Podcasts about Wisconsin Legislature

On Tuesday's Dan O'Donnell Show, Dan breaks a big exclusive story: Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature are trying to codify DEI in state statutes through an obviously unconstitutional pair of bills.

On Thursday's Dan O'Donnell Show, Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature once again prove that they are not serious people by bringing up a "queer street preacher"/drag queen to speak about their LGBTQ+ bills.

Hundreds of bills have been introduced in the Wisconsin Legislature so far this session, from Assembly Bill1 to Assembly Bill 273. In the other chambers, you can go all the way up to Senate Bill 280. But one bill is missing: Senate Bill 1. Republicans reserved it for their version of a state budget and tax plan, but it's still missing in action nearly five months into the session. We'll talk to Robert Kraig and Heather DuBois Bourenane about a coalition that wants the budget-in-hiding to meet certain standards or Gov. Evers should veto it and make lawmakers start over. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Guests: Robert Kraig, Heather DuBois Bourenane

Republicans running the Wisconsin Legislature have just released the first list of actions they plan to take on the next state budget—starting with killing 612 items requested by Gov. Tony Evers and a parade of Wisconsinites testifying at Joint Finance Committee hearings. Help for childcare? Gone. Help with children being poisoned by lead paint or water lines? Gone. Fighting PFAS in drinking water? Gone. Expanding Medicaid to cover more families? Gone. Repealing taxes on tips and utility bills? Gone. Incentives to freeze local property taxes? Gone. And on it goes. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Guest: Dan Shafer

The Wisconsin Legislature has scheduled a busy week of committee hearings. But some of the bills being put forward by Republican lawmakers are retreads—vetoed previously by Gov. Evers and sure to be rejected again, since lots of folks think legislators could be doing more to help struggling families rather than punishing them for losing their jobs or for simply being poor. We'll get an update from Dan Shafer. And we'll check in on stories around the Wausau area with Chad Holmes. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Guest: Dan Shafer

UpNorthNews reporter Salina Heller introduces us to a drag performer who is encouraged at some of the increased representation of the LGBTQ community in the Wisconsin Legislature, even as attacks ramp up from the far-right. And we'll have our first interview with Laura Benjamin, the third and most recent candidate to announce a run for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District against Derrick Van Orden. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Guests: Salina Heller, Laura Benjamin

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 10, 2025Wisconsin Voters Enshrine Voter ID in Their Constitution.  Voter ID is Popular with Voters, But Comes with ConsequencesOn the ballot with Wisconsin's Supreme Court race April 1st was a question to enshrine a voter ID requirement into the state's constitution.  Voter ID is popular in Wisconsin and elsewhere, but comes with unintentional - or perhaps intentional, consequences.Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today's report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgToday's LinksArticles & Resources:Pew Research Center - Bipartisan Support for Early In-Person Voting, Voter ID, Election Day National HolidayWisconsin Public Radio - Voter ID in Wisconsin: What to know about Wisconsin's April 1 referendum BallotPedia - Wisconsin Question 1, Require Voter Photo ID Amendment (April 2025) Wisconsin Legislature - 2025 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 2 Votebeat Wisconsin - Wisconsin voters to decide whether to put photo ID requirement in constitutionWisconsin Dept. of Transportation - Wisconsin ID card for voting purposes - petition process Wisconsin Examiner - Wisconsin voters approve constitutional amendment to enshrine voter ID law Groups Taking Action:ACLU WI, Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition, League of Women Voters WIRegister or Check Your Voter Registration:U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your StatePlease follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgWant ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network's Audioport and PRX#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #VoterID #Wisconsin #WIConstitution

At the Wisconsin Legislature's March public hearing on a bill prohibiting gender-affirming care, 85-year old Larry Jones' brief testimony went viral. Wisconsin Watch reporter Hallie Claflin caught up with Jones and brings us his story. The post Capitol Testimony of Self-Described Conservative Goes Viral appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

The next budget hearing is this Friday, April 4, in West Allis.

We're having to endure an age where too many politicians have set aside the notion of service and solutions, choosing instead to base their ambitions on being perceived as “tough.” It's led to a national security team incapable of accountability after a botched group text and a Wisconsin Legislature considering a bill that threatens to stuff our prisons, even when rehabilitation is a proven alternative. We'll discuss those stories and more with our week-in-review panel. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guests: Jim Santelle, Mark Jacob, Dan Schumacher, Jennifer Schulze

Four bills limiting the rights of transgender youth have appeared again in the Wisconsin Legislature. While they're likely to be vetoed by the Gov. Evers if they're even passed, they reflect scary times for young people who are transgender.

A look at the latest in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, the race for superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction and what's fascinating JR Ross right now in the Wisconsin Legislature.

The Climate Accountability Act is proposing cutting Wisconsin's greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.

Dan breaks a MASSIVE story: The Wisconsin Legislature is being advised not to pass a state budget this year over fears of how the State Supreme Court will rule on Governor Evers' expansive partial veto authority.

It's been more than a decade and a half since the Wisconsin Legislature's allocation for school aid kept up with inflation. So it's small wonder that more school districts are going to referendum on April 1. We'll talk to leaders in Marinette and Prentice about asking local residents to raise their own property taxes to make up for what Republican lawmakers are holding back. And Congressman Mark Pocan gives us reaction to President Trump's promise of continued carnage for the American economy. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guests: Mark Pocan, Wendy Dzurick, Denae Walcisak, Paula Gruszynski

This week the plundering of Medicaid commenced, as Trump, Musk, and their dutiful Republican Party “leaders” in Congress and the Wisconsin Legislature started their assault – all to fund more outrageous tax cuts for the wealthy. Citizen Action Healthcare Action Coordinator Timothy Faust joins us to give us the details on what passed in Congress this week, how it is just the beginning of the fight, and how we are going on the offensive. Not wanting to be outdone by Trump, Boss Vos declared this week that BadgerCare expansion won't happen under his iron fisted domination of the Assembly GOP Caucus. We renew our call for the Governor to wield his powerful threat of a budget veto of any Legislative state budget that fails to expand BadgerCare. In addition to the threat to health care, we made big news this week on the climate front. We discuss the news event in Milwaukee this week unveiling new state legislation to require the Legislature to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. The bill is gaining momentum and co-sponsors. We talk about why the legislation is critically important.

Until Wednesday, it had been more than seven years since Republicans running the Wisconsin Legislature would allow passage of a clean resolution honoring Black History Month. We'll talk to two members of the Legislative Black Caucus about how something so basic finally got done in the state Assembly—even as the debate goes on about whether students in the United States should be taught a full and honest version of Black history. Also: Salina Heller brings us the story of one Wisconsin farmer facing a huge loss of income because of President Trump's scattershot slashing of the federal government. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guest: Joe Zepecki

A Texas man who was a victim of a data breach with the Green Bay Packers Pro Shop website has filed suit against the team. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even right-wing politicians in Madison and Washington launch new attacks against the transgender community, the Wisconsin Legislature's LGBTQ caucus is growing and attracting more allies. That's part of our conversation with two new legislators: Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim and Rep. Christian Phelps. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guests: Kristin Alfheim, Christian Phelps

Beginning the hour, we get a statewide weather report from Civic Media meteorologist Brittney Merlot with the unseasonably warm weather the state is experiencing right now. Pat thinks there may be some meat counters around Wisconsin that will see an influx of customers with temps hitting the high forties and low fifties today! Pat then breaks down several proposals the Wisconsin legislature is framing as solutions for schools throughout the state, by posting signs that say "In God We Trust" and arming teachers in the wake of school shootings. Pat shares his thoughts and we get a quick reaction from Dr. Kristin Lyerly (via Facebook) on the RFK Jr. hearings that took place yesterday. We'll continue our conversations with new members of the Wisconsin Legislature—but don't refer to Sen. Jamie Wall and Rep. Randy Udell as rookies. These “freshmen” have been around Wisconsin politics for a long time, often behind the scenes, and are ready to serve Wisconsin in the state Senate and Assembly. With the Super Bowl now around the corner, Pat and Luke discuss favorite dips and a new list out from Sports Illustrated about the Top Ten Green Bay Packers. Can you guess who made the list? UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guests: Jamie Wall, Randy Udell

Democrats decide that they are going down with the criminal illegal alien ship. From Catholic Charities of Milwaukee to members of the Wisconsin Legislature, they apparently do not want dangerous people out of this country.

Republicans deny the timing is to help the conservative candidate in the April state Supreme Court race.

On this first full week of work for members of Congress and the Wisconsin Legislature, we're getting a classic demonstration of misplaced priorities—with lawmakers using their first days back at work to focus on division and suppression, rather than something like grocery prices. We'll visit with Assembly Democratic Leader Rep. Greta Neubauer, new State Sen. Sarah Keyeski, and editor Ruth Conniff from the Wisconsin Examiner. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guests: Greta Neubauer, Ruth Conniff, Sarah Keyeski

State Senate Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein previews the upcoming session of the Wisconsin Legislature—one where Republicans have a much smaller majority thanks to fairer maps. But whether that will translate into a fair session that allows Democratic bills to be heard is a fair question. Also: Mark Jacob reviews this week's media coverage. And we'll go over the rules for a new kind of indoor professional golf league. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guests: Mark Jacob, Dan Schumacher, Diane Hesselbein

The Wisconsin Legislature begins a new session next Monday. We'll talk to UpNorthNews political correspondent Elisabeth Montemurro about where Wisconsin lawmakers left off before Republicans put themselves on a nine-month taxpayer-funded vacation. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guest: Elisabeth Montemurro

With a new look to the Wisconsin Legislature, Democratic Senator Dianne Hesselbein wants to re-introduce a bill that can legalize medical marijuana and we want to know what you think about it. None of us have time for scammers, but you know who does? You're grandma, specifically you're AI Granny and she is happy to do the work! And we end the show, as always with This Shouldn't Be A Thing - What's In A Name Edition. As always, thank you for listening, texting and calling, we couldn't do this without you! Don't forget to download the free Civic Media app and take us wherever you are in the world! Matenaer On Air is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 10 am - noon across the state. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! You can also rate us on your podcast distribution center of choice, they go a long way! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Jane and the show!

The next session of the Wisconsin Legislature is still weeks away, but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is already spreading misinformation in order to justify not using the state's $4 billion surplus to fix chronic underfunding of public schools. We'll have one of the state's best experts in our Homeroom segment to tell us the tricks being played and how to talk to your own legislator about school funding in the next state budget. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guests: Heather DuBois Bourenane, Christopher Thiel, Sandy Whisler

Three journalists visit the Monday 8 O'Clock Buzz to unpack how Wisconsin's new legislative maps made the difference this election year. The post Death of Gerrymander Reshapes Wisconsin Legislature … Almost appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, review partisan reshuffling in the Wisconsin Legislature following the November general election. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and The Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

Eric Hovde admits he lost the U.S. Senate race, but he still hasn't conceded and now says there were "election irregularities". Republican Representative Robin Vos will continue to be Assembly Speaker in the Wisconsin Legislature. And, a new program in Milwaukee County is working to further decline in overdose deaths.

It seems on-brand that the Wisconsin Legislature would require a new literacy program for schools while it seems unable to read the language that requires it to actually fund the program. We'll talk to state Sen. Chris Larson about that and the other ways public education has been repeatedly punished by GOP lawmakers. And Todd Allbaugh checks in from his statewide bus tour highlighting the things that make Wisconsin great as voters get set to make choices that could help or hinder that greatness. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guests: Chris Larson, Elisabeth Montemurro

With the Presidential Election less than two weeks away, Mark invites Senator Rob Cowles in studio. Sen. Cowles talks about reinventing himself as he's coming to the end of his political career, having announced in April he will not be running for re-election effectively ending the longest-serving incumbent in the Wisconsin Legislature. He thanks his supporters over the years and his staffers that stayed with him. "I've had a good run and it was time for me. And I'm grateful to have, lucky to have good health..." "You have to accept the results. Peaceful transfer of power". With massive concern of the blowback this election could present to others in the Republican party, Sen. Cowles has thought long and hard about speaking up about the current election. Sen. Cowles says "protecting the constitution and our alliances, NATO, fighting Putin and remembering what we went through, what my family went through..." has led him to his decision of who to endorse. To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Wisconsin Republican lawmakers want to know exactly what diversity, equity and inclusion is doing in state government and what it is costing. The Joint Legislative Audit Commission on Tuesday began an audit of DEI programs throughout the state's executive agencies. Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay, opened the first audit hearing with a blistering rebuke of DEI, which he says is nothing more than a fancy term for discrimination. Full story: Wisconsin legislature launches DEI audit Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wisconsininfocus/support

New results from the Marquette University Law School show the number of Wisconsin voters favoring the deportation of people in the U.S. illegally has grown. The Wisconsin Legislature is suing Gov. Tony Evers and the Department of Public Instruction in a dispute over funding for literacy programs. And, a senior White House advisor visited Green Bay to see how the community was leveraging federal funds to boost affordable housing.

On today's shortened show: -(00:40.000) 3 Big Things: No Trump Hush Money Trial today but jury selection made good progress yesterday, Wisconsin Supreme Court hearing arguments in Governor Evers lawsuit against the Republican controlled legislature, and new food coming to the Fiserv Forum -(04:57.952) 7 jurors have been sworn in to hear the criminal trial brought against Donald Trump. -(12:20.930) The 12 best fast food restaurants in America

We have multiple candidates making official announcements this morning that they're running for seats in the Wisconsin Legislature. Our Women Win Wisconsin segment, now hosted by Motherhood for Good, welcomes Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski. And we'll review last night's episode of Top Chef with Luke Mathers. Guests: Sarah Godlewski, Nicole Slavin, Kate Duffy, Christian Phelps, Caden Berg

In January, the 8 O'Clock Buzz brought you the story of Governor Evers' surprise sidestep around the obstructionist GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature by using federal funds to acquire conservation easements along […] The post Texas Anti Conservation Group Opposed State Purchase of Pelican River ... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

When it comes to a changing climate, the bad news about its impact can also be accompanied by good news about the economic opportunities that come with a cleaner, greener economy. Unfortunately, the climate for new jobs is downright hostile among Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, as we'll hear from Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer. Guests: Greta Neubauer, Melissa Baldauff

This week's final session in the Wisconsin Legislature was even worse than first thought. We'll talk to Joe Zepecki about the pettiness and pointlessness of some of what they did—and the little trick Republicans pulled before starting a nine-month paid vacation. Guest: Joe Zepecki

It's a busy Thursday and we dive right into The Congress passing yet another Continuing Resolution to keep the Government running. In celebration of this and the Wisconsin Legislature going on a 10 month vacation, we honor them by listing off all of their non-accomplishments! We also have an update on legacy criminal mastermind, Tyler Boebert! As always, thank you for listening, texting and calling...we couldn't do this without you! Don't forget to download the free Civic Media app and take us wherever you are in the world! If you're new to our show and listening to us as a podcast, remember to subscribe and rate us, those ratings go a long way! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!

While Congress and the Wisconsin Legislature are currently incapable of doing anything to save children from the national epidemic of gun violence, others are trying to do their part through home-based initiatives. We'll learn more from our friends at Motherhood for Good. Also: Terry Bell with 3 Things You Need to Know to start the week. Guests: Kate Duffy, Erin Phillips, Emily Tyne, Salina Heller, Danielle Linn

For more than a decade, voters have been subjected to gerrymandered maps of the Wisconsin Legislature's Assembly and Senate districts. Now, not only are the current gerrymandered maps going away, but two experts working on new boundaries have already panned two proposed Republican maps as being about as bad as what's in place right now. Guest: Keya Vakil

It's Friday and Matenaer On Air is a powerhouse today! We have Wisconsin GOP Reps doing their best to advise, a man on a mission, birds and a statue named Oscar! In the first hour Jane and Greg are discussing a new bill that went through the Wisconsin Legislature which seeks to cut the time a woman can get an abortion from 20 weeks, to 14. We then welcome Scott McKellin, who fights sex trafficking through his website and shows how you can get trained to be part of the fight. As always, thank you for listening, texting and calling...we couldn't do this without you! Don't forget to download the free Civic Media app and take us wherever you are in the world! If you're new to our show and listening to us as a podcast, remember to subscribe and rate us, those ratings go a long way! Guest: Scott McKellin

Two bills that could give a big boost to the building of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Wisconsin appear to have widespread support from business and clean energy groups.

Assemblywoman Dora Drake joins Sherwin to discuss the recent news of the UW System and Wisconsin Legislature deal that was rejected by Board of Regents.

Original Air Date: 04/27/2022 Dimitri and Khalid finally resume the HOTGAF series and explore Volume 3 of Gustavus Myers' classic 1910 tome “History of the Great American Fortunes”, including: The orgiastic frauds of the railroad boom, the bribing of the entire Wisconsin Legislature, Russell Sage's invention of put and call options, stock-watering, using railroad bonds for bribery, corruption at Corcoran and Riggs Bank, striking parallels between Jay Gould buying Western Union Telegraph and Elon Musk buying Twitter, psyopping the greedy middle class into buying the railroad equivalent of Gamestop/NFTs/crypto, Garrett and Johns HOPKINS looting the state of Maryland, sus humble grocers, the staggering and deliberate shittiness of the American Railroad system, the ritualistic despoiling of actual inventors, The Pacific Quartet of Huntington, Stanford, Crocker, and Hopkins, the dawn of rationalized corporate management, the Pacific Quartet's power of promotion, Searle psyopping Hopkins' widow during a seance, and Stanford University's proud legacy of faking it till you take it. For access to full-length Patreon episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the SJ Grotto of Truth Discord, subscribe to the Al-Wara' Frequency at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

Lauren Boebert's fundraising lags Democratic challenger Adam Frisch | Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) raises $450K as her GOP challenger has yet to start fundraising | Anti-LGBTQ laws are being struck down around the country for violating First Amendment rights | Utah Supreme Court considers challenge to GOP gerrymandered Congressional map | Denver Mayor Mike Johnston declares a state of emergency around homelessness | Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Ziggy Marley, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph Band play Vail on July 24.Song playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: COLORADO NEWSLINE:Lauren Boebert's Democratic challenger raised 3x what she did in the 2nd quarterBY: SARA WILSON - JULY 17, 2023 4:07 PMDemocrat Adam Frisch raised over three times what Republican incumbent Rep. Lauren Boebert did over the last three months in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, as the seat appears likely to be a competitive — and expensive — race in 2024.In 2022, Boebert beat Frisch for a second term by 546 votes. Both candidates are actively fundraising with 16 months until a general election rematch.Frisch reported raising about $2.6 million during the most recent campaign finance reporting period, which ran from April to June, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. The former Aspen City Council member spent about $1.4 million and has about $2.5 million in cash on hand.During his 2022 campaign, Frisch raised about $6.7 million, including personal loans, and spent about $6.4 million.Boebert reported raising over $800,000 from April to June. She spent a bit over $400,000 and has about $1.4 million in the bank.In 2022, Boebert raised almost $8 million and spent about $7.4 million.Both candidates brought in a large amount of donations under $200 that don't need to be individually listed on reports — about 66% of Frisch's cash and 47% of Boebert's.Frisch listed about 1,400 individual donations from Colorado residents for a total of about $280,000. Boebert listed about 600 donations from people in Colorado, raising about $150,000.Both Boebert and Frisch spent heavily on advertising during the quarter. Frisch reported spending over $600,000 on contact list acquisition and digital advertising and another $290,000 on direct mail. Boebert spent $52,000 on digital advertising and over $100,000 on direct mail. She reported spending over $28,000 on campaign-related travel during the quarter.The 3rd Congressional District encompasses the Western Slope, San Luis Valley and swings east to Pueblo County.In other districts - Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo in the 8th Congressional District raised about $450,000 during the quarter. She spent about $120,000 and has about $625,000 in cash on hand.Republican Scott James has announced his candidacy but has not reported any raising or spending so far this cycle.The National Republican Congressional Committee listed the district as a target race for 2024, priming it for an influx of national party attention and resources. At the same time, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will also likely pour money into the race, listing Caraveo as a potential vulnerable freshman member.The 8th Congressional District includes Denver's northeast suburbs into Weld County.ARIZONA MIRROR:.Anti-LGBTQ laws in the US are getting struck down for limiting free speechDR. MARK SATTAJULY 13, 2023 7:11 AMAnti-LGBTQ laws passed in 2023 included measures to deny gender-affirming care to trans children. Photo by Mario Tama | Getty Images via The ConversationNearly 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures in the U.S. in 2023. Many of those bills seek to reduce or eliminate gender-affirming care for transgender minors or to ban drag performances in places where minors could view them.Most of those bills have not become law. But many of those that have did not survive legal scrutiny when challenged in court.A notable feature of these rulings is how many rely on the First Amendment's protection of free speech. In several of the decisions, judges used harsh language to describe what they deemed to be assaults on a fundamental American right.Here's a summary of some of the most notable legal outcomes:Drag performancesSeveral states passed laws aimed at restricting drag performances. These laws were quickly challenged in court. So far, judges have sided with those challenging these laws.On June 2, 2023, a federal judge permanently enjoined Tennessee's attempt to limit drag performances by restricting “adult entertainment” featuring “male or female impersonators.” When a law is permanently enjoined, it can no longer be enforced unless an appeals court reverses the decision.The judge ruled on broad grounds that Tennessee's law violated freedom of speech, writing that it “reeks with constitutional maladies of vagueness and overbreadth fatal to statutes that regulate First Amendment rights.” He also ruled that the law was passed for the “impermissible purpose of chilling constitutionally-protected speech” and that it engaged in viewpoint discrimination, which occurs when a law regulates speech from a disfavored perspective.Three weeks later, a federal judge granted a temporary injunction against Florida's anti-drag law on similar grounds.And in Utah, a federal judge required the city of St. George to grant a permit for a drag show, ruling that the city had applied an ordinance in a discriminatory manner in order to prevent the family-friendly drag show from happening. As in the other cases, the judge's ruling was based on First Amendment precedent.Gender-affirming careOn June 20, 2023, a federal judge permanently enjoined an Arkansas law, passed in 2021 over the veto of then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson, preventing transgender minors from receiving various kinds of gender-affirming medical care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy.The judge held that Arkansas' law violated the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause – which ensures laws are applied equally regardless of social characteristics like race or gender – because the law discriminated on the basis of sex.Arkansas claimed its law was passed in order to protect children and to safeguard medical ethics. The judge agreed that these were legitimate state interests, but rejected Arkansas' claim that its law furthered those ends.The judge also held that Arkansas' law violated the First Amendment free speech rights of medical care providers because the law would have prevented them from providing referrals for gender transition medical treatment.During June 2023, federal judges in Florida and Indiana granted temporary injunctions against enforcement of similar state laws. This means that these laws cannot be enforced until a full trial is conducted – and only if that trial results in a ruling that these laws are constitutional.Free speech for the LGBTQ communityIn striking down these unconstitutional state laws on First Amendment grounds, many judges went out of their way to reinforce the point that freedom of speech protects views about sexual orientation and gender identity that may be unpopular in conservative areas.In his ruling on the St. George, Utah case, U.S. District Judge David Nuffer stressed that “Public spaces are public spaces. Public spaces are not private spaces. Public spaces are not majority spaces. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution ensures that all citizens, popular or not, majority or minority, conventional or unconventional, have access to public spaces for public expression.”Nuffer also noted that “Public officials and the city governments in which they serve are trustees of constitutional rights for all citizens.” Protecting the constitutional rights of all citizens includes protecting the constitutional rights of members of the LGBTQ community and of other gender-nonconforming people.Free speech rights also extend to those who want to use speech in order to help promote the well-being of LGBTQ people. In ruling that Arkansas' law violated the First Amendment, Judge Jay Moody stated that the state law “prevents doctors from informing their patients where gender transition treatment may be available” and that it “effectively bans their ability to speak to patients about these treatments because the physician is not allowed to tell their patient where it is available.” For this reason, he held that the law violated the First Amendment.As additional anti-LGBTQ state laws are challenged in court, judges are likely to continue to use the First Amendment to show how such laws fail to respect Americans' fundamental free speech rights.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The ConversationNEW YORK TIMES:Utah G.O.P.'s Map Carved Up Salt Lake Democrats to dilute their power. Is that legal?The Utah Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday over whether a congressional map drawn to dilute Democratic votes was subject to judicial review, or a political issue beyond its reach.By Michael WinesJuly 11, 2023Last week, Utah's Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical of arguments put forward by the State Legislature that it had essentially unreviewable power to draw a map of the state's congressional districts that diluted the votes of Democrats.The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a map in 2021 that carved up Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County, the state's most populous county, and scattered its voters among the state's four U.S. House districts, all of which were predominantly Republican.The lawmakers acted after repealing a law — enacted by Utah voters in a 2018 ballot initiative — that outlawed political maps unduly favoring a candidate or political party.The Legislature's map was widely acknowledged at the time to be a partisan gerrymander, including by the Republican governor, Spencer J. Cox, who noted at the time that both parties often produced skewed maps.The question before the justices on Tuesday was whether the state's courts could hear a lawsuit challenging the Legislature's map, or whether partisan maps were a political issue beyond their jurisdiction. It was not clear when the court would hand down a ruling.Much of Tuesday's hearing — which was streamed on the state court's website — focused on the Legislature's repeal of the 2018 ballot initiative, given the provision in the State Constitution that all political power resides with the people and that they have the right “to alter and reform” their government.Mark Gaber is a lawyer for the Campaign Legal Center, an advocacy law firm based in Washington that represents the plaintiffs in the case before the court. He said, “the Legislature has for decades engaged in this anti-democratic distortion of the process. And the people said: ‘We have had enough. We are going to alter and reform our government and recognize that we hold the political power in this state.'”Taylor Meehan, a lawyer with the law firm Consovoy McCarthy who is representing the Legislature, said Utah citizens had many ways to exercise political influence even after the repeal. “The people can advocate for a constitutional amendment,” Ms. Meehan said. “The people also can elect and lobby and propose ideas to their Legislature. The Legislature will still be politically accountable for whether they vote maps up or down.”Chief Justice Matthew Durrant questioned the claim. “That seems like an empty promise,” he said. “Ultimately, under the system you're suggesting, the Legislature is always going to have the final say.”In court filings, legislators said that the State Constitution gave them exclusive authority to draw political maps, and that the plaintiffs were trying to impose “illusory standards of political equality” on the mapmaking process.With the U.S. Supreme Court having barred federal courts from deciding partisan gerrymander cases, state courts are becoming a crucial battleground for opponents of skewed maps. Joshua A. Douglas, an expert on state constitution protections for voting at the University of Kentucky, said the growing body of legal precedents in state gerrymandering cases was important because many state constitutions shared similar protections for elections and voters, often derived from one another.Courts in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Alaska, New York and, last week, New Mexico have ruled that partisan gerrymanders can be unconstitutional. So have courts in Ohio and North Carolina. However, the Ohio court proved unable to force the legislature to comply with its rulings, and the North Carolina decision was overturned in April after elections shifted the court's majority from Democratic to Republican.The Kentucky Supreme Court will hear a challenge to that state's congressional and legislative maps in September. And a lawsuit contesting an extreme Republican gerrymander of the Wisconsin Legislature is widely expected after an April election gave liberals a majority on the state's high court.Perhaps the closest analogy to the Utah gerrymander is in Nashville, where the latest congressional map by the Republican-led state legislature divided the city's former Democratic-majority U.S. House district among three heavily Republican districts. Democrats have not challenged the map in state courts, presumably because they see little prospect of winning in a State Supreme Court dominated by Republican appointees.In Utah's case, however, the State Supreme Court's five justices do not have reputations for bending easily to political winds. They are chosen through a merit-based selection process.The Utah plaintiffs — the state chapter of the League of Women Voters, the advocacy group Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and a handful of Utah voters —say that the gerrymandered map ignores a host of state constitutional provisions, including guarantees of free speech, free association and equal protection — provisions that they say should be read as prohibiting partisan maps.Republican legislators contend that they had the right to repeal the 2018 redistricting law, just as they could any other state law. And they say that the plaintiffs' aim is no different than their own: to tilt the playing field in their side's favor.But Katie Wright, the executive director of Better Boundaries — the group that led the effort to pass the redistricting law and that is backing the lawsuit — argued that there was a difference between the two. She noted that the Utah Legislature's disclosure of its new maps in 2021 sparked an unusually large public outcry that continues even today.“The reason we have this gerrymandered map is to keep the people who are in power in power,” she said. “But Utahns have not given up.”Michael Wines writes about voting and other election-related issues. Since joining The Times in 1988, he has covered the Justice Department, the White House, Congress, Russia, southern Africa, China and various other topics.  More about Michael WinesA version of this article appears in print on July 12, 2023, Section A, Page 16 of the New York edition with the headline: Utah's Supreme Court Weighs State Gerrymandering Case. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | COLORADO SUN:Denver's new mayor declares state of emergency on homelessness, sets goal of housing 1,000 unsheltered people by end of 2023Elliott Wenzler9:54 AM MDT on Jul 18, 2023In his first full day as Denver's new mayor, Mike Johnston declared a state of emergency around homelessness and announced that he plans to house 1,000 unsheltered people by the end of the year.Johnston said he will tour 78 neighborhoods across the city to accomplish his goal and that his staff will work with landlords, property owners and hotels to find housing availability. His administration is also looking at nearly 200 public plots to place tiny home communities where people experiencing homelessness can be housed.“This is what we think is the most important crisis the city is facing,” Johnston said at a news conference at the Denver's City and County Building. “We took the oath yesterday to commit to taking on this problem.”Homelessness has been an increasingly polarizing issue in Denver and it was a major focus on Johnston's mayoral campaign. He vowed to create tiny home communities on city-owned property as a way to get people off the street.Johnston said the state of emergency declaration will help the city access state and “possibly” federal funding. He also said it would allow the city to more quickly work through construction, renovation and permitting processes for new housing units.“And it sends a real message to all the rest of the state that we are deeply focused on this. We have real evidence to support that housing first as a strategy will get the great majority of people access to the support they need to stay housed and then access follow up resources,” he said. Johnston's inaugural address Monday was centered on the theme of what he called the “dream of Denver.” He mentioned housing costs, safety, mental illness, addiction and reimagining downtown as top priorities.Johnston said “Those of us on this stage took an oath today. But for us to succeed, every Denverite must take their own oath- an oath to dream, to serve, and to deliver. To dream (of) a Denver bold enough to include all of us. To serve our city above ourselves. To march on shoulder to shoulder, undeterred by failure, until we deliver results.”And your unsolicited concert pick of the week, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue! With special guests Ziggy Marley, Mavis Staples, and the Robert Randolph Band. Monday July 24 at the Gerald Ford Amphitheatre in Vail. I've seen every one of these acts, and I'll just any one of them would be worth the trip on their own.  Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Colorado Sun, New York Times, Colorado Newsline, Arizona Mirror, and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

Lauren Boebert's fundraising lags Democratic challenger Adam Frisch | Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) raises $450K as her GOP challenger has yet to start fundraising | Anti-LGBTQ laws are being struck down around the country for violating First Amendment rights | Utah Supreme Court considers challenge to GOP gerrymandered Congressional map | Denver Mayor Mike Johnston declares a state of emergency around homelessness | Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Ziggy Marley, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph Band play Vail on July 24.Song playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: COLORADO NEWSLINE:Lauren Boebert's Democratic challenger raised 3x what she did in the 2nd quarterBY: SARA WILSON - JULY 17, 2023 4:07 PMDemocrat Adam Frisch raised over three times what Republican incumbent Rep. Lauren Boebert did over the last three months in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, as the seat appears likely to be a competitive — and expensive — race in 2024.In 2022, Boebert beat Frisch for a second term by 546 votes. Both candidates are actively fundraising with 16 months until a general election rematch.Frisch reported raising about $2.6 million during the most recent campaign finance reporting period, which ran from April to June, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. The former Aspen City Council member spent about $1.4 million and has about $2.5 million in cash on hand.During his 2022 campaign, Frisch raised about $6.7 million, including personal loans, and spent about $6.4 million.Boebert reported raising over $800,000 from April to June. She spent a bit over $400,000 and has about $1.4 million in the bank.In 2022, Boebert raised almost $8 million and spent about $7.4 million.Both candidates brought in a large amount of donations under $200 that don't need to be individually listed on reports — about 66% of Frisch's cash and 47% of Boebert's.Frisch listed about 1,400 individual donations from Colorado residents for a total of about $280,000. Boebert listed about 600 donations from people in Colorado, raising about $150,000.Both Boebert and Frisch spent heavily on advertising during the quarter. Frisch reported spending over $600,000 on contact list acquisition and digital advertising and another $290,000 on direct mail. Boebert spent $52,000 on digital advertising and over $100,000 on direct mail. She reported spending over $28,000 on campaign-related travel during the quarter.The 3rd Congressional District encompasses the Western Slope, San Luis Valley and swings east to Pueblo County.In other districts - Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo in the 8th Congressional District raised about $450,000 during the quarter. She spent about $120,000 and has about $625,000 in cash on hand.Republican Scott James has announced his candidacy but has not reported any raising or spending so far this cycle.The National Republican Congressional Committee listed the district as a target race for 2024, priming it for an influx of national party attention and resources. At the same time, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will also likely pour money into the race, listing Caraveo as a potential vulnerable freshman member.The 8th Congressional District includes Denver's northeast suburbs into Weld County.ARIZONA MIRROR:.Anti-LGBTQ laws in the US are getting struck down for limiting free speechDR. MARK SATTAJULY 13, 2023 7:11 AMAnti-LGBTQ laws passed in 2023 included measures to deny gender-affirming care to trans children. Photo by Mario Tama | Getty Images via The ConversationNearly 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures in the U.S. in 2023. Many of those bills seek to reduce or eliminate gender-affirming care for transgender minors or to ban drag performances in places where minors could view them.Most of those bills have not become law. But many of those that have did not survive legal scrutiny when challenged in court.A notable feature of these rulings is how many rely on the First Amendment's protection of free speech. In several of the decisions, judges used harsh language to describe what they deemed to be assaults on a fundamental American right.Here's a summary of some of the most notable legal outcomes:Drag performancesSeveral states passed laws aimed at restricting drag performances. These laws were quickly challenged in court. So far, judges have sided with those challenging these laws.On June 2, 2023, a federal judge permanently enjoined Tennessee's attempt to limit drag performances by restricting “adult entertainment” featuring “male or female impersonators.” When a law is permanently enjoined, it can no longer be enforced unless an appeals court reverses the decision.The judge ruled on broad grounds that Tennessee's law violated freedom of speech, writing that it “reeks with constitutional maladies of vagueness and overbreadth fatal to statutes that regulate First Amendment rights.” He also ruled that the law was passed for the “impermissible purpose of chilling constitutionally-protected speech” and that it engaged in viewpoint discrimination, which occurs when a law regulates speech from a disfavored perspective.Three weeks later, a federal judge granted a temporary injunction against Florida's anti-drag law on similar grounds.And in Utah, a federal judge required the city of St. George to grant a permit for a drag show, ruling that the city had applied an ordinance in a discriminatory manner in order to prevent the family-friendly drag show from happening. As in the other cases, the judge's ruling was based on First Amendment precedent.Gender-affirming careOn June 20, 2023, a federal judge permanently enjoined an Arkansas law, passed in 2021 over the veto of then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson, preventing transgender minors from receiving various kinds of gender-affirming medical care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy.The judge held that Arkansas' law violated the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause – which ensures laws are applied equally regardless of social characteristics like race or gender – because the law discriminated on the basis of sex.Arkansas claimed its law was passed in order to protect children and to safeguard medical ethics. The judge agreed that these were legitimate state interests, but rejected Arkansas' claim that its law furthered those ends.The judge also held that Arkansas' law violated the First Amendment free speech rights of medical care providers because the law would have prevented them from providing referrals for gender transition medical treatment.During June 2023, federal judges in Florida and Indiana granted temporary injunctions against enforcement of similar state laws. This means that these laws cannot be enforced until a full trial is conducted – and only if that trial results in a ruling that these laws are constitutional.Free speech for the LGBTQ communityIn striking down these unconstitutional state laws on First Amendment grounds, many judges went out of their way to reinforce the point that freedom of speech protects views about sexual orientation and gender identity that may be unpopular in conservative areas.In his ruling on the St. George, Utah case, U.S. District Judge David Nuffer stressed that “Public spaces are public spaces. Public spaces are not private spaces. Public spaces are not majority spaces. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution ensures that all citizens, popular or not, majority or minority, conventional or unconventional, have access to public spaces for public expression.”Nuffer also noted that “Public officials and the city governments in which they serve are trustees of constitutional rights for all citizens.” Protecting the constitutional rights of all citizens includes protecting the constitutional rights of members of the LGBTQ community and of other gender-nonconforming people.Free speech rights also extend to those who want to use speech in order to help promote the well-being of LGBTQ people. In ruling that Arkansas' law violated the First Amendment, Judge Jay Moody stated that the state law “prevents doctors from informing their patients where gender transition treatment may be available” and that it “effectively bans their ability to speak to patients about these treatments because the physician is not allowed to tell their patient where it is available.” For this reason, he held that the law violated the First Amendment.As additional anti-LGBTQ state laws are challenged in court, judges are likely to continue to use the First Amendment to show how such laws fail to respect Americans' fundamental free speech rights.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The ConversationNEW YORK TIMES:Utah G.O.P.'s Map Carved Up Salt Lake Democrats to dilute their power. Is that legal?The Utah Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday over whether a congressional map drawn to dilute Democratic votes was subject to judicial review, or a political issue beyond its reach.By Michael WinesJuly 11, 2023Last week, Utah's Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical of arguments put forward by the State Legislature that it had essentially unreviewable power to draw a map of the state's congressional districts that diluted the votes of Democrats.The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a map in 2021 that carved up Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County, the state's most populous county, and scattered its voters among the state's four U.S. House districts, all of which were predominantly Republican.The lawmakers acted after repealing a law — enacted by Utah voters in a 2018 ballot initiative — that outlawed political maps unduly favoring a candidate or political party.The Legislature's map was widely acknowledged at the time to be a partisan gerrymander, including by the Republican governor, Spencer J. Cox, who noted at the time that both parties often produced skewed maps.The question before the justices on Tuesday was whether the state's courts could hear a lawsuit challenging the Legislature's map, or whether partisan maps were a political issue beyond their jurisdiction. It was not clear when the court would hand down a ruling.Much of Tuesday's hearing — which was streamed on the state court's website — focused on the Legislature's repeal of the 2018 ballot initiative, given the provision in the State Constitution that all political power resides with the people and that they have the right “to alter and reform” their government.Mark Gaber is a lawyer for the Campaign Legal Center, an advocacy law firm based in Washington that represents the plaintiffs in the case before the court. He said, “the Legislature has for decades engaged in this anti-democratic distortion of the process. And the people said: ‘We have had enough. We are going to alter and reform our government and recognize that we hold the political power in this state.'”Taylor Meehan, a lawyer with the law firm Consovoy McCarthy who is representing the Legislature, said Utah citizens had many ways to exercise political influence even after the repeal. “The people can advocate for a constitutional amendment,” Ms. Meehan said. “The people also can elect and lobby and propose ideas to their Legislature. The Legislature will still be politically accountable for whether they vote maps up or down.”Chief Justice Matthew Durrant questioned the claim. “That seems like an empty promise,” he said. “Ultimately, under the system you're suggesting, the Legislature is always going to have the final say.”In court filings, legislators said that the State Constitution gave them exclusive authority to draw political maps, and that the plaintiffs were trying to impose “illusory standards of political equality” on the mapmaking process.With the U.S. Supreme Court having barred federal courts from deciding partisan gerrymander cases, state courts are becoming a crucial battleground for opponents of skewed maps. Joshua A. Douglas, an expert on state constitution protections for voting at the University of Kentucky, said the growing body of legal precedents in state gerrymandering cases was important because many state constitutions shared similar protections for elections and voters, often derived from one another.Courts in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Alaska, New York and, last week, New Mexico have ruled that partisan gerrymanders can be unconstitutional. So have courts in Ohio and North Carolina. However, the Ohio court proved unable to force the legislature to comply with its rulings, and the North Carolina decision was overturned in April after elections shifted the court's majority from Democratic to Republican.The Kentucky Supreme Court will hear a challenge to that state's congressional and legislative maps in September. And a lawsuit contesting an extreme Republican gerrymander of the Wisconsin Legislature is widely expected after an April election gave liberals a majority on the state's high court.Perhaps the closest analogy to the Utah gerrymander is in Nashville, where the latest congressional map by the Republican-led state legislature divided the city's former Democratic-majority U.S. House district among three heavily Republican districts. Democrats have not challenged the map in state courts, presumably because they see little prospect of winning in a State Supreme Court dominated by Republican appointees.In Utah's case, however, the State Supreme Court's five justices do not have reputations for bending easily to political winds. They are chosen through a merit-based selection process.The Utah plaintiffs — the state chapter of the League of Women Voters, the advocacy group Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and a handful of Utah voters —say that the gerrymandered map ignores a host of state constitutional provisions, including guarantees of free speech, free association and equal protection — provisions that they say should be read as prohibiting partisan maps.Republican legislators contend that they had the right to repeal the 2018 redistricting law, just as they could any other state law. And they say that the plaintiffs' aim is no different than their own: to tilt the playing field in their side's favor.But Katie Wright, the executive director of Better Boundaries — the group that led the effort to pass the redistricting law and that is backing the lawsuit — argued that there was a difference between the two. She noted that the Utah Legislature's disclosure of its new maps in 2021 sparked an unusually large public outcry that continues even today.“The reason we have this gerrymandered map is to keep the people who are in power in power,” she said. “But Utahns have not given up.”Michael Wines writes about voting and other election-related issues. Since joining The Times in 1988, he has covered the Justice Department, the White House, Congress, Russia, southern Africa, China and various other topics.  More about Michael WinesA version of this article appears in print on July 12, 2023, Section A, Page 16 of the New York edition with the headline: Utah's Supreme Court Weighs State Gerrymandering Case. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | COLORADO SUN:Denver's new mayor declares state of emergency on homelessness, sets goal of housing 1,000 unsheltered people by end of 2023Elliott Wenzler9:54 AM MDT on Jul 18, 2023In his first full day as Denver's new mayor, Mike Johnston declared a state of emergency around homelessness and announced that he plans to house 1,000 unsheltered people by the end of the year.Johnston said he will tour 78 neighborhoods across the city to accomplish his goal and that his staff will work with landlords, property owners and hotels to find housing availability. His administration is also looking at nearly 200 public plots to place tiny home communities where people experiencing homelessness can be housed.“This is what we think is the most important crisis the city is facing,” Johnston said at a news conference at the Denver's City and County Building. “We took the oath yesterday to commit to taking on this problem.”Homelessness has been an increasingly polarizing issue in Denver and it was a major focus on Johnston's mayoral campaign. He vowed to create tiny home communities on city-owned property as a way to get people off the street.Johnston said the state of emergency declaration will help the city access state and “possibly” federal funding. He also said it would allow the city to more quickly work through construction, renovation and permitting processes for new housing units.“And it sends a real message to all the rest of the state that we are deeply focused on this. We have real evidence to support that housing first as a strategy will get the great majority of people access to the support they need to stay housed and then access follow up resources,” he said. Johnston's inaugural address Monday was centered on the theme of what he called the “dream of Denver.” He mentioned housing costs, safety, mental illness, addiction and reimagining downtown as top priorities.Johnston said “Those of us on this stage took an oath today. But for us to succeed, every Denverite must take their own oath- an oath to dream, to serve, and to deliver. To dream (of) a Denver bold enough to include all of us. To serve our city above ourselves. To march on shoulder to shoulder, undeterred by failure, until we deliver results.”And your unsolicited concert pick of the week, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue! With special guests Ziggy Marley, Mavis Staples, and the Robert Randolph Band. Monday July 24 at the Gerald Ford Amphitheatre in Vail. I've seen every one of these acts, and I'll just any one of them would be worth the trip on their own.  Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Colorado Sun, New York Times, Colorado Newsline, Arizona Mirror, and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

Host: Kevin Smith Dives into the weekly news most impactful to the HeartlandHEADLINESJudge hears arguments over Missouri AG push to inflate cost of abortion initiative petitionMissouri Independent - https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/07/judge-hears-arguments-over-missouri-ag-push-to-inflate-cost-of-abortion-initiative-petition/Okla. Catholic school set to become nation's first religious charterMSN - https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/okla-catholic-school-set-to-become-nation-s-first-religious-charter/ar-AA1caoWbLIGHTNING ROUNDMissouri,Black motorists stopped by Missouri law enforcement are much more likely to end the encounter with a citation or in a jail cell than whites. Missouri Independent - https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/03/report-shows-black-drivers-in-missouri-ticketed-arrested-at-much-higher-numbers-than-whites/?fbclid=IwAR0h0hIH9bsdhbNOEstO-jlvFdn5ApM_EXHvVIqnWcNyUYjoEje_PDWb3-E&mibextid=Zxz2cZMissouri teachers who quit their jobs on short notice face increasingly severe consequencesSpringfield News-Leader https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/education/2023/06/04/mo-school-board-may-suspend-teaching-license-after-broken-contract/70271176007/Utah,The Christian Bible has been removed from all elementary and middle school libraries throughout the Davis School District in Utah.KSL Utah - https://www.ksl.com/article/50657730/davis-district-pulls-bible-from-elementaries-junior-highs-due-to-vulgarity-or-violenceWisconsin,The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature voted no on vaccines for kids.Associated Press - https://apnews.com/article/republicans-wisconsin-meningitis-chickenpox-vaccine-mandates-5d0b774f8832e75ab8e40e96f7e583c7Wisconsin judge on Monday declined to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to ensure that no records are deleted from a now-closed state office created to investigate former President Donald Trump's loss in 2020.Washington Times - https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/jun/5/dont-delete-records-from-probe-into-2020-trump-los/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialFlowIowa,Mike Pence "I believe that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States,” .Des Moines Register - https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2023/06/07/mike-pence-2024-presidential-election-campaign-launch-iowa-ankeny-trump-christie/70290666007/And Lastly, The Supreme Court unexpectedly upholds a provision prohibiting racial gerrymandering. NPR - https://www.npr.org/2023/06/08/1181002182/supreme-court-voting-rights#:~:text=Press-,Supreme%20Court%20upholds%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20in%20Alabama%20redistricting%20case,the%20law%20as%20racially%20discriminatory

Host: Kevin Smith Dives into the weekly news most impactful to the HeartlandHEADLINESJudge hears arguments over Missouri AG push to inflate cost of abortion initiative petitionMissouri Independent - https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/07/judge-hears-arguments-over-missouri-ag-push-to-inflate-cost-of-abortion-initiative-petition/Okla. Catholic school set to become nation's first religious charterMSN - https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/okla-catholic-school-set-to-become-nation-s-first-religious-charter/ar-AA1caoWbLIGHTNING ROUNDMissouri,Black motorists stopped by Missouri law enforcement are much more likely to end the encounter with a citation or in a jail cell than whites. Missouri Independent - https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/03/report-shows-black-drivers-in-missouri-ticketed-arrested-at-much-higher-numbers-than-whites/?fbclid=IwAR0h0hIH9bsdhbNOEstO-jlvFdn5ApM_EXHvVIqnWcNyUYjoEje_PDWb3-E&mibextid=Zxz2cZMissouri teachers who quit their jobs on short notice face increasingly severe consequencesSpringfield News-Leader https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/education/2023/06/04/mo-school-board-may-suspend-teaching-license-after-broken-contract/70271176007/Utah,The Christian Bible has been removed from all elementary and middle school libraries throughout the Davis School District in Utah.KSL Utah - https://www.ksl.com/article/50657730/davis-district-pulls-bible-from-elementaries-junior-highs-due-to-vulgarity-or-violenceWisconsin,The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature voted no on vaccines for kids.Associated Press - https://apnews.com/article/republicans-wisconsin-meningitis-chickenpox-vaccine-mandates-5d0b774f8832e75ab8e40e96f7e583c7Wisconsin judge on Monday declined to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to ensure that no records are deleted from a now-closed state office created to investigate former President Donald Trump's loss in 2020.Washington Times - https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/jun/5/dont-delete-records-from-probe-into-2020-trump-los/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialFlowIowa,Mike Pence "I believe that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States,” .Des Moines Register - https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2023/06/07/mike-pence-2024-presidential-election-campaign-launch-iowa-ankeny-trump-christie/70290666007/And Lastly, The Supreme Court unexpectedly upholds a provision prohibiting racial gerrymandering. NPR - https://www.npr.org/2023/06/08/1181002182/supreme-court-voting-rights#:~:text=Press-,Supreme%20Court%20upholds%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20in%20Alabama%20redistricting%20case,the%20law%20as%20racially%20discriminatory