NPR News: 05-09-2026 12AM EDT

Virginia's Supreme Court on Friday overturned a voter-approved redistricting measure that Democrats hoped would net them four additional congressional seats. The ruling highlighted procedural flaws in the state's constitutional amendment process, while new UFO files from the Trump administration drew scrutiny for lacking novel insights. Other headlines included a US-Iran naval clash, stronger-than-expected US jobs growth, Palestinian marathons under occupation, and upcoming cross-border trucking inspections.

Virginia Redistricting Ruled Invalid

Virginia's unique constitutional amendment process requires the legislature to pass proposed text, face re-election, pass it again, and then send it to voters. Last month, voters narrowly approved a redistricting map that could have given Democrats four more House seats, countering Republican advantages from President Trump's redistricting efforts. However, Democrats rushed the first passage after early voting had begun, prompting Republicans to challenge it.