Podcasts about Legislature

Beshear has become not just a hindrance but is actively sabotaging the Legislature's plans to get Kentucky to a 0% income tax.This has manifested itself in state policies and insane decisions like destroying whole fraud departments out of welfare programs under the guise of “cutting costs.” I go into just what the Legislature needs to do in order to fight this.The Kentucky Association of School Superintendents has listed regulating homeschoolers as its number two priority this year in lobbying the Legislature.Perhaps they should worry about getting their own education institutions in order before they start trying to regulate away one of the few quality schooling options left to most families.

Every student deserves to walk into school with confidence, dignity, and the tools they need to learn. In this episode, Chardon High School teacher Kelly DiCato shares the story of the Chardon Care Closet and the community effort that is changing lives one backpack, toothbrush, notebook, and tube of chap stick at a time.SUPPORT THE CHARDON CARE CLOSET | If you would like to make a donation to support the Chardon Care Closet's mission, you can learn more on the Chardon Care Closet's Facebook page, buy and send items through its Amazon wish list, or make a financial donation - Checks should be made out to: "Chardon Board of Education - Attn: Care Closet" CONTACT KELLY | If you're thinking about bringing a Care Closet to your own school and would like to pick Kelly DiCato's brain about the lessons she's learned along the way with her project in Chardon, you can email her at kelly.dicato@chardonschools.org. SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | If you'd like to share your thoughts on the Public Education Matters podcast, including your ideas for what you'd like to hear on future episodes, please email educationmatters@ohea.org.SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guest: Kelly DiCato, Chardon Education Association MemberAn Algebra One teacher at Chardon High School, Kelly lives in Chardon with her two boys and her husband of 12 years. This school year is her 21st year of teaching, and her 21st year of teaching Algebra One - plus other preps, of course. DiCato loves exercising and running, gardening, playing her boys, and now, making sourdough bread :)Connect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents approximately 115,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded on July 20, 2026.In this episode:00:00 -A Community Steps Up00:25 - Podcast introduction02:37 - Meet Kelly DiCato02:45 - From One Student's Story to a Schoolwide Resource05:11 - Finding Space Inside the School06:47 - The First Donations Arrive08:49 - $17,000 in Community Support11:41 - The Work Behind the Mission13:30 - Why Helping Students Matters15:42 - Removing Barriers to Student Success17:48 - A Community That Always Says Yes19:35 - Expanding the Impact Beyond Chardon21:14 - A Community Effort21:58 - Closing Thoughts22:13 - Support the Chardon Care Closet

In this episode: In June 2025, just a few hours before Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature finalized a new state budget, GOP leaders in Tallahassee slipped a sentence into the spending plan authorizing state officials to acquire a piece of property in the Panhandle through a popular land-preservation program. Three months later, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet used that little line in the budget to spend $83.3 million in taxpayer money on a tiny spit of vacant land owned by a prominent real-estate developer and Republican Party donor. Here's the story of how Florida politicians pulled off a land deal that one longtime conservation leader called “a sham.” (Note: This is an update of a podcast that initially aired in November 2025. The three Cabinet members who voted to approve the $83 million land deal — Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson — are all now running for re-election.) Show notesTo make a donation to Seeking Rents, click here.Stories discussed in today's show: Florida lawmakers took instructions from a landowner's lobbyist. Now Florida taxpayers will pay $83 million for four acres.Transcript of the Sept. 30, 2025, meeting of the Florida CabinetBlaise Ingoglia is spending millions in taxpayer money on advertising as he runs for electionFlorida politicians may give Big Sugar legal power to go after activists and silence criticsThey said they wanted to help farmers. They really wanted to hurt environmentalists.Conflicting testimony and foggy memories: How the Hope Florida grand jury found wrongdoing but no wrongdoersThe bipartisan plot to take out Florida's best senator (update)Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.comListen to the show: Apple | SpotifyWatch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe

Tennessee General Assembly Training & How To Lobby The Legislature As A CitizenWith The Tennessee Conservative's David Seal & Olivia Lupia

Should their be laws to regulate E-Bike use across the state? State Senator Judy Seeberger is looking to put some guardrails up. How? She talked with Vineeta on The WCCO Morning News on Wednesday

Should their be laws to regulate E-Bike use across the state? State Senator Judy Seeberger is looking to put some guardrails up. How? She talked with Vineeta on The WCCO Morning News on Wednesday

State attorneys general have been in the news a lot lately. But many people don't fully understand what the job of state attorney general entails, and voters too often skip these races on their ballot because they don't know anything about the office or the candidates. With 30 states and the District of Columbia holding elections for their attorneys general this November, understanding the role of your state attorney general is important to being an informed voter. Former New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin joins Broken Law to talk about what the job of a state AG is and what's at stake in these elections. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Valerie Nannery, Senior Director of Policy and ProgramGuest: Matthew Platkin | Partner, Platkin LLP; former New Jersey Attorney GeneralLink: ACS Event: Protecting Voters & Our Votes: State Attorneys General on Democracy's Frontlines Link: State Attorneys General Project Link: Voter Protection Volunteer Opportunities  Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law PodcastEmail the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.orgFollow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | LinkedIn | YouTube-----------------Broken Law: About the law, who it serves, and who it doesn't.-----------------Production House: Flint Stone MediaCopyright of American Constitution Society 2026.

On The Charlie James Show (Tuesday, September 29, 2026), host Charlie James highlights upcoming guest Dr. Annie Andrews (Democrat Senate nominee) appearing at 5:06 PM and warns listeners about severe weekend rain. He reacts to news from Atlanta's 11Alive reporting Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's 30-day gas tax suspension (33 cents/gallon on regular, 37 cents on diesel). James uses this to criticize South Carolina's governor, Henry McMaster, and the state legislature, accusing them of prioritizing business, donors, and newcomers over ordinary citizens. He further condemns lawmakers for refusing to suspend the state gas tax or pass tax relief from Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" (e.g., tax exemptions on tips and overtime). Finally, James encourages voters to look toward conservative Freedom Caucus candidates to change Columbia's political landscape.

A new committee on healthcare in the city of La Crosse is a vote away from being created. In November city of La Crosse residents will decide if the Community Healthcare Action Plan gets passed through referendum. Nick Padesky, a campaign manager with Community Action Wisconsin, stopped in studio to explain how the seven-person panel would work. He says it will give local residents, doctors, and underinsured families a platform to document medical struggles, counter policy decisions, and pressure lawmakers in Madison and Washington to expand coverage and lower prescription costs. City of La Crosse voters will see four ballot questions on the November ballot. Three were written by Republicans in the state Legislature with no Democratic support to change the state Constitution. The fourth is the local municipal referendum regarding the Community Healthcare Action Plan, which asks: "Shall the city establish a citizens advisory health care action committee to develop a biennial health care action plan and provide a public process for community input on health care?" Episode Highlights: Reason Committee is Needed: Proponents argue local residents need an official city-backed mechanism to document skyrocketing prescription drug costs and fight federal policy decisions. Signature Surge: Over 5,000 La Crosse residents signed petitions to put the measure on the ballot, outpacing signature thresholds for gubernatorial candidates. Makeup: The proposed panel will combine local doctors and public health workers with uninsured residents fighting massive out-of-pocket medical bills. Town Hall Alternative: Regular public hearings will give citizens an open microphone to share personal healthcare struggles directly on the record when federal representatives refuse to hold open town halls. City Budget Bite: Spikes in health insurance costs could add $2 million to city personnel expenses, directly threatening funding for local libraries and public pools. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff was joined by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. They discuss his entry into the race in February, if he thought then that he would end up being the frontrunner and only Democrat in the top-four, his thoughts on Alaska's fiscal situation and some things he may want to do if elected governor, his thoughts on potential changes to oil taxes, the potential dynamics of working with the next Legislature, and Democrat Tom Begich's withdrawal after the primary. 

Sine Kerr, Republican nominee for Arizona's newly created office of lieutenant governor and Andy Biggs' running mate, joins me to discuss what the job would actually look like and the role she hopes to play in a Biggs administration. We talk about Arizona's rapid growth and whether the state has gone too far in courting massive data centers, the increasing pressure on Arizona's water supplies, housing affordability and whether the Legislature has a role in bringing down housing costs. Kerr also discusses several of the Biggs-Kerr campaign's policy proposals and how her background in agriculture, water policy and the Arizona Legislature would shape her approach to becoming Arizona's first lieutenant governor.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's new gun violence prevention plan is facing questions over coordination, the role of police and how much advance notice key public safety officials received before the strategy was announced. Mayor Wilson unveiled Seattle's new gun violence strategy following a series of high-profile shootings and continuing concerns about public safety in downtown Seattle. The plan puts the Community Assisted Response and Engagement Department, known as CARE, in a major coordinating role while moving community violence intervention programs under the department. The mayor's plan also includes Seattle Police Department resources, increased bike patrols, focused deterrence, youth programs, mental health services and additional coordination between city departments and community organizations. But Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, says he did not receive advance notice of the mayor's plan and believes Seattle's gun violence strategy needs to maintain a strong role for SPD alongside community intervention programs. Questions are also being raised about coordination with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and how much of the complete plan prosecutors saw before the mayor's announcement. The disagreement comes as Seattle continues debating how to respond to gun violence, downtown public safety concerns and demands from businesses and residents for action. Also in today's Washington in Focus, Let's Go Washington has filed a new initiative focused on judicial transparency and Washington's Public Records Act. The initiative seeks to expand public records requirements to Washington's judicial branch. Let's Go Washington founder Brian Heywood argues that elected judges should face transparency and public accountability requirements comparable to other branches of state government. The proposal is an initiative to the Legislature and is still at an early stage of the process. The Washington Attorney General's Office says it has not yet received the initiative for preparation of a ballot title because the proposal is still undergoing review by the Code Reviser. If supporters eventually collect enough valid signatures, the judicial transparency initiative could go before Washington lawmakers during the 2027 legislative session. And the legal battle over Washington's new sheriff qualification law is continuing in Thurston County Superior Court. Senate Bill 5974 establishes additional eligibility requirements for people seeking to serve as sheriff, including a requirement for at least five years of uninterrupted full-time law enforcement employment. Supporters of the law argue Washington needs consistent professional standards and stronger accountability requirements for sheriffs and other law enforcement executives. Opponents argue the restrictions raise constitutional concerns and could prevent voters from choosing otherwise eligible candidates for sheriff. A judge previously put key provisions of the law on hold while litigation continues. The dispute has affected the race for Kitsap County sheriff, where candidate Rick Kuss was able to remain on the ballot while the challenged provisions are blocked. Today's Washington in Focus covers Katie Wilson's Seattle gun violence prevention plan, Bob Kettle's concerns about the role of SPD, Seattle public safety, Let's Go Washington's new judicial transparency initiative, the Washington Public Records Act and the continuing court fight over SB 5974 and Washington's sheriff qualification requirements. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Seattle public safety, Katie Wilson, Washington courts, government transparency, the Washington Supreme Court, elected sheriffs, SB 5974, Washington politics and state government. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #Seattle #KatieWilson #PublicSafety #GunViolence #SeattlePolice #WashingtonState #JudicialTransparency #PublicRecords #Sheriff #SB5974 #GovernmentAccountability #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Says Putnam lawmaker pressing for husband's reinstatement Putnam Sheriff Brian Hess has accused county Legislator Erin Crowley of pressuring him ahead of a disciplinary hearing for her husband, a deputy suspended since February, according to a letter obtained by Hudson Valley Digger. Kevin Osika, 43, has been suspended without pay while the Putnam Sheriff's Office conducts an internal investigation following his arrest related to a domestic incident in Mahopac. The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office, which prosecuted a criminal case against Osika on misdemeanor assault and harassment charges after the Putnam County D.A. recused himself, said the case has been resolved, but a judge sealed the results. Hess has said he plans to file an ethics complaint against Crowley, although the Putnam County Board of Ethics is inactive following a vote by the Legislature on Sept. 1 that changed who appoints its five members. The new law, which County Executive Kevin Byrne must sign or veto by Monday (Sept. 28), retains two nominations for the county executive and allots one each to the full Legislature, its chair and its minority leader. The Current last week filed a FOIL request with the county to receive a copy of the confidential letter that, according to Hudson Valley Digger, a Substack published by former Journal News reporter David McKay Wilson, the sheriff sent on Sept. 21 to Putnam's legislators. The legislative counsel denied the request on Monday (Sept. 28), writing that the memorandum contains "information concerning pending and unresolved personnel, disciplinary and ethics matters" and that "disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy." It added: "The Legislature is aware that the memorandum, or information contained in it, was previously disclosed to the press without authorization. That disclosure was not made pursuant to FOIL, was not authorized by the Legislature or other county official empowered to approve its release and does not constitute an official determination that the memorandum is publicly available." The Current has appealed the ruling to the county executive. According to the Hudson Valley Digger, the letter details how Hess says Crowley has been pressuring him because she has "a personal and household financial interest" in seeing her husband reinstated. Both Hess and Crowley, whose district includes Mahopac and Mahopac Falls in the Town of Carmel, were elected as Republicans. According to Hudson Valley Digger, the sheriff accuses Crowley, a deputy district director for Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, of seeking his assurance that Osika will keep his job as a deputy. Hess said he "could not agree to that outcome" but would consider a "non-sworn alternative." (The Sheriff's Office has other positions other than sworn deputies.) "She rejected the alternative and stated that she would seek assistance from Dan Scavino of the White House," Hess wrote, according to Hudson Valley Digger. Scavino, a deputy chief of staff in the Trump administration, is a Yorktown native who once taught at Mahopac High School. In the letter, Hess said he has encountered delays in getting spending requests approved by the Legislature's Audit and Administration Committee, which Crowley chairs. When he asked her about the delays, she said "there was no problem and that I just needed to call her and she would approve purchases for me," Hess wrote. "I did not consider that an appropriate basis for processing the Office's transactions." The sheriff also claimed, according to Hudson Valley Digger, that there have been "false rumors concerning my hiring and promotion of female employees" and a report of "plans by Osika and/or Crowley to sue the Office and 'drop a bomb' concerning an alleged 'sex scandal.' " Hess wrote that he also "received a report that Ms. Crowley contacted an associate who had assisted in my sheriff campaign and asked him to intervene with me on the disciplinary hearing." In July, accordi...

County legislators raise multiple concerns Call it a "pause" or a "timeout." Either way, a proposal to use Putnam's outsize surplus to reward residents and businesses by not levying county taxes in 2027 ran aground amid concerns about the benefits to large taxpayers like New York City and Rockland County's experience in the 1980s. Dan Birmingham, chair of the county Legislature, brought the idea to the Budget and Finance Committee on Wednesday (Sept. 23). It was the latest proposal to shift to taxpayers some of the estimated $163 million in unrestricted reserves that Putnam had accumulated as of the most recent audit in 2024. Initially calling the property-tax suspension a pause, Birmingham, who said he paid $800 in county taxes last year, offered to "reframe it" as "a tax-levy timeout." He expects the surplus to rise again once the 2025 audit is complete, and he called "meager" the $1 million reduction in the $45 million tax levy approved for the 2026 budget. "I don't think we should be drunken sailors; I don't think we should look at this lightly," said Birmingham. "But we should ask the question: Would I like $800 off my tax bill next year?" Spurred by a $50 million surplus, Rockland County approved a one-year tax holiday in 1987 — considered the first-ever in the state. John Grant, the county executive at the time, said that using $37.7 million of the surplus to eliminate a levy for 1988 would save the average taxpayer $410. Four years later, Grant announced he would be eliminating 276 positions, half of them vacant. "It was a disaster in Rockland County," said Legislator Amy Sayegh. She said Putnam's surplus allows it to pay cash for projects, rather than borrowing, and earns interest. "I don't want to grab more money from the taxpayer, but I want to safeguard what we have," said Sayegh. "I would support gradually lowering property taxes, but not pausing them for one year." New York City, described as Putnam's biggest taxpayer because of land it owns, would benefit, as would utility companies. Legally, they could not be excluded. "The concept that the City of New York, NYSEG [New York State Electric and Gas] and Verizon would also benefit from a pause is something that we just can't get around," said Legislator Tommy Regan. Nancy Montgomery, who represents Philipstown and part of Putnam Valley as the Legislature's sole Democrat, said she is a "big fan of services and programs," such as helping local fire departments and emergency medical personnel replace outdated equipment like stair chairs and turnout gear. Montgomery said she preferred extending and increasing the county's pause on collecting its portion of the gas tax and renewing an exemption from Putnam's sales tax on clothing and footwear costing less than $110 before it expires in March. (County Executive Kevin Byrne says he would like to make the exemption permanent.) "There are always great needs from the towns for emergency services equipment — fire trucks, ambulances," said Montgomery. "Those are the kinds of ways I prefer to give back." Earlier this month, the Legislature rescinded a 14-year-old policy letting the finance commissioner determine how surplus funds are allocated. Since the policy's adoption in 2012, Putnam's budget surplus swelled from $33.9 million to $191 million in 2024 because of "over-appropriation, underestimation of revenues [and] increased sales tax receipts and other revenues," according to the resolution. Last year, legislators approved setting aside $6 million of the surplus for taxpayer relief but have not settled on how to use the money. "Maybe this is the year where we can use that for particular town needs," said Montgomery. After the discussion, the Budget Committee approved a charter amendment that would allow five of the nine legislators, instead of a supermajority of six, to override a county executive's veto of their cuts or reductions to appropriations in a tentative budget. A supermajority would still be needed to overri...

Residents argue license-plate readers violate privacy Two things happen when a vehicle passes one of Beacon's license-plate readers, according to Police Chief Tom Figlia, who spoke to the City Council on Monday (Sept. 21). If the plate is on a "hotlist" for stolen vehicles or criminal suspects, the camera generates an alert that a police officer must confirm before taking action. Second, the plate is automatically added to a database, where it is retained for 30 days unless it's part of an active investigation. The database cannot be searched using physical descriptions, such as a driver's gender or race, and it has no facial-recognition capabilities, Figlia said. It was the second time in two weeks that a law-enforcement official in the Highlands had defended his department's use of license-plate readers, a technology that has come under intense scrutiny as allegations of misuse and privacy breaches have spread nationwide. On Sept. 9, Putnam County Sheriff Brian Hess told members of the Legislature in Carmel that its 48 cameras are used only to solve crimes and that guardrails keep officers from using the data for anything else. In Beacon on Monday, Figlia showed council members and a full house of spectators a screenshot from the Flock system that the department uses. "You can search license plates and vehicle descriptions, and that's it," he said. He shared a 2023 article from The Current as evidence of the city's transparency on the issue. Data recorded by LPRs belongs to the Beacon police, which does not sell it, Figlia said. Flock Safety, the Atlanta-based company that provides 120,000 cameras to law-enforcement agencies in 49 states, has also said it does not sell consumer or camera data. Figlia suggested afterward that a doorbell camera could be more invasive than an LPR. Beacon's agreement with Flock was approved by the City Council in January 2023. Initially a two-year contract for $21,400, it was extended later that year and runs through 2028. Two of the cameras are stationed on Route 9D, with others on Route 52, Washington Avenue and Main Street. Another is mobile. Officers can search camera photos if they are looking for a stolen car or a person suspected of a crime. The cameras are not used to enforce speed limits, Figlia said. The Beacon Police Department withdrew from Flock's nationwide database earlier this year, citing an overload of searches unrelated to the city and the potential for outside agencies to access the information. On Monday, Figlia scrolled through screenshots showing the cameras' views of public roadways, not "people's backyards" or "what's on their phones," as he said has been alleged. Finally, the chief listed more than two dozen incidents where Flock images had helped the department solve crimes or arrest suspects, including a sexual assault, domestic and aggravated assaults, a shooting, two hit-and-runs involving bicyclists and multiple auto hit-and-runs. In several cases, he said, Flock data helped the department locate suicidal individuals who were taken to mental health facilities. While some of the national debate over Flock has accused agencies of colluding with federal immigration officers, Monday's meeting was mostly about privacy. Before Figlia's presentation, a dozen residents commented; all said they oppose the city's use of Flock LPRs. "A majority of Americans think they have the right to exist and move about freely without being spied upon and having their movements tracked by the state," said Danny Noest. "They're correct and I agree with them." A Fishkill resident, Scott Norton, argued that "this isn't about cameras, it's about government power." He asked for information on the city's contract with Flock. "Government officials work for the people," he said. "They don't get to spend our money, build surveillance infrastructures and then tell us that the decision is already made." More than one speaker called the devices tools of a "surveillance state." Lisette Cheresson ci...

District attorney, sheriff respond after public forum The Dutchess district attorney and sheriff announced on Friday (Sept. 25) that, following a public forum in Pleasant Valley this week, they no longer support the county's use of Flock license-plate readers. At the same time, the county executive said the $500,000 budgeted next year for the cameras would be diverted to other resources and Democrats in the Dutchess Legislature called for the county to immediately suspend data collection and to cover the cameras until they can be removed. They said a resolution to enact the changes will be introduced at the Legislature's October committee meetings. The flurry of announcements came after about 30 speakers uniformly opposed the technology during a Wednesday (Sept. 23) forum in Pleasant Valley organized by Eric Alexander, a Democrat who represents municipalities in central Dutchess and chairs the Legislature's Public Safety Committee. At the forum, District Attorney Anthony Parisi said he wanted to see 20 "non-negotiable" changes to the next contract with Flock Safety, including what the company does with the data collected in Dutchess, or he would oppose a new agreement, according to reporting by The Daily Catch. The current contract, which includes 65 LPR cameras, expired on Aug. 28, but the cameras remain active during renewal negotiations. In a statement released Friday, County Executive Sue Serino said she would not renew the Flock contract. "If the district attorney and the sheriff no longer believe that Flock Safety technology is a tool that they need, I stand by them in that decision," she said. "As the sheriff and the district attorney begin the process of rescinding the Flock contracts and dismantling the network, I commend them for being responsive to community concerns and being willing to change course." Serino said that she would recommend diverting the $500,000 allocated in the district attorney's 2027 budget for LPRs "to help protect many other critical programs and services that our neighbors depend on, including EMS services, veterans, seniors and youth programming." Had she included the funding in her 2027 budget proposal, the Legislature could have removed it, Alexander said. Using artificial intelligence, the Flock system analyzes photos of passing vehicles, records their plate numbers and categorizes them by make and model, color and any damage. The system's database is searchable by law-enforcement agencies seeking stolen vehicles, criminal suspects and missing persons. Overall, the network includes 437 cameras in Dutchess, including those on private land and on roads controlled by the state and townships. Dutchess officials said that the contract with Flock stipulates that only the county owns the local data and that it cannot be sold to third parties, but Parisi told The Daily Catch this week that the county has limited control over what the company does. "The reality is, we talk about the security, we talk about the information, [but] it's not sitting on a Dutchess County server, so the control that we have is limited," he said. "Once we contract with private companies, we're relying on what they're telling us to be true. … I can't go in and see everything that Flock personnel are [doing]." In their Friday statement, Parisi, a Democrat, and Sheriff Kirk Imperati, a Republican, said they "spent considerable time discussing what we heard from residents." Parisi said: "We agreed that the appropriate response is to listen to our community and change course." According to Imperati, "The district attorney and I supported this technology because we believed it could help law enforcement protect people and investigate serious crimes. We still care deeply about giving our officers and deputies the tools they need to do that work. But we also heard the concerns." Images collected by Flock cameras are transmitted to the Dutchess County Analysis and Real-Time Crime Intelligence Center. Dutchess is one of about 1...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy sit down with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson to discuss Keisha Lance Bottoms' campaign for governor, including the debate over her record as Atlanta mayor and the Republican effort to draw split-ticket voters. Johnson also weighs the candidates' competing approaches to data centers, Medicaid expansion and the governor's relationship with a Republican-controlled Legislature. He discusses the Democrats' “whole ballot energy” strategy and the different ways Rick Jackson and Mike Collins are aligning themselves with Donald Trump. 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

What happens when one of the key legislative champions behind the Fair School Funding Plan sets his sights on statewide office? In this episode, OEA member-recommended candidate Jay Edwards reflects on his record of fighting for public schools in the Ohio legislature and explains how, as Ohio's next state treasurer, he would use the office's influence to strengthen educator retirement security, elevate educator voices, and continue advancing policies that help Ohio students succeed.EDWARDS ON THE ISSUES |Click here to visit EdwardsForOhio.comand learn more about Jay Edwards' priorities as Ohio's next State Treasurer. Click here to read the write-up in OEA's Ohio Schools magazine about why Edwards was named a Legislative Champion for Public Education at OEA's Representative Assembly in Spring, 2025. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRO-PUBLIC EDUCATION, PRO-LABOR CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT | OEA members can click here to check out the list of all the OEA-member recommended candidates running for state and federal office.SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | If you'd like to share your thoughts on the Public Education Matters podcast, including your ideas for what you'd like to hear on future episodes, please email educationmatters@ohea.org.SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guest: Jay Edwards, OEA member-recommended candidate for State TreasurerJay Edwards is a native son of Southeast Ohio. Born and raised in Nelsonville, Jay attended Nelsonville-York High School before going on to Ohio University on a football scholarship, where he graduated with his degree in mathematics.Jay first ran for public office in 2016 at the age of 27, becoming a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Athens, Meigs, Washington, Vinton and Morgan counties.During his time in the legislature, Jay served as Chairman of the House Finance Committee, where he wrote and sponsored the state's operating and capital budgets. As Finance Chair, Jay successfully fought for a billion dollar increase in public education funding and helped secure nearly $400 million for higher education capital projects across Ohio.Jay lives in Nelsonville with his partner, Jayde, and their three children.In this episode:00:00 - Welcome & Why This Election Matters02:48 - Meet Jay Edwards, OEA's 2025 Legislative Champion for Public Education05:05 - Fighting Student Hunger and Expanding School Meals 07:53 - The Fair School Funding Plan and School Funding Reform 09:54 - What Does the Ohio State Treasurer Do? 11:08 - Protecting Educators' Retirement Security Through STRS 13:19 - Changes to the STRS Board and Why They Matter 15:12 - Transparency, Accountability, and Teacher Voices 17:31 - Listening to Ohioans Across the State 18:05 - Using the Treasurer's Office as a Voice for Public Education 19:48 - A Direct Invitation to Ohio Educators 21:58 - Closing Thoughts and Next StepsConnect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents approximately 115,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded on September 8, 2026.

Continued conversation about how gas prices are climbing in Massachusetts, and Gov. Maura Healey is proposing a two-month suspension of the state’s 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax to give drivers some relief. Healey says the move could provide about $120 million in savings, but House Speaker Ron Mariano has raised concerns about losing money used for roads and bridges. The plan still needs approval from the Legislature, so Dan took a closer look at the debate over suspending the gas tax.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gas prices are climbing in Massachusetts, and Gov. Maura Healey is proposing a two-month suspension of the state’s 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax to give drivers some relief. Healey says the move could provide about $120 million in savings, but House Speaker Ron Mariano has raised concerns about losing money used for roads and bridges. The plan still needs approval from the Legislature, so Dan took a closer look at the debate over suspending the gas tax.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tree damage spurs emergency dam repair Damage from a falling tree is rarely considered good fortune. But supporters of preserving Sylvan Pond, a Continental Village fixture bounded by Aqueduct and Ridge roads and Lake Court, hope the tree that toppled onto the beloved neighborhood pond's dam in July during a storm will become just that. A decades-long respite for both residents and wildlife, the 2.8-acre, county-owned pond is subject to an ultimatum issued in 2024 by the state Department of Environmental Conservation: Repair the dam or drain the water. Now, Tom Feighery, Putnam County's public works commissioner, and neighbors are awaiting the DEC's verdict on whether the repairs will allow the pond to stay. Not only did the tree fall across the dam, but roots embedded in the structure caused damage, Feighery told the Legislature's Physical Services Committee on Tuesday (Sept. 22). The repairs were completed to the DEC's specifications, he said. "The tree coming down may have been a blessing," said Feighery. Nancy Montgomery, who represents Philipstown and part of Putnam Valley in the Legislature, agreed. Montgomery, who has lobbied for an alternative to draining Sylvan Pond, said she visited it with neighbors on Sept. 9. "When I arrived, there was a wonderful heron there and snappers galore," she said. "I understand the community's concern and wanting to preserve it." Not only did the tree fall across the dam, but roots embedded in the structure caused damage, Feighery told the Legislature's Physical Services Committee on Tuesday (Sept. 22). The repairs were completed to the DEC's specifications, he said. "The tree coming down may have been a blessing," said Feighery. Nancy Montgomery, who represents Philipstown and part of Putnam Valley in the Legislature, agreed. Montgomery, who has lobbied for an alternative to draining Sylvan Pond, said she visited it with neighbors on Sept. 9. "When I arrived, there was a wonderful heron there and snappers galore," she said. "I understand the community's concern and wanting to preserve it." While information on the history of Sylvan Pond and how Putnam became its owner are scant, in March 2024 Neal Tomann, then the interim manager for the county's Soil & Water Conservation District, told the Philipstown Town Board that the DEC was concerned a major storm could fill the shallow pond and send floodwaters toward downstream properties along Sprout Brook Road. Tomann described the dam as "highly improvised" and said it would cost about $750,000 to rebuild. The DEC has classified the pond as Class B, meaning it could cause severe damage to nearby properties if it fails. Soon after, Zoila Morell, whose property abuts the pond, submitted a petition to the county with 200 signatures supporting preservation. "In the same way that we love farmland in Putnam County, we love wetlands, we love our ponds, we love our animals, we love the creatures that we live next to," Morell said on Tuesday. An engineering firm estimated that raising the dam's embankment would cost $339,000, while widening its spillway would cost $522,000. Removing the dam would cost $354,000. The emergency repairs, which included adding soil to the top of the dam, improved the structure, said Feighery. "It's actually in good shape now," he said. In 1987, when Marie-Louise Best and her family toured the house they would buy on Aqueduct Road in Continental Village, they noted the view of Sylvan Pond from the windows. Eight years later, neighbors and a crew from the Philipstown Highway Department worked together to pull mattresses, hardened bags of cement, a cash register and other debris from the water. In a paean Best wrote for the Putnam Reporter Dispatch after the cleanup, she quoted Henry David Thoreau, who described a lake as "a landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." "It is such a pretty view," said Best in 2024. "In the fall...

This week lawmakers on the Legislature's Audit and Fiscal Review Committee heard remarkable testimony on a review of the North Dakota Development Fund. That fund was created in 1991 to provide capital, or "gap financing," to more risky projects in the state that can't get access to more traditional financing. An audit of the fund found woeful documentation for things like performance, investments, and conflicts of interest. On this Plain Talk, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, who monitored the committee meeting as a member of Legislative Management, said he questions whether the fund ought to continue to exist. "I think the deliberation in the upcoming session is: is that still a worthy objective for the state to be pursuing, that sort of risky gap financing that, admittedly, North Dakota Development Fund is supposed to be pursuing?" He said that the Legislature is ready to "wield the power of the purse" over the program "if there aren't some what we see as necessary changes." Hogue also discussed Measure 1. That proposed constitutional measure, put on the November ballot by lawmakers, would require that future amendments get at least 60% of the vote. That debate may end up being the most expensive race in North Dakota of the 2026 campaign season. Gov. Kelly Armstrong is backing a "yes" vote on the measure. Opposing it is a D.C.-based group called the Fairness Project. Already roughly $1 million has been spent on television advertising for and against the measure, with weeks left to go in campaign season. "Our constitution is the place where we house our core fundamental values like freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and those values should not be altered by a simple majority," Hogue said of the measure. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the upcoming Plain Talk Debates and our decision not to include independent candidates. We'll be recording debates in the U.S. House race on October 13, and they'll be released on the podcast, on YouTube, and on WDAY Xtra starting on October 14. If you'd like to submit questions for the candidates for U.S. House, Agriculture Commissioner, Superintendent of Schools, and representatives of the campaigns for and against Measure 2 (the school meals measure), send them in at PlainTalkND.com. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

This week lawmakers on the Legislature's Audit and Fiscal Review Committee heard remarkable testimony on a review of the North Dakota Development Fund. That fund was created in 1991 to provide capital, or "gap financing," to more risky projects in the state that can't get access to more traditional financing. An audit of the fund found woeful documentation for things like performance, investments, and conflicts of interest. On this Plain Talk, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, who monitored the committee meeting as a member of Legislative Management, said he questions whether the fund ought to continue to exist. "I think the deliberation in the upcoming session is: is that still a worthy objective for the state to be pursuing, that sort of risky gap financing that, admittedly, North Dakota Development Fund is supposed to be pursuing?" He said that the Legislature is ready to "wield the power of the purse" over the program "if there aren't some what we see as necessary changes." Hogue also discussed Measure 1. That proposed constitutional measure, put on the November ballot by lawmakers, would require that future amendments get at least 60% of the vote. That debate may end up being the most expensive race in North Dakota of the 2026 campaign season. Gov. Kelly Armstrong is backing a "yes" vote on the measure. Opposing it is a D.C.-based group called the Fairness Project. Already roughly $1 million has been spent on television advertising for and against the measure, with weeks left to go in campaign season. "Our constitution is the place where we house our core fundamental values like freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and those values should not be altered by a simple majority," Hogue said of the measure. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the upcoming Plain Talk Debates and our decision not to include independent candidates. We'll be recording debates in the U.S. House race on October 13, and they'll be released on the podcast, on YouTube, and on WDAY Xtra starting on October 14. If you'd like to submit questions for the candidates for U.S. House, Agriculture Commissioner, Superintendent of Schools, and representatives of the campaigns for and against Measure 2 (the school meals measure), send them in at PlainTalkND.com. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

In just over a month, voters go to the polls. There are lots of races on the ballot, from governor to Senate to Legislature and more.One thing all Florida voters will get to decide: whether to reduce property taxes. On this episode, we examine the possible effect on fire rescue services and community planning.Also, why is Hillsborough County the epicenter of Florida's dengue outbreak?Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSFInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni3

Today on MetroNews This Morning:--A tragic construction accident on I-79 leaves one dead and two hurt--Two big cases are argued before the Supreme Court involving the Legislature and it's authority--There is more controversy involving the 91st Delegate District in Berkeley County--In Sports: Coach Rod talks about this week's challenge for the Mountaineers 

This episode is sponsored by Revelation Gold Group – The Charlotte City Council voted last night to reverse its previous reversal and re-support the I-77 toll lane project, after the North Carolina Legislature threatened to penalize the city for the costs of planning and design work on the project.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-pete-kaliner-show--6946691/support.Subscribe to the free podcast My preferred podcast platform: SpreakerCheck out my preferred gold & silver company: Revelation Gold GroupHelp support Pete's Walk to End Alzheimers here.All the links to Pete's Prep are free! Plus get exclusive content here!VHS to Digital & Video Transfer Services in Charlotte NC Media Bias Check: GroundNews promo code!Advertising and Booking inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.com  

On this week's episode with host Davis Hovey, the Alaska Beacon reports on changes to advance reservations for public cabins, the Kodiak commercial salmon seiner Emily Rose gets some help from Good Samaritan vessels, Coast Guard Base Kodiak hosted a 9/11 25th anniversary ceremony, a recap of the gubernatorial fisheries debate in Kodiak, state Sen. Gary Stevens is retiring from the Legislature, and KIBSD's Board of Education is considering closing East Elementary school.

We open Friday on The Dawn Stensland Show breaking down Governor Josh Shapiro's high-profile appearance on national television, where he slams RFK Jr. over recent measles outbreaks in Pennsylvania. We expose how the administration appears to be using the topical frenzy around measles as cover to quietly push through sweeping new Department of Health regulations through the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Dr. Beth Ann Rosica joins us to unpack the 500-page regulatory proposal that would bypass the state legislature, allow unannounced state visits to schools and private homes without a warrant, and strip away vital parental rights under the guise of public health management. We react to the ongoing fallout from the Lindsay Clancy murder trial and the behavior of activism-driven jurors. We look at the brave stance taken by Michael, the sole holdout juror, who refused to succumb to pressure from woke peers looking to use a horrific family tragedy as a platform for social messaging. Rich Zeoli drops by the studio to dissect how the media, defense attorneys, and activist jurors are trying to rewrite legal standards, while also warning about the chilling effect this behavior has on future juries and the rule of law. The crew turns to local news and lighter weekend moments, starting with Paul Martino's Bucks County docu-series premiere getting abruptly canceled by Bucks County Community College following political pressure and security inquiries. Rich and Dawn weigh in on the First Amendment implications when public institutions silence local conservative voices. We wrap up with Dawn's upcoming date night at the Ed Sheeran concert, Miller Lite debates, sauna etiquette hot takes, and a preview of Rich Zeoli's upcoming live broadcast event in Cape May

Ohio is now spending more than $1 billion in public taxpayer dollars each year on private school vouchers, but how much do we really know about where that money goes and whether it delivers any real results? In this episode, State Sen. Kent Smith (D-21st District) and State Sen. Bill Blessing (R-8th District) discuss their bipartisan efforts to bring transparency and accountability to Ohio's near-universal voucher system, while also tackling the bigger questions of school funding, property taxes, school meal access, and the future of public education.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRO-PUBLIC EDUCATION, PRO-LABOR CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT | State Sen. Kent Smith is the OEA member-recommended candidate for the 21st Ohio Senate district. OEA members can click here to check out the list of all the OEA member-recommended candidates running for state and federal office. And listen to Season 7, Episode 2, starting around 28:55, for more on what goes into these candidate recommendations.WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE | Click here to see the video of Sens. Blessing and Smith's press conference on May 27, 2026, announcing the introduction of SB 443 in the Senate. Blessing and Smith were joined by Representative Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County); Alana Cropper, Treasurer of Forest Hills School District; Piet Van Lier, Deputy Director of Honesty for Ohio Education; and Karen Rego, President of the Cleveland Heights Teachers Union for this press event.BLESSING'S LETTER TO THE EDITOR | While discussing property tax levies in this episode, Sen. Blessing mentioned a letter to the editor he previously wrote. Click here to read his statement.  SMITH'S 2023 PREDICTION | During our conversation for this episode, Sen. Smith referenced a Cleveland.com article about Gov. DeWine's announcement in the 2023 State of the State about expanding vouchers in Ohio to near-universal eligibility. Smith warned of the  consequences of voucher expansion for public education funding, which have since come to pass. Click here to read the story from January 31, 2023.ICYMI: STATEHOUSE EDITION | Sen. Smith has released weekly, award-winning video updates on state government since Spring 2023. Access the full video archive and keep an eye out for new releases on Smith's Senate webpage. SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guests: State Sen. Louis W. Blessing III (R-Colerain Twp.)State Senator Louis W. Blessing, III is serving his second term in the Ohio Senate. He currently represents Ohio's 8th Senate District, which encompasses a portion of Hamilton County. He began his career in the legislature serving as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 29th Ohio House District.Senator Blessing has an extensive background in electrical engineering. He currently works as an engineer at Super Systems, Inc. in Cincinnati and previously worked at Duke Energy and Nova Engineering.He earned his Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. The Senator is a licensed professional engineer and is a member of the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers. He currently resides in Colerain Township with his wife Heather and their three sons.136th General Assembly Committee Assignments: Ways & Means (Chairman)Education Committee (Vice Chair)FinanceFinancial Institutions, Insurance and TechnologyJudiciaryState Sen. Kent Smith (D-Euclid)  **OEA member-recommended candidate for re-election in November, 2026**State Senator Kent Smith currently represents Ohio's 21st Senate District - having been elected to the Ohio Senate in 2022. Prior to his service in the Senate, Smith served four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives (from 2015-2022). He joined the Ohio General Assembly after serving Euclid, Ohio as a Member of the Euclid Board of Education from 2002 – 2013. In his 12 years on the Euclid School Board, Senator Smith never missed a meeting. As a Euclid School Board Member, he was a four-time winner of the “Award of Achievement” which is awarded annually by the Ohio School Boards Association to less than three percent of all School Board Members in Ohio.Senator Smith graduated from Miami University in 1988 and earned his Master of Science in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University in 2001. His master's degree thesis - which was written in 2001 - was about the emerging threat of Predatory Lending and the Subprime Market. He also co-authored the first Predatory Lending Report by Policy Matters Ohio in 2002. Following his master's degree studies, he sought his Ph.D. at Cleveland State University in Economic Development.In late 2019, prior to the COVID pandemic, Senator Smith was admitted into the Public Leadership Credential program offered by Harvard's Kennedy School.  Senator Smith completed the coursework during 2020 and 2021.  He finished the program's Capstone requirement in January 2023 and graduated from the program in May 2023.Senator Smith serves as the Ranking Member on the Senate Energy and Local Government Committees. He also serves on the Senate Education, Judiciary, Public Utilities, Rules and Reference, and Transportation Committees.Throughout his time in the State House, he served as the Ranking Member on the House Public Utilities (134th and 133rd GA), Financial Institutions (133rd GA), Financial Institutions, Housing, and Urban Development (132nd GA), and Economic & Workforce Development (131st GA) Committees. He also served on the House Higher Education and Career Readiness, Technology and Innovation, Education, Commerce and Labor, and Rules & Reference Committees. During his first term in the Ohio Senate (135th GA) he served as the Ranking Member on the Senate Energy and Public Utilities, Financial Institutions and Technology, and Ways and Means Committees. He also served on the Senate Judiciary, Transportation, and Rules and Reference Committees.Click here to learn more about Sen. S...

Paul Gessing, President of the Rio Grande Foundation, joins us on ABQ Connect to discuss several of the major policy debates currently shaping New Mexico. Topics include efforts to create a paid Legislature, concerns about the state’s aging transportation infrastructure and potential gas tax increases, New Mexico’s economic dependency challenges, the impact of the gross receipts tax on business growth, film industry subsidies, and whether record state revenues are translating into a stronger economy. It’s a timely conversation about taxes, spending, economic development, and the policy choices that could influence New Mexico’s future. Listen to Paul’s podcast at Tipping Point New Mexico. The post Paul Guessing appeared first on ABQ Connect.

Danielle Duggar, the Republican nominee for Alabama House District 96, joins Jeff Poor in studio to discuss what she hopes to accomplish in Montgomery if elected.Duggar talks about the changing makeup of the Alabama Legislature, the influence of grassroots conservatives and some of the issues she expects to receive attention in the next legislative session. She also discusses her plans to carry a “Conscientious Right to Refuse Act,” her interest in property-tax relief for Gold Star spouses and potential changes involving the state health officer.The conversation also turns to Flock license-plate reader cameras. Duggar explains why she would prefer a ban on the technology, while outlining privacy protections and restrictions she believes would be necessary if lawmakers instead choose to regulate its use.

GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton has been dogged by allegations of personal and professional improprieties throughout his political career. Do voters care?

The first ballots of this year's midterms have been sent out, and with that, it is officially election season.  Katie Waldo of We the Action and Nicholas Gothard of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law join Ashley Erickson to discuss ways that lawyers and law students can get involved in election protection efforts in 2026.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Ashley Erickson, Senior Director of Network AdvancementGuest: Katie Waldo, Managing Director, We the ActionGuest: Nicholas Gothard, Senior National Coordinator, Election Protection, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under LawLink: 2026 Guide to Voter Protection Opportunities for Lawyers, We the ActionLink: Sign Up to Volunteer for the 1-866-OUR-VOTE HotlineLink: Sign Up to Be a Poll WorkerLink: State Voting Laws Roundup, Brennan Center for JusticeVisit the Podcast Website: Broken Law PodcastEmail the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.orgFollow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | LinkedIn | YouTube-----------------Broken Law: About the law, who it serves, and who it doesn't.-----------------Production House: Flint Stone MediaCopyright of American Constitution Society 2026.

Gubernatorial candidate Gregg Hull was recently criticized (unfairly) for his remarks, but Paul believes Hull is 100% correct on NM's dependency problem. The Tax Foundation recently ranked New Mexico 7th highest for tax collections. It's new information, but the data is from four years ago (FY 2023). New Mexico is likely close to number 1 now.  Trump's plan to give every adult American $5,000 IF he and Republicans get elected in both houses is not a good one.  Land Commissioner Garcia Richard bans uranium mining on state lands. Paul and Wally discuss what it means to be a fiduciary and whether New Mexico can go "zero carbon" without nuclear energy.  A new report says $7.5 billion is needed to address NM's roads problem. It just so happens that NM has $7.6 billion in unspent capital outlay $$$. Paul discusses the options and whether the Legislature will try for a gas tax increase.  

Amanda McGill Johnson is a former journalist and Nebraska state senator, current Millard School Board member, and executive director of Nebraska Cures. She talks about entering public life at 26, learning to collaborate across differences, what we mean by the common good, and how loss and life experience have changed her understanding of expectations, control, and living well.Amanda McGill Johnson studied broadcasting and political science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln before beginning her career as a television reporter. Her interest in politics eventually moved her from covering public life to participating in it. At 26, she ran for Nebraska's nonpartisan Legislature and won, serving two terms from 2007 to 2015. McGill Johnson's work since then has included child welfare and anti-human-trafficking advocacy, congressional service, science and health policy, and public education. She is executive director of Nebraska Cures, co-director of Nebraska Women in STEM, and serves on the Millard Public Schools Board of Education. She is also the author of The Unicameral and You: Collaborating for the Common Good in Nebraska's Capitol.

***This is a special video and audio episode of this podcast - The full episode video is available at the bottom of these show notes or by clicking here.***When it comes to public education and workers' rights, there is a clear choice in the race for Ohio's next governor. While Vivek Ramaswamy has repeatedly said he wants to eliminate teachers' unions and has pushed proposals that would slash public school funding to pay for more tax breaks for the wealthy, Dr. Amy Acton is calling for fully funding public schools, protecting collective bargaining rights, and ensuring educators have a seat at the table to help tackle the big issues in our state. In this episode, Dr. Acton joins us for a one-on-one conversation about her plans for Ohio's schools, students, educators, and communities. We also sit down with OEA Director of Government Relations Dan Ramos for a behind-the-scenes look at how OEA members evaluate candidates and make recommendations based on their support for public education and labor issues. If you want to understand what's at stake in this election - and why OEA members enthusiastically recommended Amy Acton for governor - this is an episode you won't want to miss. ACTON ON THE ISSUES | Click here to visit actonforgovernor.com and learn more about where Amy Acton stands on the big issues in our state. Click here to read OEA's statement on OEA members' decision to support Dr. Acton in the race for Ohio governor.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRO-PUBLIC EDUCATION, PRO-LABOR CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT | OEA members can click here to check out the list of all the OEA-member recommended candidates running for state and federal office.READ THE ARTICLE | During our conversation, Dr. Acton mentioned a piece by Mike Curtin that provides an important primer on taxes in Ohio: "Ramaswamy's weary staff hasn't explained property, income taxes to him, so I will"SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | If you'd like to share your thoughts on the Public Education Matters podcast, including your ideas for what you'd like to hear on future episodes, please email educationmatters@ohea.org.SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.In this episode:00:00 Opening Message: Building the Ohio We Deserve00:31 Welcome to Public Education Matters02:05 Vivek Ramaswamy in His Own Words 2:32 Contrasting Visions for Ohio's Public Schools04:04 Amy Acton on How Public Schools Changed Her Life06:50 What Ohioans Are Saying About What Their Schools Need10:18 Funding Public Schools and Addressing Property Taxes15:50 Fair School Funding and Ohio's Tax Debate20:36 The Role of Educators' Unions in Ohio's Future25:24 Ohio Politics, Statehouse Races, and Ending Gerrymandering26:34 Acton's Closing Call to Action28:20 How OEA Members Recommend Candidates 29:02 Dan Ramos on Why This Election Matters 31:00 Public Education Is Not a Partisan Issue33:38 Inside OEA's Candidate Screening Process38:11 Voting Information and Final Reminders38:42 Closing Thoughts and Season 7 PreviewFeatured Public Education Matters guests: Dr. Amy Acton, OEA Member-Recommended Candidate for Ohio GovernorGrowing up in Youngstown, in a family who'd worked in the steel mills, Amy Acton faced a difficult childhood. She overcame periods of abuse, hunger, and neglect, and even wound up living in a tent in the middle of winter. That challenging upbringing molded the values and determination that have shaped a career dedicated to lifting others.From working as a waitress to delivering newspapers, Amy worked her way out of poverty and put herself through college and medical school to become a doctor. She experienced firsthand what so many Ohio families face today—working harder than ever and still feeling like they're falling behind.After medical school, she began a lifelong focus on children's health. Her first assignment was a pediatrics residency tackling the horrific consequences of the crack cocaine epidemic in children. She then began a residency at Children's Hospital and Ohio State University, where she trained in pediatrics and preventive medicine. There, she created the first-ever residency rotation in child advocacy and gained a master's degree in public health.Amy emerged as a community leader for children's health as the Director of Project L.O.V.E, a partnership between Columbus area hospitals and community stakeholders focused on preventive health for Columbus-area children. She also joined the faculty at Ohio State University, where she became an award-winning professor of maternal and child health and global public health.Amy later joined the Columbus Foundation, where she led on a wide variety of community health issues, from youth homelessness to women's health.In 2019, Governor DeWine asked Amy to serve in his administration as the Director of the Ohio Department of Health. Amy put partisanship aside to serve the people of Ohio. Amid a wide variety of issues, she worked with Republicans and Democrats throughout the state to hold the big drug companies accountable for the opioid epidemic and shape a historic settlement to fund addiction recovery programs. When the pandemic hit, her steady leadership and voice for common sense not only saved countless lives but also helped Ohio's economy and schools open earlier than other states. For her leadership, Amy earned a Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2021 and was named Woman of the Year for Ohio by USA Today in 2022.Following her service in the DeWine administration, Amy returned to the Columbus Foundation and helped found the Center for Human Kindness, then worked with CEOs, mayors, and community advocates to launch Rapid 5, a nonprofit to integrate the region's park system and waterways, while lifting health and economic wellness. She also partnered with WKYC on an award-winning series called Health, Hope & Healing, where she spoke to Ohioans about the challenges they face and the innovative solutions they're using to move themselves forward.Now, Amy's running for Governor because she refuses to look away from Ohioans who are struggling while politicians in Columbus cater to billionaires and corporations.Amy lives in Bexley, Ohio with her husband, Eric, a lifelong teacher...

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Sept. 10, include: Legislature's Executive Board voted Wednesday to request budget increase for Unicameral despite Nebraska's state budget woes, Nebraska Supreme Court ordered Lincoln to place three charter amendment petitions on November ballot, Maya community is using national grant to develop climate resilience plan for North Omaha neighborhood, Chadron State College is launching new curriculum focused on wildfires and Nebraska's environment, Nebraska's become a trendy stomping ground for mammals such as moose, wild boar and even armadillo in recent years.

As the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) celebrates its 150-year anniversary, Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford looks forward to the agency's future while reflecting on the past century and a half. What's TDI's mission, vision, and core values? TDI's mission is to protect Texas consumers by fairly and diligently regulating the insurance industry, promoting a stable and competitive market, advancing fire safety, and providing clear information to Texans. Our vision is of a Texas where consumers are protected, communities are resilient, and the insurance market is strong for generations to come. Our TEXAS values — Transparency, Efficiency, eXcellence, Accountability, and Service — guide how we serve Texans. Why was the Texas Department of Insurance created? The agency was first created at a time when Texans needed a trusted safeguard. In the 1870s, many insurance companies weren't closely regulated or financially stable, putting families at risk when disaster struck. In 1876, the 15th Legislature created the Department of Insurance, Statistics, and History. At that time, most Texans bought insurance policies from companies based in other states and countries. Only four of the 61 companies selling insurance in Texas were Texas-based. Today, TDI regulates 3,447 companies, including 843 Texas-based insurers. How will TDI continue to serve Texans in the future? TDI is making our work to protect consumers more transparent. We recently rolled out three, consumer-friendly web pages that let consumers see the average homeowners insurance premium for every Texas county, view paid homeowners insurance claims by county, and search home and auto insurance rate filings. These webpages provide information that's historically been hard to find and help consumers better understand what's driving insurance costs where they live. We're here to listen and help. Our website is a tremendous resource with consumer-friendly information – www.TDI.Texas.gov. And you can call our Help Line to speak with experts that can answer your insurance questions in English, Spanish and other languages.. That number is 800-252-3439.00:00 TDI celebrates 150 years of protecting consumers  00:29 What's TDI's mission, vision, and core values?  02:19 What is insurance commissioner Amanda Crawford's background?  04:00 Why was the Texas Department of Insurance created?  05:33 When did TDI move from an insurance board to a single commissioner of insurance?  06:43 How many insurance companies does TDI regulate?  07:33 How will TDI continue to serve Texans in the future?  08:33 How does TDI help Texas consumers?  11:04 If you have insurance questions visit https://www.tdi.texas.gov or call 800-252-3439 

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission distributes funding and sets policies for Oregon’s community colleges and public universities. As OPB reported, HECC’s  Board approved last month a $4.7 billion budget request for the 2027-2029 biennium. Gov. Tina Kotek will consider the proposal as part of the overall state budget recommendations given to the state Legislature when it reconvenes next year.    Oregon public colleges and universities are facing multiple financial headwinds that have grown worse in recent years. That includes stagnant state funding for higher education that has left Oregon near the bottom compared to other states.     HECC board members have warned that greater investment in higher education is necessary amid rising administration and labor costs, canceled federal grants, inflation and other challenges. Year-over-year tuition increases amid declining student enrollment adds to the uncertainty facing Oregon’s public universities.    Greg Hamann is the chair of HECC. He joins us for a discussion of the state of higher education funding for Oregon’s public colleges and universities.  

The special session is over. It was called to address a growing crisis with kratom, and lawmakers gave Gov. Kelly Armstrong most of what he wanted. They passed a total ban for synthetic kratom, and some big new regulations for the natural variety. But Sen. Janne Myrdal, who, like Armstrong, wanted a total ban on all kratom products, says the regulatory part of it may be unworkable. It will essentially require Attorney General Drew Wrigley's office to spin up a new regulatory and testing program for a product that is produced and packaged outside of North Dakota's borders, and usually outside of our national borders. "I don't know how the attorney general is going to do it," she said on this episode of Plain Talk. "I don't know if it's possible." Myrdal said she'll be expecting another run at totally banning kratom products, at the very least until federal authorities put in place some rules and oversight for the products, during the upcoming regular session. Also on this episode, Sen. Sean Cleary expressed some dismay with the Legislature's bailout of an embattled military museum which has been stalled on the capitol grounds. "My overall frustration with the project is now we're looking at approximately $80 million of public dollars for this project," he said. "$80 million is a lot of money, especially at a time when agencies are being asked—some of the Department of Health and Human Services to submit 10% reductions to the upcoming budget proposal. There's been talk about flat education funding." "When I think of our work in the legislature, I really like to focus our public spending on things that are serving the public," he continued. Cleary said he felt like the museum became a "bait and switch." The Legislature probably wouldn't have authorized an $80 million project if they knew the taxpayers would be footing the bill for all of it, but now they're in the position of either keeping the money flowing, or paying a big bill to close it down. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

The special session is over. It was called to address a growing crisis with kratom, and lawmakers gave Gov. Kelly Armstrong most of what he wanted. They passed a total ban for synthetic kratom, and some big new regulations for the natural variety. But Sen. Janne Myrdal, who, like Armstrong, wanted a total ban on all kratom products, says the regulatory part of it may be unworkable. It will essentially require Attorney General Drew Wrigley's office to spin up a new regulatory and testing program for a product that is produced and packaged outside of North Dakota's borders, and usually outside of our national borders. "I don't know how the attorney general is going to do it," she said on this episode of Plain Talk. "I don't know if it's possible." Myrdal said she'll be expecting another run at totally banning kratom products, at the very least until federal authorities put in place some rules and oversight for the products, during the upcoming regular session. Also on this episode, Sen. Sean Cleary expressed some dismay with the Legislature's bailout of an embattled military museum which has been stalled on the capitol grounds. "My overall frustration with the project is now we're looking at approximately $80 million of public dollars for this project," he said. "$80 million is a lot of money, especially at a time when agencies are being asked—some of the Department of Health and Human Services to submit 10% reductions to the upcoming budget proposal. There's been talk about flat education funding." "When I think of our work in the legislature, I really like to focus our public spending on things that are serving the public," he continued. Cleary said he felt like the museum became a "bait and switch." The Legislature probably wouldn't have authorized an $80 million project if they knew the taxpayers would be footing the bill for all of it, but now they're in the position of either keeping the money flowing, or paying a big bill to close it down. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor dig into the state's recently approved social studies curriculum standards and the controversy over how Islam is discussed. Their guests are Texas Tribune education reporter Jaden Edison and Ayaan Moledina, a 17-year-old Round Rock student who testified at state meetings over the topic.

New Mexico state Rep. Andrea Romero, the Democratic chair of the state's Epstein Survivors Truth Commission, is facing growing calls to step aside amid an ethics controversy involving her outside employment and the commission's own resources. Republican lawmakers questioned whether Romero violated state law by simultaneously serving in the Legislature and holding a paid part-time position with the First Judicial District Attorney's Office. Romero said she had relied on a 2024 attorney general's opinion when accepting the job, but Attorney General Raúl Torrez later said that opinion had been interpreted more broadly than intended and advised district attorneys not to employ sitting lawmakers. Romero subsequently resigned from the prosecutor's office, but then accused Torrez of trying to disrupt the Epstein commission's work, escalating an already bitter dispute between two officials who have both positioned themselves as pursuing accountability in the Epstein case.The controversy intensified after Romero's defense of herself was distributed through Dini von Mueffling Communications, a New York public-relations firm under contract with the Epstein commission for as much as $60,000. New Mexico Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer accused Romero of using a taxpayer-funded contractor hired for the Epstein investigation to manage her personal political crisis, calling it potential self-dealing and asking the State Ethics Commission to investigate. Sharer went further and called on Romero to resign both from the Epstein commission and from the Legislature. The episode is particularly damaging for a commission built around exposing institutional failures, conflicts and abuses of power surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, because its chair is now being forced to answer questions about her own judgment, outside employment and use of commission resources. Romero and the public-relations firm did not respond to requests for comment in the reporting, while the controversy has added another layer of political turmoil to an investigation that was supposed to be focused squarely on what happened at Epstein's Zorro Ranch and who failed to stop it.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Calls grow for state lawmaker to resign from Epstein commission amid ethics controversy - KOB 4

For more than two decades, Sheryl Williams Stapleton was a powerful force in New Mexico politics. She was the first African American woman elected to the state Legislature, served as Democratic House Majority Floor Leader, and sponsored hundreds of pieces of legislation, many focused on education. But in 2021, her political career came crashing down. Federal investigators accused Stapleton of using her positions at Albuquerque Public Schools and in the Legislature to steer $1.15 million in taxpayer-funded contracts meant for Albuquerque students, for her personal use. After years of investigation and legal delays, the case finally went to trial in federal court. Stapleton and her co-conspirator, Joseph Johnson, were convicted of fraud, money laundering, and bribery. KRQE reporter Bela Olague was in the courtroom nearly every day, and joins Chris and Gabby to unpack the evidence and arguments that ultimately led to federal convictions. It's a closer look at the rise and fall of one of New Mexico's most notable political figures. Watch Larry Barker's 2021 investigation  Thanks for listening. If you've got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox.

New Mexico state Rep. Andrea Romero, the Democratic chair of the state's Epstein Survivors Truth Commission, is facing growing calls to step aside amid an ethics controversy involving her outside employment and the commission's own resources. Republican lawmakers questioned whether Romero violated state law by simultaneously serving in the Legislature and holding a paid part-time position with the First Judicial District Attorney's Office. Romero said she had relied on a 2024 attorney general's opinion when accepting the job, but Attorney General Raúl Torrez later said that opinion had been interpreted more broadly than intended and advised district attorneys not to employ sitting lawmakers. Romero subsequently resigned from the prosecutor's office, but then accused Torrez of trying to disrupt the Epstein commission's work, escalating an already bitter dispute between two officials who have both positioned themselves as pursuing accountability in the Epstein case.The controversy intensified after Romero's defense of herself was distributed through Dini von Mueffling Communications, a New York public-relations firm under contract with the Epstein commission for as much as $60,000. New Mexico Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer accused Romero of using a taxpayer-funded contractor hired for the Epstein investigation to manage her personal political crisis, calling it potential self-dealing and asking the State Ethics Commission to investigate. Sharer went further and called on Romero to resign both from the Epstein commission and from the Legislature. The episode is particularly damaging for a commission built around exposing institutional failures, conflicts and abuses of power surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, because its chair is now being forced to answer questions about her own judgment, outside employment and use of commission resources. Romero and the public-relations firm did not respond to requests for comment in the reporting, while the controversy has added another layer of political turmoil to an investigation that was supposed to be focused squarely on what happened at Epstein's Zorro Ranch and who failed to stop it.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Calls grow for state lawmaker to resign from Epstein commission amid ethics controversy - KOB 4Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

If you prefer to watch the video you can find it at the bottom of this webpage. Episode Sponsors: Concealed Carry Gun Tools App: The #1 tool for concealed carriers on your phone. Check laws, maps, and stay informed with a great app on your phone. BarrelBlok: In those moments you need to be sure your gun is clear; BarrelBlok it. About This Episode: Today, Riley Bowman and Jacob Paulsen are bringing you our Legislative and Legal Updates episode — and August may have been the single biggest month for gun law in decades. Two federal courts struck down long-standing rules, the DOJ reversed a decades-old position on carrying in post offices, New Mexico’s waiting period finally died, and the FBI quietly released a crime report that nobody on the other side seems eager to talk about. California, meanwhile, just sent three more bills to the Governor’s desk. But the big one is the NFA. You’ve seen the headlines saying it’s dead. Riley read the actual court order, and it isn’t — not for most of you. He also thinks the Justice Department made a serious mistake in how it handled the win, and that’s the part almost nobody is talking about. Jacob pushes back. Tune in so you don’t miss! As always, any questions or suggestions for future episodes can be submitted to podcast@concealedcarry.com! News Stories Referenced In This Episode Silencer Shop Ruling: The NFA Is Not Dead Federal Judge Strikes Down NFA Registration for Suppressors and SBRs DOJ Says Lawful Gun Owners Can Carry in Post Offices Federal Judge Rules Biden-Era Ghost Gun Restrictions Unconstitutional District Court Enters Final Judgment Striking Down New Mexico’s Waiting Period Law in NRA Victory California Anti-Gun Bills Pass the Legislature, Now Heading to the Governor’s Desk SCOTUS Statutory Ruling Not the Final Word on Biden-Era Frame or Receiver Rule FBI Releases Final Crime Report for 2025 to the Dismay of Firearm Prohibitionists DOJ’s Post Office Directive Marks Another Second Amendment Milestone Federal Firearms Rights Restoration FBI Releases 2025 Reported Crimes in the Nation Statistics FBI’s Latest Report Leaves ‘More Guns, More Crime’ Hypothesis in Tatters Texas News Report — The Center Square Grassroots Judicial Report — August 26, 2026 Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us this week. Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below. If you enjoyed the podcast the biggest compliment you could give us would be to subscribe to future episodes via a podcast app on your phone or via iTunes. You can find past podcast episodes by clicking here. Video Recording: Press PLAY on the video below to watch the video recording! {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https://www.concealedcarry.com#/schema/video/4255667","name":"S14E6: Legislative Updates-The NFA Isn’t Dead, And Why That Should Bother You","description":"Concealed Carry Podcast brought to you by HK - "S14E6: Legislative Updates-The NFA Isn't Dead, And Why That Should Bother You" Episode Sponsors: -Concealed","thumbnailUrl":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RJWtrVw3MEo/maxresdefault_live.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-08-28T19:11:31-06:00","embedUrl":"https://www.concealedcarry.com/player-embed/id/4255667/?autoplay=0","duration":"PT01H15M03S","interactionStatistic":{"@type":"InteractionCounter","interactionType":{"@type":"http://schema.org/WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":4}}

The Department of Justice is in crisis. The bedrock principle of non-interference, once held sacrosanct by administrations of both parties, has been jettisoned. The Attorney General has directed the Department to represent the President and his agenda above all else. Thousands of attorneys and professionals have left or been forced out as leadership pursues personal and political grudges at the President's open direction. What reforms can be instituted to restore the department's independence? What can be done by Congress or outside organizations to bring oversight to the abuses taking place within the department? What can future administrations do to restore the Department's professionalism and reputation?Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Diane Furstenau, Director of Policy and Program, ACSGuest: Rachel Rossi, President, Alliance for Justice (and Panel Moderator)Guest: Rupa Bhattacharyya, Legal Director, Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, Georgetown LawGuest: Stuart Delery, Partner, Gibson DunnGuest: Stacey Young, Founder & Executive Director, Justice ConnectionLink: Blanche won't pledge DOJ independence from Trump, by Andrew PantaziLink: How the Trump administration erased centuries of Justice Department experience, by Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin RicherLink: How Trump is weaponizing the DoJ to ‘bully, prosecute, punish and silence' his foes, by Peter StoneVisit the Podcast Website: Broken Law PodcastEmail the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.orgFollow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | LinkedIn | YouTube-----------------Broken Law: About the law, who it serves, and who it doesn't.-----------------Production House: Flint Stone MediaCopyright of American Constitution Society 2026.

Research finds thousands of unhoused people could be displaced for the Olympics. More people near the Lineage warehouse may now be eligible for assistance. A legislative deal to regulate the fallout from wildfires fails at the last second. Plus, more on the Evening Edition. Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.comSupport the show: https://laist.com

Today Colorado Sun Public Policy Editor, Justin George, and reporter Colleen Slevin are talking about a story that reframes how we think about the state and its history before it became a top destination for craft beer drinkers and mountain bikers. What many might now know is that towns such as Estes Park and Fruita carry histories of racism and discrimination, pasts that a group of researchers have been digging up for the Legislature.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The data center backlash has been immense. In this week's podcast, we hear from someone who thinks the centers are good for Texas. Matthew speaks with former Public Utilities Commission member Will McAdams, president of the McAdams Energy Group.