Aug 18 Watch 5:58 How partisan redistricting battles could decide the next Congress By Lisa Desjardins, Kyle Midura Texas lawmakers are back in session after Democrats returned to the state after leaving to block partisan redistricting. Democrats came back because California is planning its own partisan map to counteract GOP gains in Texas. To discuss how the map… Continue watching
Aug 18 Texas Democrats end redistricting walkout after California Democrats move forward with plans to redraw their map By Associated Press Democratic leaders say they will return for a second special legislative session after seeing California Democratic leaders proceed with plans to redraw their own U.S. House maps to neutralize Republican gains in Texas. Continue reading
Aug 14 Watch 6:15 ‘Stop the insanity’: Texas Democrat urges GOP to end redistricting battle By Geoff Bennett, Kyle Midura Gov. Gavin Newsom threw down the gauntlet Thursday, saying California will move forward to redraw congressional maps in his party's favor if Texas Republicans do the same. Texas Democrats have blocked the plan by walking out on a special session,… Continue watching
Aug 14 WATCH: Newsom announces California is moving ahead on response to Texas redistricting By Michael R. Blood, Trân Nguyễn, Associated Press California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday his state will hold a Nov. 4 special election to seek voter approval of new congressional map drawn to try to win Democrats five more U.S. House seats in 2026. Continue reading
Aug 11 ‘Playing with fire’: Newsom urges Trump to abandon partisan redistricting fight By Bill Barrow, Associated Press Texas Republicans are trying to reconvene the state Legislature to vote on redrawing congressional maps in their party's favor. Continue reading
Aug 11 Judge to hear case on whether Trump violated federal law with National Guard deployment in LA By Janie Har, Olga R. Rodriguez, Associated Press A federal judge will hear arguments on whether military troops deployed by the Trump administration to Los Angeles violated a federal law that bars troops from conducting law enforcement duties within the country. Continue reading
Aug 09 New study shows how climate change is driving wildfire season to start earlier in California By Gavin D. Madakumbura, Alex Hall, The Conversation Parts of California are seeing fire season start more than 10 weeks earlier now than in the 1990s. Two authors of a new study explain how climate warming has been driving this trend and why it's likely to continue. Continue reading
Aug 09 Watch 5:33 ‘When It All Burns’ recounts a historic megafire season with the elite Los Padres Hotshots By John Yang, Claire Mufson The Gifford Fire in Southern California has reached “megafire” status, burning an area bigger than Atlanta. Megafires, which burn more than 100,000 acres, have become increasingly common in recent years. A new book, “When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in… Continue watching
Aug 08 Trump administration seeks $1B settlement from UCLA, White House official says By Jocelyn Gecker, Michelle L. Price, Associated Press The Trump administration is seeking a $1 billion settlement from the University of California, Los Angeles, a White House official said Friday, weeks after the Department of Justice accused the school of antisemitism and other civil rights violations. Continue reading
Aug 08 Texas Democrats decamp to California as Republicans warn of more escalations By Jim Vertuno, Nadia Lathan, Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas House of Representatives failed to meet a quorum on Friday as Democratic lawmakers continued their walkout to block a vote on congressional voting maps sought by President Donald Trump in a widening national battle… Continue reading