What He *Really* Wants

Our 2024 Father's Day Gift Guide. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( June 1, 2024 What a week! We'll get into the headline-grabbing political news, but we've got plenty of weekend fun, too — including our picks for [the greatest Father's Day gifts]( to give this year. We'll also share [an update on Kate Middleton's health](, pass along [a superb salad recipe](, and investigate [riveting rumors about Marilyn Monroe]( in celebration of her birthday. Let's get going...   What He Really Wants [Vintage illustration of a dad grilling burgers for his wife and two sons]( Getty Images He's the grill master. The driving instructor. The one who taught you to shave. The guy who always had to tell you (again) not to touch that thermostat. The official holiday for celebrating father figures is only two weeks away, and we're here to help. Haven't found a present yet? Fear not! [Our complete 2024 Father's Day Gift Guide]( is jam-packed with ideas for dads, grandpas, husbands, or any special man in your life, all vetted by our savviest shoppers (with plenty of input from Molner, too). [SEE OUR PICKS](   The Saturday Survey The biggest news of the week was, of course, Donald Trump's conviction on all 34 felony charges in his New York hush money trial. He's become the first-ever American president to be found guilty of a crime, but we'll have to wait until a July 11 hearing to learn what his sentence will be. In the meantime, we want your opinion about this history-making moment. [Weigh in right here](.   More Stories [Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito ]( Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito (Getty Images) Controversy on the court: Two political flags flown at the home of SCOTUS Justice Samuel Alito — flags that were also displayed at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 — are raising serious questions about Alito's ability to be impartial in cases surrounding the attempts to overturn the 2020 election. [I spoke to New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor](, who's been covering this closely, to understand what it all means. Rejected: The Supreme Court of Texas ruled against a challenge to the state's restrictive ban on abortions. The case was filed by women who were denied access to the procedure even though pregnancy complications endangered their lives. They argued the abortion ban isn't clear enough about when exceptions are allowed, but the court disagreed. A royal's recovery: Two months since the Princess of Wales made her cancer diagnosis public, sources close to the family are offering a new update about [how Kate Middleton is responding to treatment]( and when she might get back to her public duties. In Your Feelings: Our series with psychiatrist Samantha Boardman continues! This week, she shares [the simple thing you can do once a day]( to be happier and less stressed.   On the Record [Hillary Clinton] Getty Images for Vital Voices Gl As Donald Trump was being convicted of 34 felonies on Thursday, Hillary Clinton cracked a joke to the crowd at the Vital Voices Global Festival: "Anything going on today?" Though Clinton wasn't there to discuss Trump, the panel she moderated did focus on the importance of free and fair elections. KCM's Tess Bonn was on the scene as the former Secretary of State spoke about "the ongoing struggle between autocracy and democracy." "Sadly, democracy is in decline," Clinton said. "Fewer countries today are actual democracies than in the last several years, and according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, less than half the world lives in a democracy today. What's more, experts who study this say that even those of us in democracies are seeing a decline in many of the hallmarks of our institutions and our values." That decline, she added, comes with dire consequences: “When democracies backslide, women’s rights backslide. There is a direct correlation, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.”   Must-Reads [Marilyn Monroe]( A Legendary Life On what would've been her 98th birthday, we fact-check 5 fascinating myths about Marilyn Monroe — including her infamous affair with JFK. [Read More »]( [Woman holding a balloon with a frowning face drawn on it]( Struggling With Empathy What's really going on in the mind of a sociopath? We got a firsthand account from a woman who's experienced the disorder since childhood. [Read More »]( [Ryan Cooper]( Going Strong Fitness expert Ryan Cooper teaches our very own John Molner a 4-minute stretching routine that'll get your muscles into tip-top shape. [Read More »](   Now Hear This If you missed this week's episode of Next Question, the weekend is a great time to catch up. I chatted with celebrated singer Renée Fleming and former NIH director Dr. Francis Collins about [the healing power of sound]( for ailments ranging from Alzheimer’s to chronic pain. [LISTEN HERE](   Elevated Eats [Chicken salad]( Abundance + Company This isn't your grandmother's chicken salad! The expert meal planners at Abundance + Company tell us how to make [a reinvented version of this classic dish]( that brings all the nostalgia you want, but none of the gloopy texture that turns many people off. [GET THE RECIPE](   One More Thing If you're a Real Housewives fan, you probably already know that fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff will be joining the cast of the New York City edition for its upcoming 15th season. You may not know her personality (yet), but it's a universally acknowledged truth that her accessories are super cute, like [this summery take on a crossbody bag](.   Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you've got questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you next week! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. Katie Couric Media, 75 Varick St, Ste 12, New York, NY - 10013-1917 Copyright © 2023 Katie Couric Media, All rights reserved.