Podcasts about local politics

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Wellington's mayor has voiced concerns with the Government cracking down on local councils. The mayor's outlined his response to the Government debate on council amalgamation - saying he'd vote yes on merging if a vote were held today. Councils have an August deadline to plan potential groupings, and are hold regular discussions. Andrew Little says the three-month deadline isn't enough, citing issues that arose with Auckland council. "I'm responsive to that, let's put together the best thing we can together - but I don't want to mislead the residents of the Wellington region and say that everybody's going to get a fair say, because we just won't have time to." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government Minister says they're restoring democratic accountability to councils. The Government's amending a bill currently before Parliament to bar non-elected council members from voting on committees. It follows councillors in the Far North voting to expand a Māori liaison committee. Simon Watts explained such examples give voting rights to people not elected by the community. "You've also seen instances in the last term with someone under the age of 18 being appointed onto Hastings Council. None of that stuff can happen going forward." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With just days to go before the June 2 California primary, Joe Mathews joins me on the California Sun podcast to examine how California's race for governor has become strangely disconnected from the state itself and what it says about local politics everywhere. With almost all the campaigns built around generic national talking points and anti-Trump messaging, Mathews explores the growing nationalization of state politics, and why the actual mechanics of governing barely seem to be part of the conversation. Get full access to Talk Cocktail Podcast at jeffschechtman.substack.com/subscribe

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

Wellington's mayor is talking up cost savings, as the council chases a lower 5.8 percent rates rise. It proposed 7.4 percent during public consultation. Some fees and user charges are increasing and big projects like the Town Hall and refurbishing the Botanic Gardens' Begonia House will continue. Andrew Little says they made cuts to keep rates down. "Finding savings isn't an annual activity, it's a daily activity - so they carried on working, they found these projects that aren't going to be finished, that don't have to be depreciated , so we could donate to budget for that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor says says residents shouldn't be complaining, with the council set to deliver its biggest-ever rates hike. Councillors voted to back Wayne Brown's 7.9 percent increase - 15 votes to 7, with one abstention. A last-ditch amendment hoping to reduce it to 5.9 percent was voted down. Brown says this is the responsible thing to do to achieve their budget. "This is basically zero rate rise, plus the cost of Auckland City Rail Link - which has been coming for a long, long time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Queensland MP Bob Katter has called for a shark cull following the death of a fisherman in a suspected shark attack in Far North Queensland. The attack came just a week after another man was killed by a great white shark near Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the SPCA has voiced concerns over this move - but Katter aims to take this to Parliament. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT-aligned councillor Davina Smolders is spreading claims the Far North District Council plans to sign agreements ceding sovereignty to five iwi. She previously challenged a recent Council decision to expand a Māori liaison committee - appointing 10 iwi members with voting rights, out of a total 16. Smolders says it's not co-governance, but rather outright iwi governance. "So it's going to affect everybody...if you want to move dirt, you have to pay for cultural impact reports, it's a grift - pure and simple. It's holding development hostage." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local Politics, Analytics, Respect

Leaders of the Napier Youth Council wrote to the chief executive of Napier City Council after a public event they attended, claiming Napier mayor Richard McGrath called them a 'bunch of idiots who can't use pen and paper'. McGrath denied he said that and said he believed the Youth Council had been unfairly dragged into a political game. Hawke's Bay editor Chris Hyde has been following from the sidelines and he says McGrath's been off to a rough start as mayor. "There are a lot of people still in the council who don't think that he is suitable for the job, and so he's had a really challenging six months." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regulation Minister David Seymour says New Zealanders should only have to knock at one regulator's door to get something done. A Ministry report out today identifies almost 270 different organisations within our regulation system. They're spread across central and local Government, and statutory bodies, committees and tribunals. Seymour says this feels like New Zealand is a small country with a too-big Government, and changes need to be made. "You just feel that a lot of things would be easier if we looked at these and said - hey, maybe we need fewer agencies focused on doing things that are essential, we'd getter better results, less costs, it'd be easier to fix things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...

Hotel developments are quietly disappearing and 'ghost communities' are on the rise as Christchurch's council has raised concerns over Airbnbs. Four motel and hotel operators urged elected members at a policy and planning committee meeting to support a mandatory registration system for short term accommodation providers. Councillor Nathaniel Herz Jardine wants Christchurch to take charge in rallying other councils to demand change. "All we ask for is...we need the data. It's not saying we want to ban them, it's not saying anything like that. It's just saying, at the moment, we're in this crazy situation where we're hiring compliance officers - they have to do stake outs and surfing online and fielding complaints about who's renting out what." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has taken a swing at the Government's $70 million major events fund - while seemingly revealing its spend on bringing Robbie Williams here this year. Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner says he can't confirm that figure and Wayne Brown's comments are disappointing. "The mayor - part of his role is to advocate for our city. Now, I'm not privy to the investment level. What I am privy to is the fact that the Government took a leadership position on getting major events back into the country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

The right wing One Nation party is uprooting Australia's status quo - scoring a seat that had long been a conservative stronghold. Candidate David Farley won more than 57 percent of the vote in the regional Farrer by-election, triggered by former Liberals leader Sussan Ley's ousting. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says One Nation is eyeing off seats in other areas, and it's unclear what this could mean for Labor ahead of the next election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A political science lecturer says party affiliation isn't everything in Māori seats, as Mariameno Kapa-Kingi breaks away. She's cut ties with Te Pati Māori to create the Te Tai Tokerau Party and run in the seat of the same name. Te Pati Māori's wished her well - but is promising to put up another candidate to take her on. Victoria University's Lara Greaves says it's an open race for all seven seats. "They're hyper-local, so local issues are really important - but also, sometimes, strategy is important. Again, really hard to tell." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pressure on Sir Keir Starmer keeps ramping up in the UK. Labour had a disastrous showing in local elections at the end of last week - a reflection of the Prime Minister's growing unpopularity. The party lost a total 1500 councillors across England, with Nigel Farage's Reform UK party picking up steam. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Starmer is set to give a speech addressing the situation, but there's growing calls to replace him as party leader. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Now, you would have thought that after all the publicity Wellington City Council has been getting - and the paid staff have been getting - for being caught doing things behind the backs of elected councillors, they probably wouldn't do it again. And yet, here we are. They've been caught doing it again. The latest revelation is that they have decided to exempt themselves from a Government law brought in about three months ago. The law prevents employees who earn more than $200,000 from taking personal grievance cases against their bosses if they are fired. In other words, there will be no golden handshake if you've been sacked while earning that kind of money. But guess what? Wellington City Council bosses decided they weren't going to follow that law and exempted 42 of their staff from it. That's quite unbelievable, because the law is intended to make it easier for employers to remove incompetent managers who have been doing very little for years on end. And Wellington City Council knows it has a problem. A recent report suggests they may have a couple of hundred staff they need to get rid of. They have one of the highest staffing levels in the country when compared with other councils. As I say, they didn't tell elected councillors they made this decision. However, a councillor found out, started asking questions and it turns out it was true. Technically, the council can argue it didn't have to inform elected councillors -this is an employment decision they can make themselves. But even the mayor, Andrew Little, has said this should have gone to the council for signoff. It's not a good look. And it's becoming a bit of a running theme, hasn't it? Not just in Wellington but around the country: unelected staff making decisions in secret that ratepayers probably wouldn't be happy about if they knew. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, Labour's bracing itself for a set of local, Scottish and Welsh election results. Reports claim a poor showing in these elections could bring about the end of Keir Starmer's prime ministership, and significant losses are projected. UK correspondent Enda Brady says there's growing calls for Starmer's resignation already - and people are losing confidence as Reform gets more attention. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RMA Reform Minister says simplifying our councils is a crucial part of changes to Resource Management. The Government's today announced a fast-track amalgamation process - asking councils to submit proposals for merging with neighbours to form unitary authorities. They have three months to submit a rough plan. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained what this could mean going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government Minister says a pathway's been made for councils to fast-track reform - because they're raring to go. The Government's announced councils have three months to submit rough merger plans, for becoming unitary authorities. In November it said it would abolish regional councillors, and reform local Government over a number of years, while encouraging district councils to merge. Simon Watts says councils have been so receptive, they've invited them to fast track it. "I don't want to set the pace of this reform by the slowest council - actually, the opposite, we want the ones that are ready to go to have a pathway to do that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing speculation over Keir Starmer's future as Labour leader - especially with the local elections looming. Labour faces losing more than 1,800 council seats across England, including in key areas that have supported the party for decades. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's unknown who could replace Starmer, but there's some choices being floated. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So I was in Christchurch giving a speech to part of Local Government New Zealand - the South Island arm - so the room was full of mayors and councillors from across the South Island. One of the topics up for discussion was what councils around the country need to do, or could do, to win back public approval. I have to be honest: I left that room - and you know my views on councils - feeling just a little bit sorry for the councillors and mayors I met. The ones I spoke to seemed to be honestly trying. They admitted they've got more to do and that there are stupid costs they need to cut as well. But what they told me is that they're up against it. They're dealing with things they can't change: national laws like the RMA that tie their hands, and unelected staff who just go ahead and do their own thing. And sure enough, there's a story that illustrates at least some of that perfectly. Wellington City Council staff have spent $130,000 on new art for their flash new building - a building where they've hogged the top floors and shoved the mayor downstairs, where he's staring at a wall. Now, the thing is, they don't need art. They have no money and they're going hard on Wellington ratepayers. They do not need to be spending on art. They've already got an extensive collection they could draw from, which includes Colin McCahon, Toss Woollaston, Ralph Hotere, Dick Frizzell - Pablo Picasso, for goodness' sake.Judging by the criticism from elected councillors, it seems those councillors didn't even know the unelected staff were splashing out on fancy art. That's what these people are up against: bureaucrats who treat ratepayers like a bottomless ATM. That is a major problem. Now, I'm not making excuses for elected councillors or mayors - they have their own part to play in big spending. But some of them are genuinely trying. They're just up against decades of ingrained largesse like this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Pippa Crerar is joined by the election analyst Prof Rob Ford to look at the upcoming local and devolved elections. Will Reform dominate across England? Can the Greens remove Labour's longstanding hold over London? And will the nationalists win in Scotland and Wales?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Madinah Wilson-Anton is an elected official in the state of Delaware, and a comedian. Also, she's a polyglot! At least I would say she is, I guess some people define it differently. We have an in-depth conversation about how she weaved her web, and the inside-outside strategy for change. Myself being on the outside, and her being on the inside.

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I talk with Ryan Logan, a teacher and political candidate running for Washington State House. Ryan shares his perspective on education, community safety, and the policy challenges facing South King County. Ryan discusses what motivated him to step into politics, how his work in the Auburn School District shaped his views, and why he believes more community members should participate in civic leadership. We also explore the realities teachers face in classrooms today, the intersection of public policy and education, and the broader issues affecting communities across Washington State. This conversation covers local governance, political accountability, and what it takes to step forward as a candidate when you believe your community needs change.  This episode is a video podcast available on YouTube and podcast platforms. Topics Discussed • Ryan Logan's background growing up in Renton and Kent • His work in the Auburn School District  • Why he decided to run for Washington State House • Challenges facing public education today • The impact of drug addiction and public safety issues in local communities • Civic engagement and community involvement • Policy priorities for South King County • What voters should understand about local government Connect with Ryan Logan Website: https://loganforhouse.com/ Email: evans.logan@gmail.com  Phone: (253) 249-6408 Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Power Note Change in communities often begins with individuals who decide to step forward. Conversations like this highlight how civic engagement, leadership, and local action shape the future of neighborhoods and cities.

Listen as Pastor Daniel Hayworth sits down with Killeen City Council candidate Christy Wilbanks for a deeply personal and politically urgent conversation. Christy shares her powerful testimony of walking through her son Martin's four-and-a-half-year battle with cancer and how that season drew her closer to God and prepared her to serve her community.Hear how Christy breaks down the real issues facing Killeen: a $200 million forecasted deficit, maxed property tax hikes, a proposed $300 million city building, council meetings scheduled to exclude working residents, and a pattern of instability leaving council seats vacant.You'll Learn:✅ How Christy's faith carried her through the unimaginable✅ Why local elections matter more than most people realize✅ The biblical case for Christians in public office✅ What a forensic audit could reveal about Killeen's financesPerfect for your commute, workout, or morning routine.Subscribe so you never miss a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday episode.Follow Christy: www.christyforkilleen.org | Email: Christyforkilleen@gmail.com | Facebook: Christy Wilbanks for Killeen City Council

Harbingers of dystopia or the hottest trend in tech — Kalshi, Polymarket, and other prediction market platforms have come for local politics. You can right now bet on buzzy issues the hotly contested race to represent Colorado's 8th Congressional District, but also on the utterly banal, like the temperature in Denver today. City Cast Denver contributor and founder of investigative journalism site The Lever David Sirota joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to dissect the local prediction markets. Plus, City Council approves Mayor Mike Johnston's new contract for Axon license plate readers, and Sirota's got a rec for the best pet supply store in town.  Subscribe to “Keep It Local,” our new Thursday afternoon shopping guide for curated recommendations of local small businesses. Paul also mentioned the podcast Election Profit Makers and our recent episode with Dr. Paul Teske of CU Denver's School of Public Affairs. Do you have a gambling problem? In Colorado, you call the 24/7 confidential hotline or text 1-800-GAMBLER 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 the prediction markets for local issues? We want to hear your take on Kalshi and Polymarket! 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 April 2nd episode: Multipass Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Reg flags to look for in local politics when seeing or meeting them. Why do so many of these millionaire types fall for communism? Are the Abraham Accords able to help stabilize the middle east? Why are American energy prices going up with Iran war if we produce our own energy? Oil is a global commodity. Follow The Jesse Kelly Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJesseKellyShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and political scientist specializing in gender, religion, and public opinion, joins host Leah Payne, author of God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music (Oxford University Press, 2024) and host of Spirit & Power: Charismatics & Politics in American Life. In this Sunday interview, Leah Payne talks with Dr. Melissa Deckman about PRRI's February 2026 release of findings from the 2025 American Values Atlas—a massive nationwide survey (22,000+ adults across all 50 states) that maps the reach of Christian nationalism and its intersections with race, religious practice, party, geography, age, education, media trust, and attitudes toward political violence. Deckman explains what PRRI means by “Christian nationalism,” why PRRI measures it with a five-item scale (instead of asking people whether they identify with the label), and what the data can—and cannot—tell us about religion and politics in the U.S. today. Mapping Christian Nationalism Across the 50 States (Insights from PRRI's 2025 American Values Atlas) Charismatic Revival Fury: The New Apostolic Reformation (Matthew D. Taylor / Axis Mundi Media) Right Wing Watch on Sean Feucht and federal partnerships tied to America's 250th anniversary programming Dara Delgado, “Black Pentecostal and charismatic Christians are boosting their visibility in politics — a shift from the past” Melissa Deckman, The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy,(Columbia University Press) Melissa Deckman, School Board Battles: The Christian Right in Local Politics, (Georgetown University Press) Ansley Quiros, Ph.D., PRRI Spotlight: Why Black Americans Identify as Christian Nationalists: Religiosity, Theology, and History Matter Michael R. Fischer Jr., PRRI Spotlight, Understanding Differences Between Black and White Christian Nationalism Adherents and Sympathizers Links and resources mentionedFind Dr. Melissa Deckman at PRRI, LinkedIn, Substack and BlueSkyFind Dr. Leah Payne at drleahpayne.com, subscribe on Substack, follow her on most social media platforms at @drleahpayne, and listen along at Spirit & Power: Charismatics & Politics in American Life, and Rock that Doesn't Roll: the Story of Christian Rock Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices