The States

Gun control lawsuits, World Cup economic promises, Nevada's primary election, unemployment rankings, and taxpayer accountability debates across the states lead today's edition of The Center Square Daily.  Gun owners across the country continue to watch major Second Amendment cases working their way through the courts while state legislatures consider new firearm restrictions and regulations. U.S....

Illinois lawmakers face criticism over transparency, spending, and tax increases following the end of legislative session, federal housing officials propose a major shift in homelessness policy, and The Center Square reports from the White House on economic and public safety issues.  Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie joins The Center Square Daily to discuss the state's record-setting bu...

California primary election results, Louisiana's newly approved state budget, and gun policy debates from Congress to city halls across America on today's edition of The Center Square Daily.  California voters narrowed the field in key congressional, statewide, and local races as the state’s top-two primary system once again shaped the November ballot. Republican and Democratic candidates advanced...

Illinois lawmakers pass a record $56 billion budget with tax increases and legislative pay raises, California voters weigh local tax measures amid concerns over taxpayer-funded election messaging, and voters head to the polls in six states for primary elections.  Illinois lawmakers concluded their regular legislative session by approving the state's largest budget ever, including new taxes on soci...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist from Vermont, has spent nearly $608,000 on private jets, chauffeured cars, and upscale hotels since last year during his anti-oligarchy tour. Congress headed into recess this past week without passing a major $72 billion immigration and homeland security funding package, exposing divisions a...

A devastating industrial accident at a Washington paper mill has become the deadliest workplace disaster in recent state history after a chemical tank implosion left eight dead and several others missing. Investigators are still searching for answers as concerns grow over environmental impacts near the Columbia River.  Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s Dane County is considering an 18-month moratorium on new...

The Center Square's investigative reporting reveals Sen. Bernie Sanders spent more than $600,000 in campaign funds on private jets, luxury hotels, and chauffeured transportation during his anti-oligarchy tour — raising questions about elite spending while campaigning against wealthy political influence.  Meanwhile, Illinois and Wisconsin are redefining what “student success” means as debates grow...

Legislation limits climate lawsuits, Congress fails to pass immigration enforcement spending, Texas primary upset, and Virginia gun bill creates controversy. Louisiana lawmakers advance a new climate lawsuit restriction bill while leaving existing coastal erosion cases intact, setting up a major legal and political fight over the future of energy litigation in the state. Supporters say the proposa...

Iran ceasefire remains in effect even as U.S. and Iran exchange fire, Louisiana debates carbon capture programs, some say AI is creating the next economic bubble, and Democratic business owners in Washington state are speaking out on the income tax debate.  The Center Square's D.C. Bureau Chief Sarah Roderick-Fitch joins to discuss the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran which purportedly remains...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, The California Capitol Annex Project is costing taxpayers at least $1.1 billion, but there’s only so much lawmakers are allowing the public to know about it. Democratic senators are advancing a series of proposals to tax America's wealthiest households, with supporters projecting trillions in new federal revenue but critics aren't so sure. As studen...

Federal prosecutors say a massive Medicaid and childcare fraud scheme in Minnesota stole more than $90 million from taxpayers, marking what officials describe as the largest autism fraud case ever charged by the Department of Justice. Investigators allege defendants billed for services never provided, paid kickbacks to parents, and used taxpayer-funded programs to finance luxury purchases includin...

Illinois lawmakers are raising questions about highly paid diversity commissioners and outside consulting work after new disclosures tied to the state’s $6 million Commission on Equity and Inclusion. Critics say the agency’s reported contracting progress may be misleading while the number of certified minority- and women-owned businesses eligible for state contracts has sharply declined amid ongoi...

Student walkouts tied to immigration protests, growing concerns over civics education and classroom activism, and billionaire tax proposals in Congress.  For The Center Square Daily host Esther Wickham looks at schools seeing a sharp increase in student demonstrations connected to immigration enforcement and deportation policies. According to data highlighted by education researchers, school prote...

Private nonprofit universities pay leaders millions of dollars, Louisiana students surpass pre-pandemic levels in reading and math, and a bill to protect the elderly from fraud languishes in Illinois legislature. Top private nonprofit universities that receive government funding pay some of their top leaders millions of dollars and one even received a $20 million longevity bonus, an investigation...

Protestors oppose transgender athletes in girls’ sports, President Donald Trump’s visit to China, and state budget debates. California’s debate over transgender participation in girls’ sports intensified as protesters gathered outside a California Interscholastic Federation event in Southern California, calling for changes to policies that allow athletes to compete based on gender identity. Speake...

Paid family leave debates, 'dark money' accusations in Georgia primary, and new rankings on state transparency are all shaping the political conversation ahead of the 2026 midterms.  In today’s episode of The Center Square Daily, Greg Bishop highlights Georgia’s high-stakes Republican gubernatorial primary, where Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and businessman Rick Jackson are locked in one of the most expens...

The fight over congressional maps is intensifying across the country after a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana’s congressional districts reopened the debate over race, representation, and political power. On today’s The Center Square Daily, Greg Bishop breaks down how states including Louisiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Arizona, Florida, and Illinois are responding as lawmakers and advocacy...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, The Tennessee General Assembly voted on a new congressional map on Thursday, a day after protestors attempted to disrupt committee meetings. National teachers unions have spent over $1 billion on political activity and advocacy since 2015, according to a new report by Defending Education. A  new report  from the Commonwealth Foundation concludes Pen...

The Department of War launches a website dedicated to UFO information and Minnesota Republicans call on Congress for help in their investigation of Feeding Our Future and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar's relationship to it.  On this episode of The Center Square Daily, host Greg Bishop looks at a new batch of UFO and UAP-related files released by the Pentagon, including military videos, astronaut audio recor...

The taxpayer costs of the Fulton County case against President Trump, Tennessee's redistricting efforts, and Illinois considering a billionaires' tax.  On today's episode of The Center Square Daily, Johnny Edwards lays out his investigation into how much taxpayer money was spent on Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ failed racketeering case against President Donald Trump. Months after th...

Teacher union political spending, primaries in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, and Virginia's tax incentives for data centers holds up state budget.  On today's episode of The Center Square Daily, Esther Wickham looks at a new report from Defending Education that found the nation’s largest teachers unions—the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association—have directed more than $...

The Supreme Court declines a major gun case, energy costs rise, the national debt hits 100% of GDP, and Illinois schools face a federal probe. On this episode of The Center Square Daily, host Greg Bishop breaks down the top national and state-level stories impacting taxpayers across the country. We begin with news from the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to hear a case involving an Indiana gun...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map Wednesday, ruling that the state relied too heavily on race when it created a second majority-Black district. Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown defended his staff's discussions with lawmakers over the millionaire's tax, saying it was appropriate to give legal advice and disa...

President Donald Trump signals possible U.S. troop reductions in Europe, gas prices surge nationwide amid the Iran conflict, and Illinois legislature debates face masks for employees.  On this episode of The Center Square Daily, we break down the top national and state-level stories impacting taxpayers across the country. We start with Trump’s comments on potentially pulling U.S. troops from Germa...

Jim Talamonti hosts The Center Square Daily, a review of some of today's top headlines including no-cash bail in Illinois and a redistricting decision out of the U.S. Supreme Court. Illinois lawmakers from both parties are calling for changes to the SAFE-T Act after a fatal shooting involving a Chicago police officer, intensifying debate over pretrial release policies, electronic monitoring and wh...