The States

The Justice Department looking at Alaska's ballot, Halloween candy prices are up more than 47% since 2020, and Illinois counties are looking to break away from the rest of the state. Greg Bishop hosts today’s episode of The States.

President Trump called the situation in Alaska fraud, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called for an investigation. Jason Snead of Honest Elections Project Action explains how Alaska’s top-four primary and ranked choice voting factor into the race against Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data and Marketplace price comparisons show how much more Americans are paying per ounce for Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s, M&Ms and candy corn. Cocoa, sugar and fuel costs are driving prices up, and the National Taxpayers Union points to aluminum tariffs and the federal sugar program.

Twelve more Illinois counties will vote Tuesday on non-binding referendums on separating from Cook County, after 33 counties approved similar measures. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed a $17.6 billion budget that includes an employer head tax and a 15-cent package tax. Gov. JB Pritzker says the head tax sends the wrong signal to employers.

On Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and Dr. Orphe Divounguy discuss San Francisco’s child care subsidy for families earning up to $325,000 and how cost of living changes poverty rankings.

In America’s Talking:
MN: https://www.thecentersquare.com/minnesota/article_579b2884-4266-4fb4-bbb2-5d4503c6893d.html
PA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_62d492c5-de64-4cc0-a04e-3f0ba8413f7a.html
WI: https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_c5617e07-2358-4333-872c-20ed4a9d001a.html
CA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_667e4922-115a-4f6b-82c9-a9be103fef1c.html

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The Justice Department is sending 1,000 federal election monitors to polling places ahead of Tuesday’s election, while a Center Square investigation finds California awarded $18.2 million to a daycare nonprofit that has one licensed location. Greg Bishop hosts today’s episode of The States.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon says monitors are headed to both Republican- and Democratic-led states, and officials in Milwaukee and King County, Washington, say they are prepared. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and New York Attorney General Letitia James say the monitors are being used as a weapon. Early voting has topped 5.1 million in Texas, 2.3 million in Georgia and 1.1 million in Illinois. In Alaska, the governor ordered an investigation into Democrat Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign over allegations involving a second candidate named Dan Sullivan. The Peltola campaign denies any involvement.

Investigative reporter Adam Herbert visited the Bakersfield daycare run by the William Law Foundation. Its $18.2 million award was the largest in the state that year, and about $2.2 million has been paid out so far. The foundation claimed 40 locations online, but the state says it has one license. An employee said six children are enrolled. Tax returns show the founder paid himself $540,000 in 2024, when no daycare was open. The California Department of Social Services declined interview requests.

Ahead of Dec. 2 oral arguments in Viramontes v. Cook County and a Connecticut case, Democratic U.S. senators filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold state and local gun bans. In Illinois, parties in a federal challenge to the FOID card requirement told the court settlement is not feasible. On Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and Dr. Orphe Divounguy discuss gas prices and who is most exposed to Fed rate decisions.

In America’s Talking,
NY: https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_91a5823f-4d52-44bf-8cfd-3e63bb0aae2b.html
IL: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_4b75e327-12e4-4ac4-9387-0f58072879e8.html
MI: https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_a98c742b-cdce-48ec-acd9-d4418552893e.html
National: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_0a3795cb-d5d6-49a1-89fc-e5a643184732.html

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On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer spent 200,000 dollars on an 8 day trip to Asia, and this wasn't the first time. Whitmer has taken two other economic development trips abroad this year. Congress is considering a bill that would require data centers to pay their own way where energy infrastructure is a concern, but that same bill could also make it harder for communities to oppose data center projects they don't want. After the Ratepayer protection act failed to pass the Senate some see this as a second and better chance to keep ratepayers from footing the bill for data center build outs but others are concerned about the limitations it places on state and local control and environmental concerns. As election day approaches campaign funding is playing a big role in key Pennsylvania congressional districts. Democrats are out raising republicans which historically indicates a win for democrats but more recent elections have given plenty of counter examples. And PhD Economist Orphe Divounguy looks at the luxury housing market and what is driving differences between places like Chicago and Seattle.

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Supreme Court looks at Montgomery County magnet schools case, Georgia DHS hands surveillance vehicle over to Georgia Bureau of Investigations, and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass under investigation from Fair Political Practices Commission.

Host Esther Wickham looks at the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to hear a challenge to admissions policies at four selective magnet middle schools in Montgomery County, Maryland. The plaintiffs are families with the Association for Education Fairness, represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation. They allege that changes to the admissions process disadvantage Asian American students while seeking to increase Black and Hispanic enrollment.

Wickham talks with The Center Square's Johnny Edwards  about developments in a story out of Georgia. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation now has the Chevy Traverse that the Department of Human Services bought for nearly $1 million, most of it for a cell site simulator. No one has explained who made the transfer decision or why.

Plus, America's Talking:
California: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_c4ef7489-2c08-4ecc-8720-09ff9a6d15b8.html
Arizona: https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_0350371b-a9ba-45d4-a6fb-ea60e58f037e.html
Louisiana: https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_fd8e0a60-2fd0-46c1-a158-27359b908a4c.html
Energy: https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_8a2a147e-54a9-4954-9e5a-c6f22288a4f6.html

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Pennsylvania congressional races and their campaign funding,  Federal Reserve rate hike, and an alleged cover up in Colorado.

Guest host Dan McCaleb talks with The Center Square's Christen Smith about key congressional races in Pennsylvania where candidates including Brian Fitzpatrick and Rob Bresnahan are fight for their party's control of the U.S. House. Campaign finances have become a focus as democrats out raise their republican opponents and PACs invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in these races.

The Center Square Publisher Chris Krug and Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy discuss the heating up of inflation in the past month and whether it means the Federal reserve should hike rates at the end of October.

Plus, America's Talking:
Colorado: https://www.thecentersquare.com/colorado/article_54f2adf4-bf75-48d3-af56-b6f0f380b220.html
National: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_e47364fc-de6a-40f7-af6b-9fc280fe01af.html
Louisiana: https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_ce922386-23de-49b4-8c08-49184eedda2f.html
California: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_766cd4c9-befa-4d47-8341-3b1b49ba5e15.html

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FEMA says it is 95% finished closing its COVID-19 public assistance program years after the pandemic ended, and it blames government shutdowns and fraud reviews for the delays. A bipartisan bill in Congress, the American Affordability and Jobs Act, would make data centers pay for the grid upgrades needed to connect them. Adam Herbets hosts today’s episode of The States, filling in for Greg Bishop.

A Center Square investigation into Los Angeles Opera’s FEMA grants prompted a statement from FEMA on its COVID-19 reimbursements. FEMA attributes the delays to “reckless Democrats in Congress” for three funding lapses totaling more than 120 days. Democrats including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans, and in April Sen. John Fetterman called the delays inexcusable once reviews are complete. FEMA has not answered follow-up questions.

Congressional reporter Therese Boudreaux explains how the American Affordability and Jobs Act compares with the Ratepayer Protection Act, which failed in the Senate. The new bill would require data centers drawing more than 20 megawatts to pay associated grid upgrade costs. Critics say its limits on environmental reviews and litigation could make it harder for communities to oppose data center projects. The Senate is expected to take it up after the midterm elections.

On Everyday Economics, publisher Chris Krug and economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy examine the luxury housing market. With mortgage rates around 7.4%, most buyers are priced out, but the luxury segment remains competitive in Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis and Jacksonville. In Seattle, the luxury buyer pool is down 14% amid an H-1B fee, tech layoffs and Washington’s new 9.9% income tax on high earners, which Initiative 645 would repeal.

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Tax filings for a nonprofit tied to Detroit megachurch pastor Marvin Winans have been amended after The Center Square reported they listed him as receiving a salary over $500,000. The Center Square’s Voter Voice poll shows cost of living, inflation and corruption topping voters’ concerns ahead of the 2026 midterms. Investigative reporter Jared Strong hosts today’s episode of The States, filling in for Greg Bishop.

The Tennessee firm Chitwood and Chitwood prepared the filings for Perfecting Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit tied to Perfecting Church that recently received a $500,000 Michigan state grant. The firm now says the salary listing was its mistake and that the money went to employees. The Center Square found further discrepancies in the amended filings, which the firm declined to discuss. Winans and church officials did not respond to interview requests. A full audit is underway and new filings are expected. The IRS declined to comment, citing privacy laws.

Mike Noble of Noble Predictive Insights breaks down the latest Voter Voice poll results. Democrats now lead the poll’s generic ballot by 5 points, up from 1 in March. Noble estimates Democrats have about an 80% chance of winning the House and calls Senate control a coin toss. In early 2028 polling, JD Vance leads the Republican field at 44% and Kamala Harris leads Democrats at 29%.

In America’s Talking: 
Pennsylvania: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_d7a18e35-1ace-4f0c-a235-808d437929b7.html
Louisiana: https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_82ed9fe7-e99a-4450-a10a-42bdc8ce8da4.html
Wisconsin: https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_7e45a879-346b-46ec-b28b-6aa14a57e101.html
National: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_ebafc04f-1b24-420a-b7ad-b43df4d920d1.html

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Superintendent candidates face off in California and Arizona, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer spends $200,000 on an 8 day trip to Asia, election integrity questions swirl in Arizona's Maricopa county, and more.

On today's episode of The States, guest host Esther Wickham looks at the races for State superintendent in California and Arizona which candidates discussing different issues from school choice to AI in schools to getting politics out of the classroom. California voters will choose between Democrat Richard Barrera, president of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, and Republican Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education. In Arizona, voters will choose between Republican Yee and Democrat Ruiz for superintendent of public instruction.

Wickham also talked with The Center Square's Elyse Apel about Michigan Gov. Whitmer's trip to Asia funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Gov Whitmer has taken several trips abroad costing tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars during her tenure as governor. And MEDC has faced ongoing scrutiny about the taxpayer dollars it funnels to businesses and whether there has been a return on those investments.

Plus, America's Talking:
Arizona: https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_06f4e48c-0966-496a-a874-3b11f1ebf253.html
North Carolina: https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_7c9c8b79-6266-4d59-870c-82db83e7fa95.html
Investigations: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_679b90f4-c2ef-474e-85e7-d41a76937778.html

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On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to take up a case determining whether a court is able to issue sweeping orders against executive advisory bodies, like the Department of Government Efficiency. The Georgia Department of Human Services, which oversees the state's child welfare agency, paid more than $950,000 for just one Chevrolet Traverse. As public education remains a concern for taxpayers, supporters of school choice programs argue that giving families more educational options can improve student outcomes at a lower cost. And PhD Economist Orphe Divounguy digs into the housing market

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Third Circuit Court of Appeals gives two rulings on felons and firearms, polling on data centers, energy, and license plate reader cameras, and mortgage rates locking in sellers.

On today's episode of The States, host Greg Bishop looks at two cases out of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals with opposite rulings on whether a felon has a right to possess a firearm. The two cases looked at different defendants with different charges and came to different conclusions base primarily on whether the individuals had violent histories.

Bishop also spoke with The Center Square's Jon Styf about The Center Square's Voters' Voice Poll which found the majority of voters think data centers should pay for the energy and infrastructure they need rather than other ratepayers. A more even split showed up in the question of whether to have a moratorium on data centers. And different views prevailed on the question of whether Flock cameras and other automatic license plate readers are beneficial enough in fighting crime to outweigh potential privacy concerns.

Plus, The Center Square Publisher Chris Krug and Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy talk about the housing market, renting versus selling, and when it is worth leaving a 3% mortgage rate even if your new rate will be higher.

America's Talking:
ENERGY: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_9fad52d7-b3f1-4048-84f6-fac03378b6aa.html
California: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_cb4d1fd1-bf5a-4482-812a-56062ede59db.html
Pennsylvania: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_5e062fc0-cdbc-433e-959d-7c96fa904268.html
Washington: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_82f3a678-e7f1-4d52-b82e-c9b0d3df45d4.html

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