A weekly podcast focused on one theme in the news.Host and States Newsroom publisher Chris Fitzsimon, with producer Mallory Cheng, will explore one issue with the help from local journalists, experts and community members who are experiencing the fallout of sweeping changes happening across the country.By zooming into one story each week, Stories From The States contextualizes what is happening now.New episodes every Friday.For more information visit, <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states">https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states</a>. Subscribe to Stories From the States on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-the-states/id1847663106">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2TfHKVIvoHKZVTGN3DL2WM">Spotify</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL72cugzwBvh94gElF228ZiklLWVK2gxuJ">Youtube</a>.

Many GOP-led states like Indiana are facing pressure from the president to redistrict. However, Utah’s redistricting fight was spearheaded by voters, who ultimately won.  In Episode 3, <a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/author/katie-mckellar/">Katie McKellar</a> from the <a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/">Utah News Dispatch</a> will break down the state’s recent redistricting fight between anti-gerrymandering groups and the Utah Legislature. You’ll also meet <a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/11/11/utah-democrats-likely-to-win-house-seat-2026-new-map/">Katharine Biele</a>, one of the plaintiffs of the winning case. She’s the President of the League of Women Voters of Utah.But is all this mid-decade redistricting normal? Brennan Center for Justice’s <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/about/leadership/kareem-crayton">Kareem Crayton</a>, who holds a doctorate in political science, will help us answer that. Finally, <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/evening-wrap">Evening Wrap</a> newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching out for.Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by <a href="https://www.davidsingerfilm.com/">David Singer</a>.Click <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/beyond-utahs-new-maps-and-will-mid-decade-redistricting-be-new-normal">here</a> for the full transcript: Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners: <ul>
<li><a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/21/can-trumps-political-threats-swing-indiana-senate-on-redistricting/">Can Trump’s political threats swing Indiana Senate on redistricting? (Indiana Capital Chronicle)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/18/texas-redistricting-ruling-lawsuit-el-paso-court-2026-midterms/">Federal court blocks Texas from using new congressional gerrymander in 2026 midterms (The Texas Tribune)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/voting-rights-groups-ask-federal-judges-to-block-new-gerrymandered-nc-congressional-districts/">Voting rights groups ask federal judges to block new gerrymandered NC congressional districts (NC Newsline)</a></li>
</ul> Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at <a href="mailto:podcasts@statesnewsroom.com">podcast@statesnewsroom.com</a>

Many GOP-led states like Indiana are facing pressure from the president to redistrict. 
However, Utah’s redistricting fight was spearheaded by voters, who ultimately won.  
In Episode 3, Katie McKellar from the Utah News Dispatch will break down the state’s recent redistricting fight between anti-gerrymandering groups and the Utah Legislature. 
You’ll also meet Katharine Biele, one of the plaintiffs of the winning case. She’s the President of the League of Women Voters of Utah.
But is all this mid-decade redistricting normal? Brennan Center for Justice’s Kareem Crayton, who holds a doctorate in political science, will help us answer that. 
Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching out for.
Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.
Click here for the full transcript: 
Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners: 

Can Trump’s political threats swing Indiana Senate on redistricting? (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Federal court blocks Texas from using new congressional gerrymander in 2026 midterms (The Texas Tribune)
Voting rights groups ask federal judges to block new gerrymandered NC congressional districts (NC Newsline)

Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com

Beyond Utah’s new maps, will mid-decade redistricting be the new normal?

Across the country, many communities are seeing an increased presence of federal immigration agents. Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City have seen aggressive and sometimes violent tactics from ICE officers trying to apprehend people from the street and from their homes. In Episode 2, you’ll meet <a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/09/26/ice-releases-ohio-hospital-chaplain-case-for-detention-unclear/">Ayman Soliman</a>, a former Cincinnati Children’s Hospital chaplain. He was detained by ICE for 73 days, and now shares his experience.  Soliman has been in the U.S. since 2014 fleeing persecution from the Egyptian government, where Ayman was detained and tortured for his work as a journalist. In 2018 he was granted asylum in the U.S. However, his asylum was revoked in June and he was asked to meet with ICE officials on July 9. At the check-in, Ayman was detained by ICE and sent to Butler County Jail in Hamilton, Ohio. Although the Trump administration contends that ICE is focused on detaining and deporting hardened criminals, Ayman disagrees. “I don’t think these are the worst of the worst. This is just a statement that they made to convince the American public that these people deserve to be deported and to cover their racist reasons behind the deportation.” With increased ICE raids, many U.S. citizens also have been swept up and detained. You’ll hear from Washington, D.C., Bureau reporter Ariana Figueroa, who has reported about this development.Finally, <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/evening-wrap">Evening Wrap</a> newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching out for.Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by <a href="https://www.davidsingerfilm.com/">David Singer</a>. Special thank you <a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/author/marty-schladen/">Marty Schladen</a> from the <a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/">Ohio Capital Journal</a>.Click <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/73-days-ice-detention-ohio-hospital-chaplain-speaks-out">here</a> for the full transcript. Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at <a href="mailto:podcasts@statesnewsroom.com">podcast@statesnewsroom.com</a>.Subscribe to Stories From the States on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-the-states/id1847663106">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2TfHKVIvoHKZVTGN3DL2WM">Spotify</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL72cugzwBvh94gElF228ZiklLWVK2gxuJ">Youtube</a>.Photo: Ayman Soliman, the former Muslim chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital whom federal authorities are trying to deport on what his lawyers are saying is a trumped-up basis. (Photo courtesy of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance.)

Across the country, many communities are seeing an increased presence of federal immigration agents. Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City have seen aggressive and sometimes violent tactics from ICE officers trying to apprehend people from the street and from their homes. 
In Episode 2, you’ll meet Ayman Soliman, a former Cincinnati Children’s Hospital chaplain. He was detained by ICE for 73 days, and now shares his experience.  
Soliman has been in the U.S. since 2014 fleeing persecution from the Egyptian government, where Ayman was detained and tortured for his work as a journalist. In 2018 he was granted asylum in the U.S. 
However, his asylum was revoked in June and he was asked to meet with ICE officials on July 9. At the check-in, Ayman was detained by ICE and sent to Butler County Jail in Hamilton, Ohio. 
Although the Trump administration contends that ICE is focused on detaining and deporting hardened criminals, Ayman disagrees. 
“I don’t think these are the worst of the worst. This is just a statement that they made to convince the American public that these people deserve to be deported and to cover their racist reasons behind the deportation.” 
With increased ICE raids, many U.S. citizens also have been swept up and detained. You’ll hear from Washington, D.C., Bureau reporter Ariana Figueroa, who has reported about this development.
Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching out for.
Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer. Special thank you Marty Schladen from the Ohio Capital Journal.
Click here for the full transcript. 
Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com.
Subscribe to Stories From the States on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.
Photo: Ayman Soliman, the former Muslim chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital whom federal authorities are trying to deport on what his lawyers are saying is a trumped-up basis. (Photo courtesy of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance.)

73 days in ICE detention: an Ohio hospital chaplain speaks out

The passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” deeply slashed Medicaid funding. Almost $1 trillion will be cut from the program over the next ten years. But what does it look like for recipients now in 2025?  In Episode 1, you’ll meet a current recipient, 26-year-old Emma Widmar from Racine, Wisconsin, who considers Medicaid a lifeline. "I simply would not be able to have a quality of life. I would potentially, you know, I could die. And I think people think that I'm being dramatic when I say that, but it's true." You’ll also hear from reporter <a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/author/marty-schladen/">Marty Schladen</a> from the <a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/">Ohio Capital Journal</a> about reaction in Ohio, where some state politicians celebrated the decision. Then <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/evening-wrap">Evening Wrap</a> newsletter author Daneille Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching out for.Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by <a href="https://www.davidsingerfilm.com/">David Singer</a>. Special thank you to <a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/author/erik-gunn/">Erik Gunn</a>, Deputy Editor of the <a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/">Wisconsin Examiner</a>.Click <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/impending-medicaid-cuts-create-giant-question-mark-recipients">here</a> for the full transcript. For more information on today’s episode visit, <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states">https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states</a>. Subscribe to Stories From the States on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-the-states/id1847663106">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2TfHKVIvoHKZVTGN3DL2WM">Spotify</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL72cugzwBvh94gElF228ZiklLWVK2gxuJ">Youtube</a>.Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at <a href="mailto:podcasts@statesnewsroom.com">podcast@statesnewsroom.com</a>.Photo: Emma Widmar, shown with her dog Zander, has relied on Medicaid while managing complex health problems that she has had since she was 12. (Photo courtesy of Emma Widmar)

The passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” deeply slashed Medicaid funding. Almost $1 trillion will be cut from the program over the next ten years. But what does it look like for recipients now in 2025?  
In Episode 1, you’ll meet a current recipient, 26-year-old Emma Widmar from Racine, Wisconsin, who considers Medicaid a lifeline. 
"I simply would not be able to have a quality of life. I would potentially, you know, I could die. And I think people think that I'm being dramatic when I say that, but it's true." 
You’ll also hear from reporter Marty Schladen from the Ohio Capital Journal about reaction in Ohio, where some state politicians celebrated the decision. 
Then Evening Wrap newsletter author Daneille Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching out for.
Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer. Special thank you to Erik Gunn, Deputy Editor of the Wisconsin Examiner.
Click here for the full transcript. 
For more information on today’s episode visit, https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states. 
Subscribe to Stories From the States on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.
Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com.
Photo: Emma Widmar, shown with her dog Zander, has relied on Medicaid while managing complex health problems that she has had since she was 12. (Photo courtesy of Emma Widmar)

‘I could die’: A Wisconsin woman fears impending Medicaid cuts, while others celebrate

The federal government is making drastic changes to public policy and pushing so many programs “back to the states”. It’s hard to know what it all means for you, your family and your community. Stories From The States will put into perspective how what’s going on around one side of the country could affect you on the other end.Our first episode launches Friday, November 7th.  States Newsroom is the largest nonprofit state-focused news organization in the country. At this pivotal moment in American democracy, our veteran journalists from all 50 states are reporting the consequences of government decision making.

The federal government is making drastic changes to public policy and pushing so many programs “back to the states”. 
It’s hard to know what it all means for you, your family and your community. 
Stories From The States will put into perspective how what’s going on around one side of the country could affect you on the other end.
Our first episode launches Friday, November 7th. 


States Newsroom is the largest nonprofit state-focused news organization in the country. At this pivotal moment in American democracy, our veteran journalists from all 50 states are reporting the consequences of government decision making.

What's Stories From The States?

Daily news especially in today’s time can get overwhelming. At times it’s hard to keep up how it all could impact you, your family and your community. To help with that, we’re launching Stories From the States. Here’s an exclusive sneak peek into an upcoming episode on the impacts of Medicaid funding cuts. Our first episode launches on Friday November 7th.  States Newsroom is the largest nonprofit state-focused news organization in the country. At this pivotal moment in American democracy, our veteran journalists from all 50 states are reporting the consequences of government decision making.

Daily news especially in today’s time can get overwhelming. At times it’s hard to keep up how it all could impact you, your family and your community. 
To help with that, we’re launching Stories From the States. 
Here’s an exclusive sneak peek into an upcoming episode on the impacts of Medicaid funding cuts. 
Our first episode launches on Friday November 7th. 


States Newsroom is the largest nonprofit state-focused news organization in the country. At this pivotal moment in American democracy, our veteran journalists from all 50 states are reporting the consequences of government decision making.

An Exclusive Sneak Peek: Stories From The States

We’re launching a podcast to help make the news cycle a bit more digestible. Host and States Newsroom publisher Chris Fitzsimon, with producer Mallory Cheng, will focus on one theme in the news playing out in the states. Each episode will put into perspective how what’s going on around one side of the country could affect you on the other end.Our first episode launches on Friday November 7th.  States Newsroom is the largest nonprofit state-focused news organization in the country. At this pivotal moment in American democracy, our veteran journalists from all 50 states are reporting the consequences of government decision making.

We’re launching a podcast to help make the news cycle a bit more digestible. 
Host and States Newsroom publisher Chris Fitzsimon, with producer Mallory Cheng, will focus on one theme in the news playing out in the states. 
Each episode will put into perspective how what’s going on around one side of the country could affect you on the other end.
Our first episode launches on Friday November 7th. 


States Newsroom is the largest nonprofit state-focused news organization in the country. At this pivotal moment in American democracy, our veteran journalists from all 50 states are reporting the consequences of government decision making.

Coming Soon: Stories From The States

Stories From The States is a weekly podcast that explores how people and communities across America are being affected by government decisions.Host and States Newsroom publisher Chris Fitzsimon, with producer Mallory Cheng, will take one issue in the news and examine it. By zooming into one story each week, Stories From the States contextualizes what is happening now.First episode launches Friday, November 7th.States Newsroom is the largest nonprofit state-focused news organization in the country. At this pivotal moment in American democracy, our veteran journalists from all 50 states are reporting the consequences of government decision making.

Stories From The States is a weekly podcast that explores how people and communities across America are being affected by government decisions.
Host and States Newsroom publisher Chris Fitzsimon, with producer Mallory Cheng, will take one issue in the news and examine it. 
By zooming into one story each week, Stories From the States contextualizes what is happening now.
First episode launches Friday, November 7th.
States Newsroom is the largest nonprofit state-focused news organization in the country. At this pivotal moment in American democracy, our veteran journalists from all 50 states are reporting the consequences of government decision making.