Heartland Signal

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

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Cancer 'Gag Act' sputters in Iowa, federal push continues

1 day ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

Groups advocating for clean, safe water are pushing back on proposals to revive a pesticide labeling law introduced last year in Congress which would give chemical companies legal immunity from claims if their products cause cancer. A similar measure failed in Iowa this year, despite intense lobbying by the pesticide manufacturer, Bayer.
Heartland GOP lawmakers dragged into Elon Musk's X crashout

1 day ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

On Thursday, Elon Musk fired a barrage of X posts bashing President Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues for pushing through the Big Beautiful Bill, including multiple congressmen from the Heartland. Despite spending months financially boosting the Republican Party and spearheading the administration's disastrous efforts to cut federal jobs, programs and research, Musk reversed course in dramatic fashion on his X platform.
Medicaid cuts would risk opioid treatment access for Kentucky

1 day ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

As Congress continues to push for cuts and additional work requirements for Medicaid eligibility, experts warn more Kentuckians could lose access to treatment for substance use disorders. The U.S. House has already passed a budget bill, which by some estimates would slash federal spending for Medicaid by around $700 billion.
Medicaid vital for Pennsylvania military families

1 day ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

As Republican lawmakers consider cutting billions of dollars in Medicaid services, a new report reveals the proposed reductions could affect thousands of military families in Pennsylvania. The Georgetown University Center for Children and Families says more than 850,000 people with TRICARE, the military's health insurance, also rely on Medicaid.
Indiana's degree cuts threaten access for working adults

1 day ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

Indiana's move to cut low-enrollment college degree programs may collide with many adults who say they want more access to affordable higher education. A new Gallup-Lumina Foundation shows nearly 90% of adults without degrees believe a college credential has value. But far fewer believe they can get one. Courtney Brown, vice president at Indianapolis-based nonprofit Lumina Foundation, said that disconnect is key. "They want it," she declared. "They know it will help with them.
Missouri GOP working to privatize education while slashing state revenue

1 day ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

Missouri Republicans are set to direct state funding toward a private scholarship program despite slashing revenues through tax cuts. The Missouri Legislature, which is dominated by Republican supermajorities, passed a budget proposal in May that directs $50 million to help fund MOScholars, a private school scholarship fund. MOScholars was founded in 2021, and it provides 100% tax credits for donations to non-profit educations assistance organizations in the state.
The Republican budget bill holds more handouts for the wealthy, more burdens for everyday Americans

2 days ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

Americans might expect elected officials to pull an all-nighter and pass solutions to pressing issues, like the swelling cost of living crisis or raising the minimum wage. After all, Senate Democrats considered the Inflation Reduction Act for 27 continuous hours in August 2022 to lower health care and energy costs. Instead, Republicans in the House labored through the night a few weeks ago for the noble cause of tax breaks for the wealthy.
Minnesota's rural job vacancy rate eases but still on troubled ground

3 days ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

New data show improvements in reducing job vacancy rates in Minnesota but researchers said the numbers are still too stubbornly high in most rural regions. The Center for Rural Policy and Development released an analysis of state survey data on filling the many job openings around Minnesota. It showed rates have climbed down from their pandemic peak but leaving out the Twin Cities and southeast region, they are still above what's considered healthy levels.
Wisconsin Republicans want to transfer more power to themselves to oversee ballot referendum language

3 days ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

Republicans in the Wisconsin state legislature are advancing Assembly Bill 207, which would transfer even more power to the GOP-controlled legislature for informing voters on ballot measures. Under current law, the Wisconsin Attorney General's office, which is currently held by Democrat Josh Kaul, is tasked with drafting nonpartisan explainers for each ballot measure or constitutional amendment that goes in front of voters.
Fast-track energy plan could bypass rural Indiana

3 days ago | heartlandsignal.com | Austin Linfante

Indiana's rural communities could lose out under a new federal bill aimed at speeding up clean energy development. What Republicans are calling the One Big Beautiful Bill, part of President Donald Trump's tax package, includes major changes to how energy and infrastructure projects get environmental approval. Lawmakers rewrote parts of the National Environmental Policy Act, to shorten timelines and block lawsuits that often delay big builds.