Rasmussen: Most Voters Who Like "Socialism" Don't Actually Support It | The States

Rasmussen: Most Voters Who Like "Socialism" Don't Actually Support It | The States

The Illinois Attorney General's office spent more than $2 million on private attorneys in recent years, mostly defending two lawsuits against prison officials, despite having roughly 450 in-house attorneys. Several contracted firms and their attorneys donated to AG Kwame Raoul's campaigns, and a watchdog group says the contracts raise integrity concerns even though the donations were legal and comparatively small. Also in this episode: Rasmussen on 2026 election issues: Pollster Scott Rasmussen says gas prices will be the top factor in the 2026 midterms, with lower prices favoring Republicans. He says most voters who claim to like "socialism" don't actually support government control of the economy, and DSA candidates winning in safe blue districts reflects low primary turnout rather than a broad ideological shift. Lindsey Graham succession: South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will appoint an immediate replacement for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, with primary voters deciding next month whether that appointee stays on the November ballot. Deere lawsuit: Wisconsin, Illinois, two other states, and the FTC sued John Deere over allegedly monopolizing equipment repair by restricting access to repair software; Deere agreed to make the software available to farmers and independent shops for 10 years under the same terms given to authorized dealers. Arizona coal-to-gas plant: Arizona's shuttered Cholla Power Plant will reopen using natural gas instead of coal, with two units expected online by 2029, creating 35 jobs and enough power for about 61,000 homes. Florida "Stop Woke Act" ruling: A federal appeals court upheld a block on parts of Florida's Individual Freedom Act that restricted how professors can teach concepts on race and sex, ruling 2-1 that it violates the First Amendment; one judge dissented, arguing the state lacks authority to regulate classroom speech at public universities. Plus, America's Talking: National - https://www.thecentersquare.com/south_carolina/article_7446d7ac-09ea-437d-8fc5-efc7ba6e2ac6.html Wisconsin - https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_e67130f2-2ca4-4f65-836d-417973363270.html Arizona - https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_4ac8e002-4111-4ee4-9ed4-37219aad9044.html Education - https://www.thecentersquare.com/florida/article_6515040b-031b-4d95-987c-e33a6e9d46b3.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.

California Could Be Impacted by Social Security Insolvency | Weekend Edition

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, The trusts that fund Social Security benefits for retired seniors, survivors and people with disabilities face insolvency in the next six years. Washington Attorney General's Office spokesman told reporters there was “no story”  about AGO and legislative communications over the millionaire's tax, dismissing the investigation as “misinformation” and “nonsense.” Schools and government entities in Georgia and Tennessee are paying large sums of money to settle lawsuits with educators fired because of their comments about Charlie Kirk. And why the housing market is stuck. 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 AR-15 Ban Survives Appeals Court But SCOTUS May Have the Final Say | The States

Illinois gun ban upheld by Appeals court, new AI regulations, Gov. Newsom addresses DOJ investigation and takes aim at President Trump, school fraud nationwide, and tax holidays. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Illinois' assault weapons and magazine ban 2-1, with the case expected to move to the U.S. Supreme Court. Illinois' new AI regulation law requires large AI providers to publish safety governance statements and undergo independent audits, with real financial penalties for noncompliance. Also in this episode: California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed reports of DOJ investigations into his associates, called the Trump administration corrupt, and commented on Democratic socialist primary wins and 2026 midterm strategy at an unrelated news conference. A new report found over $225 million in school fraud nationwide from 2019 to 2026, including a $44 million Indiana virtual charter school scheme and a $24 million false tutoring scheme in Puerto Rico. States including Alabama, Florida, and Texas are rolling out sales tax holidays on school supplies and other items in the coming weeks, with dates varying by state. Pennsylvania Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, despite being on opposite sides of the aisle, have formed a joint fundraising committee called Common Ground Pennsylvania. An audit of Memphis-Shelby County, Tennessee schools found over $119 million in questionable costs, including $54 million in suspected waste, fraud, and abuse. Arizona withdrew a policy requiring detailed purchase documentation for its school choice program and is directing over $53 million in leftover education funds toward school resource officers and mental health professionals. Plus, America's Talking:   Pennsylvania - https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_ea6e5313-4a45-4c9d-b856-a7a6f7284cb6.html Tennessee - https://www.thecentersquare.com/tennessee/article_a9f48797-00ef-4912-b7ac-941de52659e4.html Education - https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_68b19655-95e1-44b0-902b-9077c45d6b8f.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.

Illinois State Rep Federally Indicted for Kickback Scheme | The States

Lawmaker indicted for wire fraud in Illinois, Texas utilities navigate challenges, Washington Attorney General Office staff emails, and Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy discusses housing market. Illinois State Rep. Carol Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, were federally indicted on kickback and obstruction charges tied to campaign funds and taxpayer grants. The case has drawn scrutiny to Illinois' member initiative grant process, which Republicans say is prone to abuse. Illinois Minority Leader Tony McCombie joins to discusses the scandal and potential reforms. Also in this episode: National gas prices are averaging $3.84 a gallon, up slightly amid the Iran conflict but still near pre-conflict levels. The Energy Department finalized a $3.26 billion loan to expand Texas transmission lines and Texas won an injunction over illegally stockpiled wind turbine blades. Leaked emails show Washington Attorney General's Office staff arguing personal income isn't legally "owned" property, a stance tied to defending the state's millionaire's tax. The housing market remains flat, with new listings and sales holding steady compared to last year. Border Patrol in El Paso is warning rideshare drivers that human smugglers are using ride-hailing apps to coordinate illegal crossings. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he has major policy differences with a progressive New York primary winner over her past stances on prisons, borders, and deportation. Seattle Councilman Bob Kettle wants to shrink Mayor Katie Wilson's proposed transit sales tax hike from 0.15 to 0.05 percentage points. Illinois' Attorney General has paid over $2 million in three years to private law firms, some of which donated to his campaign, to fight lawsuits against the state prison system. Plus, America's Talking:   Texas - https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_adf64514-b510-45bc-a594-f7e18aff14e2.html Pennsylvania - https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_76bc8a4c-8754-44e0-8d60-1847594b0c5c.html Washington - https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_f8400f81-8206-4ac4-b833-c28e99d37a56.html Illinois - https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_5a68910d-34e6-4c28-ab13-1a59e9a658d3.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.

North Carolina Is Using AI to Catch Government Fraud — Here's What It's Already Found | The States

President Trump says the U.S. will likely strike Iran again, casting doubt on the ceasefire and floating a new blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices jump over 6% following renewed U.S.-Iran tensions.   North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek discusses the work of the Auditor's Office including using AI to uncover wasteful spending, including a $61 million bridge project with no construction to show for it. Boliek also highlights DMV wait times cut 87% and Charlotte transit security findings following his office's audits.  Also in this episode: New Veteran Protection Index ranks Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas as top states for veteran healthcare and pension support; New Hampshire, Virginia, and Alaska rank lowest Social Security's OASI Trust Fund projected to hit insolvency in 2032, triggering a 22% cut to benefits for retirees, survivors, and disability recipients The Center Square's Madeline Shannon discusses how California will be impacted by   Congress debates trade deficits and exports across LNG, agriculture, and digital services; economists say deficits aren't a reliable measure of economic weakness Virginia court denies bid to consolidate four lawsuits against new semiautomatic firearms law, allowing cases to proceed separately Seven Illinois counties to vote on separating from Cook County; Minnesota's Board of Pardons draws DHS criticism over pardon tied to deportation case New York City Council advances 18.2% pay raise for elected officials, including a boost to the mayor's salary Plus, America's Talking:   Virginia - https://www.thecentersquare.com/virginia/article_bcfd1b35-3dd3-4325-af2b-a677650959df.html Illinois - https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_fc0c96c4-ce75-40b8-8292-4f5ae7c52b2d.html Minnesota - https://www.thecentersquare.com/minnesota/article_ab8b1383-259e-4a5c-a12f-03b84124c603.html New York - https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_4a358708-d748-4e4d-a068-3ac68af6d9f0.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.