$90M Minnesota childcare & Medicaid fraud | The Center Square Daily

Cash Assistance Program Scrutiny, DOJ Investigates 2nd Amendment Violation | The Center Square Daily

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 nationwide. Greg Bishop speaks with former Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer about California's prolonged vote-counting process, mail-in ballots, election integrity concerns, and what voters should expect heading into the 2026 midterms. The U.S. Supreme Court has released another major ruling, striking down Biden-era energy efficiency regulations affecting furnaces and water heaters. Meanwhile, several closely watched cases remain pending, including challenges involving birthright citizenship, asylum claims, mail-in voting deadlines, Second Amendment rights, and transgender athletes competing in women's sports.  Michigan lawmakers continue to debate the future of the Rx Kids program, a taxpayer-funded initiative that has distributed more than $300 million in cash assistance to families since launching in Flint in 2024. The Center Square reporter Elyse Apel joins the program to discuss Republican concerns about oversight and accountability, as supporters point to reported improvements in maternal and infant health outcomes.  The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the Philadelphia Police Department's handling of concealed carry permits, examining whether city officials are improperly restricting Second Amendment rights through discretionary permit revocations.  America's Talking:  Wisconsin - https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_98b9d112-378f-4cc6-b556-41566a0c07c0.html  Louisiana - https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_70ade02c-7511-40cd-9e91-3e77221f9856.html  Michigan - https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_98ed8bfd-fbb0-440c-a968-c8a2377f62a9.html  North Carolina - https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_9c6b2ae3-720d-4b50-a4e1-bad3a701e383.html Subscribe for daily coverage of the stories impacting taxpayers, voters, and policymakers 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.

IRS Data Reveals Which States Are Winning—and Losing—Taxpayers | The Center Square Daily

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-tax states like California, New York, and Illinois to states such as Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Tax Foundation policy analyst Abir Mandal breaks down which states are gaining residents, which are losing taxpayers, and what those migration trends could mean for housing, public services, and future tax policy.   California's election results continue to shift as mail ballots are counted days after Election Day, including changes in the Los Angeles mayoral race. We examines how different states handle ballot deadlines, ongoing election integrity debates, and what delayed vote counting means for voters and candidates. The Center Square education reporter Esther Wickham joins Greg Bishop to discuss a new civics and civil rights curriculum backed by former U.N. Ambassador and civil rights leader Andrew Young. The conversation examines declining civics proficiency among students, the importance of understanding American history and constitutional government, and efforts to teach leadership, civil discourse, and civic engagement through the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement. Supporters say the curriculum helps students develop character, critical thinking, and an understanding of how social change is achieved, while also encouraging respectful dialogue and informed participation in public life. America's Talking - Minnesota fraud investigation raises questions about oversight of taxpayer-funded programs.   - Pennsylvania lawmakers push chip-enabled EBT cards to combat SNAP benefit theft.   - Michigan examines fraud concerns in Medicaid and Affordable Care Act enrollment systems.   - California debates safeguards for autism funding amid concerns about waste and abuse - Texas officials spotlight the taxpayer cost of fraud as a percentage of state budgets The Center Square Daily delivers taxpayer-focused coverage of state governments, elections, public policy, and the issues affecting communities 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.

Homelessness Spending Shift: New HUD Rules Could Change Everything | Weekend Edition

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 Housing First model. Louisiana closed out its legislative session with a $47 Billion operating budget. And Mortgage rates are increasing, even as the Fed holds steady.  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.

Major Gun Rights Cases Could Reshape Firearm Laws Nationwide | The Center Square Daily

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. Law Shield President Kirk Evans joins the program to discuss pending U.S. Supreme Court cases, legal challenges to firearm purchase waiting periods, proposed handgun restrictions, FOID card changes in Illinois, and the broader legal landscape facing gun owners heading into the 2026 elections.  With FIFA World Cup matches set to begin across North America, taxpayers and local communities are weighing the promised economic benefits against the public costs of hosting major sporting events. The Center Square's Jon Styf joins to discuss what economists and policy analysts are saying on whether host cities will see the projected economic windfalls or whether much of the spending simply shifts dollars that would have been spent elsewhere in local economies.  Square Up the Vote:  - Nevada voters prepare to choose party nominees in a closely watched gubernatorial primary.  - Governor Joe Lombardo and Attorney General Aaron Ford remain key figures in a race that could shape the state's political future.  - Candidates continue to debate affordability, economic policy, and the direction of state government ahead of November.  Economic Snapshot:  - The U.S. added 172,000 jobs in May while unemployment remained at 4.3%.  - South Dakota, North Dakota, Hawaii, Vermont, and Alabama posted the nation's lowest unemployment rates.  - The District of Columbia, Nevada, Delaware, California, and Washington ranked among the highest unemployment rates.  - Labor force participation declined from 62.6% to 61.8% over the past year.  America's Talking:  - Michigan lawmakers push for greater transparency in Medicaid error and improper payment rates.  - New York legislators debate redistricting and concerns about political map drawing.  - Statehouses across the country continue discussing government spending, taxpayer accountability, and election-year policy priorities.  The Center Square Daily delivers taxpayer-focused reporting on government spending, elections, public policy, and the issues impacting communities 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.

Trump Admin Prioritizes Treatment Programs in $4B Homelessness Funding | The Center Square Daily

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 budget, legislative pay raises, new taxes and fees, and concerns about transparency during the final hours of session. McCombie argues taxpayers are paying more while receiving little relief from rising costs, criticizing the state's spending priorities and warning that continued tax increases could further strain Illinois families and businesses.  The Center Square's Tim Clouser explains the Trump administration proposing significant changes to federal homelessness programs by shifting billions of dollars away from permanent housing subsidies and toward treatment, recovery, and accountability-based services. Supporters say the move could improve outcomes and reduce long-term taxpayer costs, while service providers and local governments weigh the impact on existing homelessness programs and funding structures.  At the White House & America's Talking:  - President Donald Trump discusses ongoing negotiations with Iran and the potential economic impact of Middle East tensions.  - The president criticizes sanctuary policies and public safety leadership in major cities, including Chicago.  - Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker continues to position himself as a leading critic of the Trump administration ahead of the midterm elections.  - North Carolina opts into a federal education tax credit program that could provide families up to $1,700 per child beginning in 2027.  - Pennsylvania lawmakers consider legislation targeting AI-generated "nudification" technology.  - Louisiana lawmakers leave several carbon capture and energy-related bills unresolved as the legislative session ends.  - Federal transportation officials investigate security concerns within Atlanta's transit system ahead of upcoming World Cup events.  The Center Square Daily delivers taxpayer-focused coverage of government spending, public policy, elections, and the decisions impacting families, businesses, and communities 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.