The States

SCOTUS rules states can count ballots after election day, states debate budgets, Colorado public records requests, tort reform, and Los Angeles superintendent resigns.  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Watson v. Republican National Committee that states can continue counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day, allowing the practice to con...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, California will stop funding a state-wide database intended to uncover police misconduct and use-of-force records. Tennessee taxpayers are handing $30 million to Starbucks to open new corporate offices in the state. But at least 70 times, companies that promised to create jobs in exchange for government subsidies haven't held up their end of the bar...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, State financial aid continues to expand within higher education, allowing money to go to eligible noncitizen students. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, agreed that a regular drug user cannot be stripped of the right to possess a firearm. As many states rushed to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, half o...

The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that occasional marijuana users can own firearms — what does that actually mean for gun owners? Plus: voter pessimism hits a new high ahead of midterms, state unemployment numbers, SNAP fraud costs, and California's billionaire tax heads to the ballot. A unanimous Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ali Hamani, a man found with marijuana and a pistol, protecting his Second...

Foiled terror plot, Supreme Court gun ruling, data center concerns, public employee payouts, and state tax news headline today's episode of The States. A West Virginia lawmaker speaks out after learning he was named as a target in a domestic terror plot tied to Sunday's UFC fight on the White House lawn. The Supreme Court rules on a case examining the intersection of gun rights and drug offenses....

Election results in Georgia, veterans struggle to access benefits, human smuggling busts, non-citizen students getting higher education benefits, and barriers to black Americans looking for mortgages.  Key election results are in as the 2026 midterm season accelerates. Georgia Republicans selected businessman Rick Jackson as their gubernatorial nominee, while several high-profile Senate and statew...

Voters' opinions on redistricting, states debate election laws as Trump presses for the SAVE America Act, Georgia holds primary runoff as the legislature kicks off a special session, and California advances state budget in Senate.  New polling shows Americans are divided over congressional redistricting as states consider redrawing political maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. We break down the lates...

Illinois independent candidate for governor, Trump admin freezes LA homelessness funding, Washington state Somali daycare controversy sparks dueling bias incident hotline reports, and Trump not sure about renewing USMCA trade agreement.  On today's episode of The States, - Greg Bishop breaks down the latest economic data showing wages failing to keep pace with rising costs and what it means for ta...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Data centers are facing scrutiny across the country and Illinois is the latest state to put a pause on incentives for companies to build in their state. Michigan lawmakers remain divided over the future of the state's Rx Kids program as House Republicans continue scrutinizing the initiative. A plan to tax digital advertising for the first time and u...

Polling on voters' priorities, gun debates in states across the country, an investigative report on a nonprofit using federal grants for work outside its original scope, and Social Security's projected insolvency.  Inflation remains the top concern for American voters, according to the latest Center Square Voters' Voice Poll. Greg Bishop speaks with Noble Predictive Insights founder Mike Noble abo...

Faster Labor Contracts Act in the U.S. House, digital advertising taxes, U.S. rep calls out Chicago Public Schools, and how much are you paying in taxes for beer.   A major labor bill is advancing through Congress, and supporters say it will help workers secure contracts faster. Critics warn the Faster Labor Contracts Act could expand federal involvement in labor negotiations, increase costs for e...

North Carolina Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley joins Greg Bishop to discuss the race against former Governor Roy Cooper, the issues shaping the campaign, and why control of the U.S. Senate could be critical heading into the November elections. Whatley weighs in on taxes, public safety, economic policy, and how Republicans plan to appeal to independent voters in one of the nation's...

Election integrity questions in California, SCOTUS ruling on Biden-era regulations, Michigan cash assistance program, and a DOJ investigation into Philadelphia PD on the 2nd Amendment.  Primary elections take center stage as voters head to the polls in Maine, South Carolina, and North Dakota, while questions about election administration and voter confidence continue to dominate headlines nationwi...

IRS migration data reveals major shifts in where Americans are living and paying taxes, election integrity questions continue after California's primary, new curriculum aims to address civics education, and state lawmakers debate fraud prevention and government accountability. New IRS data shows hundreds of thousands of taxpayers—and billions of dollars in adjusted gross income—moving from high-ta...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, a California commission reported a “troubling increase” in the number of cases where government officials spend taxpayer dollars to illegally campaign for or against local ballot measures. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a $4 billion funding opportunity for homelessness services on Monday, shifting away from the Housin...

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...