NPR News: 05-08-2026 3PM EDT

Republicans in Southern states are pushing new congressional maps to boost their midterm advantages amid protests and legal challenges, while other updates cover Census Bureau preparations, a major cyber recovery, social media privacy shifts, and a new Gaza aid flotilla attempt.

Redistricting Advances in Tennessee and Alabama

Despite heavy protests, Tennessee Republicans passed a U.S. House map on Tuesday that eliminates the state's only majority-Black district, which covers Memphis. The move follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week that further weakened protections against such changes. In Alabama, similar disruptions occurred today in the State House gallery during debates over GOP-backed maps. Critics highlighted contrasts with Texas and Florida, where Republicans redrew maps without public input, versus California and Virginia, where voters influenced the process. One lawmaker called it a "race to the bottom" on competitive seats, noting plans to appeal a Virginia court decision for subverting voter will. These maps aim to solidify Republican control ahead of midterms by concentrating Democratic voters.