Debi Johnson, his court reporter the past six years, said he’s the only judge she knows of who hits the gavel in open court .

Hodgman believes more people could learn how important it is to listen to their intuitions when making tough decisions. In other words: There is a judge inside each of us, ready to strike the gavel.

This week's topics include a judge ordering Donald Trump to be sentenced on Jan. 10, House Speaker Mike Johnson holding on to the gavel, the death of former President Jimmy Carter and more.

U.S. District Judge Cynthia Bashant took over as chief judge of the Southern District of California on Wednesday evening during a passing of the gavel ceremony with her predecessor, District Judge ...