Francine Kiefer (@kieferf) profile picture

Francine Kiefer

@kieferf

California reporter for The Christian Science Monitor. Before that, was the Monitor's Congressional and White House reporter. Interests: hiking, corgis, opera.

 Washington DC
csmonitor.com/Commentary
Joined March 2010
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How JB Pritzker’s faith and Holocaust work are powering his dire warnings about Trump via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2…

How JB Pritzker’s Holocaust work fuels his dire warnings about Trump

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has long invested in helping Americans understand the ongoing relevance of Nazi-era lessons. He says it’s never been more import…

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How might the protests in Los Angeles impact the politics of immigration under President Trump? csmonitor.com/USA/Society/20…
Immigration has been a winning issue for Trump. This week may be a pivotal test.

Immigration has been a winning issue for Trump. This week may be a pivotal test.

The LA protests are playing to the president’s strengths around security and law enforcement, and bringing the politics of immigration front and center.

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Trump signs the law blocking California's EV mandate. csmonitor.com/Environment/20…
As Trump targets state EV mandates, what next for electric cars?

As Trump targets state EV mandates, what next for electric cars?

President Trump says he’ll sign legislation revoking California’s ability to mandate its own shift toward electric vehicles. Here’s a look at what that co…

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‘Motivated and inspired’: California inmates are improving mental health behind bars via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/Society/20… #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
California inmates are improving mental health behind bars

California inmates are improving mental health behind bars

Four years after two incarcerated men sought ways to help their peers face mental health issues, Los Angeles County is expanding their successful efforts.

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First new home under construction in Altadena after the #LAFires. An important milestone. @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/Society/20…
Destroyed by LA fires, this community is showing how to rebound – and rebuild

Destroyed by LA fires, this community is showing how to rebound – and rebuild

The first property in Altadena, California, to start rebuilding after the wildfires offers hope, despite hurdles. Officials have eased permitting, and loc…

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A tree grows in Altadena: LA community tries to save its fire-damaged canopy via @csmonitor #AltadenaStrong #AltadenaGreen #LAFires csmonitor.com/Environment/20…
After LA fires, Altadena pushes to save its cherished trees

After LA fires, Altadena pushes to save its cherished trees

In a California community where wildfires displaced thousands of residents, arborists and locals are trying to save the area’s unique canopy of trees.

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Egypt’s pyramids are amazing. But so is present-day Besaw Island. via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/The-Culture/20… #EgyptPyramids
Egypt’s pyramids are amazing. But so is present-day Besaw Island.

Egypt’s pyramids are amazing. But so is present-day Besaw Island.

Socially responsible tourism can take many forms. The cultural exchange offered by a trip to a rural island offers a window into another way of living for…

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As Democrats look for a fighter, Bernie Sanders is striking a chord – again via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2… #FightOligarchy
As Democrats look for a fighter, Bernie Sanders is striking a chord – again

As Democrats look for a fighter, Bernie Sanders is striking a chord – again

The curmudgeonly Vermont senator, with his populist message, is drawing large crowds. This week he’s joined by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

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Hatched! Baby eagles send spirits soaring for webcam viewers. via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/Environment/20… #BabyEagles #FOBBVCAM
Hatched! Baby eagles send spirits soaring for webcam viewers.

Hatched! Baby eagles send spirits soaring for webcam viewers.

After a long, painful wait, and just a year after no eaglets ever appeared ... two eaglets have hatched!

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Cleanup of LA fires has begun – and toxins are a key challenge via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/Environment/20… @UCLAIoES #LAFires
Cleanup of LA fires has begun – and toxic debris is a key challenge

Cleanup of LA fires has begun – and toxic debris is a key challenge

Hazardous waste and the scale of the disaster make fire cleanup tricky for Los Angeles and the EPA.

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How the Librarian of the Year is helping his beloved Los Angeles via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/Books/2025/012… #LAFires
Why the LA fires haven’t stopped the Librarian of the Year

Why the LA fires haven’t stopped the Librarian of the Year

Librarian of Year John Szabo, of the Los Angeles Public Library, talks about the fires and why libraries are so important in these political times. 

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LA fires claimed places of worship, but congregations still are helping others via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/Society/20… #LAFires
LA fires claimed churches, but congregations are helping others

LA fires claimed churches, but congregations are helping others

The LA fires burned synagogues, churches, and mosques. But their congregations are still there, and are working to help others.

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What is it like to be a mom amid the Los Angeles fires? I can tell you. via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/Environment/20… #LAFires
What is it like to be a mom during LA fires? I can tell you.

What is it like to be a mom during LA fires? I can tell you.

Parents and kids in Los Angeles have seen their lives upended by fires, smoke, and evacuation alerts. Our reporter shares her own experience.

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Driving through Altadena, I found a community gutted but determined to rebuild via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/Society/20…
Driving through Altadena, I found a community gutted but determined to rebuild

Driving through Altadena, I found a community gutted but determined to rebuild

Our reporter surveys fire damage in her neighborhood around Altadena and Pasadena and ponders the future of this microcosm of Greater Los Angeles. 

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My first evacuation. What I saw in LA-area fire evacuations: Caring for people and their safety via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/Environment/20…

What I saw in LA-area fire evacuations: Caring for people and their safety

The wind-fueled fires around Los Angeles destroyed many homes. Our West Coast reporter reflects on finding safety and community amid the danger.

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How a California neighborhood’s holiday lights bring a community together via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/Society/20…
A California neighborhood’s holiday lights bring community together

A California neighborhood’s holiday lights bring community together

Homeowner light displays draw California crowds – and create Christmas traditions that brighten dark December nights.

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Trump isn’t back in office yet, but is already causing chaos via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2…
Trump isn’t back in office yet, but is already causing chaos

Trump isn’t back in office yet, but is already causing chaos

When President-elect Trump called a bipartisan funding bill a bad deal, it collapsed. The result could be a government shutdown – reflecting a pattern of…

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Newsom vs. Trump: When big states take on the White House via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/2024/1202/…
Newsom vs. Trump: When big states take on the White House

Newsom vs. Trump: When big states take on the White House

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was on good terms with Donald Trump during his first term as president. Now the governor is suiting up for battle.

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The Trump economy: How will tariffs, taxes, and big debt affect workers? via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2…
Trump economy: How will tariffs, taxes, and debt affect workers?

Trump economy: How will tariffs, taxes, and debt affect workers?

The president-elect’s economic team will face a minefield of fiscal and economic challenges, with no clarity as to how American workers will fare.

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Republicans retake Senate as voters reject party in power via @csmonitor csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2…
Republicans retake Senate as voters reject party in power

Republicans retake Senate as voters reject party in power

Republicans will control the Senate in 2025, as their candidates took seats in West Virginia and Ohio while holding off challenges in Texas and Florida.

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