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Week In The News: Franken's Fall, Trump's Jerusalem Nod, California Fires

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Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday morning, Dec. 7, 2017.   Franken said he will resign from the Senate in coming weeks following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations and a collapse of support from his Democratic colleagues, a swift political fall for a once-rising Democratic star.   (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday morning, Dec. 7, 2017. Franken said he will resign from the Senate in coming weeks following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations and a collapse of support from his Democratic colleagues, a swift political fall for a once-rising Democratic star. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

We'll talk to Boston Herald reporter Kimberly Atkins, the Detroit Free Press's Stephen Henderson and our own Jack Beatty about the week that was: Fires ravaging California, Sen. Al Franken's resignation announcement, President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem, Russia's ban from the Olympics, and more.

Guests:

Kimberly Atkins, chief Washington reporter for the Boston Herald. (@KimberlyEAtkins)

Stephen Henderson, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial page editor of the Detroit Free Press. (@SHendersonFreep)

Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst.

From Tom's Reading List:

Detroit Free PressA Sad But Necessary End To John Conyers' Career — "This is not a victory for anyone.

The resignation of Congressman John Conyers, who served metro Detroit for 53 years in Washington, is a tragedy.

A wasted end to a storied career, mostly spent fighting for justice and equality, keeping the flame alive in the long quest for civil rights."

Boston Herald: Political Gains, Losses Come With Al Franken's Resignation — "As U.S. Sen. Al Franken announced his resignation yesterday amid a growing number of sexual harassment claims, some Republicans openly defended Franken, a move that could prove to be irresistible political catnip to some Democrats — particularly those who did not want Franken to step down."

BBC: Jerusalem Row: Clashes Erupt Over Trump Row — "Violence has flared between Israeli forces and Palestinians protesting at Donald Trump's contentious recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Clashes erupted in the occupied West Bank and over the Israeli-Gaza border, and there were scuffles in Jerusalem."

Ferocious wildfire in California this week, and a wildfire over sexual harassment allegations on Capitol Hill.  Senator Al Franken, resigning.  Noting that Donald Trump and Roy Moore aren’t.  John Conyers, out.  Trent Franks, out.  At the Olympics, Russia out.  President Trump, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.  Attacking the FBI. Stripping federal land protections.  Endorsing Roy Moore.  And job numbers are up.  This hour, On Point:  Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines. --Tom Ashbrook

This program aired on December 8, 2017.

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