AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Democrats prevented their state’s House of Representatives from moving forward, at least for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by President Donald Trump. The map would shore up Republicans’ 2026 midterm prospects as Trump’s political standing falters. After dozens of Democrats left the state, the Republican-dominated House was unable…… MORE
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Democrats are weighing new political maps that could slash five Republican-held House seats in the liberal-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in other battleground districts. The tentative proposal comes in response to plans by Texas Republicans to redraw House districts and strengthen the GOP hold on the chamber in 2026.…… MORE
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department is proposing requiring applicants for business and tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States. It’s a move that may make the process unaffordable for many. In a notice to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, the department…… MORE
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers have left Washington for the annual August recess, but a few weeks of relative quiet at the U.S. Capitol can’t mask the partisan tensions that are brewing on government funding and President Donald Trump’s nominees. It could make for a momentous September. On government funding, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and…… MORE
NEW YORK (AP) — A judge says Sean “Diddy” Combs can’t go home from jail to await sentencing on his prostitution-related conviction. The judge issued a decision Monday to deny the rap and style mogul’s latest bid for bail. Combs has been behind bars since his arrest in September. He faced federal charges of coercing…… MORE