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Synopsis: What happens when the President threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act? Two leading voices weigh in on how Congress, veterans, and citizens can push back against rising militarization. This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate Description [original air-date November 2025]: The U.S. military is sworn to serve the Constitution, but that's getting complicated under Donald Trump. The President has deployed National Guard troops to half a dozen U.S. cities against the wishes of local officials and ICE agents are roaming around communities acting under unclear rules. Now the President is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act. What difference would that make? Laura's guests are U.S. House Representative Pramila Jayapal and Marine veteran Janessa Goldbeck, who say it's time to reject authoritarianism and uphold the Constitution. Congresswoman Jayapal is the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement and represents Washington State's 7th Congressional District. She has been at the forefront of congressional oversight and opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies. Captain Goldbeck is CEO of Vet Voice, a national nonprofit that mobilizes veterans and military families to shape American democracy and defend the values they swore to protect. What can Congress, veterans and the general public do to stop the militarization of our cities? Join us for this powerful conversation, plus a commentary on the other times that the U.S. government has turned its military inward. Note: This conversation took place prior to the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in MN] “What we're seeing now is the president attempting to reshape the U.S. military into a tool of his own domestic political control . . . And then to deploy uniformed service members and the National Guard across the country against the wishes of local elected leaders . . . I feel a lot of sadness and frustration on behalf of those who are serving in uniform today who are being put into this very partisan political position by the United States president.” - Janessa Goldbeck “What law enforcement should be doing — of any kind, whether it's ICE, National Guard, whoever — is trying to deescalate. What we clearly see this set of military actors doing is escalate, right? When you crack down brutally, when you shoot a rubber bullet at a faith leader in Chicago, or when you violently push someone down to the ground, who by the way happens to be the father of three U.S. Marines . . . I think that is really an attempt to suppress any kind of dissent.” - Rep. Pramila Jayapal Guests: • Captain Janessa Goldbeck: Marine Corps Veteran; CEO, Vet Voice Foundation • Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal: D-WA, 7th Congressional District Full Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters. Watch the special report on YouTube; PBS World Channel 11:30am ET Sundays, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episodes air on community radio (check here to see if your station is airing the show) & as a podcast. RESOURCES: Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes: • Another January 6 Insurrection? 'War Game' Film Asks if We're Ready: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut and Full Uncut Conversation • Community Safety in a Time of Insurrection: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut • Inside the MAGA Movement: What Happens Now?: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut and Full Uncut Conversation Related Articles and Resources: • The Resistance Lab, grassroots trainings led by Pramila Jayapal and thought leaders from across the movement. • Pentagon orders states' national guards to form ‘quick reaction forces' for ‘crowd control' by Aaron Glantz, October 29, 2025, The Guardian • Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal at No Kings protest Seattle: ‘We are the people's movement that will save our democracy', October 18, 2025 - Watch - King5.com • Former Military Leaders Decry National Guard Deployment in Illinois, by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois, October 16, 2025, WTTW-PBS • Where has Trump suggested sending troops? In cities run by Democratic mayors, by Juliana Kim, October 16, 2025, NPR •. We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They've Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days. by Nicole Foy & photography by Sarahbeth Maney, October 16, 2025, ProPublica •. Trump open to invoking the Insurrection Act, by Irie Sentner, October 6, 2025, Politico • FAQ on Refusing Illegal Orders, by JMB, June 18, 2025, Military Law Task Force Full Episode Notes are located HERE. Music Credit: 'Thrum of Soil' by Bluedot Sessions, and original sound design by Jeannie Hopper Support Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. 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Longtime Rep. Darrell Issa announced Friday he will not seek reelection in 2026 after serving in Congress for more than two decades. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond also announced last week that he will run for Issa's seat in the 48th Congressional District, reshaping a race with national implications.Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis joins Midday Edition Monday to talk about the role new congressional maps played in Issa's decision, and to reflect on his political legacy as a Republican leader in Southern California.Guest:Scott Lewis, CEO, editor-in-chief, Voice of San Diego
Joining Tina on today's show Rep. Andre Carson, (D) IN 7th Congressional District to discuss his annual Youth Opportunities Fair and the war with Iran. Later in the show, Travis Williams, CEO and Founder of HBCU All Stars coming up Final Four Weekend, April 4th and 6th here in Indy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
X: @RepFine @ileaderssummit @americasrt1776 @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk @JTitMVirginia Join America's Roundtable radio co-hosts Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy with Congressman Randy Fine, member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Since coming to Washington, DC in April 2025, Congressman Randy Fine has risen to become one of the most highly effective communicators on Capitol Hill, clearly articulating the importance of implementing principled reforms and boldly addressing challenges and opportunities we face in America today. His messages remind us of President Ronald Reagan's smart responses, explaining in a simple language what we are facing as Americans, and presenting the unvarnished truth. Topics: — US and Israel airstikes against Iran's regime : A timeline of Iranian terrorist attacks and threats leading to America's just intervention. — Certain mosques on American soil mourning the death of the head of State Sponsor of Terrorism Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei. — Congressman Fine's message to Europe and NATO members. — The Impact of U.S. economic reforms. Bio: Randy Fine was elected to represent Florida's 6th Congressional District in April of 2025 and serves on the House Foreign Affairs and the Education and Workforce Committee. A third-generation Floridian, Randy built a career as a successful entrepreneur, founding and running businesses in retail, technology, and hospitality. Randy's retirement didn't last long. In 2016, he was elected to the Florida House, where he served the maximum eight years before moving on to the Florida Senate and then Congress. During his time in Tallahassee, he chaired five committees, passed more than forty bills, and became known as a strong advocate for school choice, tough immigration enforcement, and protecting children from harmful ideologies. As the only Jewish Republican in the Florida Legislature, Randy led the fight to make Florida the safest state in America for Jewish families and people of faith. His colleagues and national Jewish organizations honored him with the nickname “The Hebrew Hammer” for his work opposing terrorism and combatting antisemitism. The son of two public school teachers, Randy graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in government and later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School, where he graduated with high distinction as one of the youngest Baker Scholars in decades. Visit | https://fine.house.gov americasrt.com https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/ America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472 X: @RepFine @ileaderssummit @americasrt1776 @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk @JTitMVirginia America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit. America's Roundtable radio program focuses on America's economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world. Tune into America's Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 68 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Tune into WTON in Central Virginia on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. (ET). Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms. Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm
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The Rod and Greg Show Daily Rundown – Friday, March 6, 20264:20 pm: Senator Brady Brammer joins the show to discuss the highs and lows of the 2026 Legislative session.4:38 pm: Utah Senate President Stuart Adams joins the show for a conversation about the wins and losses of the session.5:05 pm: Former Utah lawmaker Phil Lyman joins Greg to discuss why he has made the decision to run for congress in Utah's 3rd Congressional District against incumbent Celeste Maloy.5:38 pm: Representative Logan Monson joins the show to discuss his experience during the 2026 Legislative session.6:05 pm: Angela Morabito, Visiting Fellow at the Independent Women's Forum, joins the show for a conversation about her piece in The Federalist about a Democrat bill that would ban immigration enforcement actions from taking place within 1,000 feet of “sensitive locations,” like a schools, hospitals and churches.6:20 pm: Richie Greenberg, a California based political commentator and opinion columnist, joins the program to discuss his piece in the New York Post on how California Governor Gavin Newsom loves to blame everyone but himself for issues facing the state.6:38 pm: We'll listen back to Greg's conversations this week with Daniel Turner of Power the Future on the effects the U.S. airstrikes on Iran will have on the global energy industry, and (at 6:50 pm) with Andrea Picciotti-Bayer of The Conscience Project on her Federalist piece about how we have parents to thank for the retreat of those pushing the trans-ideology.
The Steve Gruber Show | Free Speech, Free For All Friday --- 00:00 - Monologue 28:06 – Scott Coburn, Chief Marketing Officer at Patriot Mobile. Coburn discusses how Patriot Mobile is expanding its reach, including a new NASCAR partnership with Richard Childress Racing and Jason Aldean's upcoming tour. He also highlights Patriot Mobile Business, which provides connectivity solutions designed for conservative-minded companies. 38:14 - Monologue 47:09 – Tommy Aiello, Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Taxpayers Union. Aiello explains how policies coming out of Congress can directly affect the price Americans pay at the pump. He outlines what lawmakers could do to help lower fuel costs and reduce pressure on consumers. 57:04 – Rep. Tim Walberg, representing Michigan's 5th Congressional District. Walberg discusses his call for Democrats to pass critical Department of Homeland Security funding amid rising security concerns. He also highlights House passage of his legislation aimed at increasing public access to America's national parks. 1:15:56 - Monologue 1:24:45 – Steve Dulan, professor and licensed attorney. Dulan examines a case involving a Georgia father convicted after his child was accused of gun violence. He also discusses a pending Supreme Court case that could decide the legality of a federal gun ban for drug users. 1:34:48 – Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, Minnesota State Senator representing District 9. Rasmusson discusses growing concerns about fraud in Minnesota ahead of a major hearing involving Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. He outlines why lawmakers and experts are calling for greater accountability. 1:43:39 – Ivey Gruber, President of the Michigan Talk Network. Gruber wraps up the show by reacting to several controversial political and cultural stories making headlines. The discussion includes commentary on political rhetoric, public messaging, and recent remarks from prominent political figures. --- Check out our brand new podcast, 'Forgotten America'... The third episode is live NOW at Steve Gruber on YouTube! Link below: https://youtu.be/vZiEUjtQ-m4
Our guest on The Voice Podcast is Congressman Paul Tonko, a Democrat who represents New York's 20th Congressional District. A longtime state Assembly member who was elected to Congress in 2008, Tonko has been a fighter for his constituents, for higher education and for organized labor. He's come out against the war in Iran, calling it reckless and unjustified. He's also called for the abolition of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, citing the death and destruction the agency has caused under President Trump's cruel immigration crackdown and the fatal shootings of two Minneapolis protesters—both U.S. citizens—by federal agents. As the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Tonko blasted the administration for its Feb. 12 decision to repeal the Environmental Protection Agency's “endangerment finding,” a long-standing, scientifically proven conclusion that greenhouse gases are dangerous to humans and the planet.He stood with United University Professions in our fight against the Trump administration's drastic 2025 cuts to federal research funding. In February 2025, Tonko joined with three other New York House Democrats to criticize the National Institutes of Health for drastically reducing grant funding for indirect costs. In our Lookback segment, Mike Lisi remembers the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire which took place on March 25, 1911 and the quirky, nearly two-month strike of San Francisco's KMPX-FM, America's first underground rock station, which started March 18, 1968. In Kowal's Coda, The Voice Podcast host Fred Kowal provides commentary on the war in Iran and why the this chaotic action - which came without a declaration of war by Congress - has occurred. Links to music from this episode: Metropolitan Klesmer: "Die Fire Korbunes (The Fire's Sacrifices)" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6OP6GRkSNoAce of Cups: "Feel Good" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KqPCFw-VHQ
Congressman Chip Roy, Representative for Texas' 21st Congressional District, joined us on the Guy Benson Show today to react to the firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in favor of Sen. Markwayne Mullin. Rep. Chip Roy also discussed Trump's actions in Iran and the neccesity to prevent the military action from becoming a "regime change" operation, and Benson and Roy also discussed the importance of passing the SAVE America Act. Listen to the full interview below. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sid Rosenberg delivered another high-energy morning packed with politics, national security, and New York sports on Sid and Friends in the Morning. Former NYC Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli joined Sid to discuss the controversy surrounding Councilmember Vicky Palladino, arguing that efforts by the City Council to punish her over social media posts could set a troubling precedent for policing political speech and may even strengthen her standing with voters. Media heavyweight Bill O'Reilly weighed in on global tensions, breaking down the geopolitical logic behind U.S. actions involving Iran and stressing that military strength, disciplined strategy, and high-level negotiations—not media narratives—ultimately determine outcomes on the world stage. From Capitol Hill, U.S. Senator Rick Scott honored fallen service members and defended President Donald Trump's military actions as necessary preemptive steps to protect American lives, while criticizing partisan battles over war powers. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis also joined the program to celebrate a Supreme Court decision preserving New York's 11th Congressional District map, calling it a major victory for voters in Staten Island and Brooklyn and a stand against partisan gerrymandering. And in the sports world, WFAN legend Joe Beningo brought his trademark passion to the studio, ripping the New York Mets bullpen, debating the playoff ceiling of the New York Knicks, and sounding off on the latest quarterback drama surrounding the New York Jets. From City Hall battles to global strategy and die-hard New York sports talk, Sid kept the conversation lively, opinionated, and unmistakably New York. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Steve Gruber Show | National Security, Economic Strength, and the Future of America --- 00:00 - Monologue 19:04 – Mary Flynn O'Neill, Executive Director of America's Future, Inc. O'Neill discusses the ongoing fight against human trafficking in the aftermath of the Epstein scandal. She explains why the issue remains a major concern and what steps advocates are taking to protect victims and hold traffickers accountable. 28:00 – Nick Hopwood, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Peak Wealth Management. In this week's No Lazy Money segment, Hopwood breaks down market reactions to events in Iran, the Dow's streak of gains, and the potential impact of new “Trump accounts” that could invest $5,000 per year for 18 years. He also continues a conversation about capital gains strategies, comparing mutual funds and ETFs for investors. 38:09 - Monologue 47:02 – Rep. Erin Houchin, representing Indiana's 9th Congressional District. Houchin discusses online safety for kids and the growing role of artificial intelligence. She also outlines her proposed “Dalilah Law,” aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining commercial driver's licenses. 56:50 – Tim Beard, former CIA operations officer and U.S. Marine Corps captain. Beard shares insights from his “Everyday Safety Playbook for an Uncertain World.” He discusses practical steps individuals and families can take to stay prepared in a rapidly changing security environment. 1:05:35 – Larry Behrens, energy expert and Communications Director for Power The Future. Behrens talks about his new book Power Restored: President Trump's First Year and the Revival of American Energy Leadership. He explains how policy changes could help restore American energy dominance. 1:15:27 - Monologue 1:34:17 – Rep. Jimmy Patronis, representing Florida's 1st Congressional District. Patronis argues that Big Tech accountability is urgently needed. He discusses concerns about tech company influence and the need for stronger oversight. 1:43:00 – Rep. Mike Hoadley, representing Michigan's 99th District. Hoadley discusses his effort to eliminate permit requirements for concealed pistols. He explains why he believes the change would strengthen Second Amendment protections in Michigan. --- Check out our brand new podcast, 'Forgotten America'... The third episode is live NOW at Steve Gruber on YouTube! Link below: https://youtu.be/vZiEUjtQ-m4
On this episode of The Finest Unfiltered, John & Eric sit down with Navy veteran and Attorney Greg Hach, candidate for New York's 3rd Congressional District, to discuss his platform and vision for NY-3. Greg Hach lays out his positions on: Border security and national sovereignty Supporting law enforcement and public safety Crime and bail reform Inflation and the cost of living in NY Government accountability and constitutional principles With NY-3 playing a critical role in determining the balance of power in Congress, this race could shape national policy on crime, immigration, and public safety. Is NY-3 ready for a change? Learn More About Greg Hach: Website: https://greghach.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greghach X: https://x.com/greghach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greghach/ Subscribe to The Finest Unfiltered for unfiltered conversations on politics, public safety, and the future of New York. #GregHach #NY3 #CongressionalRace #LongIslandPolitics #NYPolitics #PublicSafety #BorderSecurity #TheFinestUnfiltered ️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5689366474915840 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #169 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-19:52: Iran War & Democrats/Line5/ICE CampsPat Johnston opens the show evaluating how Michigan Democrats are reacting to the Trump Regime's war on Iran. Not surprisingly, it appears progressive Michigan Democrats are providing a clear "No War on Iran" message. This war is another way to help the Epstein Class while the working class in America continue to suffer. Pat also covers the latest on Line 5, the Gordie Howe Bridge Fight, and ICE concentration camps, and how those three issues boil down to the Epstein Class vs. the Working Class.19:53-44:23: Erica Payne from Patriotic MillionairesErica Payne, CEO and Founder of Patriotic Millionaires, joins the show this week to share PM's ideas and plans to spread the wealth in this country. Through Patriotic Millionaires' "The Money Agenda," Erica explains how taxing the rich while paying the working class will lead to a more stable economy for the United States. Pat and Erica talk also talk about how The Epstein Files revealed how interconnected the Epstein Class is, and how it works to gain more power over the working class. Click here to read "The Money Agenda" by Patriotic Millionaires. https://patrioticmillionaires.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/America-250_-The-Money-Agenda-Exec-Summary.pdf44:24-53:12: Last Call-Bye, Karen WhitsettIn this week's "Last Call," crooked MAGA "Democratic" Michigan state Rep. Karen Whitsett announces she won't seek re-election. The state of Michigan collectively rejoices!53:13-55:48: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!https://www.patreon.com/cw/LeftofLansingMusic provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardNOTES: "Iran attack prompts war powers debate in Michigan's 7th Congressional District race." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance "Detroit's Whitsett not seeking reelection to state House in 2026, citing ‘spiritual' reasons." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "DTE seeks another rate hike days after state regulators approved nearly a $250 million increase." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Why Can't Top Democrats Just Say “No War With Iran”?" By Ben Johnson & Sarah Lazare of The Nation "‘We're in it': Democrats won't rule out giving Trump more money for Middle East war." By Katherine Tulley-McManus, Joel Gould, and Jennifer Scholtes of Politico "Moroun gave $1M to PAC supporting Trump prior to president's tirade over Gordie Howe Bridge." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "When a Corporation Decides States Can't Protect Their Own Waters." By David Holtz of The Current #podcast #politics #progressives #DemocraticSocialis #WorkingClass #TaxTheRich #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Republicans #MAGA #Michigan #Democrats #Iran #IranWar #WarPower #Israel #Epstein #EpsteinFiles #ElissaSlotkin #WilliamLawrence #Election2026 #Trump #WarSpending #Fascism #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftOfLansing
Get More at LVwithLOVE.com! Become a partner or contact us On this special series of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we sat down with candidates running for U.S. House in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District ahead of the May 19, 2026 primary. To keep this fair and useful, every candidate was asked the same core questions. Mark Pinsley is not included because he dropped out. We also reached out multiple times to Congressman Ryan McKenzie's office and did not receive a response. In this episode, we speak with Ryan Crosswell. Crosswell describes his background in public service, including serving in the Marine Corps after graduating from Duke Law School, and later working as a federal prosecutor. He also discusses why he decided to run for Congress now. Campaign: https://ryancrosswell.com/ Day to day financial stressCrosswell says people are feeling higher costs across the board, and he mentions grocery costs rising in Pennsylvania. He says the biggest day to day stress he hears most often is healthcare costs, and he argues that cuts to Medicare and ACA subsidies destabilize care providers and make the system worse for everyone, including people who already have insurance. He says he is talking to residents who are losing insurance or are uninsured. Healthcare and ACA premium tax creditsCrosswell says he supports extending the ACA premium tax credits for as long as needed to keep premiums down. He adds that long term he wants a public healthcare option, described as a government regulated healthcare option, and argues that broader access would also drive down costs for people who keep private plans. Immigration enforcement, legal pathways, and work authorizationCrosswell says he served as a federal prosecutor in San Diego and prosecuted immigration related offenses, including drug smuggling, illegal entry, and human smuggling. He says he supports a strong border, and also says he prosecuted law enforcement officers who broke the law, including a Border Patrol agent. He then focuses on internal enforcement by ICE, calling it disturbing and saying it violates Fourth Amendment rights through actions like entering homes without search warrants and detaining people without adequate cause. He argues Congress should rein ICE in, including by using funding leverage, and he supports requiring federal agents to remove masks and display identification. He also calls for accountability when due process is bypassed. He says his law firm is filing lawsuits on behalf of people he says were detained illegally by ICE. Warehouses and data centersCrosswell starts with data centers and says a major concern is energy use and the risk of higher energy prices. He says data centers should provide their own energy so local residents are not left paying more. He also raises concerns about environmental impact and water consumption, and says builders should be required to power facilities with renewable energy sources. He also says there should be requirements tied to water, including investment in desalination. He says he is uncomfortable with how quickly data centers are being rushed into the area without deeper cost benefit analysis and without clearer answers on environmental impact, energy impact, and job creation. He also connects warehouse growth to the loss of green space and says projects should be evaluated case by case based on what the community gets in return. HomelessnessCrosswell highlights local nonprofit work and then focuses on federal steps. He says he supports passing the ROAD to Housing Act, which he describes as bipartisan and currently stuck in Congress, and says it would provide funding for more affordable housing and cut red tape so building can move faster. He also supports grants or low interest loans to developers who build affordable housing in areas with abandoned buildings and businesses, as long as it can be done safely, and he frames that as a way to add housing while protecting green space. He also calls for reducing large institutional home buying by Wall Street buyers, including cutting tax incentives that he says encourage that behavior and drive up housing costs. Third place in the Lehigh ValleyCrosswell says his third place is Nowhere Coffee near where he lives. He says it is often where he meets with people in the community to talk about local issues, and he also describes it as a place that helps him reset and reconnect with routines he had before the campaign. Sign up for our Newsletter! Thank you to our Partners! WDIY 88.1 FM Wind Creek Event Center Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub Banko Beverage Company Advertisement Advertisement Email your news release to info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com Subscribe to our email list
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports the Supreme Court preserves the only GOP-held congressional district in New York City for the 2026 elections.
What is Evanston's Putting Assets to Work program? How have opioid overdose prevention resources been expanded in the city? How has Kat Abughazaleh's federal indictment impacted her campaign for the 9th Congressional District? The Daily answers these questions and recaps other top stories from the last week.
Get More at LVwithLOVE.com! Become a partner or contact us On this special series of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we sat down with candidates running for U.S. House in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District ahead of the May 19, 2026 primary. To keep this fair and useful, every candidate was asked the same core questions. Mark Pinsley is not included because he dropped out. We also reached out multiple times to Congressman Ryan McKenzie's office and did not receive a response. In this episode, we speak with Lamont McClure, who says he recently completed his second term as Northampton County Executive and announced his run for Congress last February. He describes his candidacy as a response to what he calls growing national chaos, and he ties his platform to affordability, healthcare, and public safety. Campaign: https://mcclureforpa.com/ Day to day financial stressMcClure says the biggest day to day financial stress he hears about is housing affordability. He argues that tariffs are limiting the ability of home builders to build homes, which limits supply and contributes to rising costs and homelessness. He says national solutions should include incentivizing affordable housing builders so more housing gets built at every level of the market. He also argues that rolling back tariffs would help control affordability, saying tariffs have raised prices, raised taxes people pay, and are killing jobs. Healthcare and ACA premium tax creditsMcClure says he supports extending Affordable Care Act benefits, especially the premium tax credits, and says he supports making them permanent. He criticizes Congressman Ryan McKenzie's actions around the tax credits, arguing McKenzie had opportunities to leverage his vote to secure an extension but did not. He frames his own approach as using his vote to make sure constituents are taken care of, and he links the ACA tax credits to the stability of small businesses and self employed people in the district. Immigration enforcement, legal pathways, and work authorizationMcClure says the country needs secure borders and says violent criminals who are in the country without documentation should be deported. He then focuses on what he describes as his record pushing back on ICE actions in Northampton County. He describes an incident where ICE arrested someone in a courthouse hallway, and says he researched the law and issued an executive order preventing ICE from making arrests in his courthouse. He says that policy remains in place under his successor. He also emphasizes that he has taken on MAGA aligned opponents electorally, and frames that as proof he can win in a politically mixed county. Warehouses and data centersAsked about warehouses and data centers and what makes a project worth it for the region, McClure points to his record combating warehouse proliferation in Northampton County. He cites land preservation work, including preserving 20,000 acres of farmland and 3,800 acres of open space, creating four new county parks, and preserving environmentally sensitive land that contains rare species. He also says he fought warehouse proliferation “to the tune of over twenty five million dollars” in Northampton County. He frames his approach as protecting a green future for the district. HomelessnessMcClure calls homelessness a multifactorial problem and says it is not the same for everybody, so solutions vary. He says Northampton and Lehigh counties put millions of dollars a year into addressing homelessness and says he has been in that fight for years, including a focus on veteran homelessness. He also describes using money won from opioid manufacturers for efforts to fight the opioid crisis, including drug and alcohol treatment, and he references a suicide prevention task force that focused on lowering suicide rates, especially among veterans. He says he would work to ensure federal law and policy help combat homelessness, addiction, and support veterans. Third place in the Lehigh ValleyMcClure says his third place is Minsi Lake, describing it as a serene place that helps him decompress. He also mentions other places he enjoys, including Leaser Lake Park near his home, the Lehigh Valley Zoo, and going to his native Carbon County in the fall. Sign up for our Newsletter! Thank you to our Partners! WDIY 88.1 FM Wind Creek Event Center Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub Banko Beverage Company Advertisement Advertisement Email your news release to info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com Subscribe to our email list
On the Morning News Express, Bob Miller welcomed Chris Burnett, a former U.S. Marine and Republican candidate for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, for a wide-ranging conversation about his military experience and policy priorities. Burnett shared insight from his four deployments in the Middle East, discussing the evolving threats in the region, including concerns about Iran, and how those experiences shaped his views on national security. He also explained why he decided to run for Congress, saying his years of military service and legal work inspired him to continue serving in a new way. Burnett outlined his goals for the district, including economic growth, strong national defense, and support for veterans and families across Western Maryland. A Marine Corps veteran with more than 20 years of service, Burnett says his campaign is rooted in accountability, leadership, and protecting American interests at home and abroad.
Get More at LVwithLOVE.com! Become a partner or contact us On this special series of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we sat down with candidates running for U.S. House in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District ahead of the May 19, 2026 primary. To keep this fair and useful, every candidate was asked the same core questions. Mark Pinsley is not included because he dropped out. We also reached out multiple times to Congressman Ryan McKenzie's office and did not receive a response. In this episode, we speak with Bob Brooks, a career firefighter with the City of Bethlehem and a union leader. Brooks talks about affordability in the Lehigh Valley, what federal policy can do to expand housing supply, and how he thinks about public safety, healthcare, and local development. Campaign: https://brooksforcongress.com/ Day to day financial stressBrooks says the biggest day to day financial stresses he hears about are healthcare and housing, and he focuses first on housing. He argues the region needs to build a lot more housing quickly and says that requires cutting red tape, including permitting and zoning reforms. He supports first time home buyer help and talks about expanding programs similar to the HELPERS Act style loan concept. He also argues for cracking down on bulk home buying by private equity and corporate purchasers that he says distort the housing market. Healthcare and ACA premium tax creditsBrooks says he supports extending the ACA premium tax credits and argues they should not be removed without a replacement plan. He warns that cutting help people rely on will raise costs, and he links paying for coverage support to tax policy changes. He argues for a minimum tax on billionaires and large corporations, saying that would fund major priorities. He also says making programs permanent will require negotiation and compromise, and he frames himself as a negotiator from his labor leadership experience. Immigration enforcement, legal pathways, and work authorizationBrooks frames the issue through public safety and argues enforcement efforts should focus on serious criminals, not everyday people. He says the purpose of ICE should be to target drug dealers and people committing violent crimes, and he argues the agency should be refocused. He also calls for streamlining the pathway to citizenship and supports adding more immigration judges to speed up the process, criticizing long wait times. Warehouses and data centersBrooks says he will side with workers, and evaluates projects based on whether they bring real jobs and benefits. He says he is concerned about data centers in particular because of infrastructure impacts, especially strain on the electric grid. He says federal involvement is limited compared to local government, but argues there is room for federal regulation related to electricity markets and for slowing or tightening approvals. He also argues data centers should be required to generate their own power rather than pulling heavily from the existing grid. HomelessnessBrooks argues federal action should expand housing options and help people afford them. He supports expanding Housing Choice Vouchers, but says vouchers are capped and that cap is linked to the lack of available housing. He argues the solution requires building more housing and increasing affordable and entry level housing. He also emphasizes mental health funding, saying mental health needs are a major factor in homelessness and that resources have not matched the scale of need. Third place in the Lehigh ValleyBrooks says his third place is a baseball field behind the Nazareth Intermediate School, where he coaches varsity baseball for Nazareth High School. He describes it as a place where he can put his phone away and focus on helping young people grow. Sign up for our Newsletter! Thank you to our Partners! WDIY 88.1 FM Wind Creek Event Center Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub Banko Beverage Company Advertisement Advertisement Email your news release to info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com Subscribe to our email list
Get More at LVwithLOVE.com! Become a partner or contact us On this special series of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we sat down with candidates running for U.S. House in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District ahead of the May 19, 2026 primary. To keep this fair and useful, every candidate was asked the same core questions. We also reached out multiple times to Congressman Ryan McKenzie's office and did not receive a response. In this episode, we speak with Carol Obando-Derstine, who shares why she is running and what she is hearing from residents across PA-07. Campaign: https://www.carolforpa.com/ Day to day financial stressObando-Derstine says people are struggling to make ends meet and pay for the essentials of life, specifically naming housing, healthcare, groceries, utilities, and childcare. She cites the United Way ALICE report and says it shows 41 percent of district families are struggling to cover the essentials, which she describes as roughly 124,000 households. Healthcare and ACA premium tax creditsObando-Derstine supports extending the ACA premium tax credits. She frames healthcare as personal, sharing stories of people she knew who could not afford care and how costs can financially devastate families. She argues that access to care helps families and also strengthens the economy because prevention and early treatment keep people healthier and working. In this conversation, she focuses on why the subsidies matter and does not detail a specific funding mechanism. Immigration enforcement, legal pathways, and work authorizationObando-Derstine says immigration policy is personal to her as an immigrant who came to the United States at age three with parents who fled violence in Colombia. She says the system needs fixing in a way that is legal, effective, and humane. She criticizes what she describes as cruelty, racial profiling, and unaccountable enforcement, and says fear is widespread in immigrant communities, including among documented Latinos. She also says she supports secure borders, but argues the current approach creates chaos and does not make communities safer. She calls for more immigration judges and support staff, modernizing immigration courts, speeding up asylum processing, and opening up DACA applications so people are not kept in limbo. Warehouses and data centersObando-Derstine notes that local governments make many of the key decisions, and she emphasizes a robust local stakeholder process so residents have meaningful input. Drawing on her background as an energy engineer, she describes work connecting projects to the electric grid, including warehouses. She argues against a top down approach that overrides state and local authority and says local voices should guide what gets built and how communities are impacted, especially when projects use significant resources and create limited jobs. HomelessnessObando-Derstine says she has direct experience with this issue through service on the Homeless Veterans Task Force for Lehigh County, volunteer work with North Penn Legal Services, and her work advocating for prevention programs to keep families off the streets. She calls for federal action that prevents unjust evictions and proposes establishing a federal Office of Tenant Rights so people understand their rights and landlords are accountable. She also points to the role of legal aid and says cuts to legal aid programs affect the ability to prevent evictions. She supports expanding and strengthening incentives for affordable housing, including the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and suggests reform to reduce bureaucracy and improve consistency in how states administer that federal credit. She also names local organizations doing the work, including New Bethany and the United Way. Third place in the Lehigh ValleyObando-Derstine says her third place is her church community, specifically the Spanish service at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which she attends with her parents. She describes it as a gathering place with a strong community focus and notes that it also hosts local meetings such as housing related committees. Sign up for our Newsletter! Thank you to our Partners! WDIY 88.1 FM Wind Creek Event Center Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub Banko Beverage Company Advertisement Advertisement Email your news release to info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com Subscribe to our email list
Julie Won, a Democratic candidate for Congress in New York's 7th Congressional District (which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens), joined the show to discuss her campaign to succeed the retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in the House of Representatives. Won is a City Council member from Queens running in this June 2026 primary. (EP 571)
ICWA does not endorse candidates or political parties. This episode is offered for informational and educational purposes only, to help listeners understand the candidate's views on key policy issues.We sit down with Jerrod Sessler, a candidate for Washington's 4th Congressional District, to discuss his health experiences and the issues shaping his run for office. He reflects on his experience with cancer, how it influenced his views on food, environmental exposures, and medical autonomy, and how those beliefs underpin his positions on agriculture, the economy, and public safety.ICWA's Amazon affiliate link to Jerrod's Amazon page: https://amzn.to/4aQtrxV. Disclaimer: Informed Choice Washington earns a commission at no extra cost to you when you shop for on Jerrod's Amazon page or anything else starting at the foregoing link.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This Trent on the Loos explains a tremendous amount about the origins of DEI. Who knew it dates back to the Clinton Era and the mid 1990's.
Host Radell Lewis breaks down everything you need to know about Ohio's 9th Congressional District heading into the 2026 midterms. After the Ohio Redistricting Commission redrew the map to lean Republican by over 10 points, longtime incumbent Marcy Kaptur the longest-serving woman in congressional history faces her toughest reelection yet. Radell goes candidate by candidate through the crowded GOP primary field: Derek Merrin (Trump-endorsed, 2024 rematch candidate), Madison Sheehan (former ICE deputy director), Anthony Campbell (healthcare executive with the most detailed policy platform), Aaliyah Nadeem (Air Force veteran), and Josh Williams (MAGA-aligned state rep). Who has the best shot at winning the Republican primary? And can any of them actually beat Kaptur in the general election? Plus, Radell covers critical Ohio political news: the Ohio House voting to ban ranked choice voting statewide, the campaign to repeal Ohio's intoxicating hemp ban before the March deadline, Republican efforts to tie college funding to compliance with higher education overhaul legislation, and the latest from the First Energy bribery trial the biggest corruption case in Ohio history involving former CEO Chuck Jones and the HB-6 scandal that sent former House Speaker Larry Householder to federal prison. Whether you live in Ohio or want to understand how local politics shapes the national landscape, this episode delivers the research so you don't have to. Website: PurplePoliticalBreakdown.com Live shows every Saturday at 6 PM EST on YouTube Rate 5 stars on your podcast app Keywords: Ohio 2026 midterms, Ohio 9th Congressional District, Marcy Kaptur, Derek Merrin, GOP primary Ohio, Ohio redistricting, ranked choice voting Ohio, First Energy bribery trial, Larry Householder, Ohio cannabis repeal, Ohio local politics, MAGA, Ohio gerrymandering, congressional race 2026, STAR voting, Ohio political newsStandard Resource Links & RecommendationsThe following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation: PODCAST NETWORKCheck Out the Podcast Website: www.purplepoliticalbreakdown.comALIVE Podcast Network - Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/ CONVERSATION PLATFORMSHeadOn - A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/ UNITY MOVEMENTSUs United - A movement for unity that challenges Americans to step out of their bubbles and connect across differences. Take the Unity Pledge, join monthly "30 For US" conversation calls, wear purple (the color of unity), and participate in National Unity Day every second Saturday in December. Their programs include the Sheriff Unity Network and Unity Seats at sports events, proving that shared values are stronger than our differences. Link: https://www.us-united.org/ BALANCED NEWS & INFORMATIONOtherWeb - An AI-based platform that filters news without paywalls, clickbait, or junk, helping you access diverse, unbiased content. Link: https://otherweb.com/ VOTING REFORM & DEMOCRACYEqual Vote Coalition & STAR Voting - Advocating for voting methods that ensure every vote counts equally, eliminating wasted votes and strategic voting. Link: https://www.equal.vote/starFuture is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse. Link: https://futureis.org/ POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTIndependent Center - Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ GET DAILY NEWSText 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed (https://informed.now) ALL LINKShttps://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdownThe Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias."Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics - where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9
Vice President JD Vance told a crowd in central Wisconsin to re-elect Republican Derrick Van Orden. The state's 3rd Congressional District is a top target for Democrats. Wisconsin voters tell a pollster they're unlikely to support new school referendums. And, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says negotiations with the governor on a tax deal are still in the early stages. But he's optimistic.
The Steve Gruber Show | Free Speech, Free For All Friday --- 00:00 - Monologue 28:13 – Tom Simon, spokesperson for Home Title Lock and former FBI Special Agent with 26 years of experience investigating white-collar crime, counterterrorism, and national security matters. Simon discusses a case in which a Manhattan man was sentenced for defrauding his 89-year-old relative out of her Soundview home. He explains how deed fraud happens and how homeowners can protect themselves. 38:19 - Monologue 47:08 – Robert Gordon, Director of Policy and Research for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). Gordon explains why insurance costs continue to rise in Michigan, citing disasters, inflation, and legal expenses. He outlines what could help stabilize or lower home and auto insurance rates moving forward. 56:35 – Rep. Tim Walberg, representing Michigan's 5th Congressional District. Walberg reacts to the State of the Union address and critiques Democratic responses. He discusses economic messaging, energy policy, and the broader political climate. 1:05:08 – Bill Wild, President and CEO of the Midwest Independent Retailers Association (MIRA). Wild argues that Governor Whitmer should pursue repeal of Michigan's Bottle Bill in her State of the State address. He explains how the law impacts retailers and consumers. 1:14:52 - Monologue 1:23:43 – Steve Dulan, professor and licensed attorney. Dulan discusses a proposed Virginia bill that would further restrict gun possession. He argues the legislation is contradictory and part of a broader debate over Second Amendment rights. 1:33:48 – Ryan Duffy, member of the Enbridge Communications Team. Duffy provides an update on Enbridge's recent appearance before the U.S. Supreme Court and how the case affects the Line 5 tunnel project. He also explains the status of the Army Corps permit and the next steps once approvals are secured. 1:42:32 – Ivey Gruber, President of the Michigan Talk Network. Gruber reacts to the State of the Union, including remarks from Democratic leaders and polling showing a bump in policy approval following the speech. The segment also raises questions about Michigan driver's license issuance numbers and ongoing political debates. --- Check out our brand new podcast, 'Forgotten America'... The second episode is live NOW at Steve Gruber on YouTube! Link below: https://youtu.be/vZiEUjtQ-m4
Get More at LVwithLOVE.com! Become a partner or contact us On this special series of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we sat down with candidates running for U.S. House in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District ahead of the May 19, 2026 primary. To keep this fair and useful, every candidate was asked the same core questions. Mark Pinsley is not included because he dropped out. We also reached out multiple times to Congressman Ryan McKenzie's office and did not receive a response. In this episode, we speak with Lewis Shupe of Allentown. Campaign: https://realchange.us/ Why he is running and his first term goalShupe says a key goal is to harness the power of registered voters to help compose and promote legislative initiatives led by citizens. Day to day financial stressShupe points to food insecurity and says demand at food banks is rising, including among working people. He argues wages and cost of living are pushing more households toward needing help with basics. Healthcare and ACA premium tax creditsAsked about extending the ACA premium tax credits and making them permanent, Shupe focuses on restoring Medicare cuts he says were made in a major federal bill, and he says he would go further by supporting Medicare for All. Immigration enforcement, legal pathways, and work authorizationShupe argues that people already in the country should have a legal pathway to citizenship and says families should not be separated. He also claims recent border politics are being misrepresented and frames the issue as needing less drama and more workable solutions. Warehouses and data centersShupe responds to the region becoming “the land of warehouses” and data centers by describing tradeoffs. He says there are pluses and minuses to data centers and references a proposed facility in the western part of the region. His emphasis is on weighing local impacts rather than treating these projects as automatically good. HomelessnessAsked what the federal government can do about local homelessness, Shupe connects the issue to limited income and the gap between assistance and real costs. He references his own experience going on Social Security due to health issues and says that being on a limited income is not enough. Third place in the Lehigh ValleyWhen asked where he likes to spend time outside of work and home, Shupe points to Make Lehigh Valley! a “workshop for people who love to tinker.” Their members include engineers, woodworkers, programmers, artists, amateur radio enthusiasts, radio-controlled airplane flyers, and more. Check out their website https://makelehighvalley.com/ Sign up for our Newsletter! Thank you to our Partners! WDIY 88.1 FM Wind Creek Event Center Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub Banko Beverage Company Advertisement Advertisement Email your news release to info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com Subscribe to our email list
Tonight on Steel News Live, we sit down with Republican congressional candidate Ryan Zink, who's campaigning for the U.S. House in Texas's 19th Congressional District. As a January 6th defendant, he has decided to take lessons learned and fix DC. We'll break down his platform, what drives his campaign, and why he believes he's the right voice for West Texas. From border security to constitutional rights and community values, we'll explore the core issues shaping his run.This is Steel News where truth survives pressure.Follow Ann Vandersteel on Pickax - https://pickax.com/annvandersteel
Jim Oberweis is running for Florida's 19th Congressional District. It has been Byron Donald's seat, and now he is running for Governor.
Get More at LVwithLOVE.com! Become a partner or contact us On this special series of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we sat down with candidates running for U.S. House in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District ahead of the May 19, 2026 primary. To keep this fair and useful, every candidate was asked the same core questions. We also reached out multiple times to Congressman Ryan McKenzie's office and did not receive a response. In this episode, we speak with Aiden Gonzalez, a Bethlehem resident running in the Democratic primary for PA-07. Campaign: https://www.aidenforpa7.com/ Day to day financial stressGonzalez says healthcare is the biggest day to day financial stress he hears about. He also connects affordability to housing, saying his generation is far more likely to rent long term than to own a home. He adds that energy is a leading cause of inflation and ties that to investing in future technology. Healthcare and ACA premium tax creditsGonzalez calls the ACA a great program but a half step, and says the country should move to single payer healthcare. He says more than a million people who were on the ACA last year are not on it this year because subsidies expired, and he connects that to rising premiums and costs. Immigration enforcement, legal pathways, and work authorizationGonzalez emphasizes due process and constitutional protections. He argues that the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments apply to everyone in the country, not only citizens. He also says the U.S. should encourage talented people to come here to work and contribute, and argues current approaches are driving people away. Warehouses and data centersGonzalez says data centers are not the kind of future focused investment he wants for the region. He argues they raise electricity and water costs and do not create many permanent jobs. He also says the region has enough warehouses and data centers and describes his preference for projects that create lasting jobs and contribute back to the community. HomelessnessGonzalez says immediate relief requires federal funding through Housing and Urban Development to build homes to house people experiencing homelessness. He says the longer term goal should be making home ownership achievable, and he mentions increasing first time home owner loans. He also argues for discouraging large scale corporate landlord practices, including a progressive tax on corporate landlords based on how many residences they buy. Third place in the Lehigh ValleyAsked where he likes to spend time outside of work and home, Gonzalez says he is a big gym person and names Powerhouse Gym in Bethlehem. Sign up for our Newsletter! Thank you to our Partners! WDIY 88.1 FM Wind Creek Event Center Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub Banko Beverage Company Advertisement Advertisement Email your news release to info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com Subscribe to our email list
Greg Bluestein breaks down President Donald Trump's State of the Union address with Tia Mitchell, focusing on the political implications for Georgia as midterms approach. They examine Trump's attacks on mail-in voting, his clashes with the Supreme Court over tariffs and how Democrats responded, including walkouts and counterprogramming. Later, Greg is joined by Patricia Murphy and Savannah Bureau Chief Adam Van Brimmer for a look at the open 1st Congressional District race and Buddy Carter's Senate bid. Adam also reports on a fatal ICE-related chase in Savannah that has divided local officials, and the latest developments on zoning and the Gullah Geechee community on Sapelo Island. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Congressman Jerry Carl joins Midday Mobile to discuss his run for Alabama's 1st Congressional District, reaction to the State of the Union, border security concerns, Iran tensions, and federal spending oversight.Kyle Hamrick of Lagniappe also breaks down the controversy surrounding Alabama's Public Service Commission (PSC), including the failed bill that would have changed how commissioners are selected and new efforts to require public utility rate hearings.Plus: updates on the Grand Bay kidnapping investigation and community announcements ahead of the Gulf Coast Boat Show.Stay informed on Alabama politics, national security, and the issues impacting local ratepayers.
Quick recap The meeting focused on two major topics: voting rights and nuclear power. The discussion began with concerns about ICE's presence at polling places and the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration. The group then explored the dangers of reopening aging nuclear power plants, particularly Palisades in Michigan, where Holtec International faces significant challenges in meeting safety standards and documentation requirements. The conversation highlighted how both Democratic and Republican leaders are supporting nuclear power despite its cost and safety issues, with Trump personally taking control of nuclear regulations. The conversation ended with concerns about California's Democratic Party platform, which removed environmental protections and nuclear power restrictions, and the need for a renewed focus on solar and wind energy over nuclear power. Next steps Hedy Tripp: Persuade Minneapolis training organizers to consider putting their in-person ICE resistance training sessions on the internet (e.g., Zoom, Instagram) for broader access, as requested by Sunny. Andrea Miller: Share the link to the Virginia redistricting presentation in the chat and host the presentation on Thursday night as announced. Ellen Slavick: Put the link to the "Atomic Dragons by Swans" art exhibition at Pitzer College in the chat (confirmed done during meeting). Vina Colley: Connect with Ellen Slavick (and her husband) regarding radiation exposure assessment work and share relevant links or information as requested. Dorothy Reik and Susie Shannon: Reach out to the new Environmental Caucus chair (Sam) to educate him on the facts about nuclear energy and work to reintroduce anti-nuclear language into the California Democratic Party platform. Roger Rapoport, Susan Shapiro, Karl Grossman, and Sunny: Collaborate on writing and publicizing the findings about Holtec/Palisades and the lack of documentation, targeting both public education and the financial/investor community. Team: Organize and promote participation in the No King's Day march (March 28th) and link nuclear safety concerns to Donald Trump's role in nuclear regulation for public education. Team: Attempt to contact Joe Rogan (and/or Stuart Brand) to engage in public discussion/debate on nuclear issues, as suggested by David Saltman. Vina Colley: Work with Veterans for Peace, Chris Busby, and Paul Mobley to develop and share materials calculating radiation exposure for affected communities. Team: Revisit and discuss Don Mosier's research on low-dose radiation and breast cancer in a future meeting, as suggested by Myla. Karl Grossman: Publish and distribute the article on New York's nuclear push and the climate change misinformation to national outlets after Long Island distribution. Team: Focus public education efforts on the true emissions and climate impact of nuclear energy, as highlighted by Susan Shapiro and Karl Grossman. Summary Team Meeting and Event Planning The meeting began with greetings and technical adjustments, including addressing audio issues for Myla. Gree-Gree and Harvey discussed editing a video, which caused some frustration. The group briefly touched on current events, such as the Texas gubernatorial race and a power outage at a nuclear plant in Delaware. Hedy shared her experience attending a conference in Southern California. As the conversation ended, participants prepared for an upcoming event, with Sunny and others discussing logistics and welcoming attendees. Election and Nuclear Power Concerns The meeting focused on two main topics: election protection and nuclear power issues. The group discussed concerns about ICE presence at polling stations in 2026 and Trump's efforts to eliminate voting by mail. They also addressed the situation in Minneapolis, where Hedy Tripp reported on weekly rallies and a planned week-long training session for resistance activities. The second hour of the meeting will cover nuclear power issues, including the restart of the reactor at Three Mile Island and the Palisades nuclear plant situation. Vote-by-Mail and ICE Election Impact Melissa Bird, a candidate for Congress in Oregon's 4th Congressional District, discussed concerns about vote-by-mail processes and the potential impact of ICE presence on elections. She emphasized the importance of early voting and ensuring ballots are sent directly to county election offices due to changes in postal rules and the presence of ICE in Oregon. Andrea Miller, an expert on voting in the Southeast, expressed concerns about the reliability of vote-by-mail systems and recommended in-person early voting where possible. Melissa also announced endorsements from Progressive Victory and the Working Families Party of Oregon, adding to her growing support. SAVE Act Senate Passage Uncertainty Andrea discussed the passage of the SAVE Act in the House and its challenges in the Senate, highlighting concerns about proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration, which disproportionately affect women, rural residents, and people in poverty. Melissa emphasized the bill's impact on marginalized communities and criticized it as an overreach of federal authority in managing elections. Sunny inquired about the likelihood of the bill passing the Senate, and Andrea noted the uncertainty but expressed skepticism about Democrats supporting it, given potential legal challenges and opposition from both Democratic and Republican states. ICE's Impact on Voting Rights The meeting focused on discussions about ICE's presence in various states and its potential impact on voting rights. Participants expressed concerns about ICE's role in communities, particularly in low-income and minority areas, and discussed legislative efforts to restrict ICE activities. The group also touched on recent FBI raids on voting centers in Georgia and the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms to protect voting rights. Paul Johnson raised concerns about government subsidies for AI farms, and the conversation ended with a brief discussion about voting issues in California and the need for effective pushback against voter suppression efforts. Election Integrity and Voting Rights The group discussed voting rights and election integrity, with Lynn Feinerman sharing progress in Marin County where the county executive has removed ICE cooperation funding from the budget. Susie Shannon emphasized that once voters are prevented from casting their ballot on Election Day, there is no remedy for individual voters, while Paul Newman highlighted the need to address private prisons and their role in the criminal justice system. The conversation ended with Andrea Miller announcing her upcoming discussion on Virginia redistricting and warning about new election legislation that would require proof of citizenship and residence for voting. Voter Rights and Energy Concerns The group discussed voter suppression efforts and the importance of protecting and turning out the vote in upcoming elections. They highlighted the need for on-the-ground solutions to combat voter intimidation and the challenges faced by certain demographics in accessing polling places. The conversation then shifted to energy issues, including the transition to sodium-based batteries and the dangers of Donald Trump's regulation of nuclear power plants. The conversation ended with a brief mention of an upcoming art exhibit at Pitzer College. Palisades Nuclear Plant Restart Challenges The meeting focused on the challenges and risks associated with the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan, which has been shut down due to safety and economic issues. Roger Rapoport explained that Holtec International, the plant's owner, has faced significant delays and financial challenges in attempting to restart the plant, with estimated costs of up to $1.25 billion for repairs and further delays of up to five years. The discussion highlighted broader concerns about the nuclear industry, including the lack of economic rationale for nuclear power compared to renewables, the safety risks associated with nuclear plants, and the influence of political leaders and the energy industry in promoting nuclear energy despite these challenges. The group also discussed similar issues at other nuclear plants, such as Indian Point in New York, and emphasized the need for independent regulation and transparency in the nuclear industry. Exploring Solar vs Nuclear Energy The group discussed nuclear power policies, with Susie Shannon explaining that the California Democratic Party's platform was weakened by removing protections for underserved communities and environmental measures, including nuclear energy safety provisions. They explored the possibility of shifting focus to solar energy as a more viable alternative to nuclear power, noting that solar technology has become significantly more cost-effective than nuclear. Ellen Slavick shared information about her husband's work on a UN radiation study that concluded there is no safe threshold for nuclear exposure, and mentioned an upcoming art exhibition at Pitzer College featuring work by seven women artists related to nuclear issues. Nuclear Safety and Regulatory Concerns The group discussed concerns about nuclear power plants, including inadequate record-keeping, missing welding documents, and the risks of accidents. They highlighted the need to address these issues, with David suggesting buying shares in companies like Holtec to influence decisions. The conversation also touched on the lack of regulation under Trump's administration and the potential for accidents, with Karl noting that extending the life of old plants is "asking for a catastrophe." The group agreed that they are now in "25th Amendment territory" due to these risks and the need to convince policymakers to change course. Nuclear Industry's Public Perception The group discussed the nuclear industry's financial viability and public perception, with Susan Shapiro emphasizing the need to educate the public about nuclear power's emissions and carbon footprint. They agreed to link nuclear safety to Donald Trump and planned to participate in the "No Kings, No Nukes" march on March 28th, aiming to draw 10 million people. The group also discussed attacking Joe Rogan's promotion of nuclear power and connecting with the solar industry to highlight nuclear's cost issues. Vina mentioned working with Veterans for Peace to calculate radiation exposure levels, and Tatanka shared information about a 50-year energy plan by big oil companies to control the world's energy supply.
Kinston, North Carolina is known as basketball heaven – producing more NBA players per capita than anywhere else in the world. But right now, democracy is under attack in the same town that gave us Brandon Ingram, Cedric Maxwell, and Jerry Stackhouse.A polling site in a densely populated, predominantly Black neighborhood might be removed to avoid conflicts with high school basketball games. Meanwhile, Kinston just got carved out of Congressional District 1 as part of a mid-decade gerrymander targeting the historic Black Belt. The city manager quit after a contentious election cycle. And through it all, one question keeps coming up: why is basketball being protected while people's right to vote gets pushed aside?Chris Suggs isn't letting his community be silenced. A Democracy Summer alum, former city councilman, and founder of Kinston Teens, Chris has been organizing in Kinston since he was 14. In this episode, he breaks down the pattern connecting local voter suppression to national attacks on Black political power – and explains why he's more fired up than ever to keep fighting.This is what democracy under attack looks like at the local level. This is Built by Us.Support the showFollow us on all your favorite platforms! Instagram: @democracyncTikTok: @democracyncThreads: @democracyncBluesky: @democracyncFacebook: @DemocracyNorthCarolinaYoutube: @DemocracyNorthCarolina
First, a new interactive map shows how voting patterns have shifted and Proposition 50's impact on our current political landscape. Then, we tell you who'll be footing the bill on San Diego Convention Center renovations. Also, the San Diego City Council recently approved a package of reforms to the city's historic preservation rules. Then, new border wall fencing is increasing urgency of a solution for animals to cross Interstate 8 safely. As well as, a school in our county has a new mascot after a year of input from the community. Laslyt, we tell you about a play that chronicles the life of a famed costume designer.
Why a number of Congressional Democrats are skipping tonight's State of the Union address—and why some are still going.Guest: Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, representing Texas's 16th Congressional District in El Paso.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why a number of Congressional Democrats are skipping tonight's State of the Union address—and why some are still going.Guest: Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, representing Texas's 16th Congressional District in El Paso.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why a number of Congressional Democrats are skipping tonight's State of the Union address—and why some are still going.Guest: Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, representing Texas's 16th Congressional District in El Paso.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's Monday, February 23rd, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Utah teacher forces student to wash off Ash Wednesday cross A Utah elementary school faced backlash after a teacher told a Catholic student to remove an Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead, a symbol marking the beginning of Lent, reports WHSV TV. Fourth-grader William McLeod had attended church on Ash Wednesday and arrived at Valley View Elementary School in Bountiful, Utah wearing a traditional ash cross. He said classmates initially questioned him about it, unaware that the ash cross marked the beginning of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness before the beginning of His three-year ministry. The boy recalled his teacher asking, “What is that?” He replied, “It's Ash Wednesday. It's the first day of Lent.” She said, “No, it's inappropriate. Go take it off.” In front of his peers, she gave the child a wipe and told him to clean his forehead. McLeod said, “I felt really bad.” His grandmother said he was embarrassed and upset, saying he later went to see the school psychologist “crying.” The Davis School District issued a formal apology, saying the teacher's actions were unacceptable. A spokesman said, “No student should ever be asked or required to remove an ash cross from his or her forehead.” The teacher later apologized. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against Trump tariffs On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs, striking down a central part of his economic agenda, reports The Western Journal. TRUMP: “The Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing. I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what's right for our country.” The case focused on tariffs President Trump imposed under a 1977 emergency powers law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. He used that law to impose reciprocal tariffs on most countries beginning last year. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act “does not authorize the President to impose tariffs.” Associate Justice Amy Barrett and Neil Gorsuch sided with Roberts and the court's three liberals. However, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented, reports the Associated Press. President Trump imposes new tariff using different authority On Truth Social, President Trump wrote, “I would like to thank and congratulate Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh for your strength, wisdom, and love of our country, which is right now very proud of you. “When you read the dissenting opinions, there is no way that anyone can argue against them. Foreign Countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic, and dancing in the streets — But they won't be dancing for long!” Kavanaugh wrote, “The decision might not substantially constrain a President's ability to order tariffs going forward. That is because numerous other federal statutes authorize the President to impose tariffs and might justify most (if not all) of the tariffs issued in this case. ... Those statutes include, for example, the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (Section 232); the Trade Act of 1974 (Sections 122, 201, and 301); and the Tariff Act of 1930 (Section 338).” TRUMP: “Other alternatives will now be used to replace the ones that the court incorrectly rejected. Great alternatives. Could be more money. We'll take in more money.” Inspired by Judge Brett Kavanaugh's dissent, President Trump imposed a new 10% global tariff the same day of the Supreme Court decision last Friday, using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, reports NewsNation. GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales had affair with aide who set herself on fire U.S. Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas engaged in a romantic relationship with an aide who died last year by setting herself on fire outside her Uvalde home, according to a text message and people close to the aide and her family, reports the San Antonio Express-News. Both she and Gonzales were married to other people at the time of the alleged affair. A former staffer in Gonzales' district office, who worked closely with the aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, said she told him they had an affair in 2024, and that she spiraled into a depression after her husband discovered the relationship and Gonzales abruptly ended their affair. Exodus 20:14 says, “You shall not commit adultery.” He also shared with the San Antonio Express-News a screenshot of a text message from Regina in which she acknowledged having an “affair with our boss.” The staffer, who asked not to be named, citing a fear of retaliation, faulted Gonzales' office for failing to intervene, saying he warned the congressman's district director months before Regina's fiery suicide that he was concerned about her well-being. He described her as his “best friend” and said their families knew each other. Gonzales, a Republican representing Texas' 23rd Congressional District, is currently seeking re-election in a contested primary. The San Antonio Express-News, which had initially endorsed Gonzales in the March 3rd Republican primary, recently withdrew its endorsement. In the Republican Primary for Congress in District 23, many South Texans are looking to support Francisco “Quico” Canseco during early voting or on Election Day, Tuesday, March 3rd. Texas bobsled gold medalist almost quit And finally, (audio of Olympics theme song) It was a couple of weeks before Christmas. Elana Meyers Taylor, age 41, was in Norway, prepping for a World Cup bobsled weekend. Things were going horribly. Her body was hurting, she wondered if she was doing right by her two deaf children, and the racing results were, well, bad, reports the San Antonio Express-News. So, she texted her husband. The message: I'm done. She wrote, “This is just impossible. It's never going to work.” She was 10th in the World Cup monobob standings. Eight women won medals on the circuit this winter and she wasn't one of them. Her average finish was 10th and her result during a race on the Olympic track in November was 19th — a whopping 2.43 seconds behind the winning time. FEMALE ANNOUNCER: “She had probably her worst season of monobob in her life.” Her husband, former bobsledder Nic Taylor, is now a performance coach and works with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. When a Spurs player — the couple won't say who — learned Elana was struggling, he gifted Nic a plane ticket and told him, “Go to Norway immediately!” So, Nic flew to Norway to encourage his wife in person after those discouraging texts to talk her out of quitting. That strengthened Elana's resolve to compete. Listen to the Olympics announcer during Elana's bobsled run. MALE ANNOUNCER: “Elana Myers Taylor has this magical moment to win another Olympic medal and potentially gold. Her husband Nick and sons, Noah and Nico, are here in the crowd. “This is a promising run for Elana Myers Taylor. Sixteen-hundredths of a second ahead of Kaillie Humphries, 12-hundredths of a second ahead. Elana Myers Taylor has never won a gold medal at the Olympics. She has now. It's gold for the United States, and that elusive gold medal for Eleanor Myers Taylor, is elusive no more. The most prolific female bobsledder in history.” At 41, she became the oldest woman to win an individual gold medal in Winter Games history. It was her sixth Olympic medal. She said, “I was determined to keep fighting, determined to just put down the best runs I could. And look what happened. There were so many moments during this entire season, during this past four years, that I thought it wasn't possible.” And now you know the rest of the story. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, the Apostle Paul asked, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Or, in Elana Meyers Taylor's case, slide in such a way as to get the prize. Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, February 23rd, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). And now, to close the newscast, here's my son, Valor Tyndale, who just turned 11 on Saturday. VALOR: “Seize the day for Jesus Christ.”
In which Robert Tracinski runs for Congress! An interview with candidate Tracinski ... including your questions! Why Rob Tracinski is running in Virginia's 5th Congressional District (currently represented by John McGuire, Republican), and what he intends to accomplish. Tracinski is also the author of the recently published Dictator from Day One: How Donald Trump is Overthrowing the Constitution and How to Fight Back, and we'll be sure to discuss some of those ways to fight back (besides running for Congress!). What you can do: how and why to support his writing and his campaign.
MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump crashing the Republican Party and almost certainly ending MAGA Mike's time as Speaker and Meiselas interviews Saikat Chakrabarti about his race in California's 11th Congressional District. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steve Schmidt sits down with Terry Virts, a 30-year Air Force fighter pilot veteran and NASA astronaut, who is now running in the 9th Congressional District of Texas. The Houston Chronicle stated in its endorsement of Terry that "in MAGA country, Terry Virts offers hope of holding onto a redistricted seat." His district is literally 'Ground Zero' for gerrymandering, and supporting Terry's race is critical to crushing MAGA in the midterm elections. Hear what Terry has to say about the kind of candidates required for the Democratic Party to flip the House, what he will do if he is elected to Congress, as well as some fascinating stories about his experience as a fighter pilot and astronaut. DONATE to Terry Virts here: https://www.terryvirts.com Subscribe for more and follow me here: Substack: https://steveschmidt.substack.com/subscribe Store: https://thewarningwithsteveschmidt.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewarningses.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveSchmidtSES/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewarningses Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewarningses/ X: https://x.com/SteveSchmidtSESSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Local media, as is the norm, will not touch major reporting in what is a local story: The race for Texas' 19th Congressional District. Is the reporting on Bienvenido and Abraham Enriquez legitimate? There is plenty online I will not touch but when a major national source, the Washington Examiner, does a feature story exposing all types of issues with a major local candidate, should those issues covered not be shared with local voters? There is more reporting going back years – see more here.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.Irrespective of whether or not one likes a president placing tariffs on imports, John Roberts and a Supreme Court majority got it wrong on the tariff case today. Roberts and friends undercut the Executive Branch while excusing sloppy law writing by the Executive Branch and inserted their own opinion as to what Congress meant in the IEEPA. The dissent was more true to textualism and originalism because, as Kavanaugh wrote, that tariffs “are a traditional and common tool to regulate importation,” something the IEEPA specifically grants the executive.Baker Hughes oil & gas drilling rig report turns slightly positive for Texas this week.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com
Claire Valdez, a Democratic candidate for Congress in New York's 7th Congressional District (which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens), joined the show to discuss her campaign to succeed the retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in the House of Representatives. Valdez is a state Assembly member from Queens and Democratic Socialist running for Congress with the support of NYC-DSA and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The primary is in June 2026. (Ep 569)
On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Charles Boustany, a retired cardiovascular surgeon who served as the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's Third Congressional District from 2005 to 2017. Most recently, he earned a Master's degree in history from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dr. Boustany was honored with the Richard G. Neiheisel (Phi Beta Kappa) Graduate Award, recognizing the graduate student with the highest academic accomplishment in a classical arts and sciences degree. Dr. Boustany reflects on a life that has bridged medicine, public service, and now scholarship, and what lifelong learning means at every stage. Growing Up in Lafayette — Medicine and Mentorship “I grew up here in Lafayette and went to the old Cathedral Carmel, which was 1st through 12th grade,” he shares, recalling his early education before attending USL (now UL Lafayette) for pre-med studies. Following in his father's footsteps, he completed medical school and surgical training at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, an experience he describes as legendary in its rigor and reputation. A formative influence on his life and career was Dr. John Ochsner. “John taught me not only the techniques and things you learn as a heart surgeon. He taught me how to be a surgeon, how to be a doctor. He was an amazing individual and a lifelong friend.” After additional cardiovascular surgery training in Rochester, New York, Dr. Boustany returned home, practicing for 14 years before an unexpected health challenge changed his trajectory. Dr. Boustany speaks with pride about his family's immigrant story and how it shaped his view of opportunity, responsibility, and community. “For me, the oldest of ten kids, a doctor, a mom who believed in community service… thinking about the fact that my grandparents all came from Lebanon. They had nothing. They came to this country and the opportunities were there if you took advantage of them.” He describes that journey as something bigger than one person's career: “It's just one of many great American stories.” He ties his family's arrival and the immigrant fabric of Lafayette to what makes the community distinct: “That's what makes Lafayette so unique for a city its size. It's got a very diverse population, and it has a population that has an international outlook, which creates all kinds of opportunities.” And he adds a personal glimpse into the household that raised ten children: “My mother had a lot of energy and she kept us all in line, amazingly.” A Turning Point — Health Care and Public Service At age 48, after developing severe cervical spine issues that forced him to retire from surgery, Dr. Boustany faced a crossroads. That moment coincided with a deeply personal family health crisis in 2001: “This was a very distinctive point in time for me. I was at the peak of my career in my surgical practice. But 2001 was this horrible year for me, my wife and our kids. Both kids had different life threatening conditions that cost a ton of money out of pocket over and beyond what insurance could pay. It was a huge, huge struggle. Navigating the health care system is a disaster. It was hard for me. I wondered, “What are people doing? How are they managing this?” The experience stayed with him. As he watched national debates over health care and foreign policy unfold, he felt called to act. “Honey, I gotta make a difference,” he told his wife Bridget one early morning before announcing his decision to run for Congress. Dr. Charles Boustany pictured while serving in Congress. Photo credit: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News In Congress — Katrina, Rita, and “Rita Amnesia” Dr. Boustany's first year in Congress was defined by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While national attention centered on New Orleans, much of Southwest Louisiana was devastated by Rita. “I had to get all of it amended to include Rita. And that’s when I coined the term ‘Rita Amnesia.'” He recalls warning a national reporter: “My fear is that we’re going to have Rita amnesia.” The phrase stuck and became part of the legislative fight to ensure Southwest Louisiana was not forgotten. He also recounts a pivotal moment after Katrina, when First Lady Laura Bush spent the day touring Lafayette with him. “I was told initially she’s going to be on the ground for about 45 minutes. So I arranged to take her to the Cajun Dome and then Acadian Ambulances’ communication center to see what was going on. Well, she ended up spending the whole day with me. When I took her back to the airport, she thanked me and said, what else do you need? I said, I need 15 minutes on the phone with your husband. Sure enough, Sunday morning at 6 a.m., my cell phone rings and it’s President Bush. He called me Doc. You know, he had nicknames for everybody. He said, Doc, I heard Laura had a good trip down there. What’s going on? What do you need? I said, bottom line is the state doesn’t have the capacity to deal with the magnitude of what we have. We need federal assets down here to help out in New Orleans. He said, ‘I’ll talk to the staff. You get the delegation to Baton Rouge at 9:00 tomorrow morning. Monday. The governor is going to be there. I’m coming in with my team, and we’re going to have a powwow, and we’re going to talk about this and organize it.’ And that’s when everything changed. That’s when he brought in General Honore.” That conversation helped catalyze greater federal coordination and response. Reflecting on those chaotic days, he credits his surgical training: “My career as a surgeon dealing with really dire, immediate emergencies, I just sort of methodically figured out, okay, this is what I can do. This is what I’m going to do. And I didn’t panic.” How a Surgeon Approaches Congress Dr. Boustany explains how medicine shaped his legislative style: “As a surgeon, I had to deal with people from all walks of life. It could be a grandmother or the CEO of a prominent company. It could be a farmer, or somebody who has no insurance and is poor. I had to learn to be able to communicate with the full spectrum of humanity. I think that gave me an advantage, as a doctor, but also as a surgeon, because I had to gain the trust of these people. You know, I’m going to operate on your heart, stop your heart and do all this stuff. So, being able to present yourself in a way and communicate with people from all walks of life, different levels of education and earn their trust was a big asset for me when I traveled the district and tried to find support. That training, that background was very helpful.” He approached Congress with humility, seeking advice from senior members in both parties. One piece of counsel stood out: “One of the most prominent ones was don’t be a know it all. Pick a few subjects and learn everything there is about it. Once you start to speak about these things, people will quickly see that you know what you’re talking about and then they’ll respect you. But if you go down there and spout off on every issue, people see through that pretty quickly.” He developed expertise in health care, foreign policy, energy policy, and international trade, areas that later informed his graduate studies in European history and international affairs. Returning to the Classroom After leaving Congress and later retiring from consulting, Dr. Boustany found himself restless. A seminar course at UL Lafayette rekindled a lifelong passion for history. “The more I’m thinking about this, I really love this history stuff. I don’t want to just be a consumer of history. I don’t want to just read about it. I want to maybe I can contribute to the field.” His master's research took him to Columbia University's Rare Books and Manuscripts division, where he spent a week combing through primary source documents to complete his thesis. Receiving the Neiheisel Award was especially meaningful: “It was thrilling for me when I finished this master’s program to get the Richard Neuheisel Award, because my very first semester at USL in 1974, I took a world Civilization class with him, and I was told he’s a really hard, demanding teacher. And other students, when they asked me what I had signed up for and I told them, they said, you need to drop that class. He’s a really tough professor. You don’t want to take it with him. And I said, oh, that’s the kind of guy I want to take it with. And I did. And you know, I got an A in his class and he and I subsequently became friends. I’d go sit and talk in his office. We’d just talk about history.” Dr. Charles Boustany on UL – Lafayette campus. He was awarded the Richard G. Neiheisel Phi Beta Kappa Graduate Award, named in honor of the professor who ignited his passion for the subject more than five decades ago. The Neiheisel award is presented to a graduating master's student each fall and spring for the highest academic accomplishments in a classical arts and science degree. Dr. Boustany has now been accepted into the PhD program in history at Louisiana State University, where he plans to study modern European history beginning in 1500 — research that will require time in European archives. Health Care Philosophy — “Information, Choice and Control” When asked what still matters in health policy, Dr. Boustany reduces it to six words. “Information, choice and control.” “People want clear information about their health condition and their options… They want that to be between them and the doctor.” And equally important:“Affordability, accountability and quality.” “Quality is critically important. If you put quality first, I think the cost will come in line.” Lifelong Learning and Adaptability Dr. Boustany closes with a reflection that defines this next chapter: “I repeat a quote from Louis Pasteur, who was a famous scientist, and he was once asked, what’s the key to all this amazing stuff you’ve discovered? He said, it’s simple. Chance favors the prepared mind. You prepare your mind for whatever’s going to happen. And one of the keys in getting older and being able to deal with challenges in life is adaptability and education, and preparing your mind for what you know, to be able to pivot, to be adaptable is critically important for anybody going through life. And we also see that we will survive. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it.” From the operating room to the halls of Congress to the archives of Columbia, and now toward a PhD, Dr. Charles Boustany's journey is a testament to resilience, intellectual curiosity, and a lifelong commitment to service. He is even considering expanding his master's thesis into a book, and perhaps, one day, a memoir. For Lafayette, it is another reminder that some of the most compelling American stories begin right here at home.
Both the House and the Senate are out of town this week, but what they have heard from constituents at home will matter when they return on Monday. One key swing vote belongs to freshman Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie. He represents Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, including the Lehigh Valley and the city of Allentown. Mackenzie joined Lisa Desjardins to discuss more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: A look today at the Republican Primary race for the 19th Congressional District of Texas. We visit with Donald May.Candidates, to appear on the show request time here.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.We visit with Lubbock County Commissioner, Precinct 2, candidate Kevin Pounds.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates, or hear the podcast of the show after 6pm Central here.www.PrattonTexas.com
John remembers civil rights leader and formative voice in 20th century US politics, Rev. Jesse Jackson who died at age 84 after a decade-long battle with a debilitating neurological disorder. He also talks about FCC Chair Brendan Carr putting the brakes on Steven Colbert's interview with Democratic Texas Congressman James Talarico and the death of legendary actor Robert Duvall who passed away at the age of 95. Then, he interviews Bruce Friedrich who is the founder and president of the Good Food Institute (GFI), a global science think tank with more than 230 full-time team members, the plurality scientists. Climate charity evaluator Giving Green recommends GFI as a top six charity for climate impact, highlighting its “successful track record, breadth of expertise, and strategic approach,” and calling it “a powerhouse in alternative protein thought leadership and action.” They talk about his new book "MEAT: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanity's Favorite Food—and Our Future". In the book, Bruce offers an exploration of how science, policy, and industry can work together to satisfy the world's soaring demand for meat, while building a healthier and more sustainable world. Next, John welcomes back Shawn Harris who is a retired Brigadier General and Polk County cattle producer, who returned home to Georgia after 40 years of military service to run a first-generation grass-fed cattle farm in Rockmart. Harris is running to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia's 14th Congressional District, a democrat in a crowded field of Republicans in a race that suddenly has the full attention of Donald Trump, who will travel there this week. And lastly, he jokes with "Comedy Daddy" Keith Price and they chat with listeners about Robert Duvall, Jesse Jackson, and Combover Caligula.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Welcome back to The Kristan Hawkins Show! This year at the National Pro-Life Summit we added a new special session to the lineup, The Abortion Debate Showdown. This week on the podcast Lydia Taylor Davis and I revisit some of the most outrageous moments from our debate with self-proclaimed pro-choice Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines and pro-choice advocate and social media influencer currently running for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 48th Congressional District, Whitney Shanahan. Grab the popcorn and your Bibles as we dive in! WATCH the full livestream here: prolifesummit.com/livestream JOIN MY TEXT LINE: Text "KRISTAN" to 53445 for daily pro-life updates from me. SUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: substack.com/@kristanhawkins Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to stay informed and spread the word! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristanmercerhawkins/ X: https://x.com/KristanHawkins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HawkinsKristan
Retired agent Phil Andrew shares how his experience surviving one of the nation's first school shootings when he was a twenty-year-old college student impacted his FBI career as a hostage negotiator. Phil reviews a kidnapping case where he negotiated with a member of the terrorist organization behind the Mumbai attacks and a case where he attempted to broker the release of New York Times reporter David Rohde, who was being held captive for ransom by the Taliban in Afghanistan. These case reviews are examples of how Phil turned tragedy into purpose, dedicating his life to keeping communities safe. Phil served in the FBI for 21 years. He is currently a 2026 candidate for the United States Congress in Illinois's 9th Congressional District. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/387-phil-andrews-ny-times-reporter-kidnapped-by-taliban-hostage-negotiation/ Also listen to Episode 038: Kidnapped Grandma - https://jerriwilliams.com/toni-chrabot-kidnapped-grandma-hostage-negotiations/ Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/