Host: Kevin Smith Dives into the weekly news most impactful to the HeartlandHEADLINESState level Republicans across the country are eyeballing the initiative petition processMissouri Independent - https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/26/four-bills-making-initiative-petition-process-harder-passed-by-missouri-house-committee/KMTV Idaho - https://www.kmvt.com/2023/01/26/idaho-lawmaker-introduces-joint-resolution-toughen-initiative-process/Ohio judge’s retirement may spell the end of fair elections in the stateThe Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/26/ohio-judge-maureen-oconnor-republicans-gerrymandering-elections?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherLIGHTNING ROUNDIdahoA bill sponsored by Sen. Scott Herndon that would remove the legal requirement for couples to obtain a marriage licenseIdaho Capital Sun - https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/under-proposed-bill-idaho-couples-would-no-longer-apply-for-marriage-licenses/OklahomaOne Oklahoma lawmaker is calling for the state to eliminate all federal education money in Oklahoma. KFOR Oklahoma - https://kfor.com/news/oklahoma-lawmaker-calling-to-reject-federal-money-for-schools/ArkansasA bill set to be heard in committee Wednesday would require people receiving housing benefits to work. KARK Arkansas - https://www.kark.com/news/politics/arkansas-bill-would-require-people-receiving-housing-benefits-to-work/TexasHeat-related deaths in Texas last year reached a new high for this century Texas Tribune - https://www.texastribune.org/2023/01/26/texas-heat-deaths-migrants-climate-change/Texas Rep. Cody Harris files bill to take away state funds from universities that teach critical race theory. KXAN Texas - https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/texas-lawmaker-proposes-banning-universities-from-teaching-critical-race-theory/IllinoisSecretary of State pushes for modernization The State Journal Register - ​​https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/government/2023/01/25/modernization-new-tech-tops-illinois-secretary-of-state-to-do-list/69837464007/MissouriMO Republicans hear testimony rebuking their efforts to attack the LGBTQ citizens of MissouriColumbia Missourian - https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/transgender-advocates-gather-in-jefferson-city-to-fight-bills/article_98c8ac4a-9c35-11ed-b83b-33f9a32cc6ee.htmlThe Missouri Association of Realtors warns lawmakers about tinkering with Ballot InitiativeMissouri Independent - https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/24/missouri-realtors-vow-to-fight-gop-push-to-make-it-harder-to-amend-state-constitution/OhioRepublicans in the Ohio House can't stop fighting with each other. ABC News 5 Cleveland https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/politics/ohio-politics/ohio-house-gop-still-squabbling-after-chaos-erupts-on-chamber-floorRounding things out "Hey Stone of Help, did you didn’t think we wouldn’t notice?”Ozark First - https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/kolr-10-investigates/new-school-for-troubled-boys-to-open-on-agape-grounds/