California’s $1.1B Capitol Project: 2,000 NDAs and Growing Questions | The Center Square Daily

Non-Citizen Students Across U.S. Get Financial Aid For College | Weekend Edition

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, State financial aid continues to expand within higher education, allowing money to go to eligible noncitizen students. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, agreed that a regular drug user cannot be stripped of the right to possess a firearm. As many states rushed to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, half of American voters say district lines should only be redrawn once a decade after the U.S. Census, a new national poll finds. A new analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data reveals a persistent gap in mortgage denial rates between black and white applicants across all 50 of the largest U.S. metro areas.  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.

Gun Attorney: What the SCOTUS Marijuana-Gun Ruling Does — and Doesn't — Mean | The States

The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that occasional marijuana users can own firearms — what does that actually mean for gun owners? Plus: voter pessimism hits a new high ahead of midterms, state unemployment numbers, SNAP fraud costs, and California's billionaire tax heads to the ballot. A unanimous Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ali Hamani, a man found with marijuana and a pistol, protecting his Second Amendment rights. Washington Gun Law's William Kirk joins the show to discuss what the ruling actually covers — and what it doesn't — for gun owners across the country.  Also on today's show:  - A new Center Square Voter Voices poll finds 60% of registered voters say the country is heading in the wrong direction, up from 53% in March  - Gas prices now at $4.13/gallon, up from $2.94 before Operation Epic Fury began in February  - States tackling energy policy: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and others discuss energy sustainability and reliability  - SNAP fraud is costing taxpayers billions — what states are doing to crack down  - May unemployment rates across Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, and Nevada  - California's Billionaire Tax Act qualifies for the November ballot  - Philadelphia's "ICE Out" ordinance faces a federal lawsuit from the DOJ  - The Trump administration transfers civil rights and special education programs out of the Department of Education  📰 Read more at TheCenterSquare.com  Subscribe for taxpayer-focused, non-partisan reporting on the stories shaping 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.

Today's Supreme Court Decision Allows Drug Users to Keep Guns & MORE | The States

Foiled terror plot, Supreme Court gun ruling, data center concerns, public employee payouts, and state tax news headline today's episode of The States. A West Virginia lawmaker speaks out after learning he was named as a target in a domestic terror plot tied to Sunday's UFC fight on the White House lawn. The Supreme Court rules on a case examining the intersection of gun rights and drug offenses. Communities across the country raise concerns about data center NDAs and resource use. Public employees in Allegheny County collect massive payouts for unused sick and vacation leave, raising questions about government benefit policies. Arizona moves to require advance notice before tax law interpretations hit residents' wallets.   Plus America's Talking  ARIZONIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_d9099383-fd02-4b32-973d-d5a657b70aa8.html  MICHIGAN - https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_c9a44558-dbf4-4c2c-af3f-94a013089214.html  CALIFORNIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_d3cbac25-74f9-4a4a-8994-d6baefa75d30.html  GEORGIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_9c4e9dbd-1a50-490c-9b99-b2dcafa82741.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.

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.