Data Centers vs. Taxpayers? The National Fight Over AI Infrastructure | The Center Square Daily

States Call on Congress to Recognize These Forgotten Veterans | The States

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 statewide races were decided in Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma as both parties prepare for a battle over control of Congress.  We also examine concerns about veterans' access to federal benefits. Disabled Veterans founder Benjamin Krause joins the program to discuss how veterans who served during the Central American conflicts may face barriers to benefits because those operations were never formally recognized as wartime service by Congress.  Plus, a look at major human smuggling and labor trafficking cases uncovered across multiple states, ongoing debates over state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and new proposals affecting immigration detention oversight.  Education reporter Esther Wickham breaks down the growing debate over taxpayer-funded college aid and in-state tuition benefits for certain non-citizen students, including the legal battle unfolding in Texas and the broader impact on higher education funding.  And Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy breaks down why black Americans in the 50 top metros struggle to get mortgages.  Plus America's Talking  CALIFORNIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_de8726f9-4a80-4651-af24-c04a70ea2692.html  OHIO - https://www.thecentersquare.com/ohio/article_3aa97e86-6c20-4baf-9576-41304e741355.html  ILLINOIS - https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_c14f00b7-9ae2-415f-ba80-9361c62b4792.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Supreme Court Lets New York Gun Lawsuit Move Forward | The States

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 latest Voters' Voice Poll findings, examine voter attitudes toward gerrymandering and independent redistricting commissions, and discuss what election experts say about the growing trend of mid-decade map changes.  Election law battles continue across the country as lawmakers debate voter ID requirements, proof of citizenship measures, voter roll maintenance, and mail ballot rules. We look at the latest developments in Congress, California, Arizona, and a pending U.S. Supreme Court case that could affect how states handle ballots after Election Day.  Georgia voters head to the polls in critical Republican runoff elections that could shape the state's political future. We discuss the closely watched governor and U.S. Senate races, the endorsements driving the campaigns, and what the results could mean heading into November.  State budget negotiations are reaching a critical stage from coast to coast. California lawmakers advance a $355.9 billion spending plan, Pennsylvania leaders face pressure to avoid another costly budget impasse, Illinois approves its largest state budget ever, and Georgia prepares for a special session that could impact taxes, elections, and local governments.  Plus, America's Talking:  New York: https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_2144834b-1954-4bf9-b441-11643fa7d6b7.html  [https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_2144834b-1954-4bf9-b441-11643fa7d6b7.html] Florida: https://www.thecentersquare.com/florida/article_e68b7c00-da3a-479f-a9e4-76175cbc54d0.html  [https://www.thecentersquare.com/florida/article_e68b7c00-da3a-479f-a9e4-76175cbc54d0.html] Illinois: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_0e22530b-ebe9-4253-b8a1-e3d5fa5dea41.html  [https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_0e22530b-ebe9-4253-b8a1-e3d5fa5dea41.html] Louisiana: https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_0b5b7a66-5c38-4163-a297-dab7bd5e8308.html  [https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_0b5b7a66-5c38-4163-a297-dab7bd5e8308.html] The States delivers taxpayer-focused reporting from around America, powered by The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washington State's 'Hate' Hotline Gets Dueling Reports on Somali Daycare Fraud | The States

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 taxpayers across the country.  - Independent Illinois gubernatorial candidate Colin Corbett discusses affordability, taxes, energy policy, and his effort to qualify for the November ballot.  - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development freezes funding tied to Los Angeles homelessness programs amid allegations of financial mismanagement.  - The Center Square investigative reporter TJ Martinell explains newly released records from Washington state's bias incident hotline connected to the ongoing Somali daycare fraud controversy.  - President Donald Trump signals uncertainty about renewing the USMCA trade agreement as lawmakers and industry experts weigh potential impacts on energy, manufacturing, and consumers.  Plus, America's Talking:  TEXAS: https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_72a5cfe4-0c59-4786-af50-23c0d3f2c636.html  [https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_72a5cfe4-0c59-4786-af50-23c0d3f2c636.html] GEORGIA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_89be4574-f1a5-45b5-93a5-5328006c7b91.html [https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_89be4574-f1a5-45b5-93a5-5328006c7b91.html]  NEVADA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/nevada/article_04b7b4f4-a9f0-40a2-8220-c75e61308916.html [https://www.thecentersquare.com/nevada/article_04b7b4f4-a9f0-40a2-8220-c75e61308916.html]  NORTH CAROLINA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_18006a0f-f956-4b3c-b5c8-5795db58a792.html  [https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_18006a0f-f956-4b3c-b5c8-5795db58a792.html] Subscribe for daily coverage of state government, taxpayer issues, public policy, and the stories shaping America from the statehouse to Washington.    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Illinois Gov. Suspends Incentives for Data Centers | Weekend Edition

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 use the estimated $500 million in new annual revenue to give property tax rebates to seniors won bipartisan, final approval from the Pennsylvania House Tuesday. And a variety of economic forces are contributing to the slow down in the jobs market and AI is only one of them.    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Second Amendment Clash: Court Strips Gun Rights After Repeat DUIs | The Center Square Daily

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 about rising economic anxiety, shifting voter priorities, concerns over government accountability, and what the latest polling could mean for the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race.  In America's Talking, Firearms Friday examines a major Washington state Supreme Court ruling that allows repeat DUI offenders to lose their Second Amendment rights. The segment also explores ongoing debates over gun regulations in New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Colorado as lawmakers, courts, and advocacy groups continue to battle over firearm access, public safety, and constitutional protections.  The Center Square investigative reporter Mark Stricherz joins the show to discuss a taxpayer-funded nonprofit that received millions in federal grants while expanding its work beyond financial regulation into broader social and political issues, raising questions about accountability and oversight.  The program also covers growing concerns about Social Security's projected insolvency, congressional reactions to the latest trustees report, and what benefit cuts could mean for future retirees.  Plus, a look at the most affordable states for summer road trips as families weigh travel plans amid elevated costs and inflation. Subscribe for daily reporting on the policies, taxes, and political debates impacting taxpayers across America. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.