good morning!🙋🏼♀️I’m Nicole Forelt. Happy Shark Week! 🦈
Take a quick look at Monday’s news:
Texas Congress Map on Drawing
Republican-controlled Texas Legislature is poised to consider a new set of congressional maps during a special session that begins Monday.
Here’s the latest news from Caller Times, which is part of the USA Today Network.
- Why is this important to America: After facing pressure from Trump’s political team, Gov. Greg Abbott asked lawmakers to redraw some of the 38 US homes in Texas ahead of the mid-term 2026. Trump hopes to consolidate in the red districts to help disperse GOP voters in the state and turn blue seats over.
- Can a president put pressure on state politics? Democrats on the state legislative delegation said they hope the new district will violate federal voting rights laws by diluting racial minority votes.
- “I’m Texan. How can I get involved?” The Texans can follow special sessions online, contact lawmakers and testify at the hearing and participate in the legislative process.
More information from the USA Today Network: The special session could cause rezoning in Florida and Ohio, and is already scheduled to be redrawn this year.
Israel Fire kills people seeking more help in Gaza
Israel’s Ministry of Health has issued a new evacuation order for areas packed with evacuated Gazan, saying at least 67 people have been killed in Israeli fires while waiting for Israeli aid truck Sunday in Gaza. The ministry said dozens of people were injured in the incident in northern Gaza. Many of Gaza were reduced to wasteland during more than 21 months of war, threatening to accelerate starvation.
More news you need to know now
What’s the weather today? Check out your local forecast here.
Ice detention is growing in the South
Republican-led Southern states are increasingly leading the detention and deportation of millions of migrants, from the Florida Everglades’ “Wannial Catraz” to the expansion of vast Georgian immigration facilities. Far from the US-Mexico border, Mississippi has the ice prison with the highest average daily population. Louisiana has more detention centers than any state other than Texas (total of nine) after converting almost half a dozen correctional facilities into immigrant detention. Most are far away and scattered near farms and forests. Other states may also follow Louisiana’s example as more federal funds flow into ice detention.
A $10 billion lawsuit. More documents are coming. This is the latest from Trump and Epstein.
Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against Libel and Slander against the Wall Street Journal, its publisher, two reporters and a former friend of News Corporation Rupert Murdoch. In question, the story of Trump sending Epstein a “bawdy” 50-birthday Letter to Epstein in 2003, decorated with rough pictures of the naked body of a woman using his unique signature. Trump called the article “false” and demanded damages. However, his attempt to convince Americans that there is nothing to be seen here is likely a difficult fight.
Today’s speaker
The WNBA Commissioner said, “Payment!”
If the message to the WNBA and its owners were not yet clear, players sent another one before Saturday night’s All-Star Game. Taking the coat for a warm-up, all players wore black t-shirts, “I’ll pay what you owe us.” The player’s unwavering attitude is in stark contrast to the impression of WNBA commissioner Kathy Engelbert, this is the usual interaction that occurs in all labor negotiations. The crowd booed Engelbert and chanted, “Pay! Pay!” She presented the All-Star MVP trophy to Naphesa Collier, who had the team defeated Team Clark 151-131.
Today’s photo: This is a special cup for Dad
Scratch “Cup”. It’s a claret jug. American Scotty Schaeffler steals the heart celebrating the victory of the 2025 Open Championship, the first British Open victory of his career, winning a career in three of four major tournaments. Only the US Open remains.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer for USA Today and sign up for your email here. Want to send a note to Nicole? Please email her at nollert@usatoday.com.
