Heartland Signal

Focusing on political issues and policies in the Midwest, this is the dedicated newsroom for WCPT820.

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Wisconsin Democrat Rebecca Cooke earns endorsement from Bernie Sanders

1 week ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

Wisconsin congressional candidate Rebecca Cooke notched an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) this week, a high-profile boost in her effort to unseat incumbent Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI). In an X post on Thursday, Sanders cited Cooke's working-class values and support for antitrust laws in his decision. .@RebeccaforWI will enforce antitrust laws against corporate monopolies that have bankrupted family farms like hers & expand Medicare to cover vision, dental and hearing.
Challenge to North Dakota gender-affirming care ban in play, despite SCOTUS ruling

1 week ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday released an opinion that allows Tennessee to keep in place a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. While seen as a setback for trans youth, a legal challenge in North Dakota is still active. The North Dakota case, which seeks to overturn a 2023 ban adopted by the Legislature, is moving through the state-level courts. Brittany Stewart, senior staff attorney with the legal nonprofit Gender Justice, said proceedings in the bench trial are winding down.
Ohio GOP looking to oust nonpartisan campaign finance oversight agency

1 week ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

Ohio Republicans approved a two-year spending plan that includes removing the Ohio Elections Commission (OEC), a nonpartisan body that oversees campaign finance in the state. The OEC is currently comprised of a seven-member board, with three Republicans and three Democrats all appointed by the governor. The six members then fill the final spot with someone who isn't affiliated with either party. The commission oversees Ohio's campaign finance laws and the complaints or referrals regarding them.
Several Republicans double down on political divisiveness after Minnesota shootings

1 week ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

After the heinous, politically targeted shootings in Minnesota over the weekend, several Republican lawmakers have decided to ramp up divisive and sometimes pro-political violence rhetoric online. On Monday, New Hampshire state Sen. Kevin Avard (R-Nashua) commented on a X post of a protester of Los Angeles being run over by a car. The caption asked, "Are you ok with this," to which Avard responded, "Absolutely!"Absolutely!- Kevin Avard (@kevin_avard) June 16, 2025U.S. Sen.
Christina Bohannan launches another bid to unseat GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

1 week ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

Former Iowa state Rep. Christina Bohannan (D) officially announced her third consecutive bid to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) on Tuesday. Bohannan is a former law professor who served in the Iowa House from 2021-23. Bohannan had two unsuccessful bids against Miller-Meeks in 2022 and 2024. Last November, the Democrat came within 0.2 percentage points (799 votes) of defeating Miller-Meeks.
'You cannot put a price tag on patriotism'

1 week ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) continues to celebrate President Donald Trump's controversial military parade by praising it as an act of patriotism. Trump held a military parade Washington D.C. last Saturday (his 79 th birthday), complete with tanks, military aircraft and thousands of soldiers marching in his honor. The stunt, which has been replicated by numerous dictators throughout history, is projected to cost American taxpayers as much as $45 million.
Ohio Republican says Big Beautiful Bill is a 'win,' but it doesn't cut social programs enough

2 weeks ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

During an interview on "The Scott Sands Show," Ohio Republican congressional candidate Kevin Coughlin praised President Donald Trump's "Big, Beautiful, Bill" as a "win," but lamented that the legislation won't cut social programs even more. The bill, which was written by Republicans passed in the House of Representatives on party lines last month, is currently being amended in the U.S. Senate.
Wisconsin GOP advances bill threatening to defund local sheriffs if they do not assist ICE

2 weeks ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

Republicans in the Wisconsin state legislature advanced Assembly Bill 24 on Thursday, which threatens to withhold funding to county sheriffs who refuse to assist in federal immigration efforts. The bill passed through the Senate Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs on party lines on Thursday. Although the bill will likely be approved in the Republican-controlled state legislature, Gov. Tony Evers (D) will almost certainly veto the bill instead of signing it into law.
Elon Musk hit with another lawsuit for 'bribing' Wisconsin voters

2 weeks ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

A new lawsuit has reportedly been filed against Elon Musk for giving cash to Wisconsin voters who supported conservative state Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel before he was defeated in April. First reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the lawsuit was filed by the liberal watchdog group Law Forward, who says Musk offering $1 million cash payments to Wisconsin voters eroded public confidence in elections.
Former Iowa Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls joins Senate race against Joni Ernst

2 weeks ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

After U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's (R-IA) controversial Medicaid comments, another Democrat has joined the Iowa Senate race with intentions of replacing the Republican incumbent. Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls (D-Coralville) officially launched his campaign on Wednesday. The 33-year-old was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018, and he served as the chamber's minority leader from November 2020 to June 2023.