The Center Square Daily

The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that occasional marijuana users can own firearms — what does that actually mean for gun owners? Plus: voter pessimism hits a new high ahead of midterms, state unemployment numbers, SNAP fraud costs, and California's billionaire tax heads to the ballot. A unanimous Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ali Hamani, a man found with marijuana and a pistol, protecting his Second Amendment rights. Washington Gun Law's William Kirk joins the show to discuss what the ruling actually covers — and what it doesn't — for gun owners across the country. Also on today's show: - A new Center Square Voter Voices poll finds 60% of registered voters say the country is heading in the wrong direction, up from 53% in March - Gas prices now at $4.13/gallon, up from $2.94 before Operation Epic Fury began in February - States tackling energy policy: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and others discuss energy sustainability and reliability - SNAP fraud is costing taxpayers billions — what states are doing to crack down - May unemployment rates across Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, and Nevada - California's Billionaire Tax Act qualifies for the November ballot - Philadelphia's "ICE Out" ordinance faces a federal lawsuit from the DOJ - The Trump administration transfers civil rights and special education programs out of the Department of Education

Election results in Georgia, veterans struggle to access benefits, human smuggling busts, non-citizen students getting higher education benefits, and barriers to black Americans looking for mortgages. Key election results are in as the 2026 midterm season accelerates. Georgia Republicans selected businessman Rick Jackson as their gubernatorial nominee, while several high-profile Senate and statewide races were decided in Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma as both parties prepare for a battle over control of Congress. We also examine concerns about veterans' access to federal benefits. Disabled Veterans founder Benjamin Krause joins the program to discuss how veterans who served during the Central American conflicts may face barriers to benefits because those operations were never formally recognized as wartime service by Congress. Plus, a look at major human smuggling and labor trafficking cases uncovered across multiple states, ongoing debates over state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and new proposals affecting immigration detention oversight. Education reporter Esther Wickham breaks down the growing debate over taxpayer-funded college aid and in-state tuition benefits for certain non-citizen students, including the legal battle unfolding in Texas and the broader impact on higher education funding. And Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy breaks down why black Americans in the 50 top metros struggle to get mortgages.

Illinois independent candidate for governor, Trump admin freezes LA homelessness funding, Washington state Somali daycare controversy sparks dueling bias incident hotline reports, and Trump not sure about renewing USMCA trade agreement. On today's episode of The States, - Greg Bishop breaks down the latest economic data showing wages failing to keep pace with rising costs and what it means for taxpayers across the country. - Independent Illinois gubernatorial candidate Colin Corbett discusses affordability, taxes, energy policy, and his effort to qualify for the November ballot. - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development freezes funding tied to Los Angeles homelessness programs amid allegations of financial mismanagement. - The Center Square investigative reporter TJ Martinell explains newly released records from Washington state's bias incident hotline connected to the ongoing Somali daycare fraud controversy. - President Donald Trump signals uncertainty about renewing the USMCA trade agreement as lawmakers and industry experts weigh potential impacts on energy, manufacturing, and consumers.

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist from Vermont, has spent nearly $608,000 on private jets, chauffeured cars, and upscale hotels since last year during his anti-oligarchy tour. Congress headed into recess this past week without passing a major $72 billion immigration and homeland security funding package, exposing divisions among Republicans over ICE, CBP, and Department of Justice funding priorities. Lawmakers in Louisiana voted Tuesday to approve legislation designed to shield Louisiana energy companies from future climate change litigation while leaving existing lawsuits intact, potentially signaling a victory for the state’s trial lawyers in high-stakes battle over coastal erosion lawsuits. While some are pointing out parallels between today's economy and the lead up to the Great Depression, there are some key differences.

The Center Square's investigative reporting reveals Sen. Bernie Sanders spent more than $600,000 in campaign funds on private jets, luxury hotels, and chauffeured transportation during his anti-oligarchy tour — raising questions about elite spending while campaigning against wealthy political influence. Meanwhile, Illinois and Wisconsin are redefining what “student success” means as debates grow over academic standards, chronic absenteeism, and declining test scores. Critics argue schools are lowering accountability measures while supporters say education systems need to focus more on career readiness, communication skills, and adapting to a changing workforce. Also in today’s episode: • Illinois changes school attendance accountability standards • Wisconsin launches “Portrait of a Graduate” education initiative • National concerns grow over student proficiency and post-pandemic learning loss • Investigation details Bernie Sanders’ luxury campaign travel spending • Michigan Republicans push plan to cut housing and utility costs • Nevada congressional race focuses on AI data centers and public land sales • Pennsylvania lawmakers debate data center tax breaks and energy concerns For more taxpayer-focused reporting on education, investigative reporting, and statehouse news, visit The Center Square and subscribe for daily updates.

Iran ceasefire remains in effect even as U.S. and Iran exchange fire, Louisiana debates carbon capture programs, some say AI is creating the next economic bubble, and Democratic business owners in Washington state are speaking out on the income tax debate. The Center Square's D.C. Bureau Chief Sarah Roderick-Fitch joins to discuss the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran which purportedly remains in effect despite strikes against the Islamic Republic and the country’s supreme leader renewing threats against the U.S. The Trump administration described the strikes as defensive, targeting Iranian boats that were reportedly laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran responding by launching missiles towards U.S. aircraft, leading to American forces attacking the launchers. The exchange of fire between the two countries comes amid renewed talks, with President Donald Trump seemingly optimistic that the U.S. and Iran are getting close to reaching a deal. Also in today’s episode: - Carbon capture programs stir up controversy in Louisiana - Similarities between current economic trends and those leading up to the Great Depression - Factors that contribute to and detract from the possibility of an AI bubble - Democratic business owners in Washington state are speaking out against their own party's policies after new 'Millionaires tax' For more taxpayer-focused reporting on national politics, energy policy, straight economic analysis, and taxpayer issues, visit The Center Square and subscribe for daily updates.

Federal prosecutors say a massive Medicaid and childcare fraud scheme in Minnesota stole more than $90 million from taxpayers, marking what officials describe as the largest autism fraud case ever charged by the Department of Justice. Investigators allege defendants billed for services never provided, paid kickbacks to parents, and used taxpayer-funded programs to finance luxury purchases including cars, jewelry, and real estate. Meanwhile, the United States Environmental Protection Agency is rolling back refrigerant regulations in a move the Trump administration says could lower grocery costs, protect jobs, and reduce compliance burdens for supermarkets and small businesses. Critics argue the rollback weakens climate protections and could create long-term economic and environmental consequences after companies already invested heavily to comply with earlier federal standards.