROLE IN CHINESE MOON BASE Colleague Anatoli Zak, Publisher of RussianSpaceWeb.com. A launchpad collapse has halted Russian cargo missions to the ISS, endangering the propellant supply required for critical orbit maintenance. Zak also details Russia's attempt to join China's lunar ambitions, with the Kurchatov Institute developing a nuclear reactor to provide electricity for a future Chinese moon base. NUMBER 142006
SOVIET UNION'S SECRET 1972 LUNAR BASE AMBITIONS AND THE N1 ROCKET FAILURE Colleague Anatoli Zak, Publisher of RussianSpaceWeb.com. Anatoli Zak explains that in 1972, the Soviet Union pursued the L3M project to establish a permanent lunar base, refusing to concede the moon race immediately. However, repeated failures of the N1 rocket and the financial strain of competing with the US Space Shuttle eventually forced the program's cancellation. NUMBER 13MARCH 1959
EDUCATION REFORM AND THE AVOIDANCE OF A FEDERAL AI DEPARTMENT Colleague Kevin Frazier. Frazier argues for updating education, starting with teacher training in elementary schools and vocational partnerships in high schools, to prepare students for an AI future. He advises against creating a federal Department of AI, suggesting society should adapt to it as advanced computing rather than a unique threat. NUMBER 121921 FRANCE
ECONOMIC LIBERTY AND THE LABOR MARKET IN THE AGE OF AI Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier explores how AI is reshaping the economy, noting that liberal arts graduates may be better positioned than STEM majors to handle new information synthesis. He advises legislators to focus on job creation and a fluid labor market rather than trying to protect obsolete professions through regulation. NUMBER 11October 1957
DATA CENTERS STRAIN THE ELECTRICAL GRID Colleague Henry Sokolski. Henry Sokolski discusses the surging demand for electricity driven by AI data centers and the White House's proposal to auction power access. He argues that tech companies should finance their own off-grid generation, such as nuclear or gas, rather than forcing ratepayers to subsidize new transmission infrastructure. NUMBER 9February 1930
NDEMIC POLICY AND THE DYING CITIZEN Colleague Victor Davis Hanson. Hanson discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that unelected health officials like Anthony Fauci exercised excessive power that damaged the middle class while favoring large corporations. He contends that lockdowns and school closures caused irreparable harm, particularly to children, while scientific claims regarding natural immunity and masking have been challenged. Hanson also suggests the virus likely escaped from a Wuhan laboratory engaged in gain-of-function research. NUMBER 81821
SURVIVAL AT VALLEY FORGE AND A NEW ARISTOCRACY Colleague Joseph Ellis. At Valley Forge, the army suffered from congressional neglect until Nathaniel Greene reorganized the quartermaster corps to provide food. Ellis describes the survivors as a "virtuous aristocracy" committed to American nationhood. He highlights the integrated nature of the Continental Army, which included significant numbers of African American soldiers, and John Laurens, a young officer who believed the war must end slavery. The British peace overtures were rejected as too late. NUMBE1801
GRASSROOTS CONTROL AND VICTORY AT YORKTOWN Colleague Joseph Ellis. Ellis argues the Britishcould not win because local committees enforced the cause in the countryside, neutralizing loyalists. Cornwallis was trapped at Yorktown due to orders from Clinton and the timely arrival of the French fleet, which Ellis attributes to providence. Despite the victory, Washington remained vigilant, later suppressing the Newburgh conspiracy by refusing a military dictatorship, thereby solidifying the principle of civilian control over the military. NUMBER 61810 LONDON STREETS
A GLOBAL WAR AND THE SOUTHERN STRATEGY Colleague Joseph Ellis. The entry of France and Spaintransformed the rebellion into a global war, forcing Britain to prioritize the Caribbean over the colonies. Charles Leewas disgraced for his behavior at Monmouth, while the British shifted to a Southern strategy to retain valuable territory. Simultaneously, Washington ordered a brutal campaign against the Iroquois Confederacy, allies of the British, resulting in the destruction of their villages in a "dirty war" on the frontier. NUMBER 51801 LONDON
THE BATTLE FOR NEW YORK AND THE STANDING MIRACLE Colleague Joseph Ellis. Washington moved the army to New York to uphold civilian control, despite the location being militarily indefensible. Ellis notes that the Howe brothers, hoping to negotiate peace, hesitated to destroy the Continental Army. Washington realized that reliance on militia was a delusion and a disciplined army was necessary for a protracted war. The army's escape from Long Islandacross the East River was a "standing miracle" that saved the revolution from annihilation. NUMBER 41807
DIVERSE VOICES AND THE MILITIA MYTH Colleague Joseph Ellis. Ellis profiles key figures of 1774-1775, including the conservative John Dickinson, who sought to avoid war, and the revolutionary John Adams. He discusses the "delusion" created by Bunker Hill that amateurs could defeat professionals, a myth that persisted despite military realities. Ellis highlights Thomas Paine's Common Sense, which shifted the argument to natural rights and demonized the monarchy, arguing an island could not rule a continent and making independence seem inevitable. NUMBER 21799 LONDON
DEFINING THE CAUSE AND THE MONARCH'S POWER Colleague Joseph Ellis. Ellis explains that colonists adopted the term "the cause" to describe their diverse opposition to British policy and eventual desire for independence, covering various interest groups under one verbal canopy. He describes George III as a powerful monarch who controlled Parliament through treasury funds, viewing American independence as a domino theory threat to the British Empire. Ellis also notes Benjamin Franklin's failed attempts to preserve a commonwealth relationship before British humiliation pushed him toward independence. NUMBER 11761
BUNKER HILL, SMALLPOX, AND TREASON Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. The discussion moves to June 1775, covering the Battle of Bunker Hill where Marbleheader Samuel Trevett's cannons successfully repelled Britishcharges despite a critical lack of gunpowder. O'Donnell also details a smallpox epidemic in Marblehead, where a Patriot-funded inoculation hospital on Cat Island was burned down by a mob of Loyalists. Amidst this turmoil, John Glover defended his home with a cannon in his foyer. The segment also reveals the duplicity of Dr. Benjamin Church, a high-ranking Patriot leader who was secretly providing intelligence to General Gage. NUMBER 31819
THE BATTLE OF MENOTOMY AND INFORMATION WARFARE Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. Following the initial skirmishes, the conflict escalated into the Battle of Menotomy, where Marbleheaders engaged the retreating British column in brutal combat. O'Donnell highlights a sophisticated "information warfare" campaign led by Elbridge Gerry, who compiled depositions to establish that the Crown fired first. The Patriots acquired a fast ship to rush this narrative to England, arriving two weeks before General Gage's official report and successfully swaying British public opinion. Additionally, this segment illustrates the civil war atmosphere, describing how Dr. Nathaniel Bond was threatened by neighbors for treating wounded British soldiers. NUMBER 21860
THE CORNFIELD ESCAPE AND THE POWDER CRISIS Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. Patrick O'Donnellintroduces the Marblehead leadership during the critical nights of April 1775. As the British marched toward Lexingtonand Concord to seize gunpowder, three key Patriot leaders—Elbridge Gerry, Azor Orne, and Jeremiah Lee—were forced to flee the Blackhorse Tavern and hide in a cornfield to avoid arrest. O'Donnell emphasizes that the conflict was initially a civil war over resources, specifically black powder, which the Marbleheaders had been smuggling in from Spain. The British aim was to disarm the rebels by seizing these munitions, sparking the events at Lexington. NUMBER 11780
WASHINGTON'S NAVY AND THE LIFEGUARD Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. Upon arriving in Cambridge in July 1775, George Washington formed a close bond with the Marblehead Regiment, relying on them for security and expertise. Facing a desperate shortage of gunpowder, Washington utilized the Marbleheaders to create an impromptu navy; Captain John Manley successfully captured a British ordinance ship, delivering vital supplies. Washington also established the "Lifeguard" (Commander-in-Chief's Guard) to protect himself and his papers, appointing Marbleheader Caleb Gibbs as commander. The segment describes Beverly as a crucial, difficult-to-navigate port that protected these new cruisers from the Royal Navy. NUMBER 41870
SHOW SCHEDULE1-17-251895 PARISLAS VEGAS TUNNELS AND THE RELOCATION OF THE ATHLETICS Colleague Jeff Bliss. Jeff Bliss reports on the expansion of The Boring Company's tunnels in Las Vegas, which use Tesla cars to alleviate traffic congestion. He also discusses the Athletics baseball team's temporary move to Sacramento and the legal complications regarding their team name as they prepare for a permanent move to Las Vegas in 2028. NUMBER 1BIG SUR REOPENS AND COPPER THEFT PLAGUES CALIFORNIA Colleague Jeff Bliss. Highway 1 in Big Sur has reopened after landslide repairs featuring new concrete canopies to protect the road. Bliss also details how copper thieves have crippled infrastructure in Sacramento and Los Angeles, contributing to broader political dissatisfaction with Governor Gavin Newsom regarding crime and the state's management. NUMBER 2FEDERAL IMMUNITY AND THE ICE SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS Colleague Professor Richard Epstein. Professor Richard Epstein analyzes the legal battle over whether ICE agents have immunity from state prosecution following a fatal shooting in Minneapolis. He explains the complexities of absolute versus qualified immunity, arguing that the agents' aggressive conduct might weaken their defense against state charges in this specific instance. NUMBER 3SUPREME COURT LIKELY TO STRIKE DOWN TRUMP TARIFFS Colleague Professor Richard Epstein. Epstein predicts the Supreme Court will invalidate the Trump administration's emergency tariffs, arguing there is no statutory basis for the trade imbalances cited as justification. He anticipates a fractured decision where a centrist block of justices joins liberals to rule that the executive branch exceeded its authority. NUMBER 4MEXICO'S ALIGNMENT WITH DICTATORS AND INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURES Colleague Mary Anastasia O'Grady. Mary Anastasia O'Grady discusses Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's ideological support for the Cuban and Venezuelan regimes, including increased oil shipments to Havana. She also details a recent train derailment on Mexico's interoceanic line, attributing the failure to secrecy and no-bid contracts managed by the military. NUMBER 5ITALY STABILIZES PENSION COSTS AND CELEBRATES PASTA TARIFF CUTS Colleague Lorenzo Fiori. Lorenzo Fiori reports that despite high pension costs, Italy's economic reforms under Prime Minister Meloni have stabilized the system by increasing employment. Fiori notes that Italy's deficit and inflation have dropped significantly, and he celebrates the US decision to slash tariffs on Italian pasta imports. NUMBER 6SPACE STATION RETURNS, NUCLEAR MOON PLANS, AND BOEING STRUGGLES Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Bob Zimmerman discusses the early return of an ISS crew due to a medical issue and expresses skepticism about NASA's plan for a lunar nuclear reactor by 2030. He also highlights that the Space Force is shifting launches from ULA to SpaceX due to reliability concerns. NUMBER 7GLOBAL SPACE FAILURES AND CHINA'S REUSABLE CRAFT CLAIMS Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Zimmerman analyzes a failed Indian rocket launch that lost multiple payloads, though a Spanish prototype survived. He also critiques the European Space Agency for delays in debris removal missions and casts doubt on China's claims regarding a "new" reusable spacecraft, suggesting it relies on older suborbital technology. NUMBER 8DATA CENTERS STRAIN THE ELECTRICAL GRID Colleague Henry Sokolski. Henry Sokolski discusses the surging demand for electricity driven by AI data centers and the White House's proposal to auction power access. He argues that tech companies should finance their own off-grid generation, such as nuclear or gas, rather than forcing ratepayers to subsidize new transmission infrastructure. NUMBER 9ELON MUSK AND THE GOLDEN DOME DEFENSE PROPOSAL Colleague Henry Sokolski. Sokolski evaluates Elon Musk's proposal to create a "Golden Dome" missile defense system for the US. While the concept involves space-based sensors, Sokolski notes concerns regarding monopoly power, the reliance on a single contractor for national security, and the undefined costs of ground-based interceptors. NUMBER 10ECONOMIC LIBERTY AND THE LABOR MARKET IN THE AGE OF AI Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier explores how AI is reshaping the economy, noting that liberal arts graduates may be better positioned than STEM majors to handle new information synthesis. He advises legislators to focus on job creation and a fluid labor market rather than trying to protect obsolete professions through regulation. NUMBER 11EDUCATION REFORM AND THE AVOIDANCE OF A FEDERAL AI DEPARTMENT Colleague Kevin Frazier. Frazier argues for updating education, starting with teacher training in elementary schools and vocational partnerships in high schools, to prepare students for an AI future. He advises against creating a federal Department of AI, suggesting society should adapt to it as advanced computing rather than a unique threat. NUMBER 12SOVIET UNION'S SECRET 1972 LUNAR BASE AMBITIONS AND THE N1 ROCKET FAILURE Colleague Anatoli Zak, Publisher of RussianSpaceWeb.com. Anatoli Zak explains that in 1972, the Soviet Union pursued the L3M project to establish a permanent lunar base, refusing to concede the moon race immediately. However, repeated failures of the N1 rocket and the financial strain of competing with the US Space Shuttle eventually forced the program's cancellation. NUMBER 13ISS LAUNCHPAD ACCIDENT AND RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR ROLE IN CHINESE MOON BASE Colleague Anatoli Zak, Publisher of RussianSpaceWeb.com. A launchpad collapse has halted Russian cargo missions to the ISS, endangering the propellant supply required for critical orbit maintenance. Zak also details Russia's attempt to join China's lunar ambitions, with the Kurchatov Institute developing a nuclear reactor to provide electricity for a future Chinese moon base. NUMBER 14PERU NAMED NON-NATO PARTNER AS US COUNTERS CHINESE INFLUENCE Colleague Oscar Sumar, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Universidad CientÃfica del Sur. Oscar Sumar discusses Peru's designation as a US non-NATO partner, a move designed to counter Chinese geopolitical expansion through infrastructure like the Chancay port. Sumar warns that while cultural ties are strong, the Chinese Communist Party poses a threat to Peru's democratic stability and political transparency. NUMBER 15ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN INDICATORS AND SECRECY AT THE WHITE HOUSE Colleague Jim McTague, Former Washington Editor of Barron's. Jim McTague observes unusually light traffic and retail activity in Washington, D.C. and Lancaster, signaling a potential economic slowdown. He notes blocked views of White House construction and predicts a recession driven by rising state taxes and the depletion of pandemic-era stimulus funds for local governments. NUMBER 16