‘Stories From The States’ to air on Heartland Signal radio stations

Stories From The States, the weekly podcast produced by States Newsroom, is making its radio debut. In a new partnership with Heartland Signal, announced today, the 30-minute deep dive into current news issues will air on AM950 in Minnesota and on WCPT in Chicago, starting August 16. 

States Newsroom launched Stories From The States in November 2025 as an audio extension of its award-winning journalism that focuses on government and policy coverage from all 50 state capitals. Each episode explores, through personal stories, how people across the U.S. are responding to sweeping policy changes – all with the goal of figuring out what it means for listeners, their families and their communities. 

Hosted by broadcast news veteran and States Newsroom publisher Chris Fitzsimon and produced by Mallory Cheng, each show opens with a look at the week’s biggest news stories before focusing on a single issue. Fitzsimon introduces listeners to experts, community members and the news network’s state-focused journalists who can provide nuance to stories that are dominating the headlines. 

• AM950 Radio Twin Cities, Minnesota: Sundays, 11:30 a.m. CT (through August); Sundays, 11 a.m. CT (September and onward)
• WCPT Chicago: Sundays, 6 p.m. CT

Heartland Signal will also stream the program on the Heartland Signal website, TuneIn, and smart speakers. 

“We have more than 200 journalists uncovering stories about how government policy affects people’s lives,” Fitzsimon said. “This show is a way to dig in on those issues and help listeners understand what’s going on. Broadcasting on Heartland Signal will be a great way to reach audiences who are craving fair, accurate reporting right now.”  

Among the 40 episodes to date, Stories From The States has featured discussions on such topics as data centers, school vouchers, SNAP work requirements, public land use and immigration enforcement. 

Heartland Signal, which reaches approximately 100,000 listeners in the Twin Cities and 120,000 listeners in the Chicago region, is a talk radio network and digital newsroom focused on state and local issues.

“Washington gets the headlines, but it’s actually the states making the decisions that shape our daily lives,” said Rodney Gibbs, Heartland Signal’s executive director. “Stories From The States shares that conviction, and we’re delighted to give it a home on our stations.”

Stories From The States will continue to be produced entirely by States Newsroom and available online at Apple Podcasts, YouTube podcasts and Spotify. Episodes also are available at the Stories From The States website.