The States

The Center Square

The States Powered by The Center Square is a show that highlights the work of The Center Square reporters from statehouses across the country to Washington D.C. all with an eye towards the impacts of today's news on the taxpayer.

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#277
Yesterday · 28 min
Midterm Eve: Senate Races, Federal Poll Monitors and Prediction Market Odds | The States
Democratic U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, and prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket put Democratic control of the U.S. Senate at roughly 70% heading into Election Day. On The States for Nov. 2, 2026, host Greg Bishop covers the final day before the midterms: Senate control, the future of the filibuster, and federal election observers at the polls. Michigan State Rep. Bill Schuette reacts to Stevens’ end
#276
Friday · 52 min
Illinois Counties Consider Separation Referendums While Chicago Proposes $17.6B Budget| The States
The Justice Department looking at Alaska's ballot, Halloween candy prices are up more than 47% since 2020, and Illinois counties are looking to break away from the rest of the state. Greg Bishop hosts today’s episode of The States. President Trump called the situation in Alaska fraud, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called for an investigation. Jason Snead of Honest Elections Project Action explains how Alaska’s top-four primary and ranked choice voting factor into the race against Republican Sen. D
#275
Thursday · 41 min
California Awarded $18.2M to Suspect Daycare Nonprofit + Illinois FOID Lawsuit Status | The States
The Justice Department is sending 1,000 federal election monitors to polling places ahead of Tuesday’s election, while a Center Square investigation finds California awarded $18.2 million to a daycare nonprofit that has one licensed location. Greg Bishop hosts today’s episode of The States. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon says monitors are headed to both Republican- and Democratic-led states, and officials in Milwaukee and King County, Washington, say they are prepared. Minnesota Att
#274
October 24 · 48 min
Whitmer Delegation Spent More Than $200,000 on Asia Trip | Weekend Edition
On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer spent 200,000 dollars on an 8 day trip to Asia, and this wasn't the first time. Whitmer has taken two other economic development trips abroad this year. Congress is considering a bill that would require data centers to pay their own way where energy infrastructure is a concern, but that same bill could also make it harder for communities to oppose data center projects they don't want. After the Ratepayer protecti
#273
October 23 · 20 min
Supreme Court Takes Up Race-Neutral Admissions Case From Maryland | The States
Supreme Court looks at Montgomery County magnet schools case, Georgia DHS hands surveillance vehicle over to Georgia Bureau of Investigations, and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass under investigation from Fair Political Practices Commission. Host Esther Wickham looks at the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to hear a challenge to admissions policies at four selective magnet middle schools in Montgomery County, Maryland. The plaintiffs are families with the Association for Education Fairness, represented
#272
October 22 · 24 min
Pennsylvania House Races Could Decide Control of Congress, One PAC Spends $850K | The States
Pennsylvania congressional races and their campaign funding, Federal Reserve rate hike, and an alleged cover up in Colorado. Guest host Dan McCaleb talks with The Center Square's Christen Smith about key congressional races in Pennsylvania where candidates including Brian Fitzpatrick and Rob Bresnahan are fight for their party's control of the U.S. House. Campaign finances have become a focus as democrats out raise their republican opponents and PACs invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in
#271
October 21 · 32 min
FEMA Blames “Reckless Democrats” for COVID Reimbursement Delays | The States
FEMA says it is 95% finished closing its COVID-19 public assistance program years after the pandemic ended, and it blames government shutdowns and fraud reviews for the delays. A bipartisan bill in Congress, the American Affordability and Jobs Act, would make data centers pay for the grid upgrades needed to connect them. Adam Herbets hosts today’s episode of The States, filling in for Greg Bishop. A Center Square investigation into Los Angeles Opera’s FEMA grants prompted a statement from FEMA
#270
October 20 · 17 min
Pollster Mike Noble: 80% Chance Democrats Win House, Senate a Coin Toss | The States
Tax filings for a nonprofit tied to Detroit megachurch pastor Marvin Winans have been amended after The Center Square reported they listed him as receiving a salary over $500,000. The Center Square’s Voter Voice poll shows cost of living, inflation and corruption topping voters’ concerns ahead of the 2026 midterms. Investigative reporter Jared Strong hosts today’s episode of The States, filling in for Greg Bishop. The Tennessee firm Chitwood and Chitwood prepared the filings for Perfecting Comm
#269
October 19 · 25 min
Should Michigan Abolish MEDC? Whitmer’s $200K Asia Trip Revives Debate | The States
Superintendent candidates face off in California and Arizona, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer spends $200,000 on an 8 day trip to Asia, election integrity questions swirl in Arizona's Maricopa county, and more. On today's episode of The States, guest host Esther Wickham looks at the races for State superintendent in California and Arizona which candidates discussing different issues from school choice to AI in schools to getting politics out of the classroom. California voters will choose be
#268
October 17 · 48 min
Why Georgia's child protection agency paid $1 million for a Chevy | Weekend Edition
On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to take up a case determining whether a court is able to issue sweeping orders against executive advisory bodies, like the Department of Government Efficiency. The Georgia Department of Human Services, which oversees the state's child welfare agency, paid more than $950,000 for just one Chevrolet Traverse. As public education remains a concern for taxpayers, supporters of school choice programs argue that g
#267
October 16 · 37 min
Felons and Firearms: Separate Orders, Same Appeals Court, Different Outcomes | The States
Third Circuit Court of Appeals gives two rulings on felons and firearms, polling on data centers, energy, and license plate reader cameras, and mortgage rates locking in sellers. On today's episode of The States, host Greg Bishop looks at two cases out of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals with opposite rulings on whether a felon has a right to possess a firearm. The two cases looked at different defendants with different charges and came to different conclusions base primarily on whether the i
#266
October 15 · 29 min
IRS Fraud Costs Taxpayers Up to $304B a Year, DOJ Official Says | The States
The Trump administration announced the Justice Department’s first nationwide tax fraud surge, and HHS is ending subsidies for 189,000 Affordable Care Act enrollments. Also on The States: campaign finance filings for Democratic Socialists of America candidates, and California’s climate law turning 20. Assistant U.S. Attorney General Colin McDonald said the DOJ surge brought prosecutorial actions against 76 defendants in 45 days, with more than $490 million in intended losses. HHS Secretary Rober
#265
October 14 · 45 min
Supreme Court Agrees To Hear DOGE Open Records Case + Illinois Tax Referendums Abound | The States
Illinois tax referendums, Jon Ossoff & Mike Collins face off in Georgia Senate debate, and Supreme Court DOGE case. On today's episode of The States, host Greg Bishop looks at the Illinois Governors debate and talks to Ted Dabrowski about tax referendums on ballots all across the state. Bishop also reviews clips from Georgia's Senate debate where incumbent Sen. John Ossoff (D) and Rep. Mike Collins (R) got heated over immigration, healthcare, and other issues. The Center Square's Andrew Rice j
#264
October 13 · 46 min
ATF Ends Suppressor Registration + Georgia’s $950K Surveillance SUV | The States
Virginia steps back on Flock Cameras, ATF announces rule changes for suppressors, Georgia Department of Human Services spends $1M on a Chevy, and polling shows many are concerned about Socialist candidates. On today's episode of The States, host Greg Bishop looks at Virginia cities ending their Flock contracts and talks to West Virginia Delegate Tristan Leavitt about his efforts to get on the record answers from Flock as concerns continue to rise about the license plater reader technology and
#263
October 12 · 47 min
Louisiana System Error Removes 65K Voters + 13 Govs Sign Agreement to Lower Energy Costs| The States
Election integrity concerns, PJM energy grid costs, school choice and the highest-paid state officials. On today's episode of The States, host Greg Bishop looks at early voting, talks about fair elections with Executive Director of Popular Democracy, DaMareo Cooper, and goes over the Department of Homeland Securities response to critics' claims that ICE will be stationed at polling places to intimidate voters. Bishop also looks at a new agreement from 13 governors to address electricity costs
#262
October 10 · 48 min
Taxpayer Philanthropy: Pastor blames accountants after TCS investigation | Weekend Edition
On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Georgia drivers are paying 33 cents less for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline than they did last week, courtesy of a fuel tax suspension by Gov. Brian Kemp. Members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are sounding the alarm over potential election insecurity issues caused by a federally indicted Central Illinois county clerk. A nonprofit operated by a Detroit megachurch pastor recently amended six years of tax filings after The Center Square repor
#261
October 9 · 46 min
$2,000 for a Carry Permit? Santa Clara County Fees Challenged | The States
A California county drops carry permit gun restrictions in a Second Amendment Foundation settlement, 12 Illinois counties vote Nov. 3 on separating from Cook County, and an analyst warns of tens of thousands of potential residency violations in Georgia elections. On The States from The Center Square, host Greg Bishop covers gun rights, elections and taxpayer issues across the country. Gun rights: Bill Sack of the Second Amendment Foundation explains the Contra Costa County settlement ending the
#260
October 8 · 47 min
Biggs Says Arizona Should Be More Like Florida Than California | The States
Arizona Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs makes his case for governor against Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs as early voting begins. Pennsylvania State Police warn skill games could be seized after the state Supreme Court’s Oct. 13 deadline. Host Greg Bishop covers these stories and more on this Oct. 8 episode of The States, powered by The Center Square. Andy Biggs interview: Biggs discusses the Colorado River and groundwater, immigration enforcement and responds to clips from Hobbs. He also covers
#259
October 7 · 50 min
Aaron Ammons Ballot Mistakes: 600 Misprinted Ballots Mailed in One Illinois County | The States
States are looking at mileage-based user fees to replace shrinking gas tax revenue, and President Donald Trump has ordered a waiver of the federal diesel excise tax and dyed diesel penalties through year's end. Host Greg Bishop covers these stories, ballot errors in Champaign County, Illinois, and Tennessee's failed execution of Christa Pike on this Oct. 7 episode of The States, powered by The Center Square. Mileage-based user fees: Reason Foundation transportation policy analyst Jay Derr revie
#258
October 6 · 42 min
Supreme Court Denies 48 Gun Cases, Takes No New Second Amendment Cases | The States
The U.S. Supreme Court denied 48 firearms-related cases and took up no new Second Amendment cases on the first orders list of its new term. Georgia drivers are paying about 33 cents less per gallon after Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state gas tax. Host Greg Bishop covers these stories and more on this Oct. 6 episode of The States, powered by The Center Square. Supreme Court gun cases: The court denied 37 challenges to the federal felon-in-possession ban and declined Johnson v. Jacobson, a case

Showing 1–20 of 71 episodes