Illinois AR-15 Ban Survives Appeals Court But SCOTUS May Have the Final Say | The States

Illinois gun ban upheld by Appeals court, new AI regulations, Gov. Newsom addresses DOJ investigation and takes aim at President Trump, school fraud nationwide, and tax holidays. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Illinois' assault weapons and magazine ban 2-1, with the case expected to move to the U.S. Supreme Court. Illinois' new AI regulation law requires large AI providers to publish safety governance statements and undergo independent audits, with real financial penalties for noncompliance. Also in this episode: California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed reports of DOJ investigations into his associates, called the Trump administration corrupt, and commented on Democratic socialist primary wins and 2026 midterm strategy at an unrelated news conference. A new report found over $225 million in school fraud nationwide from 2019 to 2026, including a $44 million Indiana virtual charter school scheme and a $24 million false tutoring scheme in Puerto Rico. States including Alabama, Florida, and Texas are rolling out sales tax holidays on school supplies and other items in the coming weeks, with dates varying by state. Pennsylvania Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, despite being on opposite sides of the aisle, have formed a joint fundraising committee called Common Ground Pennsylvania. An audit of Memphis-Shelby County, Tennessee schools found over $119 million in questionable costs, including $54 million in suspected waste, fraud, and abuse. Arizona withdrew a policy requiring detailed purchase documentation for its school choice program and is directing over $53 million in leftover education funds toward school resource officers and mental health professionals. Plus, America's Talking:   Pennsylvania - https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_ea6e5313-4a45-4c9d-b856-a7a6f7284cb6.html Tennessee - https://www.thecentersquare.com/tennessee/article_a9f48797-00ef-4912-b7ac-941de52659e4.html Education - https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_68b19655-95e1-44b0-902b-9077c45d6b8f.html The States delivers taxpayer-focused reporting from around America, powered by The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.