Stories From The States

In the days since Jan. 7, when Renee Nicole Good was killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis, the public is getting a closer look at how many communities are resisting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.  Volunteer rapid-response teams and loosely organized patrols in Minneapolis and other cities are tracking and following federal immigration agents to disrupt operations and...

With the rise of AI development, tech companies are investing billions to build massive data centers.  Virginia is home to over 500 data centers and counting . State officials there say their construction will boost local economies and create long-term jobs.  One former data center technician in South Carolina doesn’t agree. And anxious residents are pushing back against the projects worried they...

State lawmakers have taken the lead on regulating kratom. The controversial herbal supplement is often used for pain relief, anxiety and opioid withdrawal symptoms.  Last summer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pushed to ban 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH, saying it posed serious health risks and should be classified as a controlled substance with heroin and LSD.  In Louisiana, leg...

The Trump administration proposed $12 billion in aid to farmers to help recover from temporary market disruptions and high production costs.  However, the administration did not mention the effect of the tariffs that Trump put into place, which critics have said are responsible for decreased agricultural exports and hurting farmers’ bottom lines.  While these one-time payments are expected to prov...

As childhood vaccination rates fall, several diseases once considered eradicated are back and spreading, most notably measles and whooping cough.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been vocal in changing vaccine recommendations for children, particularly calling for restrictions on COVID-19 and Hepatitis B vaccines. It’s all despite the CDC’s own data showing they are safe and eff...

SNAP benefits are back, but the federal government is hinting at changes to the food-assistance program. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has called for the almost 42 million people who receive SNAP to reapply and has threatened to yank funding from Democratic-led states.  Meanwhile, some food banks and food pantries are experiencing an increase in demand even after the government reopene...

If you’re standing along the beach in southeast Rhode Island, you might see some wind turbines out in the ocean. They are part of a major project meant to build up the renewable energy supplies in Rhode Island and Connecticut eventually powering 350,000 homes.  The Revolution Wind project was about 80% completed when the Trump administration abruptly paused its construction. Although work has now...

This week we’re detouring from our regular programming exploring current events in the states and D.C. to revisit a collaboration delving into the most contentious yet successful wildlife restoration story in U.S. history – wolf reintroduction.  We’re handing the reins to our colleagues at the Idaho Capital Sun and Boise State Public Radio . Earlier this year, they released a five-episode podcast...

Many GOP-led states like Indiana are facing pressure from the president to redistrict.  However, Utah’s redistricting fight was spearheaded by voters, who ultimately won.   In Episode 3, Katie McKellar from the Utah News Dispatch will break down the state’s recent redistricting fight between anti-gerrymandering groups and the Utah Legislature.  You’ll also meet Katharine Biele , one of the plainti...

Across the country, many communities are seeing an increased presence of federal immigration agents. Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City have seen aggressive and sometimes violent tactics from ICE officers trying to apprehend people from the street and from their homes.  In Episode 2, you’ll meet Ayman Soliman , a former Cincinnati Children’s Hospital chaplain. He was detained by ICE for 73 day...

The passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” deeply slashed Medicaid funding. Almost $1 trillion will be cut from the program over the next ten years. But what does it look like for recipients now in 2025?   In Episode 1, you’ll meet a current recipient, 26-year-old Emma Widmar from Racine, Wisconsin, who considers Medicaid a lifeline.  "I simply would not be able to have a quality of life. I would...

The federal government is making drastic changes to public policy and pushing so many programs “back to the states”.  It’s hard to know what it all means for you, your family and your community.  Stories From The States will put into perspective how what’s going on around one side of the country could affect you on the other end. Our first episode launches Friday, November 7th.  States Newsroom is...

Daily news especially in today’s time can get overwhelming. At times it’s hard to keep up how it all could impact you, your family and your community.  To help with that, we’re launching Stories From the States.  Here’s an exclusive sneak peek into an upcoming episode on the impacts of Medicaid funding cuts.  Our first episode launches on Friday November 7th.  States Newsroom is the largest nonpro...

We’re launching a podcast to help make the news cycle a bit more digestible.  Host and States Newsroom publisher Chris Fitzsimon, with producer Mallory Cheng, will focus on one theme in the news playing out in the states.  Each episode will put into perspective how what’s going on around one side of the country could affect you on the other end. Our first episode launches on Friday November 7th. ...

Stories From The States is a weekly podcast that explores how people and communities across America are being affected by government decisions. Host and States Newsroom publisher Chris Fitzsimon, with producer Mallory Cheng, will take one issue in the news and examine it.  By zooming into one story each week, Stories From the States contextualizes what is happening now. First episode launches Frid...