Steve Herman
@newsguy.bsky.social
Exec. Director, Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy & Innovation/Asst. Professor of Practice, @OleMiss.bsky.social;
Board: @juristnews.bsky.social;
Ex VOA White House bureau chief; 2022 Kiplinger Fellow; W7VOA on ham radio
Board: @juristnews.bsky.social;
Ex VOA White House bureau chief; 2022 Kiplinger Fellow; W7VOA on ham radio
Pinned
Behind the White House Curtain
Check out this great listen on Audible.com. Steven L Herman, chief national correspondent for the nonpartisan, government-funded Voice of America (VOA), weaves together memoir and history to pull back...
www.audible.com
The audiobook version of “Behind the White House Curtain” is now available. www.audible.com/pd/Behind-th...
President Trump's overall approval rating remains low at 39%, with 56% disapproving, and a whopping 51% strongly disapproving — the highest Marist has seen since it started asking how strongly respondents approve or disapprove of presidents dating back to 2017. maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/t...
Home of the Marist Poll | Polls, Analysis, Learning, and More
maristpoll.marist.edu
February 5, 2026 at 12:03 PM
President Trump's overall approval rating remains low at 39%, with 56% disapproving, and a whopping 51% strongly disapproving — the highest Marist has seen since it started asking how strongly respondents approve or disapprove of presidents dating back to 2017. maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/t...
WSJ - The Trump administration is planning to make it easier to discipline—and potentially fire—career officials in senior positions across the government, a move that would affect roughly 50,000 federal workers. www.wsj.com/politics/policy/t...
Exclusive | Trump Administration to Make It Easier to Fire 50,000 Federal Workers
A rule expected to be completed on Thursday would create a government-employee category that offers fewer job protections.
www.wsj.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:56 AM
WSJ - The Trump administration is planning to make it easier to discipline—and potentially fire—career officials in senior positions across the government, a move that would affect roughly 50,000 federal workers. www.wsj.com/politics/policy/t...
"I'm reaching out to let you know about a security incident that resulted in the email address and phone number from your Substack account being shared without your permission. … This sucks. I'm sorry. We will work very hard to make sure it does not happen again." - Chris Best, CEO of Substack
February 5, 2026 at 2:23 AM
"I'm reaching out to let you know about a security incident that resulted in the email address and phone number from your Substack account being shared without your permission. … This sucks. I'm sorry. We will work very hard to make sure it does not happen again." - Chris Best, CEO of Substack
WSJ - The leader one of the country's biggest law firms resigns as chair in the wake of new revelations about his association with Jeffrey Epstein. www.wsj.com/us-news/law/leade...
Leader of Paul Weiss Resigns Over Epstein Ties
Newly released messages show Brad Karp exchanged emails about clients, son with convicted sex offender.
www.wsj.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:17 AM
WSJ - The leader one of the country's biggest law firms resigns as chair in the wake of new revelations about his association with Jeffrey Epstein. www.wsj.com/us-news/law/leade...
(Reuters) - A team working for President Donald Trump's spy chief, Tulsi Gabbard, last spring led an investigation into Puerto Rico's voting machines. www.reuters.com/world/america...
Exclusive: US spy chief's office investigated voting machines in Puerto Rico
A team working for President Donald Trump's spy chief, Tulsi Gabbard, last spring led an investigation into Puerto Rico's voting machines, said Gabbard's office and three sources familiar with the previously unreported events.
www.reuters.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:25 AM
(Reuters) - A team working for President Donald Trump's spy chief, Tulsi Gabbard, last spring led an investigation into Puerto Rico's voting machines. www.reuters.com/world/america...
The CIA is up to something and Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who is the longest serving member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, doesn't like it but can't tell us about it.
February 4, 2026 at 11:58 PM
The CIA is up to something and Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who is the longest serving member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, doesn't like it but can't tell us about it.
Senator Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, says in a statement he opposes the plan by DHS to house up to 10,000 immigration detainees in a warehouse in Marshall County in his state. www.wicker.senate.gov/2026/2/...
Proposed ICE Facility Threatens Byhalia, Mississippi Economy and Infrastructure
www.wicker.senate.gov
February 4, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Senator Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, says in a statement he opposes the plan by DHS to house up to 10,000 immigration detainees in a warehouse in Marshall County in his state. www.wicker.senate.gov/2026/2/...
SCOTUS allows California to use a new voter-approved congressional map benefiting the Democratic Party. www.scotusblog.com/2026/02/su...
Supreme Court allows California to use congressional map benefitting Democrats
The Supreme Court on Wednesday afternoon cleared the way for California to use a new congressional map intended to give Democrats five additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. […]
www.scotusblog.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:06 PM
SCOTUS allows California to use a new voter-approved congressional map benefiting the Democratic Party. www.scotusblog.com/2026/02/su...
The man convicted of attempting to assassinate President Trump at his Florida golf course in 2024, has been sentenced to life in prison. www.cbsnews.com/news/ryan-rou...
Ryan Routh sentenced to life in prison in Trump 2024 assassination attempt in Florida
Ryan Routh, the man convicted in a 2024 assassination attempt of President Trump at his Florida golf course, has been sentenced to life in prison.
www.cbsnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:28 PM
The man convicted of attempting to assassinate President Trump at his Florida golf course in 2024, has been sentenced to life in prison. www.cbsnews.com/news/ryan-rou...
Border czar Tom Homan says federal authorities will "draw down" 700 law enforcement personnel in Minnesota immediately. www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/liv...
Border czar says feds will withdraw 700 law enforcement personnel from Minnesota immediately
Since federal immigration agents fatally shot a man in Minnesota, the state's top corrections official told CBS News there have been "conversations" with the federal government
www.cbsnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Border czar Tom Homan says federal authorities will "draw down" 700 law enforcement personnel in Minnesota immediately. www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/liv...
The Washington Post today is eliminating its sports and books sections and downsizing international coverage.
February 4, 2026 at 2:23 PM
The Washington Post today is eliminating its sports and books sections and downsizing international coverage.
BBC World Service launches a temporary emergency lifeline radio program on medium wave and shortwave for Iran in response to the ongoing turmoil in the country and the unprecedented crackdown on protests. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/202...
BBC launches emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran
The programme will air daily for 30 minutes across medium and shortwave frequencies
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 12:42 PM
BBC World Service launches a temporary emergency lifeline radio program on medium wave and shortwave for Iran in response to the ongoing turmoil in the country and the unprecedented crackdown on protests. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/202...
India's Supreme Court warns Meta that WhatsApp faces a ban if it continues sharing user data for commercial purposes. www.storyboard18.com/how-it-w...
‘Exit India or stop data sharing’: Supreme Court issues stark ultimatum to WhatsApp, Meta
The Supreme Court sharply criticised WhatsApp and its parent Meta over alleged misuse and commercialisation of Indian users’ data, warning that the messaging platform could be barred from operating in the country unless it halts all data sharing practices that violate privacy rights.
www.storyboard18.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:33 PM
India's Supreme Court warns Meta that WhatsApp faces a ban if it continues sharing user data for commercial purposes. www.storyboard18.com/how-it-w...
CBC - Former prime minister Harper urges Liberals and Conservatives to come together as Canada stares down two potentially existential threats to its sovereignty: an imperialist president to the south and separatist movements in Alberta and Quebec. www.cbc.ca/news/politics/step...
Stephen Harper calls for Liberals, Conservatives to come together in the face of Trump, separatist threats | CBC News
Former prime minister Stephen Harper urged the Liberal and Conservative parties to take on the challenges of our time together as the country stares down potentially two existential threats to its sovereignty: an imperialist president to the south and separatist movements in Alberta and Quebec.
www.cbc.ca
February 4, 2026 at 1:39 AM
CBC - Former prime minister Harper urges Liberals and Conservatives to come together as Canada stares down two potentially existential threats to its sovereignty: an imperialist president to the south and separatist movements in Alberta and Quebec. www.cbc.ca/news/politics/step...
Sen. Mitch McConnell, (R-Kentucky), who is 83, hospitalized with "flu-like symptoms," according to his office.
February 4, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Sen. Mitch McConnell, (R-Kentucky), who is 83, hospitalized with "flu-like symptoms," according to his office.
(AP) — Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son and one-time heir apparent of Libya's late dictator Moammar Gadhafi, was killed in the northern African country, Libyan officials said Tuesday. apnews.com/article/libya-seif...
Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of Libya’s late dictator, killed in north Africa country, officials say
Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son and one-time heir apparent of Libya’s late dictator Moammar Gadhafi, was killed in the northern African country, Libyan officials.
apnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:02 AM
(AP) — Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son and one-time heir apparent of Libya's late dictator Moammar Gadhafi, was killed in the northern African country, Libyan officials said Tuesday. apnews.com/article/libya-seif...
"Trump's policies on aid and democracy deeply endanger America's traditional allies in the post-Soviet world such as pro-democracy NGOs and independent news media." harriman.columbia.edu/pulling...
Pulling the Plug
by Thomas Kent
harriman.columbia.edu
February 3, 2026 at 9:39 PM
"Trump's policies on aid and democracy deeply endanger America's traditional allies in the post-Soviet world such as pro-democracy NGOs and independent news media." harriman.columbia.edu/pulling...
The House has voted to approve a five-bill minibus and two-week continuing resolution to fund DHS, sending the package ending the partial government shutdown to President Trump's desk for his signature. thehill.com/homenews/administ...
Live updates: House sends funding package ending partial shutdown to Trump’s desk
The House on Tuesday voted to approve a five-bill minibus and two-week continuing resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), sending the package ending the partial government shu…
thehill.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:17 PM
The House has voted to approve a five-bill minibus and two-week continuing resolution to fund DHS, sending the package ending the partial government shutdown to President Trump's desk for his signature. thehill.com/homenews/administ...
The ex-husband of the former first lady Jill Biden has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of his current wife. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/us...
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:38 PM
The ex-husband of the former first lady Jill Biden has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of his current wife. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/us...
WSJ - Iranian gunboats approached a US oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early today and ordered the vessel to stop, a provocative move at a time when Washington is building up military forces in the region for a possible strike on Iran. www.wsj.com/world/middle-east...
Iranian Gunboats Tried to Stop U.S.-Flagged Tanker
The failed attempt in a key waterway for oil shipments comes as Washington continues to build up forces in Middle East.
www.wsj.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:50 PM
WSJ - Iranian gunboats approached a US oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early today and ordered the vessel to stop, a provocative move at a time when Washington is building up military forces in the region for a possible strike on Iran. www.wsj.com/world/middle-east...
Vietnam's military planners are concerned about a second invasion by the United States. the88project.org/research/han...
the88project.org
February 3, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Vietnam's military planners are concerned about a second invasion by the United States. the88project.org/research/han...
VOA Azeri's Ulviyya Guliyeva named Most Resilient Journalist by Free Press Unlimited. She accepted the honor from a Baku prison cell, where she's been for 9 months simply for doing her job. Even if she were free today she'd be unable to report because Kari Lake shut down nearly all of VOA.
February 3, 2026 at 3:32 PM
VOA Azeri's Ulviyya Guliyeva named Most Resilient Journalist by Free Press Unlimited. She accepted the honor from a Baku prison cell, where she's been for 9 months simply for doing her job. Even if she were free today she'd be unable to report because Kari Lake shut down nearly all of VOA.
The real WKRP is going to fundraise off its iconic call letters. I hope a Cincinnati station takes advantage of this.
Would you like your station call letters to be WKRP?
That famous call sign currently is held by a low-power FM station in Raleigh, N.C.
And while the station isn’t planning to give it up, it would be willing to share if the price is right.
That famous call sign currently is held by a low-power FM station in Raleigh, N.C.
And while the station isn’t planning to give it up, it would be willing to share if the price is right.
WKRP (a Real One) Is Willing to Share Its Call Sign - Radio World
Low-power station WKRP is looking for other broadcasters interested in using the call letters.
www.radioworld.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:13 PM
The real WKRP is going to fundraise off its iconic call letters. I hope a Cincinnati station takes advantage of this.
Peter Mandelson to step down as a member of the House of Lords following the latest revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. news.sky.com/story/politics-l...
Politics latest: Mandelson to step down from the House of Lords
Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to strip Lord Mandelson of his peerage after revelations in the Epstein files. Follow this page for the political fallout for Mandelson, and find the latest insights from the files on our <a href='https://tinyurl.com/37xw75cu'>Epstein live page</a>.
news.sky.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Peter Mandelson to step down as a member of the House of Lords following the latest revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. news.sky.com/story/politics-l...
Walmart market cap hits $1,000,000,000,000.
February 3, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Walmart market cap hits $1,000,000,000,000.