St. John Barned-Smith is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle.
St. John Barned-Smith on KCRW
More from KCRW
CA’s Prop 1 narrowly passes to reform mental health spending
PoliticsWith the narrow approval of Governor Gavin Newsom’s $6.4 billion mental health bond, Prop 1, the work begins to build thousands of treatment beds.
Is Trump qualified to run? May be up to voters now
PoliticsWas there a message behind the unanimous SCOTUS ruling on Trump’s eligibility to appear on the ballot? What’s driving a global trend toward authoritarian leaders?
Israeli-Hamas war: Orange County urged to take a stand
Orange CountySome activists want Orange County officials to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, while others say it’s a foreign problem and shouldn’t be handled locally.
How Trump and Biden’s unpopularity could affect congressional races
PoliticsCould the presidential nominees hurt their congressional colleagues down the ballot? Plus, we examine the president’s response to an Easter controversy.
Is an American parliament the answer to our rotting democracy?
PoliticsOn this episode of the Scheer Intelligence podcast, host Robert Scheer welcomes Maxwell L.
Can the media get election coverage right this time around?
PoliticsHow should the media cover a Biden/Trump rematch? What mistakes did we see in coverage of the special counsel testimony? Should perception influence policy?
Trump takes no stakes-stance on abortion
PoliticsIs there anything about Trump’s abortion position for Joe Biden to capitalize on? Will Biden’s change of tune on Israel win him more supporters?
Plans for Rafah offensive could divide Netanyahu and US Democrats
PoliticsHow will a continued offensive in Gaza affect Democratic support for Israel? Can SCOTUS clear up the lines between censorship and free speech?
November run-off elections take center stage in OC
PoliticsEarly results point to several run-off elections in Orange County, setting up competitive races for supervisors and congressional seats.