Archive

Minnesota Republicans are looking to copy DOGE

Plus, Michigan Rep. Tom Barrett defends NIH cuts Led by Minnesota state Rep. Elliott Engen (R-White Bear Township), GOP members are pushing legislation that would create a “Commission on Governmental Efficiency and Ethics” similar to that of the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).  The goal, according to House documents,

Nebraska GOP amend paid sick leave initiative despite overwhelming support

Over the past week, debate raged in the Nebraska Legislature over the parameters of the state’s new paid sick leave initiative, which was strongly affirmed via ballot measure during the 2024 election cycle.  Known as the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act — which was supported by almost 75% of

Elon Musk says his Wisconsin Supreme Court advocacy is to prevent Democrats from redrawing districts

With less than a week to go, the Wisconsin Supreme Court election between the conservative option, Brad Schimel, and the liberal option, Susan Crawford, is heating up.  With an $18 million worth of contributions from the richest man on earth, Elon Musk, the race has become the most expensive judicial

Controversial former chair of Minnesota Republican Party launches bid to replace Justin Eichorn

Plus, Ohio GOP advances effort to weaken child labor laws.  Following the resignation of former Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids), Jennifer Carnahan, who chaired the state’s Republican Party from 2017 to 2021, announced she would seek the newly vacant senate seat. Einchorn resigned after being arrested on

Elon Musk pours money into right-wing judge’s Wisconsin Supreme Court candidacy

Plus, Minnesota Republican Justin Eichorn resigns after underage prostitution scandal.  As Wisconsin’s April 1 Supreme Court election looms, tech billionaire and close Trump ally Elon Musk has funneled $13 million in campaign funds to the conservative candidate, Brad Schimel. Schimel, the state’s one-time attorney general under former Gov.

GOP in Indiana push bill to undermine state Medicaid program

Plus, Fair Share America’s executive director on why we must reject Trump’s tax cuts for the rich.  Indiana Republicans on Tuesday advanced Senate Bill 2 out of committee, a bill that would implement new work requirements, and quarterly eligibility checks and prevent Indiana’s Medicaid program from advertising

Heartland states sue Trump admin over education cuts

On Thursday, the attorneys general of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin joined 16 other Democratic state attorneys general to signal they are taking legal action against President Donald Trump’s gutting of the Department of Education. This week, the administration announced it would be firing of some 1,300 federal

Trump administration terminates billion-dollar food program for schools, food banks

Plus, a GOP bill in Missouri would funnel more tax money to anti-abortion pregnancy centers.  As a part of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk’s austerity regime, more than $1 billion in funds used by the Department of Agriculture towards schools and local food banks have been cut.

Global human rights watchdog warns of civic decline in United States

Plus, transgender lawmakers in Montana lead an unlikely defeat of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation with bipartisan support. In just a few months, Civicus, a network that monitors civil rights worldwide, has downgraded the United States in its ranking of political freedom following a slate of policy decisions introduced by President Donald Trump.

Minnesota Republican warns about potential Medicaid cuts despite calling program ‘absolutely sick’

Plus, Roger Marshall walks back suggestion that his town hall attendees are paid off. Minnesota State Sen. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), has been praised for speaking out against proposed Medicaid cuts despite voting against Medicaid expansion multiple times and calling the program “absolutely sick” in 2010. In a letter co-authored by

Proposed GOP budget could leave millions of Heartland residents without Medicaid

Plus, Oklahoma Republican says prohibiting hitting disabled kids is ‘socialism’ and ‘violation of scripture’ With the passage of a budget resolution this past Tuesday, House Republicans have set in motion legislation that could potentially cut billions of federal funding from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Minnesota anti-abortion bill would defund Planned Parenthood

Plus, a North Dakota House committee debates resolution calling for the end of same-sex marriage. Minnesota House Republicans, led by Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar (R-Hermantown), are pushing a bill that would funnel money away from reproductive health providers like Planned Parenthood and into so-called “crisis pregnancy centers.” Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC)

Pennsylvania governor to sue Trump administration over federal spending freeze

Plus, South Dakota legislator removed from committee position over school defunding bill.  On Thursday Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) announced he will take legal action against President Donald Trump’s efforts to restrict the federal government’s dispensing of state funding.  This comes after two judges stayed the funding freeze

New report reveals potential impact of Trump tariffs on Heartland

An analysis by the Brookings Institution, a center-left think tank, has found that President Donald Trump’s 10% tariff increase on Chinese goods will harm industrial sectors that employ large swaths of the president’s rural base.  This is because Trump’s tariffs have sparked a new chapter in the

Federal funding freeze continuing to impact Heartland Head Start programs

Plus, controversial Christian nationalist legislation introduced in North Dakota House Despite the Trump administration revoking a memo that would freeze federal spending, Head Start programs throughout the Midwest and the rest of the country remained unable to access crucial financial support through this week.  The programs are run by the

Unelected billionaire Elon Musk is dismantling the federal government

Only 15 days into the new administration of Donald Trump, and his close confidante Elon Musk has been uninhibited in dramatically reorganizing key aspects of the federal government. Over the weekend, the tech billionaire — who to Trump’s disdain has been claimed to be functioning as a kind of “shadow

After tragic D.C. plane crash, Trump baselessly blames diversity programs

Following a startling aviation accident involving a commercial airplane and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter that occurred on Jan. 29 over the Potomac River, President Donald Trump and members of his administration were quick to baselessly blame diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as a possible catalyst for the

Health care, Head Start and other programs in chaos as Trump freezes federal funding

It started with a brief, two-page memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): To undo what the Trump administration would broadly define as “wokeness,” trillions of dollars of the federal government’s budget would be temporarily frozen until a “proper audit” was performed.  “In the interim … Federal agencies

Heartland Republicans introduce bills to define abortion as murder

As legislative sessions kick off across the country, Republicans in Indiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Carolina are ramping up efforts to further restrict reproductive rights by classifying abortion as an act of homicide. All four states already have completely banned, severely limited or are in the process of prohibiting

Minnesota Republicans continue their power grab despite quorum deficit, protests

Plus, podcast recordings of Pete Hegseth provide insight into the nominee’s extreme Christian beliefs.  Though lacking the proper number of lawmakers to conduct government properly, House Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature have continued to move forward with their power grab. Last week, the state’s GOP ignored a Democratic

Architect of Project 2025 interrogated by Democrats at confirmation hearing

In Washington, President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, was heavily critiqued by Senate Democrats given his background: Vought was one of the principal organizers of Project 2025.  Vought, who had previously served in the same position during the twilight of the

Split between MAGA factions widen as Bannon attacks Musk

Plus, GOP House speaker in Kansas bars reporters from legislature’s chamber floor Speaking to an Italian newspaper, one-time chief strategist and Trump svengali Steve Bannon railed against the influence of tech billionaire Elon Musk on the incoming administration. The dispute began over the holidays when Musk voiced his support

In Ohio, Knox County commissioner promises to invoke Christian nationalist ideology while in office

Following her first meeting this week as a city commissioner in Knox County, Ohio, a right-wing pastor turned politician named Drenda Keesee made nods to the Seven Mountain Mandate, a cornerstone of contemporary Christian nationalism.  "This is my new office," Keesee said in a video posted to Facebook.

In Trump’s cabinet, Heartland figures play prominent roles

As hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet selections loom, almost a dozen of such selections have ties to the greater Midwest — a geography that was crucial to the Republican’s November victory.  Most notable is Missouri, where D. John Sauer (Trump’s solicitor general nominee), Will Scharf (assistant to

Despite heavily backing Trump, rural voters not entirely on board with GOP agenda

Despite claims by President-elect Donald Trump and other GOP officials that last November’s election is proof that the soon-to-be commander-in-chief has a national mandate, new polling analysis demonstrates that even Trump’s main base — rural voters — isn’t on board with every Republican policy.  Take efforts by the party

Elon Musk, Donald Trump cause chaos as passage of crucial spending bill stymied

On Thursday, as the possibility of a partial government shutdown during the holidays brewed, a spending bill that would keep the federal government functioning was voted down by a coalition of Democrats and far-right Republicans — the latter of whom broke ranks with President-elect Donald Trump, who backed the bill. The

As confirmation looms, RFK Jr. is glad-handing key GOP lawmakers

On Monday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as his secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, was in D.C. to meet with influential conservative lawmakers that could help him secure his nomination.  Kennedy had meetings with the likes of Sens. Rick

Trump and his allies settled a defamation suit against ABC News. A sign of things to come?

On Saturday, ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit with President-elect Donald Trump with a surprising outcome: The major media corporation agreed to donate $15 million to the creation of Trump’s presidential library and museum. The company will also provide $1 million to cover Trump’s legal fees.  The case

RFK Jr. says he won’t revoke any vaccines. His lawyer may have other plans.

Upon being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. immediately downplayed his connections to the anti-vaccine movement and fears that he would seek to limit access to medicine which saves millions of lives annually.  "We're

Coalition of Missouri businesses attempting to override new minimum wage, paid sick leave laws

Plus, a Missouri state senator-elect's promise to felonize migrants via a bounty program. Almost immediately after voters in Missouri signed onto Proposition A, a referendum that would state-wide increase of the minimum wage and mandatory paid sick leave, a collection of business associations announced they would explore ways

Trump brings in Silicon Valley venture capitalist to head crypto strategy

On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump announced the creation of a new position, the White House AI and Crypto Czar, and that it would be headed by tech insider David Sacks.  “David will guide policy for the Administration in Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency, two areas critical to the future of American

Key Project 2025 ideologues are joining Trump’s cabinet

Despite President-elect Donald Trump previously attempting to distance himself from Project 2025, the far-right policy paper produced by the Heritage Foundation, multiple members of his incoming administration were prominent authors of the document.  The most prominent Project 2025 contributor to join the president-elect’s inner circle is Russell Vought, who

Trump treasury pick signals new giveaways to the 1%

And despite speculation, former Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers is out as potential head of FBI.  As markets opened this Monday with an uptick in stock and bond trading, Wall Street appeared excited over the prospect of President-elect Donald Trump’s recent selection for treasury secretary: Hedge fund CEO Scott Bessnet.

Trump vows to use military to help carry out mass deportations

Plus, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin’s open Senate seat finally admits defeat.  Today on his social media platform Truth Social, President-elect Donald Trump confirmed a report that he would be bringing in military personnel to aid in his efforts to deport a million migrants a year.  Trump responded with

How could the accession of RFK Jr. impact public health?

It’s a historic first: A direct scion of the Kennedy clan could serve as a cabinet member in a Republican administration. On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump announced that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a one-time Democratic candidate for president, would be his nominee for secretary of the Department of Health

With new Trump cabinet, it’s out with the old swamp and in with a new kind of bayou

Plus, South Dakota constituents respond to Noem’s potential departure to D.C.  Over the past week, President-elect Donald Trump has rolled out a slew of utterly baffling cabinet selections. Compared to his previous administration — which featured more traditional conservative selections like Jeff Sessions, Rick Perry, Rex Tillerson and Elaine

Why Project 2025 matters regardless of who wins

As the final stretch of election season gets underway, we’ll be unpacking one of the most urgent storylines from the 2024 presidential race: Project 2025. Over the next three weeks, The Lede will be analyzing how this comprehensive guidebook to a possible Trump presidency will impact key aspects of

Understanding Project 2025’s blueprint for a more polluted world

Plus, an Ohio GOP congressional candidate downplays abortion’s impact on race.  As the final stretch of election season gets underway, we’ll be unpacking one of the most urgent storylines from the 2024 Presidential race: Project 2025. Over the next three weeks, The Lede will be analyzing how this

Deb Fischer flip-flops on rape and incest abortion exceptions

Plus, how Project 2025 can help Trump realize his new deportation regime. In a recent New York Times profile on one of Nebraska’s two Senate races, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer (R) is noted as supporting “exceptions to an abortion ban for cases of rape and incest and to protect

How Project 2025 will roll back social progress on LGBTQ+ issues

As the final stretch of election season gets underway, we’ll be unpacking one of the more prominent storylines from the 2024 presidential race: Project 2025.  Despite being supposedly denounced by former President Donald Trump, the Project 2025 manifesto was crafted by a number of allies who were key to

How Project 2025 could impact workers across the country

As the final stretch of election season gets underway, we’ll be unpacking one of the more prominent storylines from the 2024 presidential race: Project 2025.  Despite being supposedly denounced by former President Donald Trump, the Project 2025 manifesto was crafted by a number of allies who were key to

How Project 2025 would dramatically disrupt public education

As the final stretch of election season gets underway, we’ll be unpacking one of the most prominent storylines from the 2024 presidential race: Project 2025. Despite being supposedly denounced by former President Donald Trump, the Project 2025 manifesto was crafted by a number of allies who were key to

In his first campaign appearance, President Obama encourages Black men to support Harris

Plus, Jennifer Schulze gives CNN the business.  On Thursday, former President Barack Obama made his debut on the campaign trail as the final stretch of the election gets underway.  At the rally, which took place in Pittsburgh, Obama derided his successor, former President Donald Trump. “We don’t need four

Vance astroturfs working-class support in Michigan, knocks federal automaker investment

Plus, a conservative Republican from North Carolina stands up to right-wing disinfo.  At a campaign rally in Michigan, Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) spoke at a rally that included a coalition of voters with shirts that read “Auto Workers for Trump.” However, according to the Detroit Free

SCOTUS hands down two critical reproductive rights rulings, allows Texas and Alabama laws to stand

Plus, Montana Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy claims to be building affordable housing, but the listings tell a different story. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a lower court ruling which will allow the state of Texas to continue to prohibit emergency abortions. As such, the Supreme

Trump’s mass deportation policy would tank the economy, hurt Social Security

Plus, the GOP's candidate for Minnesota's Senate seat believes that 'the bad guys' won the Second World War. The Guardian has acquired a recording of Donald Trump at an exclusive donor event in Colorado wherein the former president's speech is laced with

On debate night, Vance continues to push lies about the 2020 election with ‘damning nonanswer’

Plus, Tammy Baldwin secures a key Heartland endorsement.  During last night’s vice presidential debate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) refused to concede that Donald Trump had lost the 2020 presidential election. At three different points in the debate, Vance was asked from multiple parties to clarify his position on comments

Elon Musk’s super PAC is funding Trump’s 2024 ground game

Plus, the contradictions and faults of Trump’s taxless overtime law. Former President Donald Trump’s campaign appears to be outsourcing much of its ground game to the American Political Action Committee (American PAC), a super PAC founded by Elon Musk in service of reelecting Trump.  The American PAC appears

Wisconsin assemblyman argues for strict abortion laws while calling paid family leave ‘lunacy personified.’

Plus, Group representing Haitian migrants in Springfield to file charges against Trump and Vance for incendiary comments A Republican state legislator running for reelection in Wisconsin has a troubling record on abortion. Assemblymember Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) is facing off against Alison Page, a Democrat currently serving on the River

GOP contender for Missouri’s secretary of state continues to promote 2020 election conspiracies

Plus, a white Michigan lawmaker claims that Vice President Kamala Harris isn’t “authentically Black.” The Republican candidate for Missouri’s secretary of state, state Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Liberty), has been promoting town halls conducted by the touring 2020 election denier Dr. Douglas G. Frank. Frank, who came to prominence

New affidavits provide insight into Matt Gaetz sex-trafficking case

Plus, the Georgia GOP continues to shake up election rules.  Court documents submitted to a Florida federal court last night provide new, damning details into the circumstances of Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-FL) potential involvement in sex trafficking. Since the spring of 2021, Gaetz has been under investigation for allegedly

Sitting GOP Minnesota state representative was arrested in 2008 on domestic violence charges

Plus, the first documented fatality of the post-Roe era.  Court records unearthed by the Minnesota Star Tribune revealed that Jeff Dotseth, a Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, was arrested after his ex-wife filed a police report claiming he had assaulted her. “There were hurtful allegations made against

Trump-Vance lies continue to disrupt everyday life in Springfield

Plus, Alabama Republicans continue to undermine voting rights in the state. The fallout from comments made about Haitian immigrants by former President Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) continue to disturb the city of Springfield, Ohio.  Both Trump — during his primetime debate with Vice President Kamala

Report finds hundreds of election-denying Republicans involved in swing-state election processes

Plus, two Minnesota Republican statehouse candidates make headlines with anti-LGBTQ+ hate. A new report by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) reveals that hundreds of election-denying Republicans in key swing states are involved in electoral races, state party leadership and county-level election boards.  Those states are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan,

Far-right lies about migrants are hurting families in Ohio

Plus, a Republican Wisconsin state representative was redistricted. Are voters familiar with his record?  During last night’s presidential debate, former President Donald Trump made a bizarre — and astonishingly racist — claim that Haitian migrants residing in the Ohio city of Springfield were eating the pets of long-time residents. Donald Trump

Campaign finance records show that GOP congressional candidate Tom Barrett has dubious donors

Plus, Ron Johnson’s conspiracy consternations. FEC reports reveal that Tom Barrett, the GOP’s candidate for Michigan’s 7th House district, has accepted money from several questionable donors. A $3,300 donation comes from Woody Hunt, the owner of Hunt Companies. Hunt’s firm builds and manages housing on

Christian nationalists are encouraging their followers to volunteer at polling sites

Plus, listen to a leaked exchange between Ginni Thomas and a far-right legal organization.  A conservative religious group called Lion of Judah is attempting to organize pro-Trump activists and Christians into “key positions of influence in government like Election Workers.” The organization was founded by Joshua Standifer, who claims to

Trump campaign violates federal law which forbids politicizing military cemeteries

Plus, the Trump-Vance ticket flip-flops on IVF. While attempting to take a photo-op at Arlington National Cemetery, staffers of former President Donald Trump got into a physical altercation with a cemetery employee.  Trump and his campaign were at the cemetery meeting with the families of soldiers who had died during

JD Vance's new press secretary is connected to a far-right consultancy firm

Plus, a Chicago-based conservative radio host quits her coaching job for mocking the son of vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz. A new investigation by The Guardian reveals that a staffer of GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) is connected to a wide network of far-right organizations.  Before joining Vance’

Wednesday at the DNC showed a new side of the Democratic Party

Plus, a potential Trump-RFK Jr. alliance? On the third day of the DNC —headlined by vice presidential nominee Tim Walz — the party continued to reappropriate certain blue-collar and Americana signs and values.  In the first portion of the evening, speakers like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro stressed the Democrats’ commitment to

A recap of Tuesday at the DNC

Plus, Never Trump Republicans are spotlighted at the DNC. But what is their utility in winning votes? The second night of the Democratic National Convention featured thunderous speeches from Democratic leaders like Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), former First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack

On inaugural night of the DNC, party stalwarts flex their pro-worker agenda, unity

On Monday the Democrats kicked off its four-day-long convention with a slate of key party leaders and past and present elected officials. In contrast with the RNC — which stressed a revanchist, antagonistic tone towards the state of the country — the first day of the DNC was colored by a sense

A journalist secretly recorded a Project 2025 architect. Here’s what the video reveals.

Plus, Eric Hovde falsely claims that the morning-after pill is used for abortions and is being circulated like narcotics.  The Centre for Climate Reporting, a British investigative newsroom, released a video yesterday of one of their reporters and a paid actor meeting with Russ Vought, a key member of the

Trump and Musk facing potential legal consequences for union-busting language

Plus, Wisconsin’s Senate election is set: It’s Baldwin vs. Hovde.   In Indiana, Republican efforts to undermine a lawsuit filed by the city of Gary — which is attempting to make gun manufacturers liable for illegal gun sales — failed following a Monday ruling by a state judge.  The GOP-controlled Indiana

New polling puts Harris ahead of Trump in key swing states

Plus, a Wisconsin legislator pushes an “abortion reversal drug.” A new survey conducted by The New York Times and Siena College Poll found Vice President Kamala Harris passing former President Donald Trump in Heartland states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.  In all three states, Harris leads Trump with 50% of

Trump minimizes abortion policy impact again in rambling press conference

Plus, the Harris-Walz ticket visits UAW members in Michigan, and Gregg Abbott tries to charge the federal government for migrant health care. At a press conference Thursday, Donald Trump continued to downplay the impact of abortion policy on the 2024 presidential election. “I think the abortion issue has been very

The Trumpian Right is calling Walz a ‘radical.’ But what is his actual track record?

Plus, as Heartland primaries come to a close, a 2020 election denier seeks reelection. In an interview with Fox and Friends today, former President Donald Trump offered up his typical, rambling insight into the state of the presidential race. The GOP’s leader had been invited on the network’s

Harris VP sweepstakes down to three candidates

Plus, audio clip shows Michigan congressional candidate rejects rape and incest exceptions for abortion bans. Elon Musk’s pro-Trump America PAC is under investigation after it is alleged to have harvested voter data — such as ZIP codes, home addresses and phone numbers — in a way that may run afoul of

A GOP gubernatorial candidate is taking thousands of dollars in donations from election-denying lobbyists

Plus, JD Vance continues to alienate voters with hard-right stances on abortion, LGBTQ rights. Top Headlines New audio of vice-presidential candidate JD Vance shows the Ohio senator doubling down on providing no exemptions regarding abortions — even if rape or incest are involved.  “Look, my view on this has been very

The Trump campaign is trying (and failing) to distance itself from Project 2025

Plus, the former president's National Association of Black Journalists debacle. With the growing unpopularity of Project 2025, the Trump campaign is attempting to distance itself from the far-right policy paper — and some of its key authors. In a press release published yesterday, campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris

With GOP primary looming in Missouri, Trump endorses multiple candidates for governor’s race

On Tuesday, Missouri residents will vote in primaries for the upcoming state elections, and multiple contests will feature a heavy dose of MAGA-aligned candidates. And now, the Republican contest for the governor's race will feature three candidates backed by former President Donald Trump.  From his Truth Social platform,

Could JD Vance sink the Trump campaign?

Plus, a peek inside Eric Hovde's "meme stock" investments. New polling shows that GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance is exceptionally unpopular in key Midwestern states — particularly his home state of Ohio. In the aggregate, Vance has a -6 net favorability rating nationally. This compares poorly

Oklahoma state superintendent announces guidelines for required Bible education in public schools

Plus, an update on the VP sweepstakes. In an announcement today, Oklahoma state Superintendent Ryan Walters shared guidelines for how the state’s teachers should educate students regarding the new mandatory Bible curriculum. The policy, implemented by Walters, will require educators to have a Bible in the classroom and to

Will Harris select a Heartland leader to fill VP slot?

With the announcement that President Joe Biden will no longer seek reelection and his formal endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him, American politics has entered an unprecedented situation. With just 106 days before the presidential election, Harris is going into overdrive to launch a campaign. And her

Trump plans to promise 'unity.' His actual platform is anything but.

Donald Trump is set to close out the RNC today, marking his first public speech since an assassination attempt last Saturday. The nature of his address is expected to strike a different, less antagonistic tone than what is expected from typical Trump rhetoric. The GOP’s leading man has, allegedly,

Here's what you may have missed during Day 2 of the RNC

With the Republican National Convention in full swing, we’re taking in some of the more peculiar, bizarre and troubling scenes from the GOP’s political carnival.  During a key speech on Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson made allusions to the Great Replacement Theory, which posits that Democrats are trying

As a potential vice president, it’s paramount that progressives understand J.D. Vance’s grift

On Monday, former President Donald Trump announced his running mate for the 2024 election: Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH). The 39-year-old selection is, among other things, a succession plan for the MAGA movement. Once a prominent critic of Trump and his ideology, Vance garnered mainstream attention with his memoir “Hillbilly

RNC delegates to include multiple participants of 2020 fake elector scheme

Plus, Jennifer Schulze on how the mainstream press ignores Trump's eradicate campaign while focusing on Biden's age. At the upcoming Republican National Convention, multiple delegate seats from crucial swing states, such as Georgia,  Michigan and Pennsylvania, will be filled by individuals involved in the fake elector

Hawley esposes the virtues of Christian Nationalism at conservative conference

Plus, a GOP candidate for the Wisconsin Senate continues to obscure her hardline perspective on abortion. On Tuesday, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) openly identified as a member and advocate for the Christian Nationalist movement — an ideology which maintains that American law and government should be filtered through the lens of

Heartland Signal Update

Welcome to the biweekly Heartland Signal update: a look at highlights from our Midwest-based newsroom. Here’s what we’ve been covering and watching: 📺VIRAL VIDEOS GOP congressional candidate Anthony Hudson (MI-08) used an AI-generated Martin Luther King Jr. voice in a social media post, saying the late civil rights

On last day of term, Supreme Court decision favors Trump in immunity case

Today the Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution in regards to any actions conducted in his official capacity as president. But the ruling clarified he did not have protection for “unofficial” acts related to his personal conduct. The 6-3 decision fell along ideological

Presidential debate lacks meaningful discussion of climate change

Plus, Oklahoma attempts to push Christianity in public schools. While the fallout of the first presidential debate settles, little has been made of the absence of meaningful policy surrounding the world’s most pressing issue: man-made climate change. Neither President Joe Biden nor former President Donald Trump provided substantial insight

Latest primaries result in a victory for Boebert, and a collapse of Bowman

Plus, Eric Hovde's bizarre Juneteenth interview. Progressive politics was dealt a blow on Wednesday night when far-right Rep. Lauren Bobert (R-CO) successfully won her primary, contrasting with “Squad” member Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), who was defeated by a conservative Democrat.  Boebert handily won her race — which included five other

Two years after the fall of Roe v. Wade, new data demonstrates the dire state of reproductive care

Plus, a look into key Heartland races as the 2024 election comes into view. It’s now been two years since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the consequences have predictably been catastrophic for women living in the 25 states where abortion is either banned or very limited.  For

Teamsters president to deliver speech at RNC

Plus, the state of several key Midwestern statehouses. According to former President Donald Trump, Teamsters president Sean O’Brien will speak at the RNC in July. “When I am back in the White House, the hardworking Teamsters, and all working Americans, will once again have a country they can afford

Tradeswomen of Missouri are fed up with Josh Hawley

Plus, the deep conservative ties to a recent anti-reparations lawsuit. A coalition of Missouri tradeswomen have signed an open letter denouncing Sen. Josh Hawley’s (R-MO) backing of controversial NFL kicker Harrison Butker. Last month, Butker made statements during a commencement speech saying he would “guess that the majority of

New database reveals the total number and dollar amount of Supreme Court gifts

Plus, the GOP's candidate for Ohio's Senate seat falls in the polls. According to a new report released by court watchdog group Fix the Court, the past 17 members of the Supreme Court have accepted millions of dollars worth of gifts over the past two decades.

Trump avoids saying ‘abortion’ while speaking with anti-choice group

Plus, a sudden outburst at a GOP debate. The Christian nationalist group has compared terminating a pregnancy to “child sacrifice” and wants to implement a total ban on many forms of reproductive care. The institute also believes “abortion is never medically necessary to save the life of a mother,” and

Ohio Republican congressional candidate pushes for Social Security privatization

Plus, Heartland Republicans play major role in undermining access to contraceptives. Heartland Republicans in the Senate help block ‘Right to Contraception’ bill On Wednesday, a bill that would have enshrined a federal safeguard for the use of contraceptives as well as “protect a health care provider’s ability to provide

Influential conservative youth group partnering directly with Trump campaign

Plus, new charges brought against organizers of the Wisconsin fake elector scheme. The right-wing nonprofit Turning Point USA announced this past week that it will partner with the Trump campaign in an official capacity.  TPUSA’s founder Charlie Kirk confirmed the formal alliance on one of his podcasts, “Thought Crimes.

MAGA media incensed by Trump guilty verdict

The historic conviction of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony accounts — related to his hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels — was predictably met with a hyperbolic meltdown by MAGA acolytes in the right-wing ecosystem.  Conservative mainstays such as The Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh called for

Minnesota GOP nominates most unhinged, 'tinfoil hat' Senate candidate of 2024 cycle: Royce White

The Minnesota GOP has endorsed former basketball player and reactionary media figure Royce White to try and unseat Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D). But the move, which will certainly play towards the party’s main base, could prove ineffective at actually winning an election: White has a long history of antisemitism,

Undeterred by Titan submersible disaster, wealthy GOP backer hopes to demonstrate safety of personal submarine

Plus, the continued influence of conservative dark money. Top Headlines Ohio billionaire GOP donor wants to prove OceanGate disaster was anomaly A retired real estate mogul from Ohio is partnering with Triton Submarines, a personal luxury submersible firm, to take a two-person sub to the wreckage site of the Titanic.

Possession of abortion drugs to be criminalized in Louisiana

Plus, the GOP undermines the border bill they initially helped author. Top Headlines On Thursday, Louisiana lawmakers approved a bill that would make abortion medications like mifepristone and misoprostol a controlled substance. Should Gov. Jeff Landry (R) sign the legislation into law, as expected, those found to have the medication

Trump waffles on whether he'd limit reproductive rights

Plus, the remaking of a state party. Top Headlines Trump doesn’t rule out contraception restrictions Former President Donald Trump continues to equivocate on the question of abortion, birth control and other reproductive rights, as a recent local television station interview showed. During a television interview with the Pittsburgh-based KDKA

Has election denialism gone mainstream?

With November's election coming into focus, more and more "moderate" conservatives seem sympathetic to the view. Eyes on the Right As we inch closer to November, election denialism continues to color the conservative movement. For example, controversy recently surrounded Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito when The

Texas governor pardons man who shot and killed BLM protester

Top Headlines Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed new legislation Wednesday that will ban offshore wind power while deregulating the use of gas pipelines. “We’re restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots,” DeSantis said in a social media post. “Furthermore,

Alabama conservatives are trying to undermine unionization efforts

Plus, a defector from the right speaks out. Local Lens On Monday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed into law a new bill that will block economic subsidies for businesses that voluntarily recognize the conduction and results of a union election. The legislation comes as the United Auto Workers (UAW)

Right-wing organization concerned with 'election integrity' trying to throw sand into gears of presidential race

Plus, a GOP congressman circulates a racist video on social media. Top Headlines The White House reprimanded Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) today after the congressman approvingly shared a video on social media of a group of white Ole Miss fraternity brothers mocking a Black, pro-Palestinian protestor with monkey noises and

Despite praise from Trump, two potential VP picks flounder in the spotlight

Media Corner Over the weekend, two potential vice president options for Donald Trump engaged with contemporary, center-left news sources. And the results were not encouraging for both Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R), who appeared on Meet the Press and Face the Nation respectively.  Scott,

Florida's severe abortion ban goes into effect

But on the other side of the country, Arizona legislators have repealed its 1864 abortion prohibition. Post-Wade Dispatch Florida’s stringent, six-week abortion ban will take effect starting today. This new restriction was signed off by the state’s Supreme Court in April, when the court upheld Florida’s original

Trump and DeSantis prepare to team up despite ugly primary rivalry

Plus, Kristi Noem stands her ground on puppy murder. Top Headlines Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and former President Donald Trump appear to have set aside any animosity from their contentious Republican presidential primary and joined forces. While DeSantis formally endorsed Trump after dropping out of the race, the governor

Trump argues presidential immunity before a Supreme Court he helped select

The results were about what you'd expect. Top Headlines Yesterday, the Supreme Court reviewed what could be one of the most consequential cases in years. The Court gathered to hear opening arguments concerning the nature of Donald Trump’s presidential immunity, which could hypothetically protect him from legal

MTG continues to threaten Speaker Johnson with a vote of no confidence

But both Democrats and Republicans seem completely adverse to the idea. Top Headlines Following calls by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) to remove Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) from his post as the leader of Congress, Democrats are preparing to protect Johnson from being ousted.  Despite receiving a vote of confidence

Local anti-homeless law faces day in Supreme Court

Top Headlines  Today, the Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments concerning Grants Pass v. Johnson, a case that could criminalize homelessness across the country. This specific case concerns the government of Grants Pass, Ore., a town of 40,000 which passed multiple ordinances prohibiting camping in public areas. Such laws

Presidential polling presents counterintuitive conundrum for Democrats

Plus, bipartisan support for mass surveillance could prove problematic. Election Watch According to new research conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), former President Donald Trump may actually benefit from a high turnout election in 2024. While Democrats have typically been the ones to benefit from high turnout elections,

DeSantis rolls back independent police oversight

Policy Corner Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) quietly signed into law two bills that will make it harder for citizens to hold police officers accountable for civil rights violations.  And at the end of last week, DeSantis ratified House Bill 601 and Senate Bill 184, the former of which prevents

Trump attempts to mend riff between MTG and Speaker Johnson

Plus, an update on the rise of Christian Nationalism. Top Headlines After Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) called for the ousting of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), former President Donald Trump reiterated his support for Johnson during a Friday press conference at Mar-a-Lago.  Last week, Greene wrote a letter to

Trump's call for states to handle abortion isn't stopping ideological clashes on the right

Plus, how Democrats in one of the most important Electoral College states in the country are trying to make it easier to vote in November's election. Top Headlines In the wake of the Arizona Supreme Court decision that could implement one the stricter abortion bans in the country,

Arizona's antiquated abortion ban back in effect, but could hit multiple road blocks

Even anti-abortion politicians in the state are voicing concerns. Yesterday, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled by a 4-2 vote that the state may enforce a primordial abortion ban, which was revived after the Supreme Court nullified Roe v. Wade in 2022.  The ban, were it to officially be enforced, would

Texas universities scramble to become complaint with anti-DEI law

Culture War Dispatch In the wake of Texas’ new restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs within public colleges, the University of Texas-Austin announced this week that they were laying off 60 workers staffed in the university’s Division of Campus and Community Engagement (DCCE).  “The layoffs were announced

Nebraska governor seeks to change state's Electoral College law months before presidential election

Plus, a right-wing billionaire is astroturfing a movement to unseat a member of The Squad. Election Watch Yesterday, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) called on the state legislature to reinstate Nebraska’s winner-take-all format for delegating electoral votes in the presidential election. Since passing a law in 1991, Nebraska has

Trump hints at civil rights policy that would help fight 'anti-white racism'

Plus, leaked video shows Texas anti-abortion group advocating for a total ban on abortion, Plan B and IVF. Top Headlines Should he assume office again, Donald Trump plans to undo many of the civil rights initiatives undertaken by President Joe Biden, as well as some long-standing federal policies related to

Georgia set to pass new, restrictive election law

Plus, the latest from the Arizona AG's fake elector investigation. Election Watch The Georgia Legislature passed a bill last night that could have a substantial impact on the 2024 presidential election. Votes in both the State Senate and House fell along party lines. Senate Bill 189, if signed

RFK Jr.’s VP selection espouses similar ‘anti-establishment’ views

With the election coming into view, the potential spoiler has recruited another affluent insider to spearhead what he’s calling a “We The People” party. Top Headlines Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his vice-presidential pick: Nicole Shanahan, a philanthropist, lawyer and member of the Silicon Valley elite.

NBC News causes newsroom controversy by bringing on former Trump ally

Plus, Alabama's new, repressive anti-DEI bill. Media Corner NBC staff are extremely bothered by the network’s hiring of former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel as an analyst. Concerns about McDaniel are rooted in her role in promoting doubt about the results of the 2020 presidential election — as well

Right-wing media attacks Biden's emissions plan

Murdoch-owned press claims that efforts to encourage electric car production are a "government mandate." Media Corner Following the Biden administration’s unveiling of new emission standards for consumer vehicles and trucks, the conservative press proceeded to paint the efforts to curb climate change as an oppressive government mandate

Judicial chaos colors rollout of new, draconian Texas immigration law

Plus, the impending war over IVF. Top Headlines Confusion has ensued after the enforcement of Texas’ new immigration bill, known as Senate Bill 4, was left up in the air following a gauntlet of legal rulings. Last night, the Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration’s attempts to block SB

Supreme Court rejects last-ditch effort to reinstate New Mexico politician tied to Jan. 6

Plus, Georgia Republicans are attempting to block state libraries from collaborating with a national librarian organization. Top Headlines Today, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Couy Griffin, a one-time New Mexico county commissioner who was challenging his removal from office due to his participation in the Jan. 6 attacks.

Trump tries to reverse Social Security, Medicare gaffe as Biden goes on the attack

Plus, the newest right-wing conspiracy involving cannibals. Top Headlines Former President Donald Trump is walking back comments he made last week about potentially cutting Social Security and other key federal welfare programs. In an interview with CNBC last week, Trump said that “there is a lot you can do in

Having secured the Republican nomination, Trump and allies shuffle RNC leadership

Plus, RFK Jr.'s celebrity VP options. Top Headlines After handily wrapping up the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Donald Trump and his political allies continue to remake the party in his image — including staffing the Republican National Committee (RNC) with election deniers. The former president cleaned house at the

Trump attempts to further delay Stormy Daniels' hush money case

Plus, inside a secret fraternity dedicated to building a Christian autocracy in America. Top Headlines  Former President Donald Trump has requested that his March 25 trial, concerning the hush money he sent to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, be delayed until the Supreme Court has ruled on the nature of

Republicans dismayed with their party's SOTU rebuttal

Plus, tracking Ohio's most reactionary Senate candidate. Top Headlines The Republican rebuttal to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, presented by Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), did not go as planned. Britt, who delivered a speech from her kitchen table, was a stark contrast to Biden’

Texas government attempts to clamp down on charity that distributes aid to migrants

Plus, a warning for Democrats to consider as the election cycle picks up. Top Headlines Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is targeting an El Paso nonprofit that has spent decades providing resources to hundreds of thousands of migrants. Annunciation House, a Catholic charity that organizes temporary shelter, food services and

Texas governor unveils plans to create militarized border outpost

Plus, Tucker Carlson continues his praise of Putin following their controversial interview. Top Headlines This afternoon, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that the state will begin construction of an 80-acre base camp at Eagle Pass, where a standoff between the Texas National Guard and federal border patrol continues to

American conservative organizations and lawmakers offer support to Ugandan anti-LGBTQ bill

Plus, anti-migrant content brings in the big bucks and Wisconsin GOP pushes for relaxing of child labor standards. Top Headlines The new, draconian anti-LGBTQ laws that recently were passed in Uganda have received the backing from American conservatives organizations and lawmakers.  The Anti-Homosexuality Act, which passed last May, doubles down

Federalist Society leadership is using dark money to influence Trump court case

Plus, continued neglect of the railway system and Tucker Carlson's Putin kowtow Top Headlines Influential conservative activist and Federalist Society Vice President Leonard Leo has been linked to efforts to overturn the removal of former President Donald Trump from Colorado’s 2024 presidential ballot.  Leo, who oversees a

Haley's impending NV defeat, a failed impeachment attempt and an upcoming Tucker/Putin meet-up

Hey readers! We’re reimagining The Lede into a more dynamic space to cover the American right, from the top conservative actors in Washington to the paranoid fringes. The plan is for this to be a vertical that helps you understand how the political strategies and policies being used by

Anti-immigrant mob descends on border in support of Texas standoff

The reactionary “border convoy” organized by far-right extremists is nearing its intended destination: Eagle Pass, a small Texas city that has become the epicenter of an ongoing standoff between state law enforcement and federal Customs and Border Patrol officials.  The convoy is being billed as a “peaceful assembly” by MAGA-affiliated

Border deal negotiations sidelined by GOP partisanship

Attempts to negotiate a bipartisan deal that would effectively shut down the U.S.-Mexico border in exchange for an aid package to Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine continue to be undermined by Republicans loyal to former President Donald Trump, who sees such efforts as a potential blow to reelection.  As

Biden and Abbott administrations continue to spar over border standoff

The standoff between the state of Texas and the federal government concerning the Southern border has reached a boiling point. Following several different legal conflicts regarding the implementation of anti-migrant buoys along the Rio Grande and the use of state law regarding immigrant enforcement, the administrations of Texas Gov. Greg

New research finds that thousands of Texas residents are being forced to carry rape-related pregnancies to term

CW: This story contains references to sexual violence. A new, disheartening study by the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that in the 18 months since Texas banned all abortions without exception, 26,313 rape-related pregnancies have occurred in the state.   The study, which examined the 14 states that

The dreary state of Trump's 2024 rallies

The melancholy, yet incandescent pop song “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” by the post-punk band The Smiths has somehow become a staple at Donald Trump rallies. Though it appears the Trump campaign team has been blasting the indie rock classic for some time, former Smiths guitarist

Anti-migrant buoys to remain (for now) as Texas continues legal fight with Biden Administration

Today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled it will continue to allow the use of controversial floating barriers implemented by the state of Texas along the Rio Grande as they reexamine legal efforts to overturn the policy.  Installed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) last July, the 1,000-foot-wide

Ohio woman's abortion case highlights the limitations of state-level reform

The fallout from the repeal of Roe v. Wade continues to reverberate across the country, as a case involving a miscarriage provides a startling example of the criminalization of pregnancy. In Ohio, where voters recently installed a constitutional protection to reproductive rights, a woman named Brittany Watts faces felony charges

GOP leadership uses Jan. 6 anniversary to dilute insurrection narrative

Over the weekend, a litany of GOP congressional members took to various media pulpits to propagate disinformation around the events of Jan. 6. Both mainstream outlets like CBS and fringe sources like the new “Tucker Carlson Network” addressed the anniversary of the insurrection as the upcoming 2024 election loomed.   Several

New leaked audio reveals inner workings of Trump's fake elector plot

Yesterday, CNN and the Detroit News published audio that revealed new details surrounding the fake elector scheme concocted by Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign following his electoral loss. The audio is of Kenneth Chesebro, one of Trump’s key legal representatives, who explained to investigators how as the presidential certification

Both sides of the aisle are antagonizing migrants as the 2024 election looms

Following criticism of his cruel and outlandish rhetoric surrounding migrants, Donald Trump doubled down on his comments. Trump — who recently claimed that documented and undocumented immigrants from South America, Asia and Africa were “poisoning the blood” of the United States — doubled down on his comments at a campaign rally in

New polling finds that Biden is losing the youth vote heading into 2024

A 2024 presidential election poll released by The New York Times and Siena College today has some troubling results: Donald Trump is now reportedly holding a lead over Joe Biden amongst young voters.  The data, released this morning, found that 49% of 18 to 29-year-olds polled preferred the presumptive GOP

Rep. Comer's blatant hypocrisy reaches new heights

An Associated Press investigation found that Rep. James Comer (R-KY), who has been leading the charge in the Joe Biden impeachment “scandal,” engaged in some of the same behavior that he has accused the president of.  Comer, a multimillionaire who owns some 1,600 acres of farmland in his home

Supreme Court to assess crucial reproductive rights lawsuit

Today, the Supreme Court announced it will review its first case involving reproductive rights since the fall of Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022. The case involves how the pill mifepristone, which is involved in 53% of abortions, would be distributed in states that restrict reproductive rights.  The

Plaintiff in key abortion case forced to leave Texas

Plus, Trump insiders have leaked potential VP and cabinet picks. WHAT YOU MISSED Over the weekend, the Texas Supreme Court blocked a lower court’s ruling that would have allowed a Texas resident to receive an abortion. According to her legal representatives at the Center for Reproductive Rights, Kate Cox,

Wisconsin GOP finally forced to accept results of 2020 election following lawsuit

But one of the fake electors continues to serve on the state's Election Commission. WHAT YOU MISSED One of the fake electors who organized in Wisconsin to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential race could still oversee the upcoming 2024 election. On Wednesday, the 10 fake electors

Texas lawsuit results in exception to abortion ban

CW: This article contains imagery that may be disturbing to some readers. For the first time since the Roe v Wade Supreme Court ruling in 1973, a Texas judge has ruled that someone must be allowed to receive an abortion. Kate Cox, a 31-year-old woman from Dallas, was forced to

Speaker Johnson attempts to spread more Jan. 6 disinfo

Plus, a spotlight on his support for anti-LGBTQ causes, both past and present. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-AL) told reporters that his office obscured the profiles of those seen in Jan. 6 security camera footage who sought to overturn the 2020 election to protect them from potential prosecution.  “We have

Trump's lackeys have a blueprint for his potential second term

And it's just as bleak as you'd imagine. As we move into what will likely be the third consecutive presidential election involving Trump, one may wonder how the former commander-in-chief plans to pitch a second term. Looking past the bumbling bluster and wanton cruelty, the Trump

Newsom-DeSantis debate is more than a kayfabe

ON THE HORIZON  The debate between California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is just around the corner. The pair will meet on Thursday in Alpharetta, Ga. at an event moderated by Fox News host Sean Hannity. While Hannity has pitched the intellectual duel as a

Wisconsin Supreme Court poised to strike down gerrymandered voting districts

Plus, several legislative victories signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer WHAT YOU MISSED After hearing three hours of oral arguments today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court could overrule the electoral map for the state’s highly gerrymandered districts. In Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, the plaintiffs argue that the district

Santos won't seek reelection following release of Ethics Committee findings

On Thursday, the House Ethics Committee released a damning report on the conduct of the much-maligned Rep. George Santos (R-NY). The bipartisan investigation confirmed that before and after Santos won a congressional seat in 2022, he engaged in numerous, federal counts of fraud, identity theft and campaign finance violations. The

Biden and Xi attempt to smooth out U.S.-China relations

Plus, Republicans in Ohio are trying to dilute newly won abortion protections, marijuana legalization. WHAT YOU MISSED After a rare, one-on-one meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping outside San Francisco, they announced that the two countries will resume direct military communications after more than a year

GOP politicians are quite literally bullying their adversaries.... and allies

Plus, the failure of the media to properly cover Trump's rhetoric, and the Supreme Court's attempts at a new ethics code prove flimsy. WHAT YOU MISSED At a Veteran’s Day rally over the weekend, Donald Trump made — even for his standards — alarming comments about his

Dems pull off significant victories in Ohio, Kentucky while GOP falls flat in school board races

ELECTION DAY RECAP The results of yesterday’s races have been tallied and the final results — from the gubernatorial to ballot measures, to underestimated local races — have been announced. Here’s our rapid-fire assessment of the 2023 off-year elections:  Beshear triumphs over Trump-backed candidate Despite presiding over a predominantly conservative

The 2023 Election Day primer

Tomorrow will see the majority of off-year elections take place throughout the country. Here’s what races we’ll be keeping a close eye on and the impact they could have on both the local and national level:  Southern gubernatorial races In Kentucky, incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear (D) will seek

Santos plans to run in 2024 despite indictments and efforts to remove him from office

Plus, Nancy Mace's quest for relevance and new polling which should concern Democrats. WHAT YOU MISSED Rep. George Santos (R-NY) says he will still run for reelection even if he’s ousted from office. Santos — who was recently slapped with a 23-count superseding indictment that included charges of

Speaker Johnson's financial disclosures look a little fishy

Plus, two of the alleged Whitmer kidnappers are granted state-level award by a GOP lawmaker. WHAT YOU MISSED A new, exclusive investigation by the Daily Beast found that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has hardly disclosed any financial information since becoming a member of Congress.  “Over the course of seven

The finances of Speaker Johnson's tasteful NRA endorsement

Plus, geopolitical insight from Tommy Tubberville. WHAT YOU MISSED Only days after the horrific mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine that left 18 dead, the National Rifle Association (NRA) shared a video of House Speaker Mike Johnson from 2019 where he praises the organization.  “...When Democrats are trying to push their

Tom Emmer is now the latest GOP frontrunner for speaker

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. We’ve now entered round three of the GOP speakership debacle, and a host of new candidates have made themselves known. Over the weekend, Reps. Tom Emmer (R-MN), Mike Johnson (R-LA), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Austin

House Republicans nix Jordan's bid for speaker

Plus, a look inside the inner workings of the conservative education movement WHAT YOU MISSED The saga of Rep. Jim Jordan’s (R-OH) quest for the speakership has finally ended. Following a secret vote held among House Republicans, Jordan was shelved as their nominee — and reportedly by a significant margin.

Jordan's second round failure could mean the end of his speakership campaign

Plus, the collateral damage of RFK Jr.'s anti-vax crusade. WHAT YOU MISSED Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) once again failed to be elected to the speakership after a second round of voting today. Yesterday, the longtime Trump ally was unable to secure support from 20 of his fellow Republicans.

Despite election denier record, Jim Jordan remains GOP favorite for succeed McCarthy

However, today he failed to secure the necessary votes to take the Speakership. After a first round of voting, almost two dozen Republicans have blocked Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) from taking up the gavel. In fact, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) received 12 more votes than Jordan. Other congressional

Jordan to replace Scalise as GOP Speaker nominee

Plus, new leaked audio from "education reformers" and Christian nationalist revisionism WHAT YOU MISSED Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) appears to be the next Republican choice for House Speaker after Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) pulled himself out of the race. Scalise’s announcement comes less than 24 hours after

Scalise nominated for Speakership

Plus, Democrats spar over Israel-Palestine, and new, bewildering economic polling WHAT YOU MISSED It appears that House Republicans will nominate Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) to fill the vacant Speakership. Scalise, who currently serves as the House Majority Whip, is one of the most right-wing members of Congress: He’s been

Conservatives try to pin Israel attack to Biden

Plus, voting rights lawsuit brings favorable redistricting to Alabama WHAT YOU MISSED As the dust settled on one of the deadliest episodes in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, right-wing weirdos began to spread disinformation. For starters, Donald Trump Jr. took to X to falsely blame the attack on President Joe Biden’s

Trump floated as a ( highly unlikely) Speaker candidate

Plus, monumental labor action in the healthcare sector and new polling on about "The New Conservative Voter." With the ousting of former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), an unprecedented vacancy has some Republican lawmakers and pundits suggesting former President Donald Trump should assume the mantle of

Newsom announces Feinstein's successor

Plus, Clarence Thomas to rule on a case with ties to his friends in the Koch network WHAT YOU MISSED Following the death of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced late last night that he had selected Laphonza Butler to fill her seat. “An

Trump, GOP grifters attempt to paint themselves as pro-worker

While the “haters and losers” that make up the 2024 Republican presidential primary were taking shots at each other on the debate stage, former President Donald Trump again tried to upstage his competition by hosting counter-programming. But as opposed to the first round of debates, where Trump chose to instead

Federal judge blocks Texas drag ban

Plus, a look at tonight's GOP debate. WHAT YOU MISSED On Tuesday, a federal judge struck down a law signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) that would have banned drag queen performances in the state. In Judge David Hittner’s ruling, he determined that Senate Bill 12,

DeSantis poll numbers continue to collapse

Plus, a Holocaust denier runs for a school board seat in suburban Minnesota. WHAT YOU MISSED Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis continues to fall out of favor with GOP voters. With the second Republican debate around the corner, polling out of the crucial primary state of New

Trump to vist Detroit to 'support' striking workers

Plus, Elon Musk's monkey murders and Clarence Thomas' latest scandal WHAT YOU MISSED Donald Trump will once again skip the Republican primary debates in favor of another publicity stunt. However this time, it won’t be a one-on-one interview on friendly turf. Next week, Trump’s campaign

Civil war brewing between House Republicans

Plus, Haley's bogus anti-union talking points and changing tides in the electoral map. WHAT YOU MISSED For its upcoming election cycle, Pennsylvania will require some 40,000 poll workers to execute a safe and fair voting process. Such liaisons will be needed for the 2023 municipal elections taking

Trump plays the hits on Meet the Press, Missouri gubernatorial candidate vows to burn books.

Plus, Wisconsin Republicans continue to assault democracy. WHAT YOU MISSED Over the weekend, former president Donald Trump spoke with Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press” in what was billed as his “first network interview since leaving office.” The most indicted man on Earth brought out many of the usual hits

Auto workers initiate strike, Brandon Johnson to tackle budget deficit

Plus, a GOP state senator thinks corporal punishment in schools should make a comeback. WHAT YOU MISSED In a vote that fell along party lines, the Wisconsin Senate voted not to reinstate Meagan Wolfe, who held the highest position within the state’s Election Commission. Wolfe, who has no official

Romney to wrap up political career in 2025, lawsuit to stop Trump might prove ineffective.

Plus, Laura Boebert's temper tantrum. WHAT YOU MISSED Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) announced today he will not pursue a second term, citing a need for a younger crop of politicians that will “step up” to “shape the world they’re going to live in.” Romney also believes that

Ohio Republican steps down, Comer's blunderous impeachment attempts

Plus, concerning poll numbers for Biden heading into an election year. WHAT YOU MISSED On Friday, Ohio state Rep. Bob Young (R-Green) resigned following a tumultuous summer that saw him indicted for assaulting his wife in July and ordered to wear an ankle monitor after disobeying a protective order by

Gloria Johnson joins the race, PragerU in Oklahoma schools

Oklahoma's Ryan Walters brings conservative politics into public classrooms. WHAT YOU MISSED Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has some new competition for her 2024 race: Tennessee state Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) said on Tuesday that she will be seeking to unseat Blackburn. Johnson is a part of the so-called

Tensions reach a breaking point in Tennessee

Plus, Vivek's farcical fossil fuel fustian. WHAT YOU MISSED Following Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) public health scare, former South Carolina Gov. and 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley calls for term limits and “mental competency tests” for anyone in office over the age of 75. "The Senate

Vivek's sophistry, Haley's austerity

Plus, a major win for American workers and new data for the GOP primary field.   WHAT YOU MISSED: GOP frontrunner and World’s Most Indicted Guy Donald Trump is officially scheduled to appear in court for election interference on March 4, 2024, in Washington D.C. Trump’s legal team

Just another ordinary week for the GOP

Plus, a new chapter in Hot Labor Summer. WHAT YOU MISSED We know you saw the mugshot. We all saw the mugshot. But did you see the wolf man supporting the judicial prosecution of Trump outside the Fulton County jail? Another man, flanked by pro-Trump protestors near the carceral complex

Expectations for tonight's GOP carnival ride

Plus, a suspicious plane crash in Russia and policing turmoil in Minneapolis. WHAT YOU MISSED Today, Russian media reported that Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Russian mercenary company Wagner Group, has been killed in a plane crash. At one point, Prigozhin acted as a close ally of Russian President Vladimir

As fall semester begins, educators in red states prepare for a brave new world

Plus, Elon’s gesticulating geopolitics and the second death of Ronald Reagan. WHAT YOU MISSED North Dakota schools are bracing for the first semester since the state’s Legislative Assembly passed a series of anti-LGBTQ bills. They include: House Bill 1522, which compels transgender students to use bathrooms that do

Jan. 6 defendants may receive decades in prison, Trump bails on the primary debate

Plus, massive fines for Florida abortion clinic and wildfire revisionism. WHAT YOU MISSED Wisconsin Republicans have yet to find a proper opponent for Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D), who is up for re-election in 2024. Neither U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Green Bay) nor U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Minocqua) accepted

GOP candidate continues to maintain financial ties to Norfolk Southern, "X" allowed neo-nazi to monetize their content

THE IMPACT OF HEARTLAND SIGNAL We need your support. As we’ve mentioned in this newsletter before, our journalists at Heartland Signal work to uncover stories that often get overlooked by the mainstream press. That’s one of our driving goals: filling the coverage gap for local reporters and nudging

Grim records in Hawaii, Argentinian demagogues and the forthcoming GOP debates

Plus, a former Republican legislator will see time behind bars and the wonderful financial benefits of being indicted. WHAT YOU MISSED A massive wildfire in Hawaii that occurred late last week set a horrific national record. Reports put the current casualty count at 96, making it the deadliest wildfire in

GOP donor sentenced for sex trafficking and Justice Thomas' latest opulence

A Midwestern Epstein, Pence's national approach to abortion and RFK Jr.'s latest polling numbers are in the headlines as the dog days of summer reach their twilight.   WHAT YOU MISSED * A federal court sentenced Anthony Lazzaro, a major Minnesota GOP donor, to a 21-year prison sentence

Anti-abortion campaign collapses in Ohio, Trump legal memo reveals electoral conspiracy

In today's headlines, Ohioans stood up against "pro-life" politics, a Trump lawyer's secret plot and a bizarre attempt at book banning in Arkansas. WHAT YOU MISSED * Ohio’s special election concerning Issue 1, a public referendum on the necessary votes in which ballot initiatives

Kagan voices need for Supreme Court reform

WHAT YOU MISSED * At a “Fancy Farm Picnic” event in rural Kentucky Saturday, constituents greeted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) with a sea of boos and chants, calling for the longest-serving U.S. senator in the state’s history to retire. Former President Donald Trump later shared the video

Who is behind the Minnesota Miracle? Meet ISAIAH

Loyal Lede Readers, While the rest of the world is fixated on the latest Trump indictment, we wanted to bring you a behind-the-scenes look at a progressive powerhouse that has helped shape Minnesota politics over the last decade. Below, you are getting first peek at a piece that will be

Top five embarrassing Republican stories from July

Loyal Lede Readers, We're already through July! Here's a look back at the month via a story from Heartland Signal's Richard Eberwein, where he catalogues the top five Republican limelight-catchers over the last 31 days. Who did we miss? Who would make your top

History à la DeSantis

WHAT YOU MISSED * It appears U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) drunkenly cussed out several Senate pages while giving a tour of the Capitol. * During a House hearing on the impact of COVID-19, U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), a licensed physician who chairs the subcommittee, claimed that the

Financial troubles befall state GOP parties

WHAT YOU MISSED * Yesterday, President Joe Biden announced plans to expand pressure on private insurers into providing better access to mental health care.  "Despite the repeated bipartisan efforts aimed at mental health parity, insurers  too often make it difficult to access mental health treatment, causing millions of  consumers to

Dispatch from the culture war trenches

THANK YOU! Thank you, Lede readers! You took action to support progressive journalism by signing up as supporters of Heartland Signal (our digital newsroom) and WCPT 820 AM (our radio station). On Thursday of last week, we asked you to give $5, $25, or $50 monthly to support our work.

No Labels, No Policy, No Problem!

WHAT YOU MISSED * HYPOCRISY: Heartland Signal’s Richard Eberwein broke a story about leading Montana GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy’s nearly $800,000 PPP loan forgiveness. This is despite Sheehy raging against President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program. “Take a loan, pay it back,” Sheehy said (but…

Fake electors face criminal charges in Michigan

WHAT YOU MISSED * Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) stated at a recent event that his new party, the center-right “No Labels,” could run presidential candidates in the event of a Biden-Trump rematch in 2024. * In a Newsmax interview Tuesday, GOP presidential candidate and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki

Ron DeSantis' private police force?

Over the weekend, Gov. DeSantis’ paramilitary approach to “public safety” is already running into criticism, Iowa’s abortion ban takes effect, and RFK Jr. prepares to meet before a Jim Jordan-led committee. WHAT YOU MISSED * OHIO SENATE: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is taking a break from attempting to

Partisan defense bill slashes abortion, gender-affirming care funding, Hollywood goes on strike

WHAT YOU MISSED * Ohio state Rep. Bob Young (R-Green) is facing calls to resign after he allegedly slapped his wife, threw her phone in a pool as she tried to call the police, followed her as she fled to her brother-in-law's house with her children and got tackled

Iowa’s medieval abortion ban, the benefits of full employment and the return of primetime Tucker Carlson

WHAT YOU MISSED * That Supreme Court ruling in favor of a web designer refusing same-sex wedding work? Well, a Michigan salon is citing it to refuse service to LGBTQ customers, saying queer people looking for a haircut can go to a local "pet groomer" instead. * Wisconsin Democrat Rebecca

Trump hits DeSantis in Nevada, DeSantis hits China

Today is Monday, July 10. President Joe Biden is overseas, the Senate is back in session and Iowa Republicans are heading back to Des Moines to consider a restrictive abortion ban. Weekend Catch Up * A Wisconsin judge has ruled that a legal challenge to the Badger State's 1849

Expanded abortion bans in Iowa, MTG gets the boot and a challenge to the "Death Star"

1. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and GOP legislature prepare to introduce a new, six-week abortion ban next week. 2. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who helped defeat Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan, places liability on Biden for creating “false expectations." 3. End of student loan forgiveness could

Wisconsin budget vetos, DeSantis' legal crusade

Wisconsin governor vetoes key cuts in state budget Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) has issued 51 vetoes concerning line items in the state's biannual budget after the Republican-controlled Legislature slashed spending on child care, school safety, public universities and other crucial social infrastructure. “In many ways, Republicans in

Brutal SCOTUS rulings, 1849 abortion laws and the battle for gender-affirming care

Speed Read SCOTUS WATCH: Yesterday, a Supreme Court ruling resulted in the end of affirmative action for college admissions. Today, the Court struck down President Joe Biden’s proposed student debt relief program and undercut LGBTQ rights. SILVER LINING: However, another ruling by the Court could mean the end of

Upcoming Supreme Court rulings, child care subsidies

Impending Supreme Court rulings could have huge impact on civil liberties, social justice UP NEXT: This coming Thursday will see the highest court in the land pass judgment on a plethora of crucial lawsuits with massive implications for issues ranging from LGBTQ rights to affirmative action. The Supreme Court is

GOP Rep. rants against birth control, Nevada candidate backs political executions, Del. Democrat could be first out trans Congressperson

Here are the stories we're following this week.

Republicans supporting child marriage, RFK Jr. at Moms for Liberty, Stefanik’s abortion ban, and more

We'll get you caught up on the news you missed during the week.

What’s happening in the Midwest, Tradwives, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

We'll get you caught up on the news you missed during the week.

Banning TikTok, Pence’s and Burgum’s presidential announcements, Trump missing in Iowa, and more.

Speed Read 1. Republicans across the Midwest have introduced bills that ban or lead to banning the social media app TikTok. 2. This week, both former Vice President Mike Pence and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum unveiled their 2024 presidential campaigns. 3. The Biden administration announces a new program to

It's Monday. Here are the stories we're following this week.

McCarthy continues to float cuts to social security and public health care

Despite securing a series of austerity measures, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R) said in a recent Fox interview that he will explore more options for cutting federal spending. The tentative agreement to raise the debt ceiling, which passed the House and cleared the final hurdles of the Senate on Thursday,

The Take: DeSantis vs. Mickey is a lose-lose for progressives

On the crafts and clothing site Etsy, you can now show your disdain for Florida Gov. and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis with a button embroidered with the phrase “Fuck DeSantis” in the signature Disney font. And all at the low price of $6.79! Below the denigrating phrase

Democrats in Michigan expand gun safety laws

On Tuesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a new, comprehensive gun control legislation that would implement so-called “red flag” laws, safe storage regulations and universal background checks. Such reforms come in the wake of multiple school shootings that rocked the state. Most recently, in February of this year,

Minnesota governor vetoes progressives bill that guaranteed wages for rideshare drivers

Minnesota governor vetoes progressives bill that guaranteed wages for rideshare drivers Over the weekend, the Minnesota Senate successfully passed landmark legislation that would create a base pay model for gig workers contracted with ridesharing companies like Lyft and Uber. While similar bills have been installed in cities like Seattle and