Podcasts about senate bills

Today Blair discusses Texas Senate Bill 17 and a proposed rule that could create new reporting expectations for real estate agents.

Photo: St. Joe's Church, one of the main polling places in Nome. (Margaret Sutherland / KNOM) Several Alaska Native groups, including the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), say the constitutional rights of rural voters are in jeopardy. The organizations are sounding the alarm over staffing shortages at Alaska Division of Election offices and polling stations that serve rural Alaskans. As Rhonda McBride from our flagship station KNBA reports, these affect mostly Native communities In a statement Monday, AFN said it was deeply concerned by reports about election worker vacancies in rural precincts, as well as accounts from workers, who say they have waited for months to receive the per diem they were promised after they completed their required training. Kendra Kloster, AFN's director of government relations, pointed to the Division of Elections Region IV office in Nome, which did not open at the advertised time for the start of early voting. “When people are going in with their expectation to vote, they take time out of their day, they show up. And when the office isn't open when they say they are, I think that is a big deal.” Voting midday on August 18 at the Yupiit Picaryarait Cultural Center in Bethel. (Photo: Evan Erickson / KYUK) Kloster says the Nome incident is just the latest example of voter access problems that have persisted for years. AFN and other groups say some of these problems could have been avoided had Gov. Mike Dunleavy, R-Alaska, not vetoed Senate Bill 64. Dunleavy said he rejected the measure, because it needed more work and there was not enough time to put it in place before this year's election. Alaska state Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, who is among the bill's backers, says that just is not true. He says the legislation not only passed with bipartisan support, but would have improved both voter access and election integrity statewide. Wielechowski says he is glad AFN and other groups are speaking out. “If you're making it impossible for people to vote, you're not opening polling places, then are you really granting them their constitutional right to vote? And I would say a court would probably say you're not.” AFN has sent a letter to the Division of Elections, calling on it to take immediate action on a long list of complaints. Stephen Kirch, a spokesman for the Elections Division, says the division has no comment on AFN's letter, although he did acknowledge that on election day, two rural precincts opened late. Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out addresses the media in Rapid City. (Photo: C.J. Keene / SDPB) South Dakota tribal leaders say promised services are falling short, especially in law enforcement. SDPB's C.J. Keene has more. South Dakota's tribal leaders met in Rapid City Wednesday to call for more support to reservation lands from federal and state partners, specifically consistent, mandatory funding of tribal police regardless of administration or status of the government. According to information from the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Association, funding is about one-quarter of tribal staffing needs and falls far short of the estimated $3.5 billion these entities need to properly maintain public safety standards seen off reservations. Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out says this is reflected in numbers from Pine Ridge. “The formula is 2.8 officers per 1,000 people. The Oglala Sioux Tribe has 54,000 membership, and 27 officers. What is wrong with that picture?” That sentiment was echoed by Chelaine Knudsen, chairwoman of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. She says little has changed since the last time this question was asked. “At the time in 2024 we only had three tribal police officers. Today, we have five tribal police officers, and we have two cadets, I believe, that are in training right now.” The Yankton Sioux Tribe has a population of 11,500 enrolled members. Vermillion, a college town with a similar population, reported 20 sworn officers in a phone call with SDPB. That total is about 1.7 officers per 1,000 people and it is before counting campus law enforcement found at the University of South Dakota. What this boils down to for tribes though, according to Star Comes Out, is serious need for more support. “Today I encourage tribal nations, not only from the Great Plains but nationwide – it's time to stand up. Stand up for your nation, voice for your people, come together and join us in the fight for our people.” The Tribal Chairman's Association estimates less than 13% of funding compared to the current identified need is met overall. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Thursday, August 20, 2026 – Safety vs. privacy with tribal law enforcement surveillance cameras

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Attorney General Paxton notifies 110 more Texas municipalities that their officials may not raise property taxes this year because they are not in compliance with Senate Bill 1851. This is in addition to 130+ cities notified in May.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Oil and gas rig count in Texas rose again last week.An update on border security work in Big Bend and nearby parks– it's what I told you last week. Also today, the Trump Admin. suspended work in Big Bend while the CBP commissioner visits the park.Emerson College Polling's Texas 2026 Poll: Paxton and Talarico Deadlocked in U.S. Senate Race; Abbott Leads Hinojosa by Four Points. The answers on Texas being on wrong or or right track is fascinating to me – where in the western world is the economy booming better than in Texas? This may be a sign of oversampling grievance culture Democrats.Texas Democrat, Little Jimmy “The Creep” Talarico, sparks firestorm after he blasts Bible-related education in schools. This piece has the most accurate and cogent explanation I've seen in a while over why Bible content must be taught to have an actual education about our history and culture.James Talarico's Dirty Little Fundraising Secret(s).Texas Tech Law Grad Can Press Charlie Kirk Murder Remark Reprimand Suit.Hood County Constable disables Flock cameras over privacy concerns, earns public support.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates. www.PrattonTexas.com

In part one of Red Eye Radio with Gary McNamara and Eric Harley, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation Wednesday designed to increase transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in local government while supporting ongoing efforts to provide property tax relief for Florida homeowners. Senate Bill 4-F strengthens safeguards against local property tax increases and serves as the implementation bill accompanying the proposed constitutional amendment known as Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes, which will be considered by voters in November. This DOGE like maneuver should set the tone for other states to clean up their local coffers. Also the jury is still out on the definition of a woman, that according to the WNBA. They are still having meetings to make that determination . For more talk on the issues that matter to you, listen on radio stations across America Monday-Friday 12am-5am CT (1am-6am ET and 10pm-3am PT), download the RED EYE RADIO SHOW app, asking your smart speaker, or listening at RedEyeRadioShow.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode: In Tampa, Big Tech giant Meta Platforms is funding last-minute mailers on behalf of a Democratic legislator who is locked in a tough primary for an open seat in the state Senate. And in Miami, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram is paying for digital ads promoting a Republican legislator who is in line to become speaker of the state House. It's all part of a nationwide campaign by Meta to fill state Legislatures with candidates supportive of the artificial intelligence industry — and Florida is the latest front. Plus: New records reveal that lobbyists for two big homebuilders and Republican donors lobbied against legislation that would have repealed a state law that has made it much harder for cities, counties and towns across Florida to slow urban sprawl, protect the environment and manage population growth.Show notesTo make a donation to Seeking Rents, click here.To sign up for the Sierra Club Central Florida Group's Aug. 19 meeting at Leu Gardens in Orlando, click here.To register for the Florida Center for Government Accountability's Aug. 20 Hope Florida webinar, click here.Stories discussed in today's show:Facebook is meddling in Florida electionsAt the last minute, Facebook tries to tilt a tight Democratic primary for a Senate seat in TampaDeveloper lobbyists secretly sought to maintain a law handcuffing local communities on growthJudge rules against impact fee increases in Palm CoastManatee County in a legal fight with developers. Over $14 million is at stakeA rebellion in FloridaWill Manatee County cut wetland protections? Science and developer interests clashBills discussed in today's show:Senate Bill 180 (2025) — EmergenciesPassed the House of Representatives by a 106-0 vote (vote sheet) and the Florida Senate by a 34-1 vote (vote sheet).Senate Bill 840 (2026) — Land Use Regulations for Local Governments Affected by Natural DisastersQuestions 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

Pic of CCS plant in MississippiNina Robertson, Ileana Navarro, Thom Hersbach On today's show, carbon capture and storage for California?  That is the question.  I'll speak to Ileana Navarro policy associate with the Central California Environmental Justice Network, Stanford University Woods Institute for the Environment policy fellow and scientist Thom Hersbach and Nina Robertson, deputy managing attorney for Earthjustice to get some answers. Response from California Air Resource Board (CARB)'s Lindsay Buckley: “California's ambitious climate goals require both significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and growth of carbon sequestration. To help meet this charge, CARB staff initiated work on the Senate Bill 905 rulemaking last year which requires the agency to create the Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Program to evaluate, demonstrate, and regulate CCUS and carbon dioxide. The proposed regulations are expected to be considered by the Board before the end of the year as part of a transparent public engagement process. CARB remains committed to carrying out the objectives of the law which includes balancing environmental, public health and economic considerations as the state moves towards carbon neutrality.” Agency Meeting Info in Sacramento:  ww2.arb.ca.gov Further Reading about CCS: Policy Brief by T. Hersbach: https://tinyurl.com/bdhy2pyz https://projects.propublica.org/why-carbon-capture-cant-solve-climate-change/ https://projects.propublica.org/carbon-captured/ Beyond Denial: How Oil Execs Shaped a Landmark Climate Study     The post Carbon Capture & Storage for California? appeared first on KPFA.

Two conversations that connect the fights of the past to the fights happening right now — one tracking the policy battles shaping transportation workers today and one tracing the 200-year labor history that explains why those battles keep coming. Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan discusses the TTD's concerns about newly confirmed TSA Administrator David Cummins, who has said collective bargaining inhibits airport security workers and plans to expand privatized screening from approximately 20 airports to 200. Regan also addresses a bipartisan bill to fix the Railroad Retirement Board's ability to pay out earned benefits to railroaders who have contributed to one of the world's healthiest pension systems and a September 30 surface transportation funding cliff that would simultaneously cut off roads, bridges, Amtrak, commuter rail and public transit funding — at a moment when Amtrak is posting record ridership and revenue as proof that infrastructure investment works. Then, Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga traces Ohio's labor history through his own family story — a grandfather who survived the 1940 Willow Grove Mine explosion in Belmont County, a father who served as president of a United Steelworkers local in the 1960s and a debt he said his family owes entirely to the United Mine Workers of America and the United Steelworkers. He covers the 1890 founding of the UMWA in Columbus, William Green's authorship of Ohio's workers' compensation law and the defeat of Senate Bill 5 in 2011 by the same 62-to-38 margin that defeated right-to-work in Ohio in 1958. He closes with what the current organizing surge among young workers means for the movement's future and why getting from a successful union vote to a first contract remains the most urgent labor law reform priority. Visit ttd.org for more from the Transportation Trades Department and ohioaflcio.org for more from the Ohio AFL-CIO.

In this episode: A month-old law enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature — with help from lobbyists representing major developers — already has more than 15 square miles of farmland around the state at risk of being consumed for new housing subdivisions. Many of the proposed projects have been previously rejected by county commissioners because of concerns about traffic congestion, habitat destruction, and encroachment on rural communities. But Tallahassee has now tied the hands of locally elected leaders. Plus: Amendment 3, the Florida Legislature's controversial property tax ballot measure, is suddenly in limbo. And the growing problem of “dark lobbying” in the state Capitol.Show notesTo make a donation in support of Seeking Rents, click here.To reserve a ticket to our discussion about data centers in Venice with Alice Herman and Christian Casale of Suncoast Searchlight and Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times, click here.Stories discussed in today's show:New law has developers poised to build on thousands of acres of farmland around FloridaDark lobbying in the Florida LegislatureAfter taking money from Walmart heirs, Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature helped billionaires hide their family fortunesFlorida judge rules property tax amendment misleading, orders rewriteSame circus, different clownsBills discussed in today's show:Senate Bill 686 — Agricultural EnclavesPassed the House of Representatives by a 90-20 vote (vote sheet) and the Florida Senate by a 34-2 vote (vote sheet).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

Sign up for PrizePicks with code: HMA and get $150 in lineups instantly if your first $5+ lineup wins! Link: https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/CORNERWVU fans, we need to talk. The latest Senate Bill update is here, and it could change everything for the Mountaineers. Is this the move that saves West Virginia University sports, or are we walking into a trap? We're also breaking down the massive news regarding player eligibility and what it means for the roster moving forward.In this stream:-The TRUTH about the new Senate Bill and its impact on WVU.-Roster Update: Are key players finally ruled eligible?-Live conversation with @Carson-Fox with Fox on West Virginia Mountaineer SportsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What will higher education look like in an age of artificial intelligence, and how can Texas universities make sure their degrees continue to deliver value? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Brandon Creighton, Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System and former Texas state senator and representative, to discuss higher education reform, artificial intelligence, and his vision for Texas Tech's future. Creighton reflects on his transition from writing higher education policy in the Texas Legislature to implementing it as chancellor, including Texas Tech's review of roughly 14,000 courses under Senate Bill 37. He discusses curriculum reform, degrees of value, workforce needs, and how universities must adapt as AI rapidly changes both education and the private sector. The conversation also explores Texas Tech's work with NVIDIA, its plans for advanced AI computing infrastructure, and the potential applications for healthcare research, energy, national security, and other major challenges facing Texas. The episode covers: Senate Bill 37 and higher education reform Texas Tech's review of roughly 14,000 courses Preparing students and universities for AI Texas Tech's work with NVIDIA and advanced computing AI research, healthcare, energy, and national security Creighton's priorities heading into the 90th Texas Legislature Creighton ultimately argues that Texas universities have an opportunity to lead rather than follow as AI transforms education, research, and the economy—summarizing his approach with a simple warning: “You're either designing the menu or you're on it.” 00:00 — Introduction 00:23 — Brandon Creighton's move from the Legislature to Texas Tech 02:39 — Creighton's background and interest in education 04:30 — What is Senate Bill 37? 07:37 — From writing SB 37 to implementing it 09:34 — Reviewing 14,000 Texas Tech courses 12:15 — Curriculum reform and degrees of value 14:06 — Texas Tech's approach to higher education reform 16:18 — What could come next for SB 37? 17:30 — Preparing Texas Tech for the AI era 21:00 — Students, AI, and academic integrity 25:08 — Texas Tech's NVIDIA partnership 29:09 — Sovereign data independence and national security 32:08 — Priorities for the 90th Texas Legislature 33:41 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks Follow us on social mediaX: @Texas_DispatchInstagram: thetexasdispatchLinkedIn: The Texas DispatchTikTok: texas_talks_podcast Find more at The Texas DispatchYour source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism.https://thetexasdispatch.com

Send us Fan MailNEW JERSEY:  Recent updates in the 3rd Circuit Court ruling against NJ's "assault weapons" ban and how it has been suspended by petition of the NJ AG, pending SCOTUS review.VIRGINIA: The State of Virginia also petitioned the Washington Circuit Court to allow their "assault weapons" ban to be implemented until further judicial review, but the court in this case said "NO".COLORADO: Colorado's Senate Bill 25-003 went into effect August 1, and the licensing requirements to purchase any "Specified Semi-automatic Firearm" (or SSF's, all of which are in the tactical weapons category like AR-15's, AK-47's, etc.), are laborious, costly and fatiguing, designed to dissuade citizens from purchasing them, much like the NFA does. You won't believe the number of applications, courses and fees that are now required to exercise your 2nd Amendment rights in Colorado.Support the showThe Watch Floor - YouTubeAskari Media GroupBuy Paul Eberle's book "Look at the Dirt"Paul Eberle (lookatthedirt.com)

This time on Code WACK! California has debated a single-payer healthcare system for decades, but a new UCLA report commissioned by the California Health and Human Services Agency under Senate Bill 770 could reshape the conversation. In this episode, Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, explains how the report moves the debate from cost to equity. This is the second of two episodes with Michael Lighty. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

Camas resident Anthony Teso responds to a prior letter, arguing that applying automobile-style regulation to firearms would make Washington's gun laws stricter, not looser. He also corrects the record on Senate Bill 5098, the Bite of Seattle shooting, and Vancouver's public defender shortage. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-take-the-car-analogy-seriously/ #Opinion #GunLaws #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #SB5098 #PublicDefense #Vancouver #Camas #Firearms #LetterToTheEditor

This time on Code WACK! California has debated a single-payer healthcare system for decades, but a new UCLA report commissioned by the California Health and Human Services Agency under Senate Bill 770 could reshape the conversation. In this episode, Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, explains how the report moves the debate from cost to equity.  This is the second of two episodes with Michael Lighty. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.   

This time on Code WACK! California has debated a single-payer healthcare system for decades, but a new UCLA report commissioned by the California Health and Human Services Agency under Senate Bill 770 could reshape the conversation. In this episode, Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, explains how the report moves the debate from cost to equity. This is the second of two episodes with Michael Lighty. And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

Episode 301-Freedom Always Finds a Way Also Available OnSearchable Podcast Transcript Gun Lawyer — Episode Transcript Page – 1 – of 12 Gun Lawyer — Episode 301 Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS loopholes, firearm law, NFA trust, switchblade knives, forced reset triggers, machine guns, assault firearm ban, Third Circuit Court, SCOTUS, New Jersey, Second Amendment, gun rights, expungement, surveillance technology, AI. SPEAKERS Speaker 3, Evan Nappen, Teddy Nappen Evan Nappen 00:19 I’m Evan Nappen. Teddy Nappen 00:20 and I’m Teddy Nappen. Evan Nappen 00:22 And welcome to Gun Lawyer. One of the things that I’ve observed through my 40-plus years in the area of firearm law is how important loopholes are to our freedom. You see, loopholes are simply freedom finding a way. Loopholes have proven over and over again to be the penetrator to breaking freedom out of its imprisonment by the oppressive governments like the state of New Jersey that constantly work at oppressing our Second Amendment rights. We’ve seen loopholes have this effect in different areas, and I think we’re going to now see even more interesting approaches as we win on the various case law challenges. It opens the door for further challenges and things that get covered or not covered by way of various loopholes, end up getting the freedoms that we desire. Evan Nappen 01:49 So, let me give you some examples that have previously occurred, just to show you not necessarily New Jersey itself, but how loopholes can get freedom. For example, at one point under the National Firearms Act, there was a requirement that Chief Law Enforcement (CLE) officers had to approve applications. And if the chief law enforcement officer did not sign off on it, you could not then possess whatever you were going for under the National Firearms Act, whether it was a suppressor or machine gun or shortbow rifle. Whatever it was, the forms needed this CLE sign off, and for any reason they could deny it. There was no way to even appeal it, and you were stuck. It got realized that if you formed what was called an NFA Trust, there was no sign-off on trusts. There was no CLE sign-off on trusts. And that became the preferred method of acquiring NFA. Because not only was there no Chief Law Enforcement officer sign off, but also, you maintained privacy even further from doing it by way of a trust. So, 10,000 trusts were later filed with the federal government, and they finally put forward Rule 41P that got rid of the requirement for having a Chief Law Enforcement officer sign off at all. Whereas prior to that, they wouldn’t get rid of it, but the loophole paved the way. So, when it comes to NFA, they’re simply given notice, but there’s no requirement that they approve it. Page – 2 – of 12 Evan Nappen 04:07 And you see again, for example, prohibitions nationally throughout various states that existed on switchblades. Switchblade knives being a knife in which the blade comes out automatically because of a button or other device in the handle of the knife. The assisted opener was invented, where there’s no button in the handle but merely pushing the blade, and the blade still opens automatically. But with no button or other device in the handle of the knife. So, you could, in fact, open the knife automatically, just not without that button. It got around the federal switchblade laws and State laws. Even now you can have an assisted opener in New Jersey, even though there’s technically a prohibition on switchblades. And what we saw was many states, after these knives have become so prolific out there and commonly owned, that the switchblade laws have been repealed in the overwhelming majority of states. Now, New Jersey has not yet repealed their switchblade law, but it is on death’s door, frankly, as well. We have Second Amendment challenges, and nationally, there’s so many actual automatic knives now out there, due to the understanding of the loopholes to the Federal Switchblade Act as to how they could still be produced, how they could still be sold. Not in states that have specific bans, but they’re prolific. And that challenge is underway as well. Again, loopholes paving the way. Evan Nappen 06:11 I think what we’re looking at now is another battleground of loopholes that are going to come in very much in our fight for legalizing, eventually, machine guns. As you know, we’re all very excited about New Jersey’s assault firearm ban going down in flames as unconstitutional, and magazines going down as well with it. With that fantastic decision out of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals that we’ve discussed. Of course, that now opens the door for further challenge. The U.S. Supreme Court, SCOTUS, have granted certiorari on the issue of assault firearms under the Viramontes and Grant cases. So, by next June or so, we’ll have federal case law on it. I’m extremely optimistically looking forward to that decision, and I think the stars have really lined up. Even New Jersey’s decision is going to aid the U.S. Supreme Court in its decision. And, in all likelihood, I mean, nothing’s ever certain, but it seems to be extremely in our favor. The antis are crying about it and essentially throwing the towel in for the most part, realizing that their entire gambit of banning semi-autos is going to die, and thank God it will. But of course, that now opens up including when you. Teddy Nappen 07:48 I will say. Evan Nappen 07:52 Go ahead. Teddy Nappen 07:56 Well, what I was going to say is that I think we need to take a page out of the antis and a lot of the progressive movement. We need to push further and further. Like, don’t give up the ground because now we’ve won the battle on the assault firearms. Evan Nappen 08:12 Oh, we’re not giving up. Page – 3 – of 12 Teddy Nappen 08:12 Keep pushing to that extent. Evan Nappen 08:14 Plow forward hard, and we’re going to. One of the ways that we’re going to do this, I also believe, is with incremental important fights and with loopholes on our side. Loopholes. Again it’s that freedom finding a way. One of the most interesting loopholes out there when it comes to machine guns. Now keep in mind. We have a separate fight going on from the Big Beautiful Bill that eliminated the tax on NFA items of suppressors, short barrel rifles, any other weapon, etc. Now, they did not remove the tax yet on machine guns. But in the Big Beautiful Lawsuit, we’re challenging, as we’ve discussed in other shows, the very jurisdiction of the NFA. If there’s no tax, there should be no law. If we’re successful there, then the machine gun ban can die federally by simply in a reconciliation bill removing the tax on machine guns. You don’t have to even repeal machine gun law to simply get rid of the tax. So, that’s what can happen. And that can avoid the filibuster in and of itself because that can just be done in a reconciliation bill because that’s directly on taxation. Evan Nappen 09:33 But in a separate attack that we have, in a separate way of going at this, is the idea of the incrementalism that loopholes create. One of these great loopholes that exists when it comes to machine guns is what is called Forced Reset Triggers (FRTs), and these have really come a long way. Now. FRTs, as they’re known, make it so that the trigger is reset with force, so that you can very quickly fire again your shot, in which a shot is still required to be pressed for each pull of the trigger, but the forcing of the reset makes it so that you can fire extremely fast. So fast that, for all intents and purposes, it duplicates the speed of fully-automatic fire. But speed of fire is not the federal law. It is based upon having to pull the trigger for each shot. Evan Nappen 10:54 And in the Fifth Circuit, FRTs, in the case out of the Fifth Circuit were found not to be machine guns. They do not make semi-automatic firearms machine guns. So, under federal law, you see that FRTs are very popular now in many, many states. They have evolved to where, for example, FRTs on AR-15 platforms are now created in what are called three-position safety FRTs. The three-position safety, for those of you familiar with how an AR-15 works, the safety on ARs will rotate to three positions. You have the “fire”, then you have “safe”, and then you have what’s called the “happy switch”, where on the complete roll around, it will go full auto. Well, they now have FRTs that, in the third position, will put the AR in a forced reset trigger position. You can then fire at that very rapid rate of fire. Essentially making it indistinguishable from fully automatic fire in effect, but mechanically, the trigger is in fact being pulled technically for each shot. These FRTs have developed to where they’re extremely reliable. It’s quite an amazing innovation, so that you can have an AR-15 that essentially functions like a fully automatic AR-15, but it’s not fully automatic. It utilizes the three position that an M16 would in fact use or an M4 that’s fully auto type AR would use. But it doesn’t technically fire fully automatic because each shot is being pulled for every shot being fired. Even though it’s done by way of this forced reset. Page – 4 – of 12 Evan Nappen 13:26 So, the interesting question is: are forced reset triggers legal in New Jersey? Let’s explore that question right now. When you look at New Jersey’s ban on machine guns, New Jersey prohibits machine guns under N.J.S. 2C:39-5, specifically under subsection a., which says: Any person who knowingly has in his possession a machine gun or any instrument or device adaptable for use as a machine gun, without being licensed to do so as provided under 58-5, which is the machine gun license, is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Now that 58-5 license actually is license to carry and possess machine guns and assault firearms. Oh, wait a minute! If the assault firearm law is unconstitutional, and the license for an assault firearm is the same license for a machine gun, oh my! Look what door has just opened in New Jersey when it comes to getting a machine gun / assault firearm license. There’s a path to be taken there, but that’s a discussion for another day. Evan Nappen 14:59 Let’s stay focused on FRTs. The machine gun is defined in New Jersey under N.J.S. 2C:39-1. section i. Under the 39-1.i definition of machine gun, it says. “Machine gun means any firearm, mechanism or instrument not requiring that the trigger be pressed for each shot and having a reservoir, belt or other means for storing and carrying ammunition which can be loaded into the firearm, mechanism or instrument and fired therefrom. A machine gun also shall include, without limitation, any firearm with a trigger crank attached.” Okay, well pressed for each shot. Well, guess what? With a Forced Reset Trigger, you are pressing the trigger for each shot. Now, before you get too excited about that, New Jersey, of course, has taken a position, which we’ll discuss in a moment, about how they’re viewing that definition. However, the fight is on. The fight is on. Evan Nappen 16:12 But let’s continue. First of all, is an FRT a trigger crank? Well, a trigger crank is defined under section ff. of 39-1. It says a trigger crank means any device or instrument to be attached to a firearm that repeatedly activates the trigger of the firearm through the use of a lever or other part that is turned in a circular motion. It does not include any weapon initially designed and manufactured to fire through the use of a crank or lever. So, Gatling guns are legal in New Jersey because they’re designed from the beginning with a crank. A crank that you attach to a semi-automatic firearm is specifically banned and placed within the machine gun definition. But an FRT is not a crank. Evan Nappen 17:13 What else does New Jersey prohibit? It prohibits a “bump stock”. What’s a “bump stock”? Well, that’s any device or instrument for a firearm that increases the rate of fire achievable with the firearm by using energy from the recoil of the firearm to generate a reciprocating action that facilitates repeated activation of the trigger. And as you know, bump stocks are stocks, and they utilize the recoil in that way. A Forced Reset Trigger isn’t working in that mechanism either, and that can be demonstrated as well. So, cranks or bump stocks themselves, mere possession of them, are prohibited under N.J.S. 2C:39-3, subsection l. You have separate prohibitions on those items. Furthermore, the law states that a conviction for possessing them doesn’t merge with a conviction for possession of an assault firearm. However, possession of an assault firearm is unconstitutionally going to go down the tubes, as we know, from that great decision out of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. So, we’re simply dealing with cranks and bump stocks as standalone prohibited items, but not assault firearms. Page – 5 – of 12 Evan Nappen 18:35 But the question becomes: Does New Jersey still ban Forced Reset Triggers? Interestingly, when AI is asked about this, when AI is questioned, for fun, I thought I’d ask AI about it. And what AI says, particularly Gemini, if you’re interested, it says the state prohibits them by treating them as machine guns and machine gun conversions under New Jersey statutes 39-1 and 39-5. Then it goes to cite New Jersey’s machine gun classification and statutory provisions and enforcement position. Okay, let’s look at each one. Machine gun classification. New Jersey law enforcement and the Attorney General’s office classify FRTs as illegal machine gun conversion devices because they enable semi-automatic weapons to fire multiple rounds continuously with a single function of the trigger. Okay, guess what? We have a fight on our hands with that. That is their position. Keep that in mind. If you’re caught with one in New Jersey, the state will make that claim. However, as you can see from the actual definition, we have excellent grounds for arguing that they are wrong. We don’t have case law establishing it yet, but loopholes help find the way. Evan Nappen 20:07 Statutory provisions. They’re claiming that 39-5 prohibits possession of machine gun or any device that converts a firearm to a machine gun. Well, we just determined that it’s about pressing a trigger, and the trigger still is pressed with an FRT. So, that part of AI seems to be no good. I brought that up in my continuing conversation with AI, and AI responded. You point out, which I am pointing out, that a central distinction that gun rights advocate and federal courts have leveraged to argue FRTs are not machine guns under the Federal Firearms Act, a machine gun is defined as a weapon that fires automatically by a single function of the trigger. Because an FRT physically resets and forces a shooter to apply distinct pressure for each shot, federal courts like the Fifth Circuit have ruled FRTs require a separate trigger function per round and thus fall outside the federal definition. Evan Nappen 21:09 However, New Jersey law applies a different statutory standard and circumvents the single function trigger loophole. Really? I thought it just said distinct pressure for each shot. What the hell is AI even talking about? Well, they’re claiming that New Jersey has different statutory language. They’re saying machine gun means any firing mechanism, not requiring that the trigger be pressed for each shot. AI makes that bold. Yet we know that it does. So, where are they coming from with this? Well, they’re giving a legal interpretation that the state’s legal argument tries to distinguish between pressed and pulled. The state’s position is that the New Jersey Attorney General and state prosecutors argue that with an FRT, the shooter applies one continuous undivided downward pressure with their finger. Because the firearm’s internal recoil energy forcibly resets the trigger against the finger, the shooter does not deliberately release and consciously press the trigger again for each shot. Evan Nappen 22:21 However, they’re saying, and again, it says conclusion. Therefore, the state views the continuous rearward pressure of a single finger squeeze as a single continuous act, meaning the shooter is not actively pressing the trigger for each individual shot. Even though what’s happening is what? The trigger is being pressed for each shot. Ha! Battleground, right there, my friends. Battleground. Not determined yet. I don’t think you want to be the test case, but the fight is there to be had. Page – 6 – of 12 Evan Nappen 22:54 Aggressive multi-state litigation. New Jersey actively defends this strict interpretation, and yes, they will. The state led a coalition of 16 states urging that the Fifth Circuit reverse federal rollbacks on FRT bans. Explicitly stating that FRTs are new, but mechanical principles which they operate are not. They say the state maintains FRTs are fundamentally designed to evade automatic weapon restrictions and fall squarely within the state’s sweeping definition of rapid fire modification. Well, you’re right. They do evade it. They evade it by following what the law requires and finding the loophole that finds the freedom. The argument is there. Evan Nappen 23:42 Then, in my questioning of AI, it said you said, “Does New Jersey ban FRTs, and if so, how? They say yes. New Jersey bans FTRs. The state prohibits them by treating them as machine guns. We’ve gone through again in this loophole of a loop, how and why. Then AI puts forward Senate Bill 2097 specifically bans binary triggers as well. Well, guess what? That didn’t pass. Ah, but they claim that binary triggers falls under the same legal arguments because you’re releasing, not pressing. You can see the battle. What makes this so fascinating, my friends, is that this is now going to become a hotter topic for New Jersey. As we see the death of the 36-year-old assault firearm ban and semi-automatics not being treated in any different way. We then see these fronts, these battlefronts opening up for challenging New Jersey’s machine gun definition, which can occur through their still existing licensing law, and can occur through the battle of the loopholes under FRTs and binary triggers. We are seeing glorious opportunities before us to destroy New Jersey’s gun rights oppression. And that is the power of loopholes. Let me also. Go ahead, Teddy. Teddy Nappen 25:41 What I was going to say is, what’s going to come next is basically once we achieved it, where machine guns are legalized and we’ve basically knocked all their laws out. This is goes back to what the the Democrat Socialists put out, and then they’re gonna go for trying to abolish the Second Amendment. Evan Nappen 26:02 That’s right. Teddy Nappen 26:04 But that’s the whole idea. The whole argument of how we won on dealing with the assault weapon ban was the “common use”. So, I think just continuing to flood the market and to make sure guns outpace the population is the only way we’re going to ever protect the rights. Just manufacturing and outpacing them. Evan Nappen 26:05 The more commonly owned, the better. Evan Nappen 26:29 Hey, I want to tell you about our good friends at WeShoot. They have something really cool. They have the Civilian Shoot House Training, and that will be taking place on Friday, August 14, eight a.m. to Page – 7 – of 12 noon. This is something new at WeShoot. This is not a beginner class. This is where training becomes real. WeShoot’s Civilian Shoot House Training is built for people who understand one thing: real situations don’t happen standing still on a lane. You’ll learn how to move through your home, how to clear rooms, how to make decisions under pressure the right way. What you’ll learn in the Civilian Shoot House Training is room clearing fundamentals, shooting while moving, target identification under stress, proper use of light and positioning, operating solo or as a team. Now, this is the kind of training that helps you protect your family and avoid tragic, life-changing mistakes. Evan Nappen 27:44 This training is ideal for homeowners and parents, houses of worship security teams, armed guards, civilian groups, anyone serious about real-world defense. And you’ll be training with the real deal. You’ll be training with Jim Weinberg, who’s got 30 years of law enforcement experience with SWAT, USERT, and Todd Friedman, retired detective lieutenant, special operations. He’s led 500 tactical entries, over 500. Scott Benito, a 25-year veteran, former lieutenant, tactical team leader. Ryan Benito, an Army combat veteran, 173rd Airborne, CQB instructor, master breacher. Andy Tkach, retired captain, firearm instructor, city SRT team member, instructor, police academy instructor, and municipal counterterrorism coordinator. Evan Nappen 28:40 This is the kind of quality training you will receive from WeShoot in their Civilian Shoot House Training. These are instructors who have done it in real life, and they will teach you how to do it right. Listen, folks, the bottom line is this. Shooting is one skill; moving safely through your home is another. If you’re serious about protecting what matters, this is your next step. Keep in mind, spots are limited. Secure yours now. Go to weshootusa.com. Check out their fantastic website. It’s the greatest range. Teddy and I shoot there. We love it. Wwe get our trainings, where we get our certifications, and you can too. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, WeShoot is a place for you. Conveniently located in Lakewood, right off the Parkway. Easy to get to, and a great resource. Take advantage of this resource at WeShootUSA.com. That’s the range you need to go to in New Jersey. Evan Nappen 29:49 Let me also tell you about New Jersey Gun Law. That’s my book. The Bible of New Jersey Gun Law. Everybody needs a copy. Get your copy at EvanNappen.com. It is a question and answer goldmine to fill you in and make it so you don’t become a GOFU. If you want to avoid that, you need the book. That’ll help you do it. Hey Teddy, what do you have for us in Press Checks? Teddy Nappen 30:17 Well, as you know, Press Checks are always free. We always like to check out our friends at AmmoLand, and they point out something that’s again very scary. If you’ve seen the news, all the big talk is about Flock Cameras. (https://www.ammoland.com/2026/07/flocks-flying-cameras-how-300-million-drone-deal-turns-america-into-an-always-on-surveillance-grid/) Typically, there’s a bill aiming to stop. Evan Nappen 30:37 What is a “Flock Camera”, Teddy? What is it? Page – 8 – of 12 Teddy Nappen 30:42 It is basically a highly advanced surveillance system that tracks, uses facial recognition, biometric identifications, and any other . It uses high level technology of capturing, analyzing, retaining. Evan Nappen 31:00 So, what are these cameras that are put all over the place? Teddy Nappen 31:03 So, they’re looking to. Right now the network has surpassed 100,000 cameras. They are operating more than 500,000. Evan Nappen 31:10 One hundred thousand cameras doing facial recognition, tracking, surveillance. Is this like Big Brother happening? Teddy Nappen 31:18 It is. And unfortunately, the Big Brother is very retarded. There have been many issues, including the fact that they’ve had the network be exposed, where you can get live feeds of the flock cameras. It’s amazing what you can find at a bunch of cameras pointed at, oh, you know, schools, playgrounds. That’s not going to be abused, and also it makes mistakes and false. Evan Nappen 31:44 And people are hacking into them, aren’t they? Teddy Nappen 31:46 Repeatedly, yes. And they’ve had. Evan Nappen 31:48 Well, wait a minute. If you’re not doing anything wrong, what do you have to worry about? Teddy Nappen 31:53 Well, it was pointed out in the article that this is important for the Second Amendment because it’s tracking license plates where it’s logging in, arriving and departing gun stores and gun shows and shooting ranges. Evan Nappen 32:08 Oh, New Jersey would never do that. Oh wait, they did. They did it at gun shows, even in out-of-state gun shows. Oh my. Teddy Nappen 32:16 Correct. Page – 9 – of 12 Evan Nappen 32:16 Oh my. And that’s without the aid of Flock Cameras. Teddy Nappen 32:20 Correct. And apply that now to not only building profiles where they’re going to determine oh this person’s a gun owner. So that obviously means they’re going to make the calculations think you’re carrying, and they’re going to wait until a moment when you’re in a “sensitive place” and try to bust you then. Doing this data tracking. Evan Nappen 32:41 Well, you’re not supposed to be in a “sensitive place”, Teddy. Teddy Nappen 32:44 Yeah, I know. It’s almost like you know things happen. Evan Nappen 32:46 And not only that, they use Wi-Fi to determine if you have a gun. Teddy Nappen 32:51 Correct. And then marry this with AI with a new thing called Signal Trace. It comes by the Leonardo USA Cybersecurity Company. So, this company, they use the Signal Trace. It’s a software system for identifying groups of consumers using multiples of the electronic devices. So, say that you have a smartwatch and a phone, or even your car, and all of that is accessible through the Signal Trace, where they develop large-scale profiles of individuals that they are tracking on these cameras. Now they understand. Oh, this person’s a gun owner. This person carries. This person’s going to have a whatever carry package. Evan Nappen 33:37 Wait a minute. I’ve got a question. I see, but are there any like countries that might be like authoritarian and really mean to their people that might be using technology like this? There isn’t any countries doing that now, is there? Teddy Nappen 33:54 China, Russia. Evan Nappen 33:56 China and Russia. Teddy Nappen 33:57 UK. Evan Nappen 33:58 I see, and the UK, of course, of course. Page – 10 – of 12 Teddy Nappen 34:03 These are various nations for that they’re going to abuse it. And by the way, they’ve come out and said they’re not talking about combining the two systems of Signal Trace. There’s no official contract, but let’s be real. The fact remains AI. Evan Nappen 34:19 Anything Government can abuse, they will abuse. That’s an iron law of Government abuse. Who’s kidding who? And by the way, if you’re not doing anything wrong, you’re not doing anything wrong till somebody decides that what you’re doing is wrong, and now it’s wrong in their book. Teddy Nappen 34:36 I’ll give you a one example. Well, they bought Aerodome, which is a drone package. So, now it’s going to be a mobile Flock Camera, calling it the Alpha. Evan Nappen 34:51 Oh, wow! Everywhere! Flying overhead. Anywhere, everywhere, constant surveillance. That’s just lovely, lovely. Teddy Nappen 35:02 Yes. Evan Nappen 35:02 Who wants to live like that? Teddy Nappen 35:05 Yes. So, Big Brother is out there, and I’m pretty sure there are a few videos on how to do drone hunting. So that’s going to be fun. Yeah. You know, when Amazon was doing that, it was skeet shooting with prizes. Evan Nappen 35:20 Ha, ha! Well, you know, there’s a federal bill I understand to try to ban these. Teddy Nappen 35:27 Correct. It’s the Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act (H.R. 980). (https://www.ammoland.com/2026/07/burchett-bill-flock-cameras-gun-owners/) Evan Nappen 35:33 Well, damn, we need that bill. Teddy Nappen 35:35 Yeah, no, no kidding. Evan Nappen 35:37 It’ll be a federal prohibition on this nonsense? Page – 11 – of 12 Teddy Nappen 35:40 All federal agencies will be prohibited from using automated surveillance system to identify, track, or record individuals. Evan Nappen 35:46 Oh, I’m sure the state of New Jersey will happily do it, though. It sounds right up their line. Teddy Nappen 35:52 Yeah. Evan Nappen 35:53 But at least if we get the feds to maybe even make it preemptive. It should be a federal law that preempts the area, so that’s nationwide and preemptive. So, you kill it for the whole country. Teddy Nappen 36:06 Yeah, and this is where. Again, this is the marrying of what will come because we can have all these fights and win and get all the loopholes, but this combined with AI of what they’re going to do, they will just track, and they know how many guns without even having to do the right process. Evan Nappen 36:24 It’s scary. It’s scary stuff. Teddy Nappen 36:26 They won’t even need to do the paperwork even. It’ll just have an AI. Evan Nappen 36:29 You know, technology is advancing so fast with all this. You’re combining AI and drones and Flock cameras and this targeting ability. I mean, you know, we’re not too far from RoboCop. And that also includes actual robots coming our way. Then you combine robots with Flock and drone and AI, and you see we’re entering into a sci-fi horror show here. Teddy Nappen 37:03 Yeah. Evan Nappen 37:04 They better get the federal laws on this stuff, man. It’s spooky. It’s scary. It is not how I grew up. I’ll tell you that. It’s bad news. Bad news. Evan Nappen 37:17 Well, I want to tell you about this week’s GOFU, which is of course the Gun Owner Fuck Up. It’s important. We always study GOFUs. You don’t want to become a GOFU. GOFUs are expensive lessons that others have learned that you get to learn for free, so you don’t repeat them. And let me tell you, these are actual cases, clients and real scenarios. I’ll tell you something I’ve seen a lot of lately. Page – 12 – of 12 Folks that are doing their own expungements. If you have a record that needs to be cleared, I absolutely do not advise doing it yourself. You need a professional to get your expungement done right. There’s a lot of nuances to getting expungements done right, and when they are done wrong, it is a nightmare. It is a nightmare to fix it, and it creates escalating problems. Evan Nappen 38:11 Let me give you an example. You get an expungement, and you don’t clear all your records. You think you have. Next thing you know, you’re jammed up on your gun application for lying on the form. You’re looking at five years in State Prison for lying on the form because you wrote “no” when you should have wrote “yes”. You thought you were expunged and you weren’t. You get an expungement. You actually get everything cleared, but you didn’t realize that you had to wait for the State Police to also scrub the record. No one told you that. You thought it got done, but the database comes up that you have a record. You’ve said “no”. Now the entire system comes down on you for lying. License denial, gun forfeiture, revocation. You’ve got to fight it all off. Again, giant problem. Evan Nappen 39:03 Even if you get the expungement order, you don’t realize the record hasn’t been scrubbed. Your local issuing authority recognizes the expungement, and grants you the license or permit. You then go to the dealer to buy, but get denied on the NICS check because the database still has it in it. Now the feds are on your ass, and the entire escalation comes down on you for that. We see these scenarios over and over again. If you or anybody you know needs an expungement, get it done professionally. There’s too many pitfalls, problems, and nuances in doing it properly and correctly. Believe me, we see that downside. Don’t be a GOFU. Evan Nappen 39:57 This is Evan Nappen and Teddy Nappen reminding you that gun laws don’t protect honest citizens from criminals. They protect criminals from honest citizens. Speaker 3 40:08 GunLawyer is a Counterthink Media production. The music used in this broadcast was managed by Cosmo Music, New York, New York. Reach us by emailing Evan@gun.lawyer. The information and opinions in this broadcast do not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state. Downloadable PDF TranscriptGun Lawyer S5 E301_Transcript About The HostEvan Nappen, Esq.Known as “America's Gun Lawyer,” Evan Nappen is above all a tireless defender of justice. Author of eight bestselling books and countless articles on firearms, knives, and weapons history and the law, a certified Firearms Instructor, and avid weapons collector and historian with a vast collection that spans almost five decades — it's no wonder he's become the trusted, go-to expert for local, industry and national media outlets. Regularly called on by radio, television and online news media for his commentary and expertise on breaking news Evan has appeared countless shows including Fox News – Judge Jeanine, CNN – Lou Dobbs, Court TV, Real Talk on WOR, It's Your Call with Lyn Doyle, Tom Gresham's Gun Talk, and Cam & Company/NRA News. As a creative arts consultant, he also lends his weapons law and historical expertise to an elite, discerning cadre of movie and television producers and directors, and novelists. He also provides expert testimony and consultations for defense attorneys across America. Email Evan Your Comments and Questions  talkback@gun.lawyer Join Evan's InnerCircleHere's your chance to join an elite group of the Savviest gun and knife owners in America.  Membership is totally FREE and Strictly CONFIDENTIAL.  Just enter your email to start receiving insider news, tips, and other valuable membership benefits.   Email (required) *First Name *Select list(s) to subscribe toInnerCircle Membership Yes, I would like to receive emails from Gun Lawyer Podcast. (You can unsubscribe anytime)Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.var ajaxurl = "https://gun.lawyer/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php";

In this episode: A billionaire hedge fund executive gave $10 million last week to Byron Donalds, the Republican Congressman from Naples who is the favorite to win the GOP nomination for Florida governor in next month's primary elections. His gift came after a billionaire TikTok investor gave Donalds at least $7.5 million. Other billionaires are pouring money into the Donalds campaign, too. Their cash comes with strings. Plus: Attorney General James Uthmeier helps the billionaire-owned Fontainebleau Hotel steamroll residents of Miami Beach who are fighting a proposed expansion project; the companies that sell electricity to AI data centers love Florida's new data center law; and a key provision in the state constitution is, it turns out, meaningless. Show notesTo make a donation in support of Seeking Rents, click here.To reserve a ticket to our discussion about data centers in Venice with Alice Herman and Christian Casale of Suncoast Searchlight and Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times, click here.Stories discussed in today's show:The DeSantis decisions: Quiet wins for homebuilders and car dealersBillionaire Ken Griffin pours money into Byron Donalds' campaign for governorMeet the billionaire pushing taxpayer-funded school vouchersThe billionaire trying to reinvent Florida schools has a $7.5 million bet on Byron DonaldsThe Scale of Billionaires' Campaign Donations is Overwhelming U.S. PoliticsLobbyist for a billionaire-run hedge fund wrote a bill allowing longer non-competes, records showLobbyists for a billionaire and a charter network pushed Florida lawmakers to expand a school privatization program, records showA billionaire-backed think tank keeps sabotaging Florida workers. More attacks are coming.Untraceable: Who sends all those political mailers?Fewer Florida residents are receiving federal food benefitsThe Fontainebleau wanted another favor from the Florida LegislatureNew law has Florida ‘open for business' for AI data centers, utility execs sayFlorida judge refuses to boot Fishback from the ballot, won't ‘decide the race'Bills discussed in today's show:Senate Bill 686 – Agricultural EnclavesSenate Bill 484 – Data CentersHouse Bill 399 – Land Use and Development RegulationsQuestions 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

Oregon is moving to gut its compulsory school attendance laws — and the reason is exactly as infuriating as it sounds. With nearly a third of all students chronically absent, the Oregon Department of Education isn't cracking down. It's proposing to repeal the state's longstanding attendance mandates entirely, replacing enforcement and truancy consequences with a feel-good "performance growth indicator" framework that treats showing up to school as optional feedback data.Senate Bill 315 would eliminate 11 attendance-related statutes, stripping the fines and sanctions that were meant to keep kids in classrooms. The department calls existing law a "compliance" model that creates "tension" with a more supportive approach. Translation: they've given up. Oklahoma is apparently the role model here — a state that already softened its truancy laws — which tells you everything about where Oregon's education establishment thinks the floor is.Governor Tina Kotek has presided over an Oregon school system posting some of the highest chronic absenteeism rates in the country, a collapse that accelerated after 2020 and never recovered. The bureaucratic answer? Reclassify the problem until it disappears on paper. If 33% of kids won't go to school, the progressive solution is apparently to stop caring whether they show up at all.Subscribe to @reasonablenews for daily coverage of Pacific Northwest policy disasters, failed governance, and the common-sense takes you won't find anywhere else. Hit the notification bell — we'll see you next episode.#Oregon #Education #PublicSchoolsGO PREMIUM WITH REASONABLE+ FOR UNCENSORED ACCESS

Sign up for PrizePicks with code: HMA and get $150 in lineups instantly if your first $5+ lineup wins! Link: https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/CORNERThe WVU football program announced that they are moving the date of the home football game against the Ohio Bobcats in 2027. Is there deeper meaning for this move? Could the Mountaineers be looking to get Pitt, Virginia Tech or another P4 rival on the schedule in 2027? Couz will take a look at all the possibilities. In the second half of the show, Couz will look at the recent updates on the Protect College Sports Act, as reported by Ross Dellenger from Yahoo! Sports. He will give his thoughts on what could be transpiring with that bill.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Olsen, Government Relations Director for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Illinois chapter, joins Lisa Dent to discuss Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signing of Senate Bill 2886 which protects Illinois residents against Alzheimer’s biomarker discrimination. The bill ensures that Illinoisans who have taken, or who will take, an Alzheimer’s biomarker test cannot be discriminated against by their health […]

Colorado Parks and Wildlife's (CPW) new Firearms Safety System application is now open ahead of the August 1 implementation of Senate Bill 25-003 (SB25-003).The new law establishes firearms safety training requirements for the purchase or transfer of specified semiautomatic firearms in Colorado. CPW is required by statute to implement and administer the program and to report annually to the Colorado General Assembly on program costs and resource needs. Starting Aug. 1, 2026, individuals seeking to purchase or transfer a specified semiautomatic firearm (SSF) must apply to the county sheriff's office for an eligibility card and then successfully complete an in-person firearms safety course within five years of the transaction.CPW held 18 in-person engagement events around the state, as well as three online meetings to explain the changes, answer questions and gather feedback for implementing the new legislation. In this episode of the Colorado Outdoors podcast, we talk with CPW Firearms Safety Program Manager Dan Coil, as he goes over everything Coloradans need to know regarding the new law.More information about the Firearms Safety Program is available on CPW's website.Podcast hosted by Regional Public Information Officers John Livingston and Kara Van Hoose. Podcast edited by Meghan Lopez. Art19 is the host platform, and people can also find the podcast online at https://art19.com/shows/colorado-outdoors

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Chris criticizes a bipartisan Senate proposal that could block Mercedes-Benz and other automakers with significant Chinese ownership or technology connections from the U.S. market. He argues the measure would reduce consumer choice, stifle competition, and protect domestic automakers at the expense of free markets and American buyers.

In this episode: Data center interests have spent more than $5 million supporting Byron Donalds, the Trump-endorsed Congressman from Naples who is the heavy favorite to win the Republican nomination for Florida governor in next month's primary election. But all that industry money is morphing from a strength to a liability amid a rising bipartisan backlash to data center development around the state. Meanwhile, James Uthmeier, Florida's never-elected attorney general, is using his office to help Elon Musk's Tesla try to get out of paying $243 million to victims of a fatal car crash involving Tesla's Autopilot technology. Plus: Updates on big battles over property insurance, growth management and home rule.Show notesTo make a donation in support of Seeking Rents, click here.Stories discussed in today's show:Data center donors have spent more than $20 million in Florida ahead of the 2026 electionsMeta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. AgendaFlorida's attorney general is trying to help Elon Musk's Tesla get out of a $243 million verdictAn insurance company led by a billionaire megadonor wrote a law pushing Florida condo owners into higher-priced property insuranceGroup tied to influential Ruane Cunniff sues Reinhold Corporation over Clay County land sale disputeA New York investment firm with vast land holdings across north Florida wants state lawmakers to greenlight giant developmentsRon DeSantis is helping real estate developers exploit a hurricane relief lawThe Florida Legislature made a mess. The Florida House refused to clean it up.Bills discussed in today's show:Senate Bill 484 — Data CentersSenate Bill 1616 — Liability of Advanced Driving System Manufacturers and DevelopersSenate Bill 1028 — Citizens Property Insurance Corp.House Bill 299 / Senate Bill 354 — Blue Ribbon ProjectsSenate Bill 840 — Land Use Regulations for Local Governments Affected by Natural DisastersSenate Bill 180 (2025) — EmergenciesQuestions 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

State Senator Mike Halpin says Illinois' new budget includes added support for school lunch programs and a three-month food assistance bridge for families losing federal benefits. Speaking on Wake Up Tri-Counties, Halpin also defended new taxes on digital advertising and social media platforms, saying the revenue could help fund services including mental health care. He said higher education funding remains a top priority, especially for rural students and schools like Western Illinois University. Halpin also discussed efforts to recover back wages, ease substitute teacher shortages, limit eminent domain for CO₂ pipelines, and protect vulnerable adults under guardianship. State Senator Mike Halpin praised three newly signed Illinois laws that strengthen support for military service members and veterans. The legislation aims to boost Illinois National Guard recruitment, help student service members return to college after military leave, and expand access to innovative mental health treatments for veterans. Halpin highlighted Senate Bill 3926, which moves the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council to the Illinois Department of Public Health, where it will help expand access to emerging therapies, improve provider training, enhance patient safety, and promote public awareness. He also applauded Senate Bill 3737, requiring colleges and universities to promptly readmit students returning from military service, and Senate Bill 3818, which encourages Illinois National Guard recruitment through a peer referral incentive program. All three laws take effect January 1, 2027. His office can be reached at 309-558-3612. Mike Halpin serves as Illinois State Senator for the 36th District, representing most of Rock Island County and portions of Mercer, Henry, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties. An attorney and former State Representative, Halpin previously worked for Congressman Lane Evans, assisting constituents and helping veterans secure military honors. He later earned his law degree from the University of Illinois and became a partner at McCarthy, Callas, & Feeney, P.C., where he focuses on labor and municipal law. Halpin continues to advocate for veterans through his work with Bridging the Gap: Stand Down for Homeless Veterans, providing legal assistance to those in need. During his time in the Illinois House, he supported balanced budgets and sponsored legislation allowing schools to stock undesignated glucagon to help save children's lives.

Senate Bill 273, or the “Keep Them Safe Act,” has been one of the few gun policies that received unanimous support from both the Ohio House and Senate.Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law on June 18. The bill allows a person struggling with suicidal thoughts or other mental health emergencies to temporarily store their firearms with federally registered gun dealers or law enforcement officers. The hope is that by separating a struggling person with their weapon, suicide will decrease.Guests:Whitney Austin, executive director and co-founder of Whitney/StrongState Sen, Bill DeMora (D-Columbus, Ohio State Senator District 25Jim Samuel, legislative affairs director for the Buckeye Firearms Associationphoto: Terry Chea / AP

Senate Bill 273, or the “Keep Them Safe Act,” has been one of the few gun policies that received unanimous support from both the Ohio House and Senate.Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law on June 18. The bill allows a person struggling with suicidal thoughts or other mental health emergencies to temporarily store their firearms with federally registered gun dealers or law enforcement officers. The hope is that by separating a struggling person with their weapon, suicide will decrease.Guests:Whitney Austin, executive director and co-founder of Whitney/StrongState Sen, Bill DeMora (D-Columbus, Ohio State Senator District 25Jim Samuel, legislative affairs director for the Buckeye Firearms Associationphoto: Terry Chea / AP

As the Colorado State Shooting Association's executive director, Huey Logison, warns, the state's new gun control law, Senate Bill 25-3003, is set to take effect on August 1st, bringing with it a host of confusing and restrictive regulations. The law, which bans the purchase of certain semi-automatic firearms, has been plagued by issues in its rollout, with the Department of Revenue still struggling to define what constitutes a "parts kit." Meanwhile, sheriffs across the state are expressing frustration with the lack of information provided by the Department of Revenue regarding approved background check vendors.This episode delves into the complexities of the new law and its potential impact on gun owners in Colorado. Huey Logison shares his expertise on the matter, discussing the challenges of navigating the Permit to Purchase regime and the long process of obtaining permission to purchase restricted firearms. He also highlights the importance of ongoing court cases that aim to challenge the constitutionality of the law.The conversation also touches on the rise of socialism in Colorado and the potential implications for Second Amendment rights. The speaker discusses the platform of Melok Kiros, the Democrat Socialist Party's nominee for CD-1, and her stance on gun control. Huey Logison explains how her proposed policies would further restrict gun ownership and confiscate firearms from law-abiding citizens without due process.Tune in to this episode to hear the full conversation and learn more about the challenges facing gun owners in Colorado. Huey Logison shares his insights on the complexities of the new law and the importance of standing up for Second Amendment rights. Don't miss this informative and thought-provoking discussion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washougal resident Anthony Teso pushes back on a Washington Policy Center column, arguing that Senate Bill 5041 does not destabilize the unemployment trust fund and that striking workers drawing benefits are drawing on their own deferred wages, not employer funds. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-a-strike-is-the-withdrawal-of-labor-in-a-dispute-the-employer-co-produces-at-the-bargaining-table/ #Opinion #SB5041 #LaborRights #UnemploymentBenefits #WashingtonState #StrikingWorkers #ClarkCounty #Politics #Washougal #CollectiveBargaining ---

Ohio just landed at number one on CNBC's 2026 list of the best states for business, the first time it has ever finished first. In this Ohio Edition of the Purple Political Breakdown, Radell Lewis follows the money and the power lines behind that ranking, and breaks down who is actually on your 2026 ballot in Ohio's 11th and 12th Congressional Districts. We get into Elon Musk's five million dollar check to V PAC: Victors, Not Victims, the super PAC backing Vivek Ramaswamy, and the billionaire donors behind its nearly forty two million dollar haul (Jeff Yass, Ratmir Timashev, Bill Ackman, and Ross Stevens). Plus Ramaswamy's twenty five million dollar loan to his own campaign, the Secretary of State flag on more than five hundred thousand dollars in unitemized spending, Amy Acton's small-dollar contrast, and Sherrod Brown breaking with the building trades to hit Jon Husted over data centers in the Senate race. Statehouse Watch covers the three hundred fourteen million dollars Ohio has made leasing public land to fracking, the new college syllabus rules under Senate Bill 1, the Medicaid anti-fraud law Senate Bill 315, and the Rooster case, where blogger D.J. Byrnes faces an October jury trial over an image texted to State Senator Jerry Cirino. County of the Week is Allen County and Lima, where Google's five hundred million dollar data center has neighbors up in arms. District Watch, so you know who you are voting for: Ohio 11 (Cleveland): incumbent Democrat Shontel Brown versus Republican Mike Kirchner, with independent Cortney Peterson also on the ballot. Ohio 12 (central and eastern Ohio): incumbent Republican Troy Balderson versus Democrat Jerrad Christian, a 2024 rematch. Plus the latest AARP poll showing tight Governor and Senate races, and Ohio's nation-leading drop in Affordable Care Act enrollment after enhanced subsidies expired. Political solutions without political bias, building a better Ohio on the way to a better America. PODCAST NETWORK ALIVE Podcast Network. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/ CONVERSATION PLATFORMS HeadOn - A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/ Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/ UNITY MOVEMENTS Us United - A movement for unity that challenges Americans to step out of their bubbles and connect across differences. Take the Unity Pledge, join monthly '30 For US' conversation calls, wear purple (the color of unity), and participate in National Unity Day every second Saturday in December. 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Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ r/PolicySolutions - A subreddit where people can post and discuss political solutions. Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/policysolutions/ GET DAILY NEWS Text 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code 'purple' to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed (https://informed.now) Check Out the Unfuck America Tour & National Ground Game: https://www.nationalgroundgame.com/ Check Out the CIVICS App to Know More About Your Politicians: https://www.civicpolitics.com Subscribe to the Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/purplepoliticalbreakdown/p/welcome-to-the-purple-political-breakdown?r=3z2cmw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true ALL LINKS https://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdown The Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: 'Political solutions without political bias.' Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics - where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9

One of the most notable bills to pass in the General Assembly this year was Senate Bill 9 — the Wetlands Stewardship Act. Once signed by Gov. Matt Meyer, this law will protect half of Delaware's freshwater wetlands that were previously shielded from development by the federal governmentThis week, Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle took a closer look at the bill, how it got to the finish line and its expected impact. He joined Tom Byrne this week to discuss his reporting.

Photo: “Water is life. Life is water”, said AFN Newfoundland Regional Chief Brendan Mitchell during the 2026 Assembly of First Nations. (Courtesy Assembly of First Nations / Facebook) First Nations chiefs in Canada have gathered in Ottawa for a three-day general assembly. High on the agenda for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is the issue of clean water. As Dan Karpenchuk reports, many of the chiefs say Ottwa's new proposed clean water legislation appears to walk back their hard won rights. The new proposed legislation is in line with a preivous bill that failed to pass under the government of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Some chiefs are taking issue with new changes to the wording that no longer explicitly recognizes First Nations rights to clean drinking water … as a human right. The new bill was recently introduced with the aim of making sure that Indigenous people have reliable access to clear drinking water in their communities, according to Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation Chief Greg Sarazin. “We need to protect water. We need sustainable water. There needs to be legislation that ensures safe, clean, sustainable drinking water.” About 100 chiefs and community members recently held a march for clean drinking water. Brendan Mitchell, a regional chief from Newfoundland, says the issue is critical, but no longer appears to be a priority with the federal government. “Previously in meetings with the former prime minister, three times, I heard him state at a meeting like this, that no relationship was more important to him than his relationship with the Indigenous people of Canada. I've yet to hear our current prime minister say that.” The AFN is considering a proposed resolution that calls on chiefs to demand the right to clean water be included in new legislation. Executive chef Nephi Craig prepares a dish at Café Gozhóó in Whiteriver, Ariz., in Feburary 2026. (Photo: Gabriel Pietrorazio) The food sovereignty movement is teaching tribes to reclaim healthier and more sustainable food systems. And a new memoir penned by one of Arizona's most popular Indigenous chefs is giving direction. KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports. Executive Chef Nephi Craig is in charge of Café Gozhóó in Whiteriver and is now the author of “Our Knives Will Save Us: Dispatches from a White Mountain Apache Chef”. “I'm 46 years old and 15 years into my sobriety, and I wanted to write a story that is a tool for others.” His modern, scratch kitchen inside a renovated gas station employs fellow Apaches recovering from substance abuse. “This is our legacy: To make health and healing an everyday practice, bringing back ceremonies, planting songs, cooking recipes, hunting, language – all of that great stuff. That way, it doesn't matter if you're in New York or on the rez.” “Dark Winds” shoots in New Mexico. (Courtesy AMC) New Mexico’s high tax incentives meant to lure film production crews are paying off – even in remote or rural communities. Roz Brown has more. After reaching a financial high mark in 2022, the state’s film industry took a hit starting the next year, after two Hollywood strikes. Now, it is showing modest gains, thanks in part to the “Uplift” program, designed to encourage film and television producers to choose more rural communities or those off the beaten path. Film Office Director Steve Graham says productions spent $325 million in the recent fiscal year – nearly a quarter in locations beyond Santa Fe and Albuquerque. “There’s a historically high mark now, from $57 million dollars worth of shooting in the rural areas. It means the uplift worked and it has spread activity across the state.” Graham says smaller towns such as Truth or Consequences and Ruidoso have shared in the windfall, along with Las Cruces – which is larger than Santa Fe, but failed to attract as many film productions until recently. The 1940 film “Grapes of Wrath” shot in New Mexico. The Uplift program benefitted from Senate Bill 12, which was signed by the governor in 2023 and increased the tax credit from 5-10%. That is in addition to the state’s 25% base film credit for expenditures on productions filmed at least 60 miles from city halls in Albuquerque or Santa Fe. New Mexico is among the top five states with the most competitive film and television tax incentives. In the past year, it has hosted 63 productions, including the hit television show, “Dark Winds”. Graham says great weather, iconic locations, robust infrastructure, world-class crews, and support from local businesses add to its appeal. “Some of the things that make it hard to shoot in larger jurisdictions, they don’t have to deal with here. Permits are inexpensive or free. Traffic is low or nonexistent. There’s places to park. It’s easy to get around.” Graham is optimistic about the film industry’s future, but he is also watching a lawsuit New Mexico joined last week to prevent a merger between Paramount Skydance Corporation and Warner Brothers Discovery. While federal regulators approved the $110 billion transaction, a coalition of attorney generals in 12 U.S. states led by California have since filed an antitrust lawsuit to block the deal. They claim it would create an illegal monopoly, stifle competition, and hurt entertainment workers. 19th Century illustration of Vitus Bering’s expedition wrecked on the Aleutian Islands in 1741. And on this day in 1741, Danish explorer Vitus Bering, sailing for Russia, sighted Alaska’s coast near Mount St. Elias during the Great Northern Expedition. The voyage marked the beginning of sustained Russian contact with Alaska Native peoples, forever changing the lives of Unangax̂ (Aleut), Alutiiq/Sugpiaq, Yup’ik, and other Indigenous communities through the fur trade and eventual colonization. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Thursday, July 16, 2026 — Tribal leaders condemn Trump's downsizing of Utah national monuments

Before a builder pours a foundation or frames a home, residential developers spend years navigating zoning, land development and permitting approvals. These early steps in the residential development process play a major role in determining housing costs and availability.  Jay Knight, chairman and co-founder of the Georgia Residential Land Development Council (GRLDC) joins Host Carol Morgan on Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio to discuss how Senate Bill 447 is changing Georgia’s permitting process and what policy reforms could make housing more attainable for future homebuyers.  Housing Affordability Begins Long Before Construction  GRLDC was founded after several competing developers recognized they were facing the same challenges within Georgia's residential land development process. By joining forces, members created a unified voice to advocate for policy reforms that address industrywide barriers.  Senate Bill 447 Brings Predictability to Permitting  One of GRLDC’s first major initiatives resulted in Senate Bill 447, legislation designed to improve accountability and consistency in land disturbance permit reviews. The law does not change engineering standards or limit municipal oversight. Instead, it establishes a more predictable timeline for completing reviews.  Permit approvals that once stretched nearly a year could now move through the process in just over 10 weeks, helping bring finished lots to market faster and increasing housing supply.  Permitting reform also requires greater collaboration from all parties involved. Developers and engineers must submit more complete plans, while municipalities have clearer expectations for review timelines.  “It raises the level of performance on the developer and the engineer. It also creates some accountability for the municipality,” said Knight.  How Development Delays Increase Home Costs  Although permitting reform marks an important milestone, Knight believes additional opportunities exist to lower housing costs before construction begins. GRLDC’s next priority is reforming final plat recording and bonding processes. Lengthy administrative delays after construction is complete can leave millions of dollars tied up in development loans, increasing carrying costs that eventually reach homebuyers.   “The buyer ends up paying $15,000 more for the house with no benefits whatsoever,” said Knight.  Eliminating unnecessary delays could reduce home prices by thousands of dollars while improving affordability across the market.  Defining Affordable Housing in Georgia  The conversation around affordable housing also requires a clearer definition of what affordability means. Rather than focusing solely on government programs or subsidies, affordability should be measured by whether essential workers can realistically purchase homes in the communities where they live and work.  “The definition of an affordable house is what your municipal employee can afford to purchase,” said Knight.  Expanding housing options requires the ability to build homes that align with what Georgia families can realistically afford. However, local regulations and development requirements can sometimes make lower-cost housing difficult to deliver.  Working alongside local and state home builders associations, GRLDC hopes to create a more efficient residential development process while expanding housing opportunities for Georgia families.  To learn more about GRLDC, visit https://grldc.org/.   About Georgia Residential Land Development Council (GRLDC)  The Georgia Residential Land Development Council (GRLDC) is a coalition of leading developers, builders and industry stakeholders dedicated to improving land development and permitting processes across Georgia. The organization advocates for policies that increase housing supply, streamline regulations and promote responsible growth. By working collaboratively with policymakers and industry partners, GRLDC advances solutions that help ensure Georgia can meet current and future housing demand.  Click here for more GRLDC news. Podcast Thanks       Thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Known as a trendsetter, Denim Marketing has been blogging since 2006 and podcasting since 2011. Contact them when you need quality, original content for social media, public relations, blogging, email marketing and promotions. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will suit your needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing on for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com.        About Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio       Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week's show, be sure to rate it. Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio was recently honored on FeedSpot's Top 100 Atlanta Podcasts, ranking 16th overall and number one out of all ranked real estate podcasts. The post GRLDC: Why Housing Affordability Starts Before Construction appeared first on Atlanta Real Estate Forum.

Cuyahoga County voters are likely to decide new property taxes on the November ballot to help fund the social safety net and services for people with developmental disabilities. The county will seek a renewal, with an increase, for Health and Human Services. County Council gave that plan a first reading this week. The same day, Council gave final approval for a separate levy to fund the Board of Developmental Disabilities. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will wait until the spring ballot, May 2027, to ask voters for a sales tax increase. Cleveland City Council's safety committee changed its tune, voting 5-2 this week to approve a contract extension for Flock surveillance cameras. A while back the same committee voted no. Next week, the full council will vote. Vocal opposition to the license plate-reading cameras contends they can be used to violate rights, while police say they're vital crime-fighting tools. The architect of Senate Bill 1, which sought to remove what Republican lawmakers called liberal bias on college campuses, now wants to make it mandatory for students to take a course through the intellectual diversity center the bill created. Republican Sen. Jerry Cirino of Kirtland has introduced Senate Bill 461 which requires the 3-credit-hour American civic literacy course. Gov. Mike DeWine signed off on 14 bills this week, from hardening Medicaid fraud protections to making failure to identify yourself during a traffic stop a crime. He also signed off on a requirement that high schools teach a conservative-backed curriculum known as the Success Sequence — graduate, get a job, get married, then have children. Lakewood officials are asking state regulators to investigate FirstEnergy again after another round of prolonged power outages left thousands of customers without electricity during last week's extreme heat. We will discuss these stories and more news of the week on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.” Guests:- Andrew Meyer, Deputy Editor of News, Ideastream Public Media- Glenn Forbes, Deputy Editor of News, Ideastream Public Media- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

Washington's Supreme Court race continues to spotlight major questions about judicial decision-making, public defender caseload standards, county budgets, and the separation between interpreting the law and making public policy. The show also examines newly released records surrounding Washington's income tax legislation after the Attorney General's Office dismissed previous reporting as "no story." Investigative reporter TJ Martinell explains why the documents continue to draw statewide attention. Finally, we highlight the remarkable success of Jenny Burton's Out Impact Coalition. Former inmate Tone Williams shares how the program helped transform his life after serving 13 years in prison, while retired Seattle Police Deputy Chief Eric Barden explains why rehabilitation can improve public safety while reducing taxpayer costs. Featured in this episode: Washington Supreme Court race David Stevens interview Public defender caseloads Washington Attorney General Income tax records Senate Bill 6346 TJ Martinell Washington politics Prison reform Jenny Burton Out Impact Coalition Tone Williams Eric Barden Criminal justice reform Washington news Subscribe for daily reporting on Washington politics, taxes, public safety, criminal justice, courts, and government accountability from The Center Square. #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonSupremeCourt #IncomeTax #PrisonReform #PublicSafety #GovernmentAccountability #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus #CriminalJustice Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich talks about the Fiscal Year 2027 budget agreement reached last week between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders.The budget negotiations also produced an agreement to advance Senate Bill 71 to the governor's desk.  The bill ensures that unauthorized individuals who illegally climb or breach restricted portions of the Mackinac Bridge will face enhanced penalties.Wieferich also offers an update on the Rebuilding Michigan program with many projects completed but some major work ongoing across the state, including I-94 west of Detroit, another segment of I-475 in Genesee County, an extension of the US-23 Flex Route in Livingston County, I-96 in Ionia County and I-94 in Berrien County.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe (R) says he will not call a special legislative session on data centers. State Rep. Don Mayhew (R-Crocker) and at least 15 of his House colleagues want to see a special session. Governor Mike Kehoe was live Wednesday on 939 the Eagle's “Wake Up Missouri." Governor Kehoe says safeguards are already in place under Senate Bill 4, saying that law ensures that large energy users pay for what they are going to use. The governor also says decisions on data centers are local decisions made by local elected officials. Representative Mayhew was live this morning on "Wake Up Missouri" and says he's hearing a lot of voter interest about data centers as he goes door-to-door. Mayhew also has concerns about water:

Can Texas' electric grid keep up with the explosive growth of AI, data centers, and a rapidly expanding population? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Mark Bell, President and CEO of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas (AECT), to discuss the future of the Texas electric grid, the unprecedented demand for electricity, and how the state is preparing for the next generation of economic growth. Bell explains why Texas has become one of the nation's leading destinations for new industry, how AI-driven data centers are changing long-term electricity planning, and what lawmakers, regulators, and utilities are doing to ensure the grid remains reliable and affordable. The conversation covers: Texas' rapid electricity demand and population growth AI data centers and their impact on the electric grid ERCOT's long-term planning and transmission expansion Senate Bill 6 and new rules for large energy users Who pays for new grid infrastructure? Nuclear energy, batteries, renewables, and natural gas Why Texas remains one of the nation's most affordable electricity markets The discussion also explores how competitive electricity markets work, why new transmission lines are needed regardless of data center growth, and how Texas utilities are preparing to meet future demand while protecting residential ratepayers. 00:00 — Texas' exploding electricity demand 00:22 — Intro & Meet Mark Bell 03:22 — Why the grid conversation has changed 06:04 — AI data centers and future demand 11:16 — ERCOT's interconnection queue explained 16:15 — Building the next generation of power 20:11 — Who pays for grid expansion? 28:22 — Senate Bill 6 and new grid rules 30:55 — Local concerns about data centers 34:03 — What comes next for the Texas grid? 38:03 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks Follow us on social mediaX: @Texas_DispatchInstagram: thetexasdispatchLinkedIn: The Texas DispatchTikTok: texas_talks_podcast Find more at The Texas DispatchYour source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism.https://thetexasdispatch.com

With the August 4th primary bearing down, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe joins the Marc Cox Morning Show to make his case directly to voters. Kehoe blasts the flood of out-of-state liberal money pouring into Missouri to defeat Amendment 4, calling it a fight to keep the state constitution from being bought by coastal special interests, while touting overwhelming grassroots support from Missouri agriculture. He makes an equally passionate pitch for Amendment 5, framing the elimination of Missouri's income tax as the key to reversing population loss and competing with no-tax states like Texas and Tennessee. Kehoe also addresses a listener-driven question on Senate Bill 1002 moving St. Charles County school board elections to November, defends his administration's guardrails on data center growth, and stands firmly behind his budget cuts — insisting Missouri has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. It's a wide-ranging, must-listen conversation for anyone voting this August, delivered with the conservative, common-sense clarity the Marc Cox Morning Show audience trusts. Coming up: Derek Morgan of Heritage joins later this hour, plus Jimmy Phelan. Hashtags: #MarcCoxMorningShow #MikeKehoe #Amendment4 #Amendment5 #MissouriPrimary #EliminateIncomeTax #ConservativeTalk #MissouriPolitics #FiscalResponsibility #STLNews #GrassrootsMovement

In this episode: Following a last-minute blitz of vetoes by the governor — including half a dozen bills and more than $800 million in spending — the 2026 legislative season has finally come to an end in Florida. Which means election season is here. But before campaign coverage crowds everything else out, we take a closer look at some of the bills Gov. Ron DeSantis decided to stop from becoming law. The doctors' lobby is pleased with his choices. MAHA activists are not. Correction: During the podcast, I incorrectly referred to a bill dealing with e-bike regulations by the wrong bill number. The correct bill number is below. Show notesThe bills discussed in today's show: Senate Bill 688 — Naturopathic MedicinePassed the House of Representatives by an 85-22 vote (vote sheet) and the Senate by a 33-3 vote (vote sheet). See the governor's veto letter here.House Bill 893 — Trust Fund Interest for Purposes Approved by Supreme CourtPassed the House of Representatives by a 112-0 vote (vote sheet) and the Senate by a 38-0 vote (vote sheet). Read the governor's veto letter here.House Bill 461 — Volunteering at Polling LocationsPassed the House of Representatives by a 108-0 vote (vote sheet) and the Florida Senate by a 37-0 vote (vote sheet). Read the governor's veto letter here.Senate Bill 382 — Micromobility DevicesPassed the House of Representatives by a 112-0 vote (vote sheet) and the Senate by a 37-0 vote (vote sheet). Read the governor's veto letter here.The stories discussed in today's show: DeSantis cuts free tax prep for working families but approves money for Mike HuckabeeA tour of Florida's new state budget, from money for Mike Huckabee to tax cuts for casinosBanks lobbyists want to slash funding for legal support programs Amid a growing national witch hunt for abortion medication, Florida may fund testing for ‘contaminants' in toilet waterAn Attorney General-backed vendor pitched wastewater surveillance programQuestions 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

First, Senate Bill 79 goes into effect today. Could it bring more housing to a transit stop near you? Then, we'll tell you why a new report says more Hispanic and Latino students are graduating from high school. Also, we visited a Catholic church in National City for a Filipino fiesta. And, a new proposal would do away with monthly rental fees for pets.

Happy Tuesday Edition of the Program!! PK's are a Wild Way to end a game. Wisconsin officially has Jersey Patches. No new Werenski News but the CBJ made it official that Trent Voglehuber is joining Rick Bowness' Staff. Curt Cignetti with a wild statement. Top 5 Big Ten Teams we hate. Mike Tyson is turning 60 today. Michigan's President says no to the Senate Bill because they're not giving up a competitive advantage. Behind the curtain on 20 Most Interesting. Tuesday's with Tiberi, Jeremy Birmingham, What's Up, The Real Truth, Thing or Not a Thing and 3 Things

Save Ocean Sensors: The Fight Over the Ocean Observatories Initiative A $386 million network of nearly 900 ocean sensors stretching across five sites from Oregon to Alaska to Greenland was being quietly dismantled, with no warning to Congress and no explanation to the public. In this episode, we trace the fight to save the Ocean Observatories Initiative: what this network actually does, why it matters far more than most people realize, and how a Democrat from Oregon and a Republican from Alaska teamed up to pass a bill stopping it in the span of a day and a half. We talk with Craig McLean, who spent more than 40 years at NOAA, including two stints as NOAA's Chief Scientist, about what's really at stake when ocean monitoring infrastructure disappears, and why this fight is part of a much bigger pattern. We also revisit a warning from a past guest, marine ecologist Dr. Andrew Thaler, that's looking less hypothetical by the day, and lay out exactly what you can do to help make sure this win sticks. In This Episode What the Ocean Observatories Initiative actually measures, and why it matters for your weather forecast, your insurance rates, and what farmers plant each season The Coastal Endurance Array off Oregon and Washington, and why pulling it out right as an El Nino forms is especially bad timing, per OSU oceanographer Jack Barth How Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) found out sensors were already being removed, and how they got the Saving the OOI Act passed unanimously in under two days Craig McLean's read on why this kept happening, from the role of the Office of Management and Budget to the broader pattern of cuts to federal science A look back at a warning from marine ecologist Dr. Andrew Thaler about Project 2025's plans for NOAA, and how that warning is playing out in real time What happens next: the NSF's review process, and how you can track it and find out where your own senators stand Featured Voices Craig McLean spent over 40 years at NOAA, where he founded the Ocean Exploration Program and served as NOAA's Chief Scientist, including being reinstated after being removed from the role for defending scientific integrity. He is now a senior fellow at the Ocean Foundation. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led the bipartisan push for the Saving the OOI Act, featured here via Senate floor remarks. Dr. Andrew Thaler, marine ecologist and conservation technologist, returns in spirit from a past episode where he broke down Project 2025's plans to dismantle NOAA. Jack Barth, oceanography professor at Oregon State University, provided background on the Coastal Endurance Array via KATU News. The Bill The Saving the OOI Act passed the Senate unanimously, pausing NSF's decommissioning of the Ocean Observatories Initiative pending a full review with stakeholder input. It was led by Senators Merkley and Murkowski and cosponsored by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Resources & Links Saving the OOI Act, full text and cosponsor list: Congress.gov NSF Ocean Observatories Initiative updates: oceanobservatories.org Senator Merkley's press release on the Saving the OOI Act: merkley.senate.gov "Scientists warn Oregon could lose critical ocean data under federal cuts," KATU News Take Action If your senator is one of the twelve who championed or cosponsored the Saving the OOI Act, send them a thank you. If they didn't, let them know this issue matters to you. Watch for the NSF's Dear Colleague Letter and expert panel process, your chance to weigh in on what happens to OOI long-term.

Illinois cannabis laws continue to evolve, and this week we're breaking down some of the latest developments. We discuss the Illinois Department of Agriculture's new informational bulletin on Senate Bill 3222, including expanded craft grow canopy limits, new labeling requirements for medical cannabis, transporter updates, and other regulatory changes. We also take a look at whether Illinois' recent increase in possession limits could impact cannabis sales across the state. At the federal level, we cover the upcoming DEA marijuana rescheduling hearings, new scheduling details, efforts to make the proceedings publicly accessible, developments involving firearm rights for medical cannabis patients, and a surprising White House request urging Congress to reconsider broad hemp restrictions before they take effect later this year. We wrap things up with a post-show discussion on cannabis beverage dosage limits, tolerance, and why dosage caps continue to be a major point of debate. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/06/30/e294/

In this episode: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed this week that the state is closing “Alligator Alcatraz” after one year — but not before paying out millions in “demobilization fees” to vendors who have already banked hundreds of millions building and operating the infamous immigrant detention facility in the Florida Everglades. Plus: A closer look at some recent favors Florida's governor and Legislature have done for a few billionaire megadonors — including a car dealer, an insurance magnate, and a luxury hotel owner. Show notesThe stories discussed in today's show: Florida's “Alligator Alcatraz” shutting down permanently, sources sayGood Riddance to ‘Alligator Alcatraz,' a Cruel, Expensive, and Pointless Authoritarian StuntScrutiny mounts over DeSantis's use of state funds for migrant flightsHidden consultants and hurried payments: Records reveal details of DeSantis' campaign against abortion and marijuana amendmentsRon DeSantis proposed delaying a tax break for Florida drivers until it was most helpful to his re-election campaignA favor for a billionaire car dealer and Republican megadonor, tucked inside a transportation lawState lawmakers gave another gift to car dealersIndustry leaders urge DeSantis to veto billionaire-backed insurance billFlorida tax package delivers gambling breaks to Soffer's Big EasyThe bills discussed in today's show: Senate Bill 488 — Transportation House Bill 291 and Senate Bill 352 — Common Entities of Motor Vehicle Distributors and ManufacturersSenate Bill 1028 — Citizens Property Insurance CorporationQuestions 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

Construction workers make up 7.4% of the U.S. workforce but account for nearly 18% of all suicides with a reported industry classification. The data on the problem is established. The root causes have never been comprehensively studied. That may be about to change. On today's trades day episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Mechanical Insulators LMCT Executive Director Pete Ielmini joins from Phoenix, where the insulators are holding their national apprenticeship conference and crowning an apprentice of the year tonight. He provides a Federal Mechanical Insulation Act update — the House bill in suspension and Senate Bill 4312 building co-sponsor support with a December deadline in view — and highlights a new bill from Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to fund a comprehensive study of why construction workers are suffering from disproportionately high rates of suicide and substance abuse. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988. Visit mechanicalinsulatorslmct.com for more.

Recorded: 6-12-26

QB11 and Doug cover the latest on recruiting, react to the end of the Sorsby Saga, Discuss this week's changes in the Senate Bill, and Answer listener questions.

Matt Fontana and Austin Ward on a Tuesday Night! Austin was out at OSU Summer Camp, we'll hear his thoughts. Birm joins the show to discuss the latest on the recruiting trail. The Brendan Sorsby saga comes to a conclusion, and the NFLPA supports a Senate Bill.

Episode 4141 │ June 8, 2026 Congress is locking the US into a permanent military alliance with Israel by voice vote — no record, no debate, no treaty and no accountability. Scott Kesterson delivers a comprehensive breakdown of two simultaneous congressional measures — NDAA Section 224 in the House and Senate Bill S.4615 Section 622 — that together would permanently embed the US-Israel military relationship into federal statute, bypassing the constitutional treaty process, removing annual appropriations oversight, and creating procedural barriers against any future president or Congress attempting to limit the relationship. The episode opens with a 57-year legal history beginning with the illegal diversion of weapons-grade uranium from a US contractor to Israel in the 1960s, the CIA and FBI confirmation of that operation, the Nixon-Meir secret agreement of 1969 establishing official US blindness toward Israel's nuclear program, and the Symington and Glenn Amendments of 1976 and 1977 — laws banning military aid to undeclared nuclear states — that have never once been enforced against Israel in five decades. Scott traces the 2012 Obama-era classified gag order making it a punishable offense for federal officials to discuss Israel's nuclear capabilities, the lone litigation record built by Grant Smith and IR MAP through federal courts from 2014 to 2019, and the May 2026 letter from 30 House Democrats demanding Rubio answer 11 specific questions about Israel's nuclear doctrine — questions that remain unanswered as of air date. The episode connects these threads to the removal of Thomas Massie from Congress via $32.6 million in coordinated AIPAC, Trump super PAC, and Christians United for Israel spending, the concept of a managed polarization operation designed to fragment public resistance, and the 13-pillar County by County model as the only viable path of local sovereign response. What do NDAA Section 224 and Senate Bill S.4615 Section 622 actually mandate — and why were they advanced by voice vote with no public record? What are the Symington and Glenn Amendments, and why has a law banning military aid to undeclared nuclear states never been enforced against Israel in 50 years? What was the Nixon-Meir Agreement of 1969, and how did it establish the policy of deliberate US blindness toward Israel's nuclear weapons program? What is a managed polarization operation — and how is it being used to prevent organized public resistance to US-Israel entanglement? What constitutional argument exists to challenge these provisions, and why does the litigation timeline extend to 2033 at the earliest? BardsFM is a daily independent podcast covering faith, liberty, history, and information warfare. Hosted by Scott Kesterson — combat veteran, documentary filmmaker, and rancher. Over 4,100 episodes and 50 million lifetime downloads. New episodes every weekday. bards.fm #BardsFM #NDAA #Israel Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS26: TreadliteBroadforks.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%: www.enviroklenz.com Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here If you wish to support this podcast directly you can donate here... DONATE: Click here Mailing Address: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

Just before the legislation session wrapped in Springfield this week, Illinois lawmakers passed landmark legislation regulating artificial intelligence. Senate Bill 315 requires developers to publish reports explaining the capabilities and risks associated with its technology. It also mandates third-party audits. Illinois is one of just a handful of states pushing through laws that regulate AI. But in the absence of federal governance, the growing patchwork of state laws may not be enough to protect consumers as AI technologies rapidly evolve and expand. For more on the growth of A.I. and what enforcement of regulation could look like in Illinois, we hear from Illinois State Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) and AI expert Michael Bennett, associate vice chancellor for data science and AI strategy at University of Illinois Chicago.