News Wrap: Tennessee passes new congressional map, sparking protest

Amna Nawaz:

In Tennessee, lawmakers there passed a new congressional map that could help Republicans win all nine congressional seats in this year's midterm elections.

(Chanting)

Amna Nawaz:

Prior to the vote, protesters gathered outside the state's House and Senate chambers to voice their anger at the plan. The new map slices up Memphis, a majority-Black city that makes up most of the state's lone Democratic stronghold.

Tennessee's governor has now signed the bill, making it the first state to adopt a new map since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week that significantly weakened the landmark Voting Rights Act.

In Colorado, the man accused of last year's firebomb attack at a pro-Israel rally was sentenced to life in prison today. Mohamed Sabry Soliman has pleaded not guilty to dozens of state charges, including first-degree murder.

Authorities say he threw two Molotov cocktails during a demonstration in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza. At least 13 people were hurt and an 82-year-old woman later died from her injuries. The Egyptian national still faces federal hate crime charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Health authorities on at least four continents are tracking over two dozen passengers who left the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak. The passengers from at least 12 different countries left the ship two weeks after the first passenger died on board. The vessel itself is now en route to Spain's Canary Islands, where officials are debating whether it will dock or anchor offshore.

Officials at the World Health Organization said today that it's everyone's -- quote -- "moral duty" to care for those still on board and acknowledge the efforts of the crew.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organization:

And I would also like to thank the ship's operator for its cooperation and the passengers and crew, who are going through a very difficult and frightening situation. Morale has improved significantly since the ship started moving again.

Amna Nawaz:

Three passengers have died in the outbreak and several others are sick. But the Netherlands-based operator of the cruise ship says none of those still on board are currently showing signs of symptoms.

In Mississippi, local officials say at least 17 people were injured after powerful storms and at least three tornadoes tore through the state last night. By sunrise today, the damage was in full view. Most of the injuries happened in this trailer park about an hour's drive south of the state capital of Jackson.

All told, nearly 500 homes were damaged across Mississippi. National weather officials are warning that the region could see even more storms tonight.

In Washington, D.C., today, the National Capital Planning Commission held a hearing to consider a White House plan to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white. In presenting an alternative vision for the 19th century building, officials argue that it currently -- quote -- "does not align visually with the surrounding architecture."

At today's hearing, they said the project is as much about restoration as it is aesthetics.

Ryan Erb:

Right now, it's kind of just been a maintaining. But, as we can see, that maintaining has kind of resulted in somewhat of a disrepair state.

Amna Nawaz:

But preservationists and architects have expressed alarm, saying that painting the building's gray granite could damage the stone.

Voters in the U.K. have been casting ballots in local elections seen as a referendum on the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Question:

How are you feeling, Prime Minister?

Amna Nawaz:

After voting earlier today, Starmer declined to speak with reporters. His center-left Labor Party is facing significant losses, with the Reform U.K. Party led by Nigel Farage and the Green Party expected to make gains.

Voters are deciding some 5,000 council seats across England Scotland and Wales. A poor showing by Labor would add further pressure on Starmer to step down. Results will start coming in overnight, with most due by tomorrow afternoon.

On Wall Street today, stocks pulled back from recent records amid uncertainty over the Iran war. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 300 points. The Nasdaq ended about 30 points lower. The S&P 500 also closed in negative territory.

And a bit of Supreme Court history was made today. Clarence Thomas became the second longest-serving justice in U.S. history. He was confirmed in late 1991 following a contentious process that included sexual harassment allegations, which he denied. For years, he was an outlier on the court, known for his conservatism and his near silence during oral arguments.

But the 77-year-old is now a towering figure, helping secure rulings on abortion, voting rights and the Second Amendment. Should he stay on the bench, Thomas will become the longest-serving justice in 2028. That's a record currently held by the late William O. Douglas.