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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#282
Saturday · 48 min
Georgia Flips Blue, Pennsylvania Gets Dem Trifecta, & Other Election Recap | Weekend Edition
On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Democrats flipped more than 20 U.S. House seats and six U.S. Senate seats in Tuesday’s midterm elections, setting up a contentious final two years for President Donald Trump. The US Supreme court heard oral arguments on a case out of Colorado looking at whether a Catholic preschool could get state funding while limiting who could attend the school. Georgia elected a democratic governor but control of the state house was not clear immediately after
#281
Friday · 39 min
Gun Rights Group Expects Surge in Sales + Regulations as Democrats Take Control | The States
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Democrats now control the governor’s office, the state House and the state Senate for the first time in about 30 years. Gun rights advocates are predicting a surge in gun sales and new gun control legislation after Tuesday’s midterm elections. On The States for Nov. 6, 2026, host Greg Bishop covers what Democratic control means for Pennsylvania, the Second Amendment fight ahead, and Illinois counties voting to explore separating from Cook County. The Center Sq
#280
Thursday · 24 min
Democrats outline agenda as Trump threatens veto power; Georgia's New Governor | The States
Democrats are laying out their agenda for the 120th Congress after winning majorities in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, flipping at least 29 House seats and seven Senate seats as of Wednesday afternoon. On The States for Nov. 5, 2026, host Greg Bishop covers Democrats’ plans on affordability, tariffs and the Iran war, the unresolved fight for control of the Georgia House, and what taxpayers could pay for education in several states. Hakeem Jeffries, expected to replace Republican Mike Joh
#279
Wednesday · 43 min
Democrats Dominate; Tobacco and Nicotine Funding Schools at Center of SCOTUS Case | The States
Democrats flipped six U.S. Senate seats (Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas) and more than 20 U.S. House seats in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Greg Bishop breaks down the results on The States with The Center Square Executive Editor Dan McCaleb, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate loss, Sen. Jon Ossoff’s reelection in Georgia, and the governor races in Georgia, Florida, Arizona, California and Illinois. Also on the show: California voters reject the Prop. 40 bil
#278
Tuesday · 28 min
Control of U.S. Senate at Stake as Statehouse Races to be Decided | The States
Election Day 2026 will decide control of the U.S. Senate and governor’s races in more than 30 states. The U.S. Supreme Court also rejected a Trump administration request to segregate 20,000 California mail-in ballots. On The States for Nov. 3, 2026, host Greg Bishop previews the key Senate, governor and congressional races and explains why results won’t be official tonight. Justice Elena Kagan denied the Department of Justice’s emergency motion. Solicitor General John Sauer had argued that segr
#277
November 2 · 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
October 30 · 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
October 29 · 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

Showing 1–20 of 76 episodes