Podcasts about local politics

Dan talks about the leftist lunatic who set the sidewalk on fire outside of a New York federal building, and he can't believe how bad this political attack ad is | aired on Tuesday, July 21st, 2026 on Nashville's Morning News with Dan Mandis Produced by Samuel RutherfordSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the TripleE's, H. Bosh Jr. sits down with Council Member Justin Chaires to discuss his journey to becoming a council member, why getting involved in local politics matters, and his vision for the future of Schenectady, New York. Tune in to hear about his goals, the issues facing the community, and how local leadership can make a lasting impact.

A Far North Councillor is accusing the council of keeping details of iwi agreements under the rug. Davina Smolders says the council is in the process of negotiating and signing Mana Whakahono ā Rohe with five iwi and one hapu. She is demanding these agreements be made public so voters and other elected officials can have their say. Smolders says the deals are binding statutory agreements. She says they establish permanent Māori governance and are completely 'uncosted'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's deputy mayor is floating a law change to give councils more teeth for dealing with badly behaved representatives. Ben McNulty's highlighted Dunedin City Council's stand off with suspended councillor Benedict Ong, who's being investigated over allegations he shared confidential information. McNulty says some things done within councils would get people booted from the private sector. He says a variety of punishments could be considered. "It's something like being able to dock pay, being able to suspend them from attending council meetings." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All right - given the level of hostility we have at the moment towards local body councillors and councils, I suspect there'll be plenty of support for the idea I'm about to tell you about. But I would caution against getting too excited because it's a terrible idea. If you've been following councils around the country lately, you'll be aware of Benedict Ong from the Dunedin City Council and Ray Chung from the Wellington City Council. Both are making nuisances of themselves, which is why they're in the news. Benedict, for repeatedly receiving council emails and then immediately forwarding them to multiple journalists and leaking the information; and Ray Chung, for getting himself to the scene of a missing person during a flooding event in Wellington when he shouldn't have been there, and then telling porkies, or what looked a lot like porkies afterwards, about why he was there. Now, Ben McNulty, the Wellington Deputy Mayor, is so frustrated by this nonsense that he's proposing tougher sanctions for councillors like this to deal with what he calls "almost existential threats to democracy" caused by councillors leaking sensitive information. Ben hasn't said specifically what powers he wants but whatever it is he's proposing, I don't like it. Because while I have no love for the antics of Benedict Ong, Ray Chung or anybody like that, I respect the fact that both of them were democratically elected. They are just as entitled to council information and council access as the most well-behaved councillors. And if we start dreaming up ways to punish wayward councillors we don't like, we may find those very same rules being used against good councillors we do like if the wayward ones gain a majority. Whatever punishment we concoct is a punishment that can be weaponised against enemies. There is already a perfectly good punishment for councillors who misbehave and push things too far. It is the loss of office at the next election. Democracy already has a built-in punishment. We do not need another one. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Christchurch City Councillor says $200,000 to light up a CBD mural is money well spent - because small touches help bring people into the city. The lights were installed on Press Lane to address concerns it felt uninviting after dark. The Taxpayers' Union says the cash could have been better spent. Councillor Nathaniel Herz Jardine says creating a vibrant city requires choices that cost money. "The big problem with Courtenay Place, with Queen Street - partly, it's the pipes that are leaking - and also, there's no sense of fun. There's no sense of beauty and excitement in those cities." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode Erica takes us behind the scenes of co-founding an independent political news outlet and podcast. Then dives into the state of Seattle's city council & Mayor, the fight over doubling the transportation tax, the stalled Ballard light rail line, and the collapse of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. It's a lot to cover, but Erica breaks it all down so you're caught up in local politics.About guest Erica Barnett, Co-Founder & Editor of PubliCola and Co-host of the Seattle Nice podcast:PubliCola is Seattle's independent, reader funded politics and policy site running since 2009. She has written for The Stranger, CrossCut, a guest on KUOW and many others. She's also the author of the book Quitter: A memoir of drinking, relapse, and recovery.Listen to Seattle Nice podcastAbout host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

7/13/26

Political correspondent Ben Quinn talks about the forthcoming byelection in Clacton after all Reform's serious rivals declined to take part. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Climate Cabinet founder and executive director Caroline Spears joins Molly Wood to explain why some of the most important climate decisions in America are happening far below the level of Congress—in mayor's offices, public service commissions, land commissioner races, county commissions, state legislatures, and even obscure budget committees. They dig into how Climate Cabinet uses data science, AI, and on-the-ground intelligence to find and support overlooked state and local climate champions, and why data centers have suddenly become the hottest local energy-policy fight in the country.In this episode, we cover:Why state and local offices are often the real bottleneck for clean energy deploymentClimate Cabinet's “Moneyball” approach to climate politics: finding overlooked races and candidates with data science, AI, and local intelligenceThe climate power of local offices people may not think about, from municipal utility mayors and public service commissions to land commissioners, state legislatures, and budget committeesHow Climate Cabinet helps climate and clean-energy champions run, win, and govern with better policy support once they are in officeThe data center explosion: rising electricity demand, possible cost-shifting to families and businesses, opaque deals, and lawmakers signing NDAs with developers (yes, REALLY!)The big picture:The future of U.S. climate policy may depend less on the headline fights in Washington, D.C., and more on the overlooked people and rooms where energy, transportation, land use, housing, insurance, and infrastructure decisions actually get made.Links:Climate Cabinet: https://climatecabinet.org/Everybody in the Pool: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/2EsDhwQC2z Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A terrifying update has just landed right on our doorstep!

The global agenda is spinning out of control!

The global agenda is reaching a critical breaking point!

Tauranga residents are up in arms over NZTA's plan for a second toll point on the new Eastern Link. Drivers passing through the Pāpāmoa East Interchange would be charged $1.10, on top of the $2.30 already charged. A public meeting tomorrow's expected to be fiery. City Councillor Steve Morris says it's not fair for people living in Pāpāmoa East. "What's worse is that 80 cents out of that $1.10, according to NZTA, is going on transaction charges." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington council has unveiled their new team aiming to help the capital get its mojo back. The council has brought together a lineup of business, property, technology and creative sector leaders to help shape a five-year plan to grow the city's economy. Mayor Andrew Little says Wellington's seen limited economic growth over the last few years, and the council's hoping to turn that around. "We've got our work cut out for us. We do have some strength - beyond being a public service city, we do have some other strengths, and it's about drawing on those things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fake wolf could be key to ridding Hamilton Lake of Canada geese. Complaints to the council are coming in thick and fast, from people frustrated by poo-clogged footpaths and honking wake-up calls. A wooden wolf cut-out has been erected at one section of the lakefront and the council's also exploring other options. Hamilton City Councillor Anna Casey-Cox says it seems to be scaring off the birds. "In the area that the wolf is, there are no geese - so that's a good start. And we're looking to build on that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arizona State and Local Government Without the OverwhelmMost of us were expected to understand politics, government, voting, and local decisions once we became adults.​​But a lot of us were never actually taught how any of it works.​​Then adulting happened. Momming happened. Life got busy. And suddenly we are trying to raise families, make decisions, follow what is happening around us, and speak up for the things that matter, while quietly wondering if we are the only ones who feel behind.

When Church Gossip Helped Catch a Serial Killer; A Chilling Tale of High School and Local Politics; Kitchen Nightmares; You Let Him Hug You; Follow-Up to Weird Cop Story from Last Week's Episode; and My Jafar Theory.Click here to submit your odd but true stories.Click here to sign up for our Patreon and receive hundreds of hours of bonus content.Click here to leave a review and tell us what you think of the show.CRIMEWAVE AT SEA 2027 is happening Feb. 8-12, 2027!       Tickets on Sale: Feb. 13, 2026       Get $100 off your stateroom and a private meet and greet with us!       Go to http://crimewaveatsea.com/SINISTERPlease consider supporting the companies that support us!-To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to WWW.PAKAAPPAREL.COM.

Denver is on the precipice of what could be a historic moment; the city's 30-year incumbent congresswoman, Diana DeGette, is facing a late surge in momentum from Democratic Socialists of America-backed challenger Melat Kiros. So what's real and what's fake in the final days leading up to primary? And could Kiros really win? Comedians and returning guests Joshua Emerson and Kate McLachlan join producer Paul Karolyi to dissect the spin coming from both campaigns and separate signal from noise. Plus, a wild astroturfing scandal in the CU Regents' race and all our wins and fails of the week! Plus, a bonus segment! City Cast Denver Neighbors get a special bonus segment about Joshua and Kate's shared history in Durango. They share their tips for anyone looking for a summer road trip destination. Don't miss our weekly Friday bonus segments and become a member today for just $10 per month. Sign up at membership.citycast.fm.  Paul talked about moderating the SD34 forum, the poll showing Kiros ahead, the NYC primary results, a UMS venue closing, and Wellington and Wilma Webb. Kate mentioned Bastien's and PS Lounge on Colfax.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm What do you think about astroturfing in local elections? Can you trust “the vibes”? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 Learn more about the sponsors of this June 26th episode: Energy Outreach Colorado Vail Wine Classic Denver Health Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The Porirua City Council is projecting an average zero percent rates rise, not taking into account water bills. It's down from a previous proposal of four percent. There may still be small increases, and even decreases for some ratepayers. Mayor Anita Baker says the recent QV valuations changed the way utility properties were rated, which brought projected rates down. "It means 0 percent for our ratepayers, but they are going to be paying more next year for their water rates - so they are going to be paying an extra $4.40 a week on their Porirua rate." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local controversy over a tongue-in-cheek promotion in Ōtorohanga. In 1986, the town renamed itself Harrodsville for a week - after the owner of Britain's famed Harrods, Mohamed Al Fayed, sued Palmerston North's Henry Harrod - to prevent him calling his business ‘Harrods'. But some have complained, after Ōtorohanga's town sign was covered with a 'Harrodsville' sticker, to mark 40 years since the stunt. Mayor Rodney Dow says it may have been people too young to understand the joke. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Superior mayor Clint Folsom has owned Boulder student rentals for over three decades and led Superior through the Marshall Fire rebuild. He brings a perspective most Colorado investors will never get. Host Chris Lopez sits down with Clint to break down what’s actually moving in the CU Boulder student rental market. They walk through two live listings, a $915K five-bedroom south of campus and a $2.26M seven-bedroom duplex on University Hill, and run the gross rent multiplier math on each. Clint explains why GRM beats cap rate for student rentals and how the 2024 Colorado occupancy law change opened up bigger houses to more tenants legally. The conversation then shifts to the Marshall Fire, which destroyed roughly 1,100 structures in December 2021, including about 400 in Superior. Clint shares what he discovered when he audited his own policies in the aftermath, and why most Colorado landlords have two specific coverage gaps that could ruin them after a major loss. Whether you’re analyzing a Boulder rental, auditing your insurance policies, or thinking about how to get more involved locally, Clint’s experience offers a roadmap most Colorado investors never get. In This Episode We Cover: Why Boulder student rentals get priced per bedroom, not per square foot How the 2024 occupancy law change reshaped Colorado student housing When GRM beats cap rate for analyzing rental deals The two insurance gaps the Marshall Fire exposed in most rental policies Why you need 24 months of lost rent coverage, not 12 How Superior hit an 80% rebuild rate in 4 years Why real estate investors should engage in local government Watch the Youtube Video https://youtu.be/kYYVomtIymQ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and Clint Folsom intro01:58- Boulder market overview and Pine Brook Hills03:10 – CU Boulder student rental basics05:27 – 2024 Colorado occupancy law change07:21 – Boulder student housing price per bedroom09:10 – University Hill rent ranges per bedroom11:53 – GRM vs cap rate for student rentals13:32 – GRM walkthrough on two Boulder listings16:57 – Boulder rental licensing requirements18:25 – Buying a CU Boulder rental for your kid20:20- Marshall Fire recap, 1,100 structures lost22:39 – Landlord underinsurance lessons25:35- 24 months of lost rent coverage27:19- Marshall Fire rebuild, 80% in 4 years28:53 – FEMA coordinated debris removal33:42 – Home inspector to mayor of Superior38:49- Investors engaging in local government40:42 – Where to find Clint Folsom Links in Podcast Reach out to Clint Folsom: Folsom and Company Real Estate: https://www.folsomco.comClint Folsom on LinkedIn Clint Folsom on Facebook

Christchurch's new stadium was completed almost six weeks early and millions under budget - which is set to be good news for the ratepayers. It has also been revealed that the project surpassed targets for engaging local workers and businesses on the build. New reports show the stadium also came over $26 million under budget Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says this is good news for everyone - and there's things other councils can learn from this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up to 200 car parks could be lost in a densely populated part of Nelson to make way for a cross-town cycleway. The East-West bike path could link Waimea and Maitai Valley Roads, connecting students of half a dozen learning centres and Nelson's east and west. Councillor Mel Courtney says he's in favour, but the plan needs refining. "I want as many trees retained as possible and as few carparks taken out. I just think a bit of smart engineering might help alleviate the concerns." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fluent Fiction - Danish: One Vote's Power: A Summer Day of Change and Hope Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2026-06-20-07-38-20-da Story Transcript:Da: Solen skinnede klart over byen, og sommerens blomster prydede vejene omkring det lokale afstemningssted.En: The sun shone brightly over the city, and the summer's flowers adorned the roads around the local polling station.Da: Farverige bannere vinkede blidt i brisen og lokkede vælgerne med.En: Colorful banners gently waved in the breeze, beckoning the voters.Da: Der var valg til byrådet, og Freja stod foran skolen, der denne dag fungerede som afstemningssted.En: There was an election for the city council, and Freja stood in front of the school, which was serving as a polling station that day.Da: Hun kiggede på de mange mennesker, der gik ind og ud, og hun følte en voksende nervøsitet.En: She looked at the many people going in and out, feeling a growing nervousness.Da: Freja var meget engageret i det lokale samfund.En: Freja was very engaged in the local community.Da: Hun arbejdede utrætteligt for miljøet og havde længe støttet den kandidat, der kæmpede for en grønnere by.En: She worked tirelessly for the environment and had long supported the candidate fighting for a greener city.Da: Hendes bedste ven, Mikkel, stod ved siden af hende.En: Her best friend, Mikkel, stood beside her.Da: Han så lidt ligeglad ud og stirrede på sin telefon.En: He looked a bit indifferent, staring at his phone.Da: Mikkel havde aldrig været særlig interesseret i politik, men han respekterede Frejas passion.En: Mikkel had never been particularly interested in politics, but he respected Freja's passion.Da: "Jeg ved ikke, om det gør en forskel," sagde Mikkel pludselig og brød stilheden.En: "I don't know if it makes a difference," said Mikkel suddenly, breaking the silence.Da: "Tror du virkelig, én stemme betyder noget?"En: "Do you really think one vote matters?"Da: Freja sukkede og så på sin ven med et fast blik.En: Freja sighed and looked at her friend with a determined gaze.Da: Hun vidste, hun skulle handle nu.En: She knew she had to act now.Da: Med et stærkt hjerte besluttede hun sig for at gøre noget dristigt.En: With a strong heart, she decided to do something bold.Da: Hun stillede sig op på en bænk udenfor og begyndte at tale til folkemængden.En: She stood up on a bench outside and began talking to the crowd.Da: "Hej alle sammen!En: "Hello everyone!Da: Jeg ved, det kan føles som om, en stemme ikke betyder noget.En: I know it can feel like one vote doesn't matter.Da: Men hver eneste stemme er vigtig!En: But every single vote is important!Da: Vi har chancen for at forbedre vores by, vores miljø, vores liv!En: We have the chance to improve our city, our environment, our lives!Da: Lad os tage det valg!"En: Let's make that choice!"Da: Folk begyndte at STOPPE op og lytte.En: People began to stop and listen.Da: Mikkels øjne blev store, og han så, hvordan Frejas ord rørte ved folks hjerter.En: Mikkel's eyes grew wide as he saw how Freja's words touched people's hearts.Da: Hans skepsis begyndte at vakle.En: His skepticism began to waver.Da: Freja fortsatte med at tale.En: Freja continued speaking.Da: Hun forklarede, hvordan hver stemme kunne være med til at forme byens fremtid.En: She explained how each vote could help shape the city's future.Da: Til sidst lagde hun vægt på, at dette var alles chance for at være med til at gøre en forskel.En: Finally, she emphasized that this was everyone's chance to contribute to making a difference.Da: Da hun trådte ned fra bænken, var der et øjebliks stilhed, der derefter blev brudt af klapsalver.En: As she stepped down from the bench, there was a moment of silence, followed by applause.Da: Mikkel så på Freja, og noget ændrede sig i hans øjne.En: Mikkel looked at Freja, and something changed in his eyes.Da: "Okay, du har overbevist mig," sagde han med et lille smil.En: "Okay, you've convinced me," he said with a small smile.Da: "Jeg går ind og stemmer nu."En: "I'm going in to vote now."Da: Der var en følelse af fornyet håb, da Freja og Mikkel gik ind i afstemningsstedet sammen.En: There was a feeling of renewed hope as Freja and Mikkel entered the polling station together.Da: Timer senere, da stemmerne blev talt op, blev det annonceret, at miljøkandidaten havde vundet med en smal margin.En: Hours later, when the votes were counted, it was announced that the environmental candidate had won by a narrow margin.Da: Freja og Mikkel fejrede, deres indsats havde allerede gjort en forskel.En: Freja and Mikkel celebrated; their efforts had already made a difference.Da: Mikkel indså, hvordan hans stemme havde betydet noget, og han lovede sig selv at holde sig informeret om de lokale emner i fremtiden.En: Mikkel realized how his vote had mattered, and he promised himself to stay informed about local issues in the future.Da: Hans perspektiv var forandret, og han mente nu, at aktiv deltagelse i samfundet var vigtig.En: His perspective had changed, and he now believed that active participation in the community was important.Da: I denne lille sommerby, blandt farverige bannere og blomstrende blomster, var der sket en forandring, starten på en mere engageret fremtid for både Freja, Mikkel og deres samfund.En: In this small summer town, among colorful banners and blooming flowers, a change had occurred, the start of a more engaged future for both Freja, Mikkel, and their community. Vocabulary Words:shone: skinnedeadorned: prydedebanners: bannerebeckoning: lokkedepolling: afstemningsstedindifferent: ligegladdetermined: fastbold: dristigtbriskly: brisktcontribute: bidrageapplause: klapsalverengaged: engagerettirelessly: utrætteligtgreener: grønneresigh: sukkedegaze: blikbench: bænkmistrust: skepsisemphasized: lagde vægt pårenewed: fornyetmargin: marginrealized: indsåperspective: perspektivblooming: blomstrendeoccurred: sketinformed: holdt sig informeretconvinced: overbevistvote: stemmeflickered: gyngedeannounced: annonceret

Tell me something: does what's just happened with the Golden Mile upgrade in Wellington restore your faith in the possibility that councils can actually be run properly? Because that thing - I don't know if you've been following it over the years - but the Golden Mile upgrade has been an albatross around the necks of Wellington business owners and ratepayers since probably about 2016. It was always going to be too expensive, especially when it tripled in price. It was always going to kill businesses once construction started and cars were banned from driving on the Golden Mile. And it was always going to be one of the most frustrating examples of a Labour-Green majority council, obsessed with its hatred of cars, forcing through its pet project despite howls of outrage from the public - who would end up paying for it in more ways than one. This went on for years and years: the public saying “please don't,” the council saying, “nah, we're gonna.” It just went on and on.Then Andrew Little arrived - the first good mayor since Kerry Prendergast left office in 2010 - and everything changed. Within six months, the Golden Mile project was dead. Even councillors who had previously voted for it, like Ben McNulty, changed their votes and killed it off - presumably because that's what a good leader does. They take people with them. They change people's minds. Andrew Little is like a new broom in that city. He's killed off the most vexed and controversial project. He's fired a warning shot at the consultants that he is not prepared to pay endless bills for a cast of thousands to tell him what two or three people could. He's forced council staff to cut back on ridiculously high budgets. He's immediately reduced the infighting around the table. He's the grown-up who has taken over after 15 years of the kids trying to run the place themselves. For the first time in a very, very long time, Wellington City Council is not the worst council in the country. It restores your faith, doesn't it? All you need is a decent candidate to put their hand up, and even the worst-run place can actually be rescued. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British Prime Minister Keir ‌Starmer says he will stand in any leadership contest against potential rival Andy Burnham. Burnham's won the Makerfield byelection, earning a landslide 55 percent of the vote. This month, Burnham said he'd challenge Keir Starmer's leadership. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Burnham's trounced Reform in the local election, and that sends a clear message to voters. "Some people are saying Starmer will quit, others are saying there'll be a leadership battle. But make no mistake, I think Andy Burnham's going to be Prime Minister by Christmas." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a week of technical difficulties, we're catching up on everything we missed. We dive into a heated Spurs vs. Knicks Finals reaction, the Brunson MVP debate, and local Vegas comedians that can make it. We also talk about the "nepotism" era of the NBA, the reality of moving overseas for a better life, and a deep dive into the recent local elections and why "establishment" politics keep winning. Plus, our take on the viral Carmelo Anthony case out of Texas. #Views7Network #VegasPodcast #NBAFinals #SpursVsKnicks #LocalPolitics #PodcastHighlights Timestamps: 00:00:15 – The "Cool Uncle" at the Gym 00:11:40 – Nepotism in the NBA: The Bronny & Boozer Era 00:18:25 – Vegas Local Scene: Lip Lock & Laugh of Trash 00:24:45 – The State of Comedy: Missing the "Scary Movie" Era 00:35:20 – Spurs vs. Knicks Finals Heat & Ticket Price Debate 00:55:10 – The OG Anunoby vs. Jalen Brunson MVP Debate 01:07:55 – Moving to Vietnam for a Better Life? 01:23:45 – The "Modern" Job Hunt & Amazon Saga 01:35:50 – Local Politics: "Group Think" vs. The Establishment 02:04:10 – The Carmelo Anthony (Texas) Case Breakdown

Wellington's controversial Golden Mile project's been canned, following a three-hour council debate. In their final vote, 14 wanted to discontinue the revitalisation project - with three opposed. Councillor Karl Tiefenbacher stood aside from voting because of a conflict of interest. Mayor Andrew Little says they ran the numbers, and the council can't afford another $60 million. "Some bits don't stack up, some bits might - but we actually just can't afford $60 million, so I'm supportive of us just going back and seeing what we can do, and trying to get some savings at the same time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, Labour's Andy Burnham is standing in a crunch byelection - with concerns raised over what this could mean for Starmer's future. Burnham is standing for the parliamentary seat of Makerfield in northwest England, and it's predicted he will try and oust the Prime Minister if he wins. UK correspondent Enda Brady explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new political era may be taking shape in the nation's capital after voters selected Janeese Lewis George as the Democratic nominee for mayor and Robert White as the Democratic nominee for D.C. delegate to Congress. Their victories come as the city faces major budget challenges and an ongoing fight for statehood. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The rapid proliferation of plans to build large data centers across the USA is a massive story with major consequences. So today, Caroline Gleich talks about what is happening in Utah and beyond; getting attacked by ‘Mr. Wonderful' on national TV; and more. We also discuss her experience running for U.S. Senate, and why we need more good people to get involved in local politics.Note: We Want to Hear From You!We'd love for you to share with us the stories or topics you'd like us to cover next month on Reviewing the News; ask your most pressing mountain town advice questions, or offer your hot takes for us to rate. Email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredSee our Updated Mtn Bike Buyer's GuideEnter Our Free Weekly Gear GiveawaysRESOURCES:Patagonia Action WorksErin Brockovich Data Center SiteVote411.orgBallotReady.org Local Journalism!TOPICS & TIMES:Caroline's Background (2:54)The Data Center Debate (9:10)Utah's Data Center Controversy (16:13)Environmental & Community Impacts of Data Centers (20:43)The AI Arms Race and Its Implications (24:16)What is Real “Progress”? (30:53)Where to Find Facts, Not Misinformation? (35:35)What can be done right now in Utah? (44:26)Caroline's Experience of Running for Senate (45:59)The Promise of Local Politics (54:36)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

- Incumbent Steve Ehlmann discusses what to expect from him if re-elected as St. Charles County Exec. - The latest sinkhole is just another reminder of the real-world consequences of poor local governance. - Cong. Bob Onder gives his thoughts on the recently announced US-Iran peace deal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A coalition of mayors and independent financial experts are urging the Government to greenlight an alternative scheme to rates caps. They're proposing allowing ratepayers to defer the increased payments and instead lodging the debt against the properties they own once the houses are sold. Nelson mayor Nick Smith unpacked the scheme further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, I was listening to the radio and a story really jumped out at me. I thought, “Wow!” The headline was: Porirua City Council has achieved a 0% average increase in rates. Zero percent! You can almost hear the whole country saying, “Wow - could I have that, please?” This milestone comes alongside zero cuts to services. Double wow. However - depending on your QV valuation - you may still see some increases to your rates. The Porirua City Council achieved a 0% average increase for non-water rates through a combination of a multi-year fiscal strategy, structural service shifts and targeted cost-cutting measures. But there's a clue in that sentence. When you first hear the story, you think, “Good on Porirua - it can be done.” You might also wonder why Porirua would ever consider amalgamation, especially joining the spending crazies in Wellington. But then there's that key phrase: non-water rates. That's the fishhook. Water rates have been separated out as part of Local Water Done Well. The newly established regional water entity handling Porirua's supply, Tiaki Wai, has announced an average 12.8% increase in water charges across the Wellington region - including Porirua - for the 2026–27 financial year. Ah, I see. So it's 0% for everything except water… which is up 12.8%. Uh-huh. And this was actually a detail missing in the debate about Auckland's 7.9% rates increase because that figure also excludes Watercare's rise in water charges - which has been announced at a further 7% on top. I doubt very much that any council, once water rates are included, will come in under double digits in this next round. So maybe the problem hasn't really been solved. I'll admit there is greater efficiency in our councils. I'll admit they're watching their spending - I've seen it happen, including in Auckland. But the fact remains: despite all the big PR messaging, there is no real, tangible decrease in the amount of money coming out of your wallet - or mine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With three weeks to go until the Makerfield byelection, where an Andy Burnham victory could change the direction of the Labour party, Pippa Crerar joins him on the campaign trail in Wigan and Leigh, speaking to voters on their doorsteps. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

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Previous bidders could help save Pegasus Golf Course. Hundreds packed a community meeting last night to discuss Wolfbrook Properties' plans to convert the 80-hectare site into housing. Waimakariri District Council's agreed to investigate whether purchasing the land is an option. Residents' Group President, Matt James, says golf course operators were keen before, and could be approached again. "The objective is to make a few marriages of people who are already in the game, and people who have got the money to come up with the cash - profit and loss was very successful. What wasn't successful is the previous owner chose to not pay his bills." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reagan and Bryan cover the local candidate election results from the 2026 May primary. We're also trying Substack video! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.crosstabs.studio

Can Andy Burnham do a better job than Keir Starmer? Is Makerfield more important for Reform than Labour? Can the UK rejoin the EU? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey answer your messages and emails. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Local Politics, Analytics, Respect

Andy Burnham may have a route back to Westminster – and a path to the Labour leadership. But first the Greater Manchester mayor must win a byelection in Makerfield, where Nigel Farage has vowed Reform UK will ‘throw absolutely everything' at the contest. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's north of England correspondent Hannah al-Othman, who has been talking to voters in the constituency. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

On this episode of Inside the Firm, how Boulder is becoming the next Aspen, then affordable units in Denver are more vacant than market-rate apartments, and finally how Spencer Pratt will empower architects and builders to make LA beautiful again. Join us as we go back Inside the Firm!

Truth Be Told with Booker Scott – Local politics shape national outcomes, from redistricting battles to foreign policy decisions that affect gas prices, inflation, and family budgets. Voters are urged to engage in primaries, challenge gerrymandering, volunteer locally, and hold representatives accountable, because civic action now protects communities, freedoms, and future generations across every town and state...

Today's episode gets political. Tiff and I talk “do-nothing Democrats,” the future of the party, corporate money, and whether voting is actually enough. We also discuss candidates like Abdul El-Sayed and John Shu, plus issues like food assistance, Medicaid for all, where our tax money goes, AI data centers, and what's happening in the Middle East right now.It's a lot—but it's the conversation we need to be having.

Keir Starmer has vowed to fight on after Labour suffered heavy losses in local elections, while Nigel Farage's Reform UK made substantial gains and the Green party won its first ever mayoral victory. So is the era of two-party politics over? And can the prime minister survive? Lucy Hough speaks to political correspondent Alexandra Topping. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Helen Pidd and Peter Walker on the local elections and why the Green party has surged in the polls. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus