Morning Wire – Evening Wire: Twin City Church Interrupted & Dolly Turns 80

Date: January 19, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe

Episode Overview

This edition of Evening Wire covers recent events at the intersection of politics, culture, and media trust. The key stories include: a high-profile anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church involving Don Lemon, new investigations into cell phone health risks, landmark state moves against affirmative action and DEI frameworks, a heated ICE enforcement debate, the death toll in Iran, California’s looming wealth tax, Netflix’s stance post-acquisition, and a heartfelt celebration of Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Twin Cities Church Protest with Don Lemon

[00:22–01:30]

• Incident: Anti-ICE protesters, joined by ex-CNN host Don Lemon, disrupted a St. Paul, MN church service, aiming to "disrupt business as usual."
• Clash: Lemon argued with pastor Jonathan Parnell on freedom of speech versus freedom to worship.
  • Pastor Parnell: “It's shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship.” [00:58]
  • Don Lemon: “Don't you think Jesus would be understanding?” [01:15]
• Legal Fallout: The DOJ is investigating under the FACE and Ku Klux Klan acts. Assistant AG Harmony Dylan commented on the criminal implications for participants, emphasizing that journalistic intent isn’t a legal shield.
  • Harmony Dylan: “Don Lemon himself has come out and said he knew exactly what was going to happen inside that facility... It's not a shield from being an embedded part of a criminal conspiracy.” [01:43]

2. Putin Invited to Gaza Peace Board

[01:30–01:59]

• Breaking Diplomacy: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirms President Putin received an invitation to join President Trump’s new “Board of Peace for Gaza,” created jointly by the US, Israel, and Hamas to oversee Gaza's technocratic administration.

3. Florida Ends Affirmative Action in State Programs

[02:48–03:26]

• Policy Shift: Attorney General James Uthmeyer announces the end of state recognition for race-based programs, citing recent Supreme Court precedents.
  • Uthmeyer: The programs “violate both the Florida and United States constitutions by setting aside opportunities for non-white people.”

4. HHS Study on Cell Phone Radiation Risks

[03:26–04:25]

• Emerging Science: HHS launches a major study on electromagnetic radiation and public health, causing federal agencies to remove previously confident language on cell phone safety.
  • Andrew Nixon (HHS Spokesman): The updated information was removed because it was “outdated.”
• Expert Consensus: WHO and other agencies still see no conclusive link but support ongoing long-term studies.

5. Iran’s Mounting Death Toll & International Response

[04:25–05:38]

• Escalation: As Iran blocks internet access and cracks down on dissent, reported casualties vary (4,000–16,500 dead; 330,000 injured), sparking worldwide condemnation.
  • WEF Reaction: Cancels Iranian FM’s appearance citing “the tragic loss of lives.”

6. California's Proposed Wealth Tax Triggers Billionaire Exit

[05:38–06:15]

• Proposed Tax: Would apply to unrealized gains, driving tech leaders to warn of a $2.5 trillion asset flight. Sparks intra-Democratic conflict.
• Industry Reaction: Tech leaders say the tax “erodes private property rights… [and] will trickle down to the millionaire and middle class.”

7. ICE Enforcement Stats Clash on Air

[06:15–07:29]

• TV Showdown: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and CBS’s Margaret Brennan argue fiercely over ICE arrest data.
  • Noem: "70% of them have committed or have charges against them on violent crimes..." [06:30]
  • Brennan: "It's not 70%."
  • Noem: "That is the facts and they need to be brought to justice... no matter how much you guys keep lying and don't tell the public the truth.“ [06:47]
• Meta-Point: Highlights widening distrust and polarization in media narratives.

8. Texas Moves to Dismantle DEI & Affirmative Action

[07:29–08:18]

• Paxton’s Statement: Over 100 DEI-related policies declared unconstitutional in Texas.
  • Ken Paxton: “This action... helps fulfill the vision articulated by Martin Luther King Jr.” [07:44]
• Mandate: Calls for immediate abolition of DEI/affirmative action across public/private sectors.

9. Tyler Robinson Utah Murder Trial: Legal Maneuvering

[08:18–09:13]

• Defense Tactics: Unsuccessful bid to remove prosecutors for conflict of interest. Ongoing arguments over media access.
• Other Developments: Robinson’s transgender romantic partner loses FBI protection after moving out of state.

10. Netflix-Warner Bros. Merger: No Change to Theater Runs

[09:13–09:54]

• CEO Ted Sarandos: Pledges to maintain traditional 45-day theatrical windows.
  • Sarandos: “We will run that business largely like it is today, with 45 day windows... We want to win box office.” [09:22]

11. Faith, Football, and Indiana’s Heisman Star

[09:54–11:02]

• Personal Story: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza credits his ongoing faith, with his Catholic priest (Father Hyde) as a visible supporter at games.
  • Father Hyde: “He's a joyful person... My hope is that his witness is an inspiration... to get up and to go back to church if you've been away…” [10:37]

12. Dolly Parton Turns 80—Charity and Celebration

[11:02–11:41]

• Musical Milestone: Dolly releases a new version of her 1977 hit with Lainey Wilson, Queen Latifah, Reba McEntire, and Miley Cyrus.
• Charitable Focus: Proceeds go to pediatric cancer research in Nashville.
  • Gov. Bill Lee: “It is fitting that we honor her 80th birthday by celebrating her remarkable legacy and dedication to the Volunteer State.” [11:41]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pastor Jonathan Parnell on protests:
  “It's shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship.” [00:58]

• Don Lemon’s Counterpoint:
  “Don't you think Jesus would be understanding?” [01:15]

• Harmony Dylan on legal boundaries:
  “Committing journalism is not a shield from being an embedded part of a criminal conspiracy.” [01:43]

• Kristi Noem vs. Margaret Brennan (on ICE stats):
  "That is the facts... no matter how much you guys keep lying and don't tell the public the truth." [06:47]

• Ken Paxton on ending DEI frameworks:
  "This action to dismantle DEI in Texas helps fulfill the vision articulated by Martin Luther King Jr." [07:44]

• Ted Sarandos, Netflix CEO:
  “We will own a theatrical distribution engine that is phenomenal... We will run that business largely like it is today, with 45 day windows.” [09:22]

• Father Hyde (on QB Fernando Mendoza’s faith):
  “My hope is that his witness is an inspiration to people to put your faith first, to give God a try, to get up and to go back to church if you've been away and to just trust that the Lord will help move you forward.” [10:37]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Twin Cities Protest & Don Lemon: 00:22–01:30
• Putin’s Gaza Invitation: 01:30–01:59
• Florida Affirmative Action Policy: 02:48–03:26
• HHS Cell Phone Study: 03:26–04:25
• Iran Death Toll Updates: 04:25–05:38
• California Wealth Tax: 05:38–06:15
• ICE Enforcement Debate: 06:15–07:29
• Texas DEI Policy: 07:29–08:18
• Tyler Robinson Murder Trial: 08:18–09:13
• Netflix-Warner Bros. Merger: 09:13–09:54
• Indiana QB & Faith: 09:54–11:02
• Dolly Parton’s 80th Birthday: 11:02–11:41

Episode Tone & Takeaway

Measured and brisk, Evening Wire navigates tense national conversations—from race and immigration to faith and media trust—while celebrating moments of genuine joy and tradition, exemplified by Dolly Parton’s charitable milestone. The episode underscores an era where consensus is elusive, new alternatives to legacy media are flourishing, and personalities (both controversial and beloved) remain at the heart of America’s ongoing stories.