NPR News: 05-03-2026 12PM EDT

Alabama lawmakers are convening a special session tomorrow to redraw congressional districts following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that race cannot be the predominant factor in map-drawing. This comes after the Court's 2023 order for Alabama to create a second majority-Black House district, which Democrats hold. The new decision puts that Democratic seat—District 2, represented by Rep. Figures—in jeopardy. Figures expressed calm, focusing on controllables: "I worry about the things that I can control. I do not stress out about the things that I cannot control." Alabama's Attorney General is seeking to overturn a related federal injunction, heightening uncertainty around the state's seven congressional districts.

Oil Output Decisions Amid Gulf Disruptions

OPEC+ members agreed to a modest increase in oil production for June, but experts view it as largely symbolic. The Iran war continues to block Gulf supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, with recovery potentially taking weeks to months even after shipping resumes. President Trump predicted gas prices would fall post-war, but Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy forecasts a longer timeline—over a year to pre-war levels. He projects U.S. national averages hitting $4.50 to $5 per gallon by Memorial Day, with summer peaks possible if the strait remains closed. The impending Atlantic hurricane season adds further risk of record highs.