News for August 20, 2025

Texas House Republicans passed new congressional maps that could give President Donald Trump and the GOP up to five more U.S. House seats, while Democrats in California move to counter with their own redistricting plan.

The Texas House of Representatives approved new congressional maps that favor Republicans, and Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign them.

The Trump administration is sending military lawyers to help the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia prosecute local crimes as it faces staffing shortages.

Hundreds of current and former federal health workers say Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spread false claims that put public health and CDC staff at risk.

Japanese American groups are criticizing ICE’s new detention center at Fort Bliss, saying the site’s use echoes the World War II internment of people of Japanese descent.

A federal judge denied the Justice Department’s request to release Jeffrey Epstein grand jury transcripts, saying the government did not meet the legal standard and that the materials add little new information.

California health officials say a South Lake Tahoe resident caught plague, likely from an infected flea while camping, and is now recovering at home.

Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina are bracing for Hurricane Erin, which is passing offshore but still threatening the coast with dangerous surf, rip currents, and storm surge.

A New York state health worker accused of stalking and threatening Brian Thompson’s family has been placed on administrative leave.

Trump called Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to resign after a housing finance official accused her of possible mortgage fraud.

Israel approved a plan to take over Gaza City, calling up tens of thousands of reservists as it moves ahead with a major new military offensive despite calls for a ceasefire.

Donald Trump’s administration has made new deportation deals with Honduras and Uganda to send some migrants to countries other than their own.