"Coming in HOT"
Summer took its time showing up for many of us, but The National Weather Service says it's heating up this weekend ... like, a lot. Don't worry, we've got a few SmartHER ways to beat the heat. Plus, answers to several of your questions this week.👇🏽
First Up, Something Worth a Read:
"After World War II, McCardell fought the severe, hyper-feminized silhouette championed by male designers, like Christian Dior. Dior claimed that he wanted to 'save women from nature.' McCardell, by contrast, wanted to set women free. Claire McCardell became, as the young journalist Betty Friedan called her in 1955, 'The Gal Who Defied Dior.'"
Author Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson brings us the story of fashion designer Claire McCardell — whose bold choices for women 100 years ago led to wrap dresses, leggings and even pockets. Grab your copy HERE.
🗣️ Your Conversation Starters:
🌏 Middle East Conflict: There's a lot unfolding in the region right now, with "the latest" constantly changing. Want a backstory on the rising tension between Israel and Iran? We found a good explainer. (New York Times Gift Link)
🇮🇷 Cracks in the Regime? A new analysis from New York Times reporter Roger Cohen — who once reported from Iran during a previous wave of unrest — breaks down the country’s growing challenges.
🏞️ Public Land Grab? The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee presented a measure in their version President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" to sell around 2 million acres of public land for revenue-generating purposes. What to know, why it matters and what people are saying.
😴 Evening Shift: Work days are stretching later and later. New data shows a 16% jump in people logging on after 8 p.m. over the past year.
❌ Dyes Dying: Kraft Heinz and General Mills will phase out all artificial food dyes by the end of 2027 — just two months after the FDA and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a nationwide plan to do the same.
📆 Why So Long? Ever wonder why companies take so long to switch from artificial to natural food dyes? One big reason: limited supply. But this company is working to change that. Another great perspective: "It takes a lot of red cabbage."
📱 Time Is Ticking ... A little bit longer. For the third time, President Trump extends the deadline — giving Tik Tok another 90 days to be sold to an American company.
🍿 Free the Snacks: A new law kicks in starting 2026, and businesses will no longer be able to deduct the free snacks and drinks that they provide for employees. Whether that affects your daily office snack sesh? TBD.
💰 $83.7 Million: That's how much "How to Train Your Dragon" soared to in its box office debut — beating out Disney's "Lilo & Stitch." Might be worth a watch on this hot weekend.
🔭 Eclipse on Demand: You might not have to wait another decade or two to see a total solar eclipse. Two European satellites produced an "artificial total solar eclipse" in space.
🎶 More Than a Ball Game: You know the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," but did you know its royalties funded the creation of this nonprofit that helps launch music careers?
🎙️ This Week From Jenna:
109 children rescued and 244 people arrested in a law enforcement operation in North Texas that magnifies a bigger issue: How are online predators reaching children today?
Plus ~ your question answered: Does a U.S. President need Congress to get involved an overseas conflict? 👇🏽
WATCH ABOVE OR BY CLICKING HERE. You can also listen on podcasting platforms everywhere (Apple, Spotify).
🎙️ SCOOP (approx. 42 minutes) SCOOP: The Largest Manhunt in Minnesota History. Listen. (SCOOP Insiders can attend this live broadcast once a week and get their news questions answered; they also receive the special video report EXCLUSIVELY delivered to their inbox along with a "cheat sheet" for the week ahead — learn more HERE).
🎙️ Quick Hit (approx. 29 minutes): Living Under Rocket Fire: An Israeli Father Shares His Family’s War Reality. Watch or Listen.
🙌🏽 What We Found SmartHER This Week:
🔥 Soaring Temps? No Sweat. We’ve got your go-to guide for surviving (and thriving in) the summer heat — curated by a Texan and a Floridian. Translation: pros at staying cool. From breathable basics and our favorite sunscreen to SmartHER reusable water balloons ... here’s everything you didn’t know you needed for summer.
“They took … basically … they took a whole trailer full of eggs.”
At the height of the bird flu outbreak and soaring egg prices, 280,000 eggs were en route from the nation’s largest supplier — heading south. Then they vanished. And a ransom note followed:
Investigators were “eggs-ilarated” to crack the case. Here’s what they uncovered.
And that's The Weekend Digest!
❤️,
Jenna and the SHN Team
Daily news, interviews, our latest podcasts and more at www.SmartHERNews.com.
