Podcasts about center square

(The Center Square) – Several Republican state legislators say they will be irreparably harmed if a court doesn't stop the state from enacting the recently approved Illinois state budget. They filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County Circuit Court laying out how the final language of the 3,300 page budget bill was filed with just 30 hours before the legislature was set to adjourn. The legislators argue they needed between 70 to 119 hours. State Sen. Andrew Chesney explains the Three Readings Rule is being abused by Democratic leadership. “And the Democrats have a long tradition of short circuiting that process,” Chesney, R-Freeport, told The Center Square. “And brokering these deals behind closed doors and then presenting the final package of these bills with no time to mount opposition, no time to ask all the questions and no time to truly debate these issues.”

(The Center Square) – Seattle-based private law firm Perkins Coie and Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown collaborated on an amicus brief – or “friend of the court” – filed on behalf of the firm's lawsuit in federal court against the Trump administration, emails obtained by The Center Square reveal. Those emails also reveal the private law firm received advice from the Attorney General's Office on where and when to file the lawsuit. A former Washington GOP attorney general candidate said the revelations raise ethics concerns. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxxRead more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_fc18d56e-c75b-42c9-b638-404e3effa9b2.html

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Report shows that despite all the rhetoric from Governor Abbott and other state leaders, Texas itself is not participating with ICE under 287(g) agreements. This despite a bill that was just passed, SB 8, that sort-of (with no teeth) makes the state's sheriffs participate. What a flim-flam on all of us. Read the story, even DPS testified again the the bill.“According to Texas DPS data, more than 443,000 criminal noncitizens have been booked in Texas jails, The Center Square reported. Yet DPS and TDCJ have signed no MOAs with ICE.By contrast, Democratic-led Arizona's Department of Corrections and Massachusetts Department of Corrections are participating in the JEM.”Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Gun rights, Second Amendment bills that passed the Legislature.Texans will no longer be able to use food stamps (SNAP) to buy candy, soda. And, no “lab-grown meat” in Texas.Governor Abbott signs the bail reform measures that passed – not enough did including the most important related measures in SJR 87.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

(The Center Square) – The Sound Transit Board of Directors has been criticized for a lack of transportation expertise among its members, as the agency continues to see delays to light rail expansion projects and cost overruns to major expansion projects despite massive funding. The Center Square previously reported that more than $21.8 billion in tax revenue was generated by Sound Transit between 1996 and 2023, with $10.3 billion raised between 2019 an 2023 alone. Despite this, the delays to the agency's taxpayer-backed projects have continued, including the last two stations on the 2 line connecting across Lake Washington, which had their target opening of December 2025 moved to early 2026. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_d5a868bf-944c-4909-8c8b-b2d0bada157b.html

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Therese Boudreaux, Congressional Reporter for The Center Square. They discuss the budget making its way through Congress, particularly the tax cuts and Medicaid reforms.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

(The Center Square) – Much of the funding for Sound Transit's projects, including ST3, has come from federal grants. In the past seven years, it has secured a total of $3.8 billion, with $9 billion expected in future grants for ST3. However, as the transit system struggles to recover its pre-pandemic ridership volumes, the agency faces a growing fiscal challenge due to what a spokesperson says are rising property values and increased construction costs. Those challenges could affect how much money it can expect, or need, from the federal government. In an email to The Center Square, Media Relations Manager John Gallagher wrote that “the agency has been transparent about the financial headwinds that we face on capital projects. We anticipate coming to the Board later this year with an update to the financial plan.”

(The Center Square) – A family in East Wenatchee, Wash., at the center of the controversy surrounding transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports, tells The Center Square they are reenergized now that the federal government has launched an investigation into the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. On Wednesday, the U.S. departments of Education and Justice announced their Title IX “Special Investigations Team” joint initiative, alleging that the state's public schools agency has imposed gender-inclusion requirements on school districts in possible violation of federal law. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to ban transgender athletes from competing in women's and girls' sports. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_0119243b-d1b7-473c-a381-26b4619a3930.html

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Steve Wilson, Regional Editor for The Center Square. They the controversy surrounding Hope Florida and the ongoing tension between Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Brett Rowland, Investigative Reporter for The Center Square. They discuss The Center Square's Voters Voice Poll and what voters think of how President Trump is handling immigration, the economy, and other key issues.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop looks at the conversations around property taxes, tariffs, and more.

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Carolyn Bourdeaux, Executive Director at Concord Action. They discuss the growing U.S. federal debt and what can be done to address it.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Bill D'Agostino, Senior Research Analyst for the Media Research Center. They discuss the public's declining trust in the media and specific examples of stories the media got wrong.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx 

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Greg Bishop, Associate Editor for The Center Square. They discuss Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the future of the Democratic Party, and the 2028 Election.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

(The Center Square) – Illinois drivers could be taxed by the mile under a pilot program being considered at the statehouse. Senate Bill 1938 is to be discussed by members of the Transportation committee before April 11. The proposed Road Usage Charge Act would create a pilot program to test a mileage-based fee instead of motor fuel taxes for funding highways. Opponents, like Illinois Trucking Association Executive Director Matt Hart, argue the state of Illinois already has a well-functioning system in place to fund the construction of the state's roads and bridges. “That's why we supported the 2019 capital bill that has put us on the pathway to where we are today, with the state of Illinois having nearly $6 billion in road funds – $3.5 billion in the road fund and $2.3 billion in the state construction account,” Hart told The Center Square. “Clearly, the actions we took in 2019 are providing us with ample revenues for our state.”

The Center Square's Greg Bishop delves into the update to the legal challenge against Illinois' gun ban with the appeals court laying out the briefing schedule months after getting the case.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop talks with Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, about his opposition to the Illinois Homeschool Act. Ford also discusses the witness slip and shell bill process.

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Brett Rowland, Investigative Reporter for The Center Square. They discuss Liberation day and President Trump's reciprocal tariffs. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

(The Center Square) – According to a professor who has studied public corruption, it might be a good thing that prosecutors are seeking $3.14 million in forfeiture proceeds from convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Connie Mixon, professor of political science and director of the Urban Studies Program at Elmhurst University, said convictions and prison sentences have not kept many of the state's elected officials from committing crimes up to this point. “We keep having these guilty corruption cases over and over and over again, but corruption persists,” Mixon told The Center Square.

The Center Square's Greg Bishop discusses the back and forth between President Donald Trump announcing tariffs and the reaction from Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop delves into the latest federal court filing against Illinois' migrant sanctuary policies from the U.S. Department of Justice. The state, Cook County and Chicago all motioned to dismiss the case.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares some of a conversation with Illinois State Rifle Association's Ed Sullivan about their call for U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to come to Illinois and address policies restrictive of residents' Second Amendment Rights.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

(The Center Square) – The Seattle Police Department saw the number of lateral officer candidates in 2024 nearly double from the previous year, as city leaders tout progress in addressing the department's post-pandemic staffing shortage. A lateral officer is an experienced, sworn law enforcement officer who transfers from one police department to another rather than being a new recruit. According to data collected by The Center Square, 34 lateral Seattle Police Department candidates passed the public safety civil service exams and were referred to the department for pre-employment screening. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_33869d6d-fe14-4c04-b8a2-dbd111f1121f.html

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of Illinois' economic indicators lagging the national average while Gov. J.B. Pritzker takes more than 70 people on a trade and economic partnership mission to Mexico.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Jim Talamonti, Illinois Reporter for The Center Square. They discuss how much Chicago schools spend per student and where that money goes. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Carleen Johnson, Washington Reporter for The Center Square. They discuss just a couple of the many gun related bills working their way through the Washington State Legislature. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop revisits an Illinois House education committee hearing to pick up on a bill that would protect non-citizen children in Illinois schools from immigration enforcement.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop discusses the main points coming out of a U.S. House committee looking into taxpayer funding of NPR and PBS as Democrats maintain focus on military discussions via an encrypted messaging app.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares the back-and-forth about the possible impacts on Illinois' education funds following President Donald Trump's executive orders to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares a conversation with New Illinois Chairman G.H. Merritt about an upcoming convention for her group and the overall movement to split the state into two.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Kenneth Schrupp, California Reporter for The Center Square. They discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's new podcast and how Newsom may be situating himself for a 2028 Presidential run.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Sarah Roderick-Fitch, Regional Editor for The Center square. They discuss the Department of Education pulling funding from Columbia University and some of the background for the growth of antisemitism on college campuses.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the back and forth over President Donald Trump's executive order to begin the process of closing down the U.S. Department of Education and the possible impacts on Illinois.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

Thérèse Boudreaux, Reporter for The Center Square.   1.) EPA review of Clean Water Act standards draws praise, panic.   2.) Ex-IRS employee who leaked Trump tax returns summoned by House committee

 On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Lori Windham, Vice President and Senior Counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. They discuss the case out of Oklahoma about whether religious schools can receive taxpayer funding.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the debate inside and outside the committee which passed the Illinois Homeschool Act.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx   

The Center Square's Greg Bishop airs some of the debate in Illinois around education, from the potential closure of the U.S. Department of Education to a bill looking to regulate Illinois homeschool families.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop takes a look at the proposed Illinois Homeschool Act that's set for a public hearing Wednesday morning and the flood of witness slips filed by the public in opposition to the proposed regulations.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop takes an look at the continued questioning of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and whether he plans to run for a third term as governor and then for president in 2028.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Andrew Sorell, Alabama State Auditor and a Gun store owner. They discuss Andrew's experience with "debanking" and the legislation on the state and national level seeking to address this issue.

The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares some of the recent debate from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state legislators about the ongoing Trump administration changes at the U.S. Department of Education.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square Associate Editor Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square's Casey Harper from the Washington D.C. bureau about Trump administration tariffs, DOGE and the border.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews Jim Talamonti's story "NFIB: Businesses would consider leaving if IL imposes non-electric vehicle ban" and watches some statements President Donald Trump made while purchasing a Tesla with Elon Musk at the White House.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the latest on expected efforts of President Donald Trump to order the closing of the U.S. Department of Education, and the reaction from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, to the prospect.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the U.S. House hearing on migrant sanctuary jurisdictions featuring Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and others. He also shares some of a conversation with Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, about the state seeking to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuit against the state.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx 

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of President Donald Trump's speech in front of a joint session of Congress and provides some of the responses from Illinois elected officials.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of President Donald Trump's comments about the tariffs he's imposing on Mexico and Canada and the reaction from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the comments from Illinois' elected officials over the contentious televised meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and also reviews the back and forth over federal spending on health care.

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the recent comments from Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker complaining about the administration of President Donald Trump.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Valerie Kloosterman, a physician assistant, and Doug Peterson, Of Counsel for First Liberty Institute. They share Valerie's story of being fired for her beliefs about transgender care, and the legal case that has followed. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the highlights from an Illinois Auditor General report on the state's Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors and Adults which found large cost overruns from what was estimated. This comes as groups push for more subsidies for non-citizens.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx