The U.S. Forest Service is reorganizing. The federal agency will move their headquarters from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City, closing over 50 research stations in 31 states, and will restructure management to rely on states more.

All these changes are coming while state GOP leaders and the Trump administration are pushing for the sale or transfer of federal public lands.

Montana voters of all backgrounds are loudly against this idea.

In Episode 26, you’ll hear from Stateline reporter Alex Brown, who has been covering all of the shifts within the Forest Service.

Then, you’ll hear from Mountain Ecosystems professor Rick Graetz, who led the University of Montana’s 2026 Voter Survey on Public Lands. He’ll break down how value misalignment between officials and voters on the issue of public lands could shift an election.

Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching.

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:

• Forest Service shake-up will boost states’ role — but even supporters have concerns (Stateline)
• Republicans target public lands protections in a new way (Stateline)
• Survey: Montanans increasingly concerned over public land access, sales (Daily Montanan)
• A year post-DOGE, Wyoming forest workers still feel uncertainty and chaos (WyoFile)
• U.S. Forest restructuring could threaten Wisconsin-based research, advocates say (Wisconsin Examiner)

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

Photo: Clouds hang over Lake Cushman, as seen from the mountains of the Olympic National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service has announced plans to close 57 research stations in 31 states. (Photo by Alex Brown/Stateline)

In Louisiana, the starting pay of a plumber is pretty decent. But that’s only after an aspiring worker spends thousands of dollars for on-the-job training to get a plumber’s license.

One state lawmaker in Louisiana wants to fast-track this process and reorganize the state’s plumbing board. However, some tradespeople don’t think it’s a good idea.

In Episode 25, we’re handing the reins to our States Newsroom colleagues at the Louisiana Illuminator.

On their podcast, “The Light Switch,” Editor Greg LaRose and reporter Wes Muller break down how state legislators are trying to fill a skilled worker shortage in Louisiana.

Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.

Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:

• Louisiana looks to scrap its plumbing board to speed up licensing (Louisiana Illuminator)
• Plumbers peeved over proposal to fast-track licensing in Louisiana (Louisiana Illuminator)

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

Photo: Louisiana lawmakers advanced a proposal on April 9, 2026, that would overhaul the state’s methods of licensing plumbers. (Photo by Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

For years, Idaho lawmakers have set their sights on Medicaid. In their most recent session, they considered Gov. Brad Little’s call for $22 million in budget cuts and a bill to repeal voter-approved Medicaid expansion.

Last year, the legislature slashed funding for a mobile treatment program for people with severe mental illness. The Idaho Sheriffs’ Association warned the changes risked public safety.

In less than three months, four patients died, sparking outrage from providers and some lawmakers.

The deaths hovered over the debate about Medicaid before the Idaho Legislature restored the program. But lawmakers still reduced pay rates for providers who care for people with disabilities and extended cuts to Medicaid’s already low reimbursement rates for doctors.

In Episode 24, Idaho Capital Sun reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel reported closely on all the changes to Medicaid in the state.

Then, we’ll hear from Laura Scuri, the co-owner of Access Behavioral Health Services. She pushed the legislature to restore the mobile treatment program after one of her clinic’s patients who participated in the program died.

Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching.

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:

• Idaho lawmakers dodged Medicaid expansion repeal. But what did they do with Medicaid? (Idaho Capital Sun)
• After four patients died, Idaho governor approves restoring cut Medicaid mental health programs (Idaho Capital Sun)
• State Medicaid budgets will decline by $665 billion under new federal law, report finds (Stateline)
• Plan to put Medicaid work requirements in state Constitution draws public opposition (Missouri Independent)

Photo: Advocates for Idaho Medicaid and people with disabilities rally against proposed federal Medicaid cuts in front of the Idaho State Capitol on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)