The Chimes Weekly

The Torch
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  • DAILY NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Bite-sized podcast episodes with your top news stories from The Chimes, Los Angeles County, the nation and the world, with an interview with a Chimes writer to close out your week. By Biola University students, for Biola University students. Previously known as Chimes Rundown and KBR Daily News Updates by KBR The Torch.

  1. 12/08/2025

    Pentagon sued over new media rules; deadly U.S. strike raises legality questions; Pope calls for U.S.–Venezuela diplomacy; LA housing instability grows; and more.

    Our host, Matthew Garcia, takes us through top headlines from the week: the New York Times files a lawsuit against new Pentagon media rules; the U.S. military conducts a deadly strike on a Venezuelan boat; Pope Leo urges the Trump administration to seek dialogue with Venezuela; projected federal housing cuts threaten over 14,500 subsidized households in Los Angeles; Hamas returns the remains of Thai agricultural worker Sudthisak Rinthalak as part of the Gaza ceasefire progress; and more. For more details about this week’s headlines: new Pentagon guidelines and press restrictions, U.S. military action in the Caribbean, rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, federal funding cuts affecting housing access, and the latest updates on the return of hostages from the Oct. 7 attacks. Find more stories at The Chimes’ website. Find the transcript of this episode here.

    6 min

  2. 11/24/2025

    SoCal Flood Warnings, Greene Resigns, Epstein Documents Ordered Released, Nigeria Kidnapping Crisis

    Our host, Jae Koo, takes us through top headlines from the week: heavy storms sweep Southern California; Marjorie Taylor Greene announces her resignation from Congress; President Trump signs a bill ordering the release of the Epstein files; 25 schoolgirls are kidnapped in Northwestern Nigeria; the Trump administration unveils a new 28-point Ukraine peace plan; and more. For more details about this week’s headlines: Helicopter crash, reporters turned in their press passes, broadcast networks against policy, Trump meets with Zelensky at White House, Torrey Distinguished lecture, holy-spirit-academic-symposium, Our Town, 33rd Annual PRISM Concert,  Family Weekend 2025, Male Ensembles Philippines (MEn). Find more stories at The Chimes’ website. Find the transcript of this episode here.

    8 min

  3. 11/17/2025

    Heavy rains return, OC schools locked down after bomb threats, federal government reopens, and more

    On today’s episode: Our host, Matthew Garcia, walks us through the week’s top headlines — including multiple bomb threats that placed four Fullerton schools and a hospital on lockdown, the end of a 43-day federal government shutdown, and rising tensions as the U.S. Navy’s largest aircraft carrier moves closer to Venezuela. We also cover continued heavy rainfall across Southern California and the evacuation warnings issued for several communities. Plus, we take a look at what’s happening on campus this week — from the Conservatory of Music’s Chamber Ensembles Recital and Music at Noon performances to a campus-wide day of prayer hosted by the Student Missionary Union. We also highlight Biola Theatre’s student-run production, They’re Getting Married Again?, premiering this weekend. For more details about this week’s headlines: Fullerton school & hospital bomb threats, Federal government reopens after 43-day shutdown, U.S. Navy carrier group moves toward Venezuela, Heavy rain and evacuation warnings across Southern California, Chamber Ensembles Recital, Campus-wide Day of Prayer (SMU),  Music at Noon: Jazz & Guitar Combos, Biola Theatre: They’re Getting Married Again? Find more stories at The Chimes’ website. Find the transcript of this episode here.

    5 min

  4. 11/10/2025

    Government shutdown continues for longest in U.S. history, Proposition 50 passes in California, NYC elects Zohran Mamdani, and more

    On today’s episode:  Our host, Jae Koo, takes us through the week’s top headlines — from the tragic UPS plane crash in Kentucky and the record-breaking government shutdown, to updates on SNAP benefits and New York’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani. We also cover California’s Proposition 50, the Louvre Museum jewel heist, and an explosion in Jakarta. Plus, a look at what’s happening on campus this week — from Biola’s Idea Pitch Competition to a full lineup of concerts presented by the Conservatory of Music. For more details about this week’s headlines and upcoming events, visit chimesnewspaper.com or check the episode transcript in our show notes.

    8 min
  5. Biola community celebrates National FirstGen Day

    11/04/2025 · BONUS

    Biola community celebrates National FirstGen Day

    On today’s BONUS episode: Our host, Matthew Garcia, talks with FirstGen Interns Christian Sanchez and Gaby Cruz about the National FirstGen Celebration, what it means to be a FirstGen student, and what Biola FirstGen is all about. Find more stories at The Chimes’ website.

    34 min

  6. 11/03/2025

    Government shutdown halts food aid for millions; FBI thwarts Halloween terror plot in Michigan; Dodgers earn second straight World Series win; and more.

    Our host, Matthew Garcia, takes us through top headlines from the week: the federal government shutdown suspends CalFresh benefits for millions; the FBI thwarts a Halloween terror plot in Michigan; President Trump and Xi Jinping reach a new trade agreement; and the Dodgers celebrate back-to-back World Series victories — and more.

    7 min

  7. 10/27/2025

    LACCD begins $1.5 million student housing initiative; U.S. military strike targets Venezuela-linked vessel; and more

    Our host, Jae Koo, takes us through top headlines from the week: Biola swim  competes at the MPSF Open Water Championships; California community colleges partner with Nectir to launch AI tutoring; LACCD begins $1.5 million student housing initiative and more.

    7 min

  8. 10/20/2025

    Helicopter crash in Huntington Beach; Pentagon restricts press access; Israel and Hamas enact first phase of peace plan; and more.

    On today’s episode: Our host, Matthew Garcia, takes us through top headlines from the week: Helicopter crash in Huntington Beach leaves five hospitalized; Pentagon restricts press access; Israel and Hamas enact first phase of peace plan; Trump meets with Zelensky at White House; and more. For more details about this week’s headlines: Helicopter crash, reporters turned in their press passes, broadcast networks against policy, Trump meets with Zelensky at White House, Torrey Distinguished lecture, holy-spirit-academic-symposium, Our Town, 33rd Annual PRISM Concert,  Family Weekend 2025, Male Ensembles Philippines (MEn).    Find more stories at The Chimes’ website. Find the transcript of this episode here.

    9 min
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About

Bite-sized podcast episodes with your top news stories from The Chimes, Los Angeles County, the nation and the world, with an interview with a Chimes writer to close out your week. By Biola University students, for Biola University students. Previously known as Chimes Rundown and KBR Daily News Updates by KBR The Torch.

Information

  • Channel
    The Torch
  • Creator
    The Torch Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    124
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Torch Podcast Network
  • Show Website
    The Chimes Weekly

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