Give back this holiday season by volunteering, donating financially or making an appointment to give blood at redcross.org.

DECEMBER 15, 2025&nbsp;— In 2025, local American Red Cross volunteers&nbsp;became a lifeline&nbsp;for thousands of neighbors&nbsp;reeling from disasters&nbsp;in Nebraska.

&nbsp;In a powerful display of community,&nbsp;local&nbsp;volunteers responded alongside partners to provide safe refuge, hot meals, emotional support and basic health services for families devastated by tornadoes, floods and other disasters this year, including hundreds of home fires.

The need for this support shows no sign of slowing down. In the U.S., Red Cross home fire responses spike&nbsp;nearly 20%&nbsp;during the holidays, when families face increased fire risks such as cooking and heating.

“Disasters don’t take holidays — and neither do our volunteers,” said Jill Orton, Region CEO of the American Red Cross. “Thanks to generous donations, they have the resources to deliver comfort, hope and support to help people recover. Through these simple acts of giving, we come together as a community to bring light to a family’s darkest days — right when it’s needed most.”

This holiday season, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszL2O6yAQQOGngQ6LwcPPFBRp8hoRZsYJuk58F6xY-_arrLb9jnQ4u1TRBi0ZYvAJwHunH3mhaGuR6v1CwGvCdZ1xSZgiFGFLuuVAaJ33kEpiusFsOS0WwcMcQKEdjeVf-zLP0jbpw4RQ2YdQQzL9jd1Nn6C3_DiO_2q-KHdV7nqe59SFa9_HmPZ-V-6qn8KtmC6blCGmcf6F2x-o-eKstUS6503O7zHV0rf2agqtlPsmvXDbp5ccehxd5Pk5cIwAS0QT4kIGqUZDfg0mRoupohBFp9_Z_QQAAP__56lWAA">redcross.org</a>&nbsp;to make a financial donation or&nbsp;to give back through volunteering.&nbsp;You can also make an appointment to give blood or platelets.&nbsp;The need for blood is constant — and just like disasters, medical emergencies don’t take holidays.

How Local Responders Helped in Nebraska in 2025

Visit the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJw0zEuO6yAQheHVwAyLwjwHDDLxNqIy1HVQsH0bUKzsvpVW9_Q_n06OyictLacIzhoPYIzij7gG6RFREYADkDhrn431yoEMZqWVl2iDlsoY8OhzuMMss1-lBgOzBaZlL5me5UvsWCq1LqxN2VibrBftpZuaPgOv8THG_87mG1MLU8t1XVOjnNrZ-3S2jamlngkrU8tBa8P-xI_CdxfjFPk8cNCfEVt5lWObHmOvfKdcUDSqhJ1EyfEn3H8Dm29KShkCb7HS9e5TwlbLUZiWhFulhrmc00GD99GI9s9Ddg5gdVpYtwahQ3IimH9WOCe1T5pCcIq_ovoOAAD__2dLaNk">Red Cross of Nebraska Year in Review webpage</a>&nbsp;for stories about how people from Nebraska helped in 2025.&nbsp;

About the American Red Cross:The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszEGOKiEQgOHTwI4ORQNFLVi48RqGpkolD_UNdOzM7SdOZvv9yc_Zpept1JIBY0gAITh9z0ih4hocYoCysTisSa7MpQJLItItR_LWhQCpJKYLrJbTZj0EWCMob2dj-de-zKO0LmOaGCuHGGtMZrz9cMsn6J7v-_5frSflzsqdj-NYhnAdrzmX17jph3ArZkiXMsU0zr9w-QO1npy1lkiP3OX4nksto7dnU95KuXUZhdtrecqu5z5EHp8DIwJs6E3EjYyniobCNRpE61P1QoROv7P7CQAA__8NVFVt">redcross.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszEFuwyAQQNHTmB3WMMAMLFhElXKAXiAiMElo7bjFbqz29FWqbt-Xfk0YigNSkgyTD8Z4j-qWgAUFgFhsvPhsnQ_BMKOvhSyiVy1RdIDem5BDjSdjoYYzOOONJTM4WFuV9_ap59wm6asmKtUTFQq6P1zH8RnUlG7b9jHYw4DHAY_7vo8v_evndXnLh1l6K_mex6Vf1Sy1Zd1lkryKbjX9wekfBntAAIhR9TTJ_r2OJfep3dvgQPJ1kp5rW8a7bGrdusj8PFRmY87sNPE5ahcL6-gvpJnBheIkRkb1SPgbAAD__wT7V1k">CruzRojaAmericana.org</a>, or follow us on social media.

For Immediate Release<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765821282771.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Give back this holiday season by volunteering, donating financially or making an appointment to give blood at redcross.org.</h2>DECEMBER 15, 2025&nbsp;— In 2025, local American Red Cross volunteers&nbsp;became a lifeline&nbsp;for thousands of neighbors&nbsp;reeling from disasters&nbsp;in Nebraska.&nbsp;In a powerful display of community,&nbsp;local&nbsp;volunteers responded alongside partners to provide safe refuge, hot meals, emotional support and basic health services for families devastated by tornadoes, floods and other disasters this year, including hundreds of home fires.The need for this support shows no sign of slowing down. In the U.S., Red Cross home fire responses spike&nbsp;nearly 20%&nbsp;during the holidays, when families face increased fire risks such as cooking and heating.“Disasters don’t take holidays — and neither do our volunteers,” said Jill Orton, Region CEO of the American Red Cross. “Thanks to generous donations, they have the resources to deliver comfort, hope and support to help people recover. Through these simple acts of giving, we come together as a community to bring light to a family’s darkest days — right when it’s needed most.”This holiday season, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszL2O6yAQQOGngQ6LwcPPFBRp8hoRZsYJuk58F6xY-_arrLb9jnQ4u1TRBi0ZYvAJwHunH3mhaGuR6v1CwGvCdZ1xSZgiFGFLuuVAaJ33kEpiusFsOS0WwcMcQKEdjeVf-zLP0jbpw4RQ2YdQQzL9jd1Nn6C3_DiO_2q-KHdV7nqe59SFa9_HmPZ-V-6qn8KtmC6blCGmcf6F2x-o-eKstUS6503O7zHV0rf2agqtlPsmvXDbp5ccehxd5Pk5cIwAS0QT4kIGqUZDfg0mRoupohBFp9_Z_QQAAP__56lWAA">redcross.org</a>&nbsp;to make a financial donation or&nbsp;to give back through volunteering.&nbsp;You can also make an appointment to give blood or platelets.&nbsp;The need for blood is constant — and just like disasters, medical emergencies don’t take holidays.How Local Responders Helped in Nebraska in 2025<ul>
 <li>Responded to nearly 350 home fires, helping&nbsp;more than 1,150 people&nbsp;with relief and recovery support. The Red Cross assesses and addresses the immediate needs of disaster victims and starts them on the road to recovery.</li><li>Installed more than 2,600 free smoke alarms&nbsp;in homes that needed them. Along with installing new alarms, volunteers check batteries in existing smoke alarms and help families create home fire escape plans, making homes safer.</li><li>&nbsp;Collected nearly 130,000 units of blood&nbsp;through&nbsp;more than 5,000 blood drives,&nbsp;ensuring blood was available for those who needed it,&nbsp;including people facing life-threatening conditions like cancer, sickle cell disease, childbirth complications and traumatic injuries.&nbsp;Patients rely on a consistent blood supply to survive and heal — and it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency.</li><li>Provided more than 1,500 services to military members, veterans and their families. This includes support before, during and after deployments, along with helping navigate life as a veteran.</li>
 </ul><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNEIARedCross%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02iBzqP6PTmaBcEhhMoDr2qm7sTiaujELoeXMqCccPQcef3CpMJs6Robp8FKdWatYPl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="615" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Visit the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJw0zEuO6yAQheHVwAyLwjwHDDLxNqIy1HVQsH0bUKzsvpVW9_Q_n06OyictLacIzhoPYIzij7gG6RFREYADkDhrn431yoEMZqWVl2iDlsoY8OhzuMMss1-lBgOzBaZlL5me5UvsWCq1LqxN2VibrBftpZuaPgOv8THG_87mG1MLU8t1XVOjnNrZ-3S2jamlngkrU8tBa8P-xI_CdxfjFPk8cNCfEVt5lWObHmOvfKdcUDSqhJ1EyfEn3H8Dm29KShkCb7HS9e5TwlbLUZiWhFulhrmc00GD99GI9s9Ddg5gdVpYtwahQ3IimH9WOCe1T5pCcIq_ovoOAAD__2dLaNk">Red Cross of Nebraska Year in Review webpage</a>&nbsp;for stories about how people from Nebraska helped in 2025.&nbsp;About the American Red Cross:The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszEGOKiEQgOHTwI4ORQNFLVi48RqGpkolD_UNdOzM7SdOZvv9yc_Zpept1JIBY0gAITh9z0ih4hocYoCysTisSa7MpQJLItItR_LWhQCpJKYLrJbTZj0EWCMob2dj-de-zKO0LmOaGCuHGGtMZrz9cMsn6J7v-_5frSflzsqdj-NYhnAdrzmX17jph3ArZkiXMsU0zr9w-QO1npy1lkiP3OX4nksto7dnU95KuXUZhdtrecqu5z5EHp8DIwJs6E3EjYyniobCNRpE61P1QoROv7P7CQAA__8NVFVt">redcross.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszEFuwyAQQNHTmB3WMMAMLFhElXKAXiAiMElo7bjFbqz29FWqbt-Xfk0YigNSkgyTD8Z4j-qWgAUFgFhsvPhsnQ_BMKOvhSyiVy1RdIDem5BDjSdjoYYzOOONJTM4WFuV9_ap59wm6asmKtUTFQq6P1zH8RnUlG7b9jHYw4DHAY_7vo8v_evndXnLh1l6K_mex6Vf1Sy1Zd1lkryKbjX9wekfBntAAIhR9TTJ_r2OJfep3dvgQPJ1kp5rW8a7bGrdusj8PFRmY87sNPE5ahcL6-gvpJnBheIkRkb1SPgbAAD__wT7V1k">CruzRojaAmericana.org</a>, or follow us on social media.

Local Red Cross volunteers provide lifeline for families strained by 2025 disasters

By:<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/ropshal/">Robin Opsahl</a> <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday ordered all flags in Iowa lowered in honor of the two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria.

The two service members were killed Saturday in Palmyra, Syria, by a lone gunman suspected to be affiliated with ISIS. The two individuals were identified in a news release Monday as Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar of Grimes. Both were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment.

Reynolds said she and her husband, Kevin Reynolds, offer “offer our prayers and condolences to their families and ask that Iowans stand united in support of them during this difficult time.”

“Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torrestovar served our state and nation with honor, and in doing so, gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Reynolds said. “We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.”

Reynolds and Iowa National Guard Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn confirmed during a Saturday news conference three other soldiers were injured in the attack — one of the injuries was “superficial,” Osborn said, while two others were “significant,” and both were stable but in critical condition receiving treatment at the Jordan air base. One civilian, an interpreter who was not from Iowa, was also killed in the attack.

In a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1181943667403597&amp;set=pcb.1181949564069674" target="_blank">&nbsp;social media post</a>&nbsp;late Saturday, Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn wrote that his son, Howard, was one of the soldiers killed in the attack.

“My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have,” Bunn wrote. “Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer. He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world.”

The attack, currently under investigation, occurred “as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement,”<a href="https://x.com/SeanParnellASW/status/1999881329593258126?s=20" target="_blank">&nbsp;according to Sean Parnell</a>, the U.S. assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. The soldiers’ mission was in support of ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the area. Osborn said at the Saturday news conference the Iowa National Guard forces in Syria operate as a part of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, an international union led by the U.S. focused on fighting ISIS in the region.

“Our soldiers were doing their job, serving with courage, dedication and professionalism,” Osborn said. “They carried out their mission to the best of their ability, and we are proud of their incredible service and sacrifice, and we will continue to stand strong as a team united in the purpose and resolve their mission.”

There are currently 1,800 Iowa soldiers in the Middle East, Osborn said, deployed in May 2025. Of that group, between 200 and 250 are National Guard members deployed in Syria.

President Donald Trump pledged a strong U.S. response to the ISIS attack<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115713778827349150" target="_blank">&nbsp;in a Truth Social post Saturday</a>&nbsp;mourning the deaths of the three Americans.

“This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them,” Trump write. “The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.”

Other Iowa leaders shared their condolences for the fallen soldiers and their families following the news Saturday. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a veteran who served with the Iowa National Guard, asked Iowans to join her “in praying for the families of these American heroes.”

“Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded,” Ernst said in a statement. “These soldiers were carrying out a critical mission in combatting the threat of ISIS and keeping our homeland safe from the threat of radical Islamic terror. This tragic attack is a reminder that freedom is not free and that every American owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day.”

The last death of an Iowa National Guard member in service occurred in 2011 in Afghanistan.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said the deaths of the Iowa National Guard members was “absolutely shocking news” in a statement Saturday.

“The National Guard represents the best of us – citizens always ready to protect and serve their neighbors,” Hart said. “May the families of these brave Iowa soldiers know that the entire state of Iowa grieves for them and send our sincerest sympathies to them for their unbelievable loss.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765830118517.png" alt="&nbsp;Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar-photo Iowa National Guard" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar-photo Iowa National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/ropshal/">Robin Opsahl</a> <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday ordered all flags in Iowa lowered in honor of the two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria.The two service members were killed Saturday in Palmyra, Syria, by a lone gunman suspected to be affiliated with ISIS. The two individuals were identified in a news release Monday as Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar of Grimes. Both were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765830050753.png" alt="&nbsp;Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard=photo Iowa National Guard" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard=photo Iowa National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>Reynolds said she and her husband, Kevin Reynolds, offer “offer our prayers and condolences to their families and ask that Iowans stand united in support of them during this difficult time.”“Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torrestovar served our state and nation with honor, and in doing so, gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Reynolds said. “We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.”Reynolds and Iowa National Guard Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn confirmed during a Saturday news conference three other soldiers were injured in the attack — one of the injuries was “superficial,” Osborn said, while two others were “significant,” and both were stable but in critical condition receiving treatment at the Jordan air base. One civilian, an interpreter who was not from Iowa, was also killed in the attack.In a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1181943667403597&amp;set=pcb.1181949564069674" target="_blank">&nbsp;social media post</a>&nbsp;late Saturday, Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn wrote that his son, Howard, was one of the soldiers killed in the attack.“My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have,” Bunn wrote. “Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer. He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world.”The attack, currently under investigation, occurred “as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement,”<a href="https://x.com/SeanParnellASW/status/1999881329593258126?s=20" target="_blank">&nbsp;according to Sean Parnell</a>, the U.S. assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. The soldiers’ mission was in support of ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the area. Osborn said at the Saturday news conference the Iowa National Guard forces in Syria operate as a part of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, an international union led by the U.S. focused on fighting ISIS in the region.“Our soldiers were doing their job, serving with courage, dedication and professionalism,” Osborn said. “They carried out their mission to the best of their ability, and we are proud of their incredible service and sacrifice, and we will continue to stand strong as a team united in the purpose and resolve their mission.”There are currently 1,800 Iowa soldiers in the Middle East, Osborn said, deployed in May 2025. Of that group, between 200 and 250 are National Guard members deployed in Syria.President Donald Trump pledged a strong U.S. response to the ISIS attack<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115713778827349150" target="_blank">&nbsp;in a Truth Social post Saturday</a>&nbsp;mourning the deaths of the three Americans.“This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them,” Trump write. “The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.”Other Iowa leaders shared their condolences for the fallen soldiers and their families following the news Saturday. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a veteran who served with the Iowa National Guard, asked Iowans to join her “in praying for the families of these American heroes.”“Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded,” Ernst said in a statement. “These soldiers were carrying out a critical mission in combatting the threat of ISIS and keeping our homeland safe from the threat of radical Islamic terror. This tragic attack is a reminder that freedom is not free and that every American owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day.”The last death of an Iowa National Guard member in service occurred in 2011 in Afghanistan.Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said the deaths of the Iowa National Guard members was “absolutely shocking news” in a statement Saturday.“The National Guard represents the best of us – citizens always ready to protect and serve their neighbors,” Hart said. “May the families of these brave Iowa soldiers know that the entire state of Iowa grieves for them and send our sincerest sympathies to them for their unbelievable loss.”

US Army names National Guard members killed in attack in Syria

Republicans could gain nearly 200 state legislative seats across the South if the U.S. Supreme Court guts a key provision of the federal Voting Rights Act, a new analysis finds.

The bulk of the gains would be concentrated in 10 GOP-controlled state legislatures in Southern states, according to the analysis, produced by Fair Fight Action, a Georgia-based progressive voting rights group, in partnership with Black Voters Matter Fund, which advocates on behalf of Black voters.

The analysis, featured in a&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/664f769adc5cc1607d32b366/693c85542ed35aaddd503882_REPORT_SCOTUS_VRA_2.0.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;released by the groups on Monday, underscores the alarm among progressives over the potential consequences of the Supreme Court’s looming decision in a case known as Louisiana v. Callais. While the case centers on the constitutionality of Louisiana’s congressional map, the effects of the decision could extend into statehouses across the country.

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appears likely to severely weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a landmark 1965 civil rights law that bans racial discrimination in voting access. Section 2 restricts racial gerrymandering, and until now has limited the power of lawmakers to draw districts that dilute the voting power of racial minority voters.

A sweeping decision by the court could give state lawmakers a freer hand to draw congressional and state legislative districts that dilute the power of minority voters — as well as districts for local governments, such as county commissions, city councils and school boards. The justices held oral arguments in October; a decision could come at any time.

At the state legislative level, a court ruling that strikes down Section 2 could lead to Democrats losing about 191 seats, according to the analysis, which examined how state legislative districts could be redrawn if Section 2 is no longer in place. Most of those seats are currently held by Black lawmakers in districts where minority voters make up a majority of residents.

“What that is doing is providing a fatal blow to Black representation in the South,” Fair Fight Action CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo said in an interview.

The total number of state legislative districts in 10 Southern states where Black or Hispanic voters comprise a majority could fall from 342 to 202. Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Some Republican states argue that courts have interpreted Section 2’s protections too broadly and in the process wrongly restrained the ability of lawmakers to draw favorable maps.

Alabama and 13 other GOP states said in a brief filed with the Supreme Court earlier this year that Section 2 has been turned into “the proverbial golden hammer, wielded by plaintiffs and courts in a never-ending search for a nail.”

If the Supreme Court weakens the Voting Rights Act, it’s unclear whether state legislatures would pursue mid-decade redraws of state legislative districts. Redistricting typically occurs every 10 years following the census.

At the federal level,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000199-c097-dae2-ab9d-ded7d6fb0000" target="_blank">a previous analysis</a>&nbsp;by Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund projected Republicans could draw an additional 19 U.S. House seats if Section 2 protections were removed.

While a few states have passed new congressional maps already this year, those efforts have proven highly controversial. Some states, such as Indiana and Kansas, have abandoned or rejected them for now.

By Jonathan Shorman | Stateline<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762206108092.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Republicans could gain nearly 200 state legislative seats across the South if the U.S. Supreme Court guts a key provision of the federal Voting Rights Act, a new analysis finds.The bulk of the gains would be concentrated in 10 GOP-controlled state legislatures in Southern states, according to the analysis, produced by Fair Fight Action, a Georgia-based progressive voting rights group, in partnership with Black Voters Matter Fund, which advocates on behalf of Black voters.The analysis, featured in a&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/664f769adc5cc1607d32b366/693c85542ed35aaddd503882_REPORT_SCOTUS_VRA_2.0.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;released by the groups on Monday, underscores the alarm among progressives over the potential consequences of the Supreme Court’s looming decision in a case known as Louisiana v. Callais. While the case centers on the constitutionality of Louisiana’s congressional map, the effects of the decision could extend into statehouses across the country.The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appears likely to severely weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a landmark 1965 civil rights law that bans racial discrimination in voting access. Section 2 restricts racial gerrymandering, and until now has limited the power of lawmakers to draw districts that dilute the voting power of racial minority voters.A sweeping decision by the court could give state lawmakers a freer hand to draw congressional and state legislative districts that dilute the power of minority voters — as well as districts for local governments, such as county commissions, city councils and school boards. The justices held oral arguments in October; a decision could come at any time.At the state legislative level, a court ruling that strikes down Section 2 could lead to Democrats losing about 191 seats, according to the analysis, which examined how state legislative districts could be redrawn if Section 2 is no longer in place. Most of those seats are currently held by Black lawmakers in districts where minority voters make up a majority of residents.“What that is doing is providing a fatal blow to Black representation in the South,” Fair Fight Action CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo said in an interview.The total number of state legislative districts in 10 Southern states where Black or Hispanic voters comprise a majority could fall from 342 to 202. Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.Some Republican states argue that courts have interpreted Section 2’s protections too broadly and in the process wrongly restrained the ability of lawmakers to draw favorable maps.Alabama and 13 other GOP states said in a brief filed with the Supreme Court earlier this year that Section 2 has been turned into “the proverbial golden hammer, wielded by plaintiffs and courts in a never-ending search for a nail.”If the Supreme Court weakens the Voting Rights Act, it’s unclear whether state legislatures would pursue mid-decade redraws of state legislative districts. Redistricting typically occurs every 10 years following the census.At the federal level,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000199-c097-dae2-ab9d-ded7d6fb0000" target="_blank">a previous analysis</a>&nbsp;by Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund projected Republicans could draw an additional 19 U.S. House seats if Section 2 protections were removed.While a few states have passed new congressional maps already this year, those efforts have proven highly controversial. Some states, such as Indiana and Kansas, have abandoned or rejected them for now.

Republicans could gain nearly 200 state legislative seats in voting rights case, report finds

Arrests in the United States have fallen to levels not seen in decades, according to a new&nbsp;<a href="https://counciloncj.org/who-gets-arrested-in-america-trends-across-four-decades-1980-2024/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;that reconstructs national arrest trends in the absence of federal data.

The Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank, on Thursday released the first comprehensive national analysis of arrests since federal authorities stopped publishing detailed arrest statistics in 2020.

Arrests plunged during the first year of the pandemic and have remained low, according to the analysis. The national arrest rate in 2024 was 30% below the 2019 level and 71% lower than the peak in 1994.&nbsp;

Drug arrests have fallen even faster, with adult and juvenile drug-offense arrest rates dropping to about half of what they were in 2019.

In 1980, juveniles made up nearly a fifth of arrests nationwide, but by 2018, their share had fallen to 7%. While adult arrest rates declined 7% between 2020 and 2024, juvenile rates rose 14% over the same period.

Gender patterns have shifted as well. With arrests of men falling more steeply over time, women now account for a larger portion of arrests. Adult women’s share nearly doubled between 1980 and 2020, rising from 14% to about 27%. Girls’ share of juvenile arrests grew from 18% to roughly 31%.

Between 2020 and 2024, arrest rates for Black and Asian juveniles surged 48% and 45%, respectively, compared with an 11% increase among white youth. Rates for American Indian and Alaska Native juveniles fell 4%.&nbsp;

Among adults, arrest rates increased by 12% for Black people and 18% for Asian people, but declined by 10% for white adults and 17% for American Indian and Alaska Native adults.

Stateline reporter Amanda Watford can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ahernandez@stateline.org">ahernandez@stateline.org</a>.

By Amanda Watford | Stateline<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763992271100.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Arrests in the United States have fallen to levels not seen in decades, according to a new&nbsp;<a href="https://counciloncj.org/who-gets-arrested-in-america-trends-across-four-decades-1980-2024/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;that reconstructs national arrest trends in the absence of federal data.The Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank, on Thursday released the first comprehensive national analysis of arrests since federal authorities stopped publishing detailed arrest statistics in 2020.Arrests plunged during the first year of the pandemic and have remained low, according to the analysis. The national arrest rate in 2024 was 30% below the 2019 level and 71% lower than the peak in 1994.&nbsp;Drug arrests have fallen even faster, with adult and juvenile drug-offense arrest rates dropping to about half of what they were in 2019.In 1980, juveniles made up nearly a fifth of arrests nationwide, but by 2018, their share had fallen to 7%. While adult arrest rates declined 7% between 2020 and 2024, juvenile rates rose 14% over the same period.Gender patterns have shifted as well. With arrests of men falling more steeply over time, women now account for a larger portion of arrests. Adult women’s share nearly doubled between 1980 and 2020, rising from 14% to about 27%. Girls’ share of juvenile arrests grew from 18% to roughly 31%.Between 2020 and 2024, arrest rates for Black and Asian juveniles surged 48% and 45%, respectively, compared with an 11% increase among white youth. Rates for American Indian and Alaska Native juveniles fell 4%.&nbsp;Among adults, arrest rates increased by 12% for Black people and 18% for Asian people, but declined by 10% for white adults and 17% for American Indian and Alaska Native adults.Stateline reporter Amanda Watford can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ahernandez@stateline.org">ahernandez@stateline.org</a>.

Arrests nationwide have fallen to historic lows, report finds

By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/christopher-shea/">Christopher Shea</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/alexcastro/">Alexander Castro</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/janine-weisman/">Janine L. Weisman</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>

Providence police will release the man apprehended at a Coventry hotel early Sunday morning as part of their investigation of the mass shooting at Brown University’s engineering and physics building.

The surprising news came at a twice delayed press conference that began shortly after 11 p.m. at the Providence Public Safety Complex. The press conference was originally slated to begin at 10:30 p.m. and then 10:45 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I’ve been around long enough to know that sometimes you head in one direction and you have to regroup and go in another and that is what has happened over the last 24 hours or so,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said.

The press conference came hours after national news outlets had already named a 24-year-old Wisconsin man, citing law enforcement sources speaking on condition of anonymity. The Associated Press had reported that police had seized two handguns and two loaded 30-round magazines when the man was detained at the Hampton Inn in Coventry.

“What is really unfortunate is that this person’s name was leaked to the public,” Neronha went on. “It’s hard to put that back in the bottle.”

Neronha declined to say what eliminated him as a person of interest.

Meanwhile, officials are still not releasing the names of the victims in the shooting, which killed two students and wounded nine others. Eight students remain hospitalized at Rhode Island Hospital.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said that the search will continue for additional video evidence. Residents living near the Brown University campus, particularly along Hope and Waterman streets, who have doorbells that record motion, are asked to upload any videos recorded after the shooting happened Saturday around 4 p.m. to a&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/digitalmedia/614ee3a4a073699" target="_blank">designated page</a>&nbsp;on the FBI website.

Smiley said residents and business owners in the area who have video from that time can also call police at (401) 272-3121.

When a reporter asked Neronha if the person of interest would be exonerated in writing, after having his name nationally broadcasted in relation to a mass shooting, Neronha opted to sketch “a clear picture” of case law and the duration of forensics.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We can detain someone for a reasonable period of time if there is evidence as such that points to that person being involved in criminal activity,” Neronha said. “So you know, evidence doesn’t appear on your doorstep and you have answers to it within the first 15 minutes.”

Evidence, Neronha added, takes time and testing to confirm. Some tests can take an entire day to perform.&nbsp;

“So over the course of the day, while we’re following up leads elsewhere, those initial leads may come back positive or may come back negative,” Neronha said. “Here they came back negative.”

Neronha got testy once more when a reporter asked about the availability of any additional video evidence. Smiley was at the podium, but Neronha’s voice boomed forward in reply.&nbsp;

“If we had that video, you’d have it,” Neronha said. “Obviously, if there was, if there was a piece of video [where] we can show you a face and say, ‘This is our person of interest, or suspect,’ you’d have it.”

Asked about the possibility of additional video — whether from cameras at Brown or in the surrounding area, like homes or businesses — the AG offered a more resigned reply.&nbsp;

“We’re not holding back video,” Neronha said.&nbsp;“We’re not holding back video that we think would be useful, and I don’t think I should even have to say it.”

The Barus and Holley engineering building where the shooting occurred is an older building with few cameras, Neronha said.

Still, Neronha said, officials cannot divulge everything. “We have a murderer out there, frankly,” he said. “And so we’re not going to give away the game plan.”

Smiley said the individual would “shortly be released” from the Providence Police but did not give a specific time.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Smiley pledged to provide additional updates as the investigation continues.

“The community deserves to know the progress we are making in this investigation,” Smiley said. “I imagine that the Providence community feels a little bit more anxious than they did an hour ago, and I understand that.”

At a press conference Sunday morning, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez was cautious in choosing his words to describe the status of the person of interest as being detained and not in custody. Perez had stopped short of saying the man apprehended in Coventry was the same man wearing all black shown walking on Hope Street and taking a right on Waterman Street in the<a href="https://youtu.be/TfYK8EIcqek?si=wbCXFnosK-Uuy789" target="_blank">&nbsp;video police released Saturday night</a>.

Asked by a reporter if the man detained was the same man in the video, Perez was clear. “We do not have enough evidence to corroborate that,” the chief said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765713698495.png" alt="Image from Providence Police video" />
 <figcaption>Image from Providence Police video</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/christopher-shea/">Christopher Shea</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/alexcastro/">Alexander Castro</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/janine-weisman/">Janine L. Weisman</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>Providence police will release the man apprehended at a Coventry hotel early Sunday morning as part of their investigation of the mass shooting at Brown University’s engineering and physics building.The surprising news came at a twice delayed press conference that began shortly after 11 p.m. at the Providence Public Safety Complex. The press conference was originally slated to begin at 10:30 p.m. and then 10:45 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“I’ve been around long enough to know that sometimes you head in one direction and you have to regroup and go in another and that is what has happened over the last 24 hours or so,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said.The press conference came hours after national news outlets had already named a 24-year-old Wisconsin man, citing law enforcement sources speaking on condition of anonymity. The Associated Press had reported that police had seized two handguns and two loaded 30-round magazines when the man was detained at the Hampton Inn in Coventry.“What is really unfortunate is that this person’s name was leaked to the public,” Neronha went on. “It’s hard to put that back in the bottle.”Neronha declined to say what eliminated him as a person of interest.Meanwhile, officials are still not releasing the names of the victims in the shooting, which killed two students and wounded nine others. Eight students remain hospitalized at Rhode Island Hospital.Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said that the search will continue for additional video evidence. Residents living near the Brown University campus, particularly along Hope and Waterman streets, who have doorbells that record motion, are asked to upload any videos recorded after the shooting happened Saturday around 4 p.m. to a&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/digitalmedia/614ee3a4a073699" target="_blank">designated page</a>&nbsp;on the FBI website.Smiley said residents and business owners in the area who have video from that time can also call police at (401) 272-3121.When a reporter asked Neronha if the person of interest would be exonerated in writing, after having his name nationally broadcasted in relation to a mass shooting, Neronha opted to sketch “a clear picture” of case law and the duration of forensics.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We can detain someone for a reasonable period of time if there is evidence as such that points to that person being involved in criminal activity,” Neronha said. “So you know, evidence doesn’t appear on your doorstep and you have answers to it within the first 15 minutes.”Evidence, Neronha added, takes time and testing to confirm. Some tests can take an entire day to perform.&nbsp;“So over the course of the day, while we’re following up leads elsewhere, those initial leads may come back positive or may come back negative,” Neronha said. “Here they came back negative.”Neronha got testy once more when a reporter asked about the availability of any additional video evidence. Smiley was at the podium, but Neronha’s voice boomed forward in reply.&nbsp;“If we had that video, you’d have it,” Neronha said. “Obviously, if there was, if there was a piece of video [where] we can show you a face and say, ‘This is our person of interest, or suspect,’ you’d have it.”Asked about the possibility of additional video — whether from cameras at Brown or in the surrounding area, like homes or businesses — the AG offered a more resigned reply.&nbsp;“We’re not holding back video,” Neronha said.&nbsp;“We’re not holding back video that we think would be useful, and I don’t think I should even have to say it.”The Barus and Holley engineering building where the shooting occurred is an older building with few cameras, Neronha said.Still, Neronha said, officials cannot divulge everything. “We have a murderer out there, frankly,” he said. “And so we’re not going to give away the game plan.”Smiley said the individual would “shortly be released” from the Providence Police but did not give a specific time.&nbsp;&nbsp;Smiley pledged to provide additional updates as the investigation continues.“The community deserves to know the progress we are making in this investigation,” Smiley said. “I imagine that the Providence community feels a little bit more anxious than they did an hour ago, and I understand that.”At a press conference Sunday morning, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez was cautious in choosing his words to describe the status of the person of interest as being detained and not in custody. Perez had stopped short of saying the man apprehended in Coventry was the same man wearing all black shown walking on Hope Street and taking a right on Waterman Street in the<a href="https://youtu.be/TfYK8EIcqek?si=wbCXFnosK-Uuy789" target="_blank">&nbsp;video police released Saturday night</a>.Asked by a reporter if the man detained was the same man in the video, Perez was clear. “We do not have enough evidence to corroborate that,” the chief said.&nbsp;

Brown University shooter still at large; person of interest released

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. - A fugitive wanted nationwide since 2018 was taken into custody in North Platte after deputies confirmed he was the subject of a full extradition warrant, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said they received information Saturday, Dec. 13, that Jorge Fonseca-Dominguez was staying at a residence in North Platte. Further investigation confirmed Fonseca-Dominguez was wanted on a nationwide extradition warrant and was listed on the U.S. Marshals Service most wanted list.

Authorities said Fonseca-Dominguez had been a fugitive from justice since 2018. He was previously sentenced to 10 months in prison for illegal re-entry into the United States.

The sheriff’s office said Fonseca-Dominguez violated the conditions of his supervised release by illegally returning to the United States after being deported and by failing to report to his probation officer.

According to law enforcement, Fonseca-Dominguez has an extensive criminal history that includes disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, driving while intoxicated and multiple drug-related charges.

Fonseca-Dominguez was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Lincoln County Detention Center, where he is being held pending extradition.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. - A fugitive wanted nationwide since 2018 was taken into custody in North Platte after deputies confirmed he was the subject of a full extradition warrant, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765721771170.jpeg" alt="Jorge Enrique Fonseca-Dominguez - Fugitive From Justice, wanted by San Antonio, Texas US Marshalls, Probation Violation, Illegal Re-entry" />
 <figcaption>Jorge Enrique Fonseca-Dominguez - Fugitive From Justice, wanted by San Antonio, Texas US Marshalls, Probation Violation, Illegal Re-entry</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies said they received information Saturday, Dec. 13, that Jorge Fonseca-Dominguez was staying at a residence in North Platte. Further investigation confirmed Fonseca-Dominguez was wanted on a nationwide extradition warrant and was listed on the U.S. Marshals Service most wanted list.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLincolnCountySheriffsOfficeNP%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0LhoSoCj9u4E8DPF7cPhuLhWpQbZy9ZVxGKUMGuQQykNEZzrnCrqF6WHENDUB8DvFl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Authorities said Fonseca-Dominguez had been a fugitive from justice since 2018. He was previously sentenced to 10 months in prison for illegal re-entry into the United States.The sheriff’s office said Fonseca-Dominguez violated the conditions of his supervised release by illegally returning to the United States after being deported and by failing to report to his probation officer.According to law enforcement, Fonseca-Dominguez has an extensive criminal history that includes disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, driving while intoxicated and multiple drug-related charges.Fonseca-Dominguez was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Lincoln County Detention Center, where he is being held pending extradition.

Nationwide Fugitive Arrested in North Platte, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Says

The billion-dollar Powerball® jackpot is on the rise. The jackpot has reached an estimated $1.1 billion for Monday night’s drawing, with an estimated cash value of $503.4 million, according to a statement from the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Monday’s jackpot ranks as the sixth largest in Powerball history.

“This jackpot streak is bringing people together to dream big during this festive time of year,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Please play responsibly. Just one $2 Powerball® ticket gives you a chance to win this jackpot while also supporting good causes in your community.”

The Powerball jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 1, 28, 31, 57, 58 and red Powerball 16. The Power Play® multiplier was 2X.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many may still have won cash prizes.

Nationwide, seven tickets won cash prizes worth $1 million or more in last night’s Powerball® drawing. Five tickets, sold in California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes.

Two tickets, sold in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, matched all five white balls and, because the players added the Power Play® option for $1 more, the $1 million prize increased to $2 million for each ticket.

The drawing also produced 49 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 12 tickets that won $100,000 prizes.

Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets, sold in Colorado and North Carolina, each won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.

Monday’s Powerball drawing will be the 43rd in the current jackpot run, setting a game record for most consecutive drawings in a single jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

If a player wins Monday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $503.4 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

The billion-dollar Powerball® jackpot is on the rise. The jackpot has reached an estimated $1.1 billion for Monday night’s drawing, with an estimated cash value of $503.4 million, according to a statement from the Multi-State Lottery Association.Monday’s jackpot ranks as the sixth largest in Powerball history.“This jackpot streak is bringing people together to dream big during this festive time of year,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Please play responsibly. Just one $2 Powerball® ticket gives you a chance to win this jackpot while also supporting good causes in your community.”The Powerball jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 1, 28, 31, 57, 58 and red Powerball 16. The Power Play® multiplier was 2X.Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many may still have won cash prizes.Nationwide, seven tickets won cash prizes worth $1 million or more in last night’s Powerball® drawing. Five tickets, sold in California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes.Two tickets, sold in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, matched all five white balls and, because the players added the Power Play® option for $1 more, the $1 million prize increased to $2 million for each ticket.The drawing also produced 49 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 12 tickets that won $100,000 prizes.Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets, sold in Colorado and North Carolina, each won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.Monday’s Powerball drawing will be the 43rd in the current jackpot run, setting a game record for most consecutive drawings in a single jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.If a player wins Monday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $503.4 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.787 Billion – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR</li><li>$1.1 Billion est. – Dec. 15, 2025</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li>
 </ol>

Powerball jackpot grows to 6th largest in history after Saturday drawing

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A southwestern Kansas county plans to sue the state for more than $2 million after nearly a decade of mistaken payments, mounting concern for democratic processes.

Voters in Morton County, which borders the Oklahoma panhandle and Colorado, approved a countywide sales tax in 2015 that directed funds to their local hospital. But an early administrative error that the county tried to fix resulted in the Kansas Department of Revenue sending checks to the county’s cities, which spent the money.

The hospital was short more than $1.8 million over those nine years, and the county took on new debt as it tried to cover the struggling hospital’s missing costs, according to the commissioners. In addition to the misappropriated payments, the county is suing the revenue department for an additional $295,000 to pay for the interest and legal fees from the new debt.

Morton County’s board of commissioners decided Monday it “will not compromise on recovering the full $2,152,421.36 and ensuring the financial future of our hospital,” the board said in a Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://mtcoks.com/" target="_blank">announcement</a>.

“The liability rests with the state of Kansas,” said the board, which comprises commissioners Ed Anderson, Jim Tucker and chairman J.W. Finn.

The revenue department declined to comment because of the involvement of litigation, said Zach Denney, a department spokesperson.

At a Dec. 2 legislative hearing in Topeka, the department’s chief counsel, Ted Smith, said the department fixed the sales tax revenue’s appropriation earlier this year, following an opinion from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office that underlined the voters’ intent to give funds to the hospital.&nbsp;

The hospital began receiving full checks after ten years of partial funds.&nbsp;

The Morton County attorney, David Thompson, tried at the hearing to make a claim against the state to recover the funds through a legislative process. But lawmakers did not immediately accept. The committee arrived at two options. Legislators said they could forward the issue to a larger group of lawmakers, who would take it up in January, or the county could take legal action.&nbsp;

The county had yet to file a lawsuit as of Thursday.

As passed, Morton County voters approved a general sales tax provision instead of one specifically for health care services because of a clerical error. The question on voters’ ballots cited the wrong subparagraph in state law. As it was voted on, Smith said, the department was bound by statute to formulaically distribute the sales tax revenue to Morton County and its three cities.

The county fixed the error within months, passing ordinances to divert the sales tax revenue to the county, which would then be passed along to the local hospital.

But the department continued to send checks as was dictated by the initial wording. The county gave the money it received to the hospital, but the cities, who have not been involved in the county’s efforts to reclaim the funds, spent their checks.&nbsp;

The board of commissioners emphasized unity over conflict between the county and its cities — Elkhart, Rolla and Richfield — which the board said “were simply the unintended recipients of checks sent monthly by the state agency.”

“The county views our municipalities as essential partners, not as adversaries,” the board said.

The department had known about the mistake a decade ago.&nbsp;

Thompson, the county attorney, said at the legislative hearing that it was staff at the state revenue department who advised the county on how to fix its initial error. But the department said it must abide by the statute to which an issue is tied, as a matter of policy.

“The result of this policy can be classified as nothing less than administrative voter nullification and is repugnant to our democratic processes,” the county commissioners said.

In hindsight, Smith said, the county should have taken the issue to court in 2015.

“If anything unfortunate happened back in 2015, (it) is when Morton County and the Department of Revenue (were) dealing with this issue after the vote,” Smith said. “I think both parties sort of just shrugged their shoulders.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765663630160.png" alt=" Morton County attorney David Thompson, left, and counsel for the Kansas Department of Revenue Ted Smith, right, tell legislators at a Dec. 2, 2025, meeting in Topeka, Kansas, that the state and county knew of a mistake in local sales tax revenue distribution, but it took ten years to correct it. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> Morton County attorney David Thompson, left, and counsel for the Kansas Department of Revenue Ted Smith, right, tell legislators at a Dec. 2, 2025, meeting in Topeka, Kansas, that the state and county knew of a mistake in local sales tax revenue distribution, but it took ten years to correct it. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A southwestern Kansas county plans to sue the state for more than $2 million after nearly a decade of mistaken payments, mounting concern for democratic processes.Voters in Morton County, which borders the Oklahoma panhandle and Colorado, approved a countywide sales tax in 2015 that directed funds to their local hospital. But an early administrative error that the county tried to fix resulted in the Kansas Department of Revenue sending checks to the county’s cities, which spent the money.The hospital was short more than $1.8 million over those nine years, and the county took on new debt as it tried to cover the struggling hospital’s missing costs, according to the commissioners. In addition to the misappropriated payments, the county is suing the revenue department for an additional $295,000 to pay for the interest and legal fees from the new debt.Morton County’s board of commissioners decided Monday it “will not compromise on recovering the full $2,152,421.36 and ensuring the financial future of our hospital,” the board said in a Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://mtcoks.com/" target="_blank">announcement</a>.The county was emphatic.“The liability rests with the state of Kansas,” said the board, which comprises commissioners Ed Anderson, Jim Tucker and chairman J.W. Finn.The revenue department declined to comment because of the involvement of litigation, said Zach Denney, a department spokesperson.At a Dec. 2 legislative hearing in Topeka, the department’s chief counsel, Ted Smith, said the department fixed the sales tax revenue’s appropriation earlier this year, following an opinion from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office that underlined the voters’ intent to give funds to the hospital.&nbsp;The hospital began receiving full checks after ten years of partial funds.&nbsp;The Morton County attorney, David Thompson, tried at the hearing to make a claim against the state to recover the funds through a legislative process. But lawmakers did not immediately accept. The committee arrived at two options. Legislators said they could forward the issue to a larger group of lawmakers, who would take it up in January, or the county could take legal action.&nbsp;The county had yet to file a lawsuit as of Thursday.<h2>Costly shoulder shrugging</h2>As passed, Morton County voters approved a general sales tax provision instead of one specifically for health care services because of a clerical error. The question on voters’ ballots cited the wrong subparagraph in state law. As it was voted on, Smith said, the department was bound by statute to formulaically distribute the sales tax revenue to Morton County and its three cities.The county fixed the error within months, passing ordinances to divert the sales tax revenue to the county, which would then be passed along to the local hospital.But the department continued to send checks as was dictated by the initial wording. The county gave the money it received to the hospital, but the cities, who have not been involved in the county’s efforts to reclaim the funds, spent their checks.&nbsp;The board of commissioners emphasized unity over conflict between the county and its cities — Elkhart, Rolla and Richfield — which the board said “were simply the unintended recipients of checks sent monthly by the state agency.”“The county views our municipalities as essential partners, not as adversaries,” the board said.The department had known about the mistake a decade ago.&nbsp;Thompson, the county attorney, said at the legislative hearing that it was staff at the state revenue department who advised the county on how to fix its initial error. But the department said it must abide by the statute to which an issue is tied, as a matter of policy.“The result of this policy can be classified as nothing less than administrative voter nullification and is repugnant to our democratic processes,” the county commissioners said.In hindsight, Smith said, the county should have taken the issue to court in 2015.“If anything unfortunate happened back in 2015, (it) is when Morton County and the Department of Revenue (were) dealing with this issue after the vote,” Smith said. “I think both parties sort of just shrugged their shoulders.”

Small Kansas county to sue state for $2M meant for local hospital

<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/alexcastro/">Alexander Castro</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/janine-weisman/">Janine L. Weisman</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>

PROVIDENCE — Two people have died and several others were wounded in a mass shooting in a Brown University engineering building late Saturday afternoon, prompting a shelter in place alert on the Ivy League campus and a massive search for a gunman that continued into the evening.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed at a press conference that began shortly after 6:30 p.m. that at least two people were killed with “a minimum of eight” more injured and in critical condition “but stable at Rhode Island Hospital.”&nbsp;

Smiley could not disclose whether the victims were Brown students.

“These numbers may change,” Smiley said. “We are still in early hours.”&nbsp;

The shooting in the Barus and Holley building on Brook Street occurred as final exams were taking place between 2 and 5 p.m. inside Barus &amp; Holley Engineering, Provost Francis J. Doyle III said.

Providence Police Cmdr. Tim O’Hara described the suspect as a man who was wearing black. The suspect left the engineering building’s Hope Street side. O’Hara said that police did not know what type of gun was used.

Forensic and witness evidence were being used to identify the suspect, and the police were primarily relying on video evidence at the moment, O’Hara said.&nbsp;

“All I can give you is a male, all dressed in black, right now,” O’Hara said of the suspect.

The suspect walked away from the area, and law enforcement were unsure where he had gone as of 6:50 p.m.&nbsp;

Smiley said the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also involved in the investigation.

Gov. Dan McKee spoke at the Saturday evening press briefing. “So, the unthinkable has happened,” McKee said.&nbsp;

Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva said the fire department was first alerted about the shooting at 4:05 p.m.&nbsp;

Brown sent out its first emergency alert at 4:22 p.m.,&nbsp;noting “an active shooter near Barus &amp; Holley Engineering.” The alert cautioned the campus community to lock doors, silence phones and “stay hidden until further notice.” The alert also advised the options of run, hide, or, “FIGHT, as a last resort.”

An update at 4:51 p.m. noted a suspect was in custody, only to be redacted in a 5:11 p.m. update that read, “Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s).” The post also advised students to continue to shelter in place.&nbsp;

Smiley said at the press conference that the individual in the 4:51 p.m. update had been mistakenly connected to the incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;

At 5:27 p.m., another emergency alert reported shots fired near Governor Street.&nbsp;That update was also reversed at 6:10 p.m., which added that “a secondary shooting incident near Governor Street is unfounded.”&nbsp;

The erroneous update from 4:51 p.m. noting a suspect was in custody made its way to President Donald Trump, who&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115714676658999589" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on his TruthSocial site at 5:44 p.m. that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was “on the scene.”

“The suspect is in custody,” Trump wrote. “God bless the victims and the families of the victims!”

At 6:03 p.m., Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115714751735035903" target="_blank">posted again</a>: “The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement — The suspect is NOT in custody.”

“We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of multiple shooting victims, but we are not able to share their condition,” the University wrote in a statement issued at 6:05 p.m. “They have been transported to local hospitals.”

The Brown emergency updates page first confirmed that there were “multiple shooting victims” at 6:05 p.m. The university could not share their conditions at the time, but noted they were “transported to local hospitals.”

Rescues and other apparatus from surrounding municipalities responded to the campus, including Bristol, Barrington, Central Falls, Cranston, Cumberland, Coventry, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, Scituate, Smithfield, Warwick and Woonsocket.

At 6:17 p.m., a call cleared rescues to return to their home communities.

“Sadly, today is a day that the city of Providence, the state of Rhode Island, prayed would never come,” Smiley said. “We’ve heard about horrific acts of gun violence and active shooter situations in other places, but not here.”

Smiley, who lives in the area, told reporters he was at home watching the Providence College Friars when he saw police lights fill the surrounding neighborhood.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765666489718.png" alt="Photo courtesy WJAR TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WJAR TV</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/alexcastro/">Alexander Castro</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/janine-weisman/">Janine L. Weisman</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>PROVIDENCE — Two people have died and several others were wounded in a mass shooting in a Brown University engineering building late Saturday afternoon, prompting a shelter in place alert on the Ivy League campus and a massive search for a gunman that continued into the evening.Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed at a press conference that began shortly after 6:30 p.m. that at least two people were killed with “a minimum of eight” more injured and in critical condition “but stable at Rhode Island Hospital.”&nbsp;Smiley could not disclose whether the victims were Brown students.“These numbers may change,” Smiley said. “We are still in early hours.”&nbsp;The shooting in the Barus and Holley building on Brook Street occurred as final exams were taking place between 2 and 5 p.m. inside Barus &amp; Holley Engineering, Provost Francis J. Doyle III said.Providence Police Cmdr. Tim O’Hara described the suspect as a man who was wearing black. The suspect left the engineering building’s Hope Street side. O’Hara said that police did not know what type of gun was used.Forensic and witness evidence were being used to identify the suspect, and the police were primarily relying on video evidence at the moment, O’Hara said.&nbsp;“All I can give you is a male, all dressed in black, right now,” O’Hara said of the suspect.The suspect walked away from the area, and law enforcement were unsure where he had gone as of 6:50 p.m.&nbsp;Smiley said the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also involved in the investigation.Gov. Dan McKee spoke at the Saturday evening press briefing. “So, the unthinkable has happened,” McKee said.&nbsp;Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva said the fire department was first alerted about the shooting at 4:05 p.m.&nbsp;Brown sent out its first emergency alert at 4:22 p.m.,&nbsp;noting “an active shooter near Barus &amp; Holley Engineering.” The alert cautioned the campus community to lock doors, silence phones and “stay hidden until further notice.” The alert also advised the options of run, hide, or, “FIGHT, as a last resort.”An update at 4:51 p.m. noted a suspect was in custody, only to be redacted in a 5:11 p.m. update that read, “Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s).” The post also advised students to continue to shelter in place.&nbsp;Smiley said at the press conference that the individual in the 4:51 p.m. update had been mistakenly connected to the incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;At 5:27 p.m., another emergency alert reported shots fired near Governor Street.&nbsp;That update was also reversed at 6:10 p.m., which added that “a secondary shooting incident near Governor Street is unfounded.”&nbsp;The erroneous update from 4:51 p.m. noting a suspect was in custody made its way to President Donald Trump, who&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115714676658999589" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on his TruthSocial site at 5:44 p.m. that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was “on the scene.”“The suspect is in custody,” Trump wrote. “God bless the victims and the families of the victims!”At 6:03 p.m., Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115714751735035903" target="_blank">posted again</a>: “The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement — The suspect is NOT in custody.”“We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of multiple shooting victims, but we are not able to share their condition,” the University wrote in a statement issued at 6:05 p.m. “They have been transported to local hospitals.”The Brown emergency updates page first confirmed that there were “multiple shooting victims” at 6:05 p.m. The university could not share their conditions at the time, but noted they were “transported to local hospitals.”Rescues and other apparatus from surrounding municipalities responded to the campus, including Bristol, Barrington, Central Falls, Cranston, Cumberland, Coventry, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, Scituate, Smithfield, Warwick and Woonsocket.At 6:17 p.m., a call cleared rescues to return to their home communities.“Sadly, today is a day that the city of Providence, the state of Rhode Island, prayed would never come,” Smiley said. “We’ve heard about horrific acts of gun violence and active shooter situations in other places, but not here.”Smiley, who lives in the area, told reporters he was at home watching the Providence College Friars when he saw police lights fill the surrounding neighborhood.

2 killed, eight injured in mass shooting on Brown University campus

DAMASCUS– On Saturday, two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. The gunman was engaged and also killed.

As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Department of War policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

DAMASCUS– On Saturday, two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. The gunman was engaged and also killed.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> addresses the ISIS attack on U.S. forces in Syria: “We mourn the loss of 3 great patriots in Syria… we pray for them, and their parents, and their loved ones… We will retaliate.” <a href="https://t.co/S3BA8zxKAt">pic.twitter.com/S3BA8zxKAt</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1999919394495906290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“We mourn the loss of three Great American Patriots in Syria, two soldiers, and one Civilian Interpreter. Likewise, we pray for the three injured soldiers who, it has just been confirmed, are doing well. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous… <a href="https://t.co/uK3t5dlMfL">pic.twitter.com/uK3t5dlMfL</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1999917084424249674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces. Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. <a href="https://t.co/P7D9NrWpAL">https://t.co/P7D9NrWpAL</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1999882265355227392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Department of War policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.Updates will be provided as they become available.

Trump responds on Isis ambush that killed US soldiers in Syria

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans released a health care bill Friday evening they hope will help curb rising costs, though the measure doesn’t have the level of Democratic support needed to get through the Senate.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20251215/FILE_3948.pdf" target="_blank">111-page bill</a>&nbsp;will likely move to the House floor next week, where Speaker Mike Johnson will need nearly every one of his members to vote to pass the legislation, an uphill battle given the vastly different views among centrists and far-right members of the party on health care issues.&nbsp;

The Louisiana Republican said in a statement the bill offers “clear, responsible alternatives that will lower premium costs and increase access and health care options for all Americans.”

Democrats have been pressing for a three-year extension of the enhanced tax credits for people who purchase their insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.&nbsp;

So far, House and Senate Republican leadership hasn’t gotten on board with any extension of those subsidies, arguing they have led to a sharp rise in the cost of health insurance.&nbsp;

GOP lawmakers have instead pursued their own legislation, but without at least some backing from Democrats, no bill will make it through the Senate’s 60-vote procedural hurdles.&nbsp;

Senate Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-hits-stalemate-solution-spiraling-health-insurance-costs" target="_blank">tried to advance</a>&nbsp;a bill earlier this week from Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo but fell short of the votes needed.&nbsp;

Democrats were also unsuccessful trying to move their bill to extend the ACA marketplace tax credits for three years.&nbsp;

The House Republican bill, sponsored by Iowa Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, is unlikely to break the logjam in Congress over the rising cost of health insurance and health care, potentially leaving the issue as one the parties can debate leading up to next year’s midterm elections.&nbsp;

Targeting ‘real drivers’ of cost increases

Johnson rebuked Democrats in his statement for enacting the Affordable Care Act during President Barack Obama’s first term, saying the law hasn’t made health care cost less.&nbsp;

House Republicans’ new legislation, Johnson said, will address “the real drivers of health care costs to provide affordable care, increase access and choice, and restore integrity to our nation’s health care system for all Americans.”

The bill would require Pharmacy Benefit Managers “to provide employers with detailed data on prescription drug spending, rebates, spread pricing, and formulary decisions—empowering plans and workers with the transparency they deserve,” according to a summary in Johnson’s release.&nbsp;

Starting in 2027, the legislation would appropriate funding for cost sharing reduction payments that the summary said would reduce health insurance premiums and stabilize the individual market.&nbsp;

The House Rules Committee is scheduled to prepare the bill for floor debate on Tuesday by considering whether to allow any amendments to be considered on the floor.&nbsp;

The full House will then debate the legislation later in the week before departing for the two-week holiday break.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump, speaking from the Oval Office shortly after the bill was released, reiterated his preference that the federal government send payments directly to Americans.

“We want to give the money to the people and let the people buy their own great health care, and they’ll save a lot of money, and it’ll be great,” he said.

But Trump also appeared to signal he is going to stay out of negotiations in Congress, saying, “I leave it to them and hopefully they’re going to put great legislation on this desk right here.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765625556088.png" alt="Speaker Johnson at the the White House Congressional Christmas Ball on Friday -image from his social media page" />
 <figcaption>Speaker Johnson at the the White House Congressional Christmas Ball on Friday -image from his social media page</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans released a health care bill Friday evening they hope will help curb rising costs, though the measure doesn’t have the level of Democratic support needed to get through the Senate.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20251215/FILE_3948.pdf" target="_blank">111-page bill</a>&nbsp;will likely move to the House floor next week, where Speaker Mike Johnson will need nearly every one of his members to vote to pass the legislation, an uphill battle given the vastly different views among centrists and far-right members of the party on health care issues.&nbsp;The Louisiana Republican said in a statement the bill offers “clear, responsible alternatives that will lower premium costs and increase access and health care options for all Americans.”Democrats have been pressing for a three-year extension of the enhanced tax credits for people who purchase their insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.&nbsp;So far, House and Senate Republican leadership hasn’t gotten on board with any extension of those subsidies, arguing they have led to a sharp rise in the cost of health insurance.&nbsp;GOP lawmakers have instead pursued their own legislation, but without at least some backing from Democrats, no bill will make it through the Senate’s 60-vote procedural hurdles.&nbsp;Senate Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-hits-stalemate-solution-spiraling-health-insurance-costs" target="_blank">tried to advance</a>&nbsp;a bill earlier this week from Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo but fell short of the votes needed.&nbsp;Democrats were also unsuccessful trying to move their bill to extend the ACA marketplace tax credits for three years.&nbsp;The House Republican bill, sponsored by Iowa Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, is unlikely to break the logjam in Congress over the rising cost of health insurance and health care, potentially leaving the issue as one the parties can debate leading up to next year’s midterm elections.&nbsp;<h2>Targeting ‘real drivers’ of cost increases</h2>Johnson rebuked Democrats in his statement for enacting the Affordable Care Act during President Barack Obama’s first term, saying the law hasn’t made health care cost less.&nbsp;House Republicans’ new legislation, Johnson said, will address “the real drivers of health care costs to provide affordable care, increase access and choice, and restore integrity to our nation’s health care system for all Americans.”The bill would require Pharmacy Benefit Managers “to provide employers with detailed data on prescription drug spending, rebates, spread pricing, and formulary decisions—empowering plans and workers with the transparency they deserve,” according to a summary in Johnson’s release.&nbsp;Starting in 2027, the legislation would appropriate funding for cost sharing reduction payments that the summary said would reduce health insurance premiums and stabilize the individual market.&nbsp;The House Rules Committee is scheduled to prepare the bill for floor debate on Tuesday by considering whether to allow any amendments to be considered on the floor.&nbsp;The full House will then debate the legislation later in the week before departing for the two-week holiday break.&nbsp;<h2>Trump wants direct payments</h2>President Donald Trump, speaking from the Oval Office shortly after the bill was released, reiterated his preference that the federal government send payments directly to Americans.“We want to give the money to the people and let the people buy their own great health care, and they’ll save a lot of money, and it’ll be great,” he said.But Trump also appeared to signal he is going to stay out of negotiations in Congress, saying, “I leave it to them and hopefully they’re going to put great legislation on this desk right here.”

US House GOP preps health care bill for vote before new year

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday night that aims to preempt states from enacting rules governing artificial intelligence, a major departure from the typical federalist structure of American government that Trump said was necessary because of the issue’s high stakes.

In an early evening signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/eliminating-state-law-obstruction-of-national-artificial-intelligence-policy/" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;would position the United States to win a competition with China to dominate the burgeoning AI industry. Coordinating policy among 50 different states would put the U.S. at a disadvantage, Trump said, adding that Chinese President Xi Jinping did not have similar restraints.

“This will not be successful unless they have one source of approval or disapproval,” he said. “It’s got to be one source. They can’t go to 50 different sources.”

The order creates a task force to monitor state laws on AI and to challenge them in court, and directs the Commerce secretary to complete a review of state laws within three months.

David Sacks, the chair of a White House board on technology, said there were more than 1,000 pending AI bills in state legislatures.

White House staff secretary Will Scharf said during the Oval Office event that the order would “ensure that AI can operate within a single national framework in this country, as opposed to being subject to state level regulation that could potentially cripple the industry.”

“The big picture is that we’re taking steps to ensure that AI operates under a single national standard so that we can reap the benefits that will come from it.”

The order, a major assertion of presidential power over state governments and Congress, is likely to see court challenges, including from environmental groups that oppose AI expansion because of the energy resources the technology requires.

“Congress has repeatedly rejected attempts to undermine states’ and local communities’ efforts to protect themselves from the unchecked spread of AI, which is driving a wave of dangerous data center development,” Mitch Jones, the chief of policy and litigation at the advocacy group Food and Water Watch, said in a statement.&nbsp;

“We’ll be following the administration’s attempts to implement this farcical order, and we’ll fight it in Congress, in the states, in the courts, and with communities across this country.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765545474104.png" alt="Image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday night that aims to preempt states from enacting rules governing artificial intelligence, a major departure from the typical federalist structure of American government that Trump said was necessary because of the issue’s high stakes.In an early evening signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/eliminating-state-law-obstruction-of-national-artificial-intelligence-policy/" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;would position the United States to win a competition with China to dominate the burgeoning AI industry. Coordinating policy among 50 different states would put the U.S. at a disadvantage, Trump said, adding that Chinese President Xi Jinping did not have similar restraints.“This will not be successful unless they have one source of approval or disapproval,” he said. “It’s got to be one source. They can’t go to 50 different sources.”The order creates a task force to monitor state laws on AI and to challenge them in court, and directs the Commerce secretary to complete a review of state laws within three months.David Sacks, the chair of a White House board on technology, said there were more than 1,000 pending AI bills in state legislatures.White House staff secretary Will Scharf said during the Oval Office event that the order would “ensure that AI can operate within a single national framework in this country, as opposed to being subject to state level regulation that could potentially cripple the industry.”“The big picture is that we’re taking steps to ensure that AI operates under a single national standard so that we can reap the benefits that will come from it.”The order, a major assertion of presidential power over state governments and Congress, is likely to see court challenges, including from environmental groups that oppose AI expansion because of the energy resources the technology requires.“Congress has repeatedly rejected attempts to undermine states’ and local communities’ efforts to protect themselves from the unchecked spread of AI, which is driving a wave of dangerous data center development,” Mitch Jones, the chief of policy and litigation at the advocacy group Food and Water Watch, said in a statement.&nbsp;“We’ll be following the administration’s attempts to implement this farcical order, and we’ll fight it in Congress, in the states, in the courts, and with communities across this country.”

President Trump signs order intended to block states from regulating AI

By:<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/author/tdavies/">Tom Davies</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/author/casey-smith/">Casey Smith</a> <a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/">Indiana Capital Chronicle</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765537589872.png" alt="Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, argues in support of a redistricting bill in the Senate Chamber on Dec. 11, 2025. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, argues in support of a redistricting bill in the Senate Chamber on Dec. 11, 2025. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/author/tdavies/">Tom Davies</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/author/casey-smith/">Casey Smith</a> <a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/">Indiana Capital Chronicle</a>The Republican-dominated Indiana Senate spurned months of demands from President Donald Trump as it voted 31-19 on Thursday to reject a redrawing of the state’s congressional maps.The final outcome remained uncertain until 21 Republicans joined all 10 Democratic senators in blocking the redistricting plan. The proposal didn’t even win support from a majority of the 40 Republican senators.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765537341533.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>With that tally, Indiana became the first Republican-led state Legislature to vote down Trump’s wish to&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/10/indiana-leaders-hint-at-early-redistricting-resolution-following-third-meeting-with-vp/">squeeze out more GOP-friendly congressional seats</a>&nbsp;in hopes of improving the party’s chances of keeping its slim U.S. House majority after the 2026 midterm elections.“This is an extremely important issue that we’ve taken very seriously,” Bray told reporters after the bill’s defeat.Bray downplayed the prospect of retribution from the White House after Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticized him and other Republican senators.“It’s their prerogative to have opinions about what we’re doing here. So, that’s fair,” he said.Asked whether he was concerned about possible loss of federal funding or other consequences, Bray appeared unmoved.&nbsp;“I’ve had lots of conversations with folks in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “Indiana will continue to function.”A bill needs 26 votes for passage or defeat. Because a constitutional majority — 25 votes or more — voted against the measure, it can’t be taken up by state lawmakers again until the 2027 session.Trump was calling individual senators this week seeking support and took to social media Wednesday night to seethe over Bray and other Indiana Republicans who weren’t following his demands.<h2>Senator says ‘we can’t be bullied’</h2>A crowd of about 100 protesters outside the Senate chamber echoed throughout the three-hour debate, chanting, “Fair maps now!” and “Vote no!” and “Cheaters!” and “Liars!” and “Just vote no!”Brooke Isaac of Columbus and other protesters cheered the outcome, saying she was “very surprised and so very thankful.”Isaac said she believed Trump was trying to use Indiana as a “pawn” to acquire power.“I’m just really relieved that the Republicans and our government have decided to show integrity and to stand up for what the people in our state care about,” Isaac said.Sen. Sue Glick, R-LaGrange, was among the senators voting against the new maps and said she believed the pressure and threats from Washington backfired.&nbsp;“You have to know Hoosiers, we can’t be bullied,” Glick said. “We don’t want that. And the instant reaction is we dig in our heels and say, why?”Indiana House Republicans pushed the proposed maps through that chamber last week by a 57-41 margin, with 12 GOP members joining Democrats in voting “no.”Several Republican senators against the redistricting plan cited what they described as overwhelming public opposition. Others said they didn’t believe it was proper to overhaul the Republican-drawn maps approved in 2021 for such blatant political purposes, with some objecting to the overt gerrymandering of Indianapolis among four districts spanning as far away as the Ohio River.Trump started the national redistricting fight by pushing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/04/texas-redistricting-map-us-supreme-court-2026-midterms/" target="_blank">Texas Republicans to redraw</a>&nbsp;its congressional map this summer, followed by Republican redistricting moves in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/national-republicans-gear-up-to-fight-referendum-on-missouri-congressional-map/" target="_blank">Missouri</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/10/31/ohio-redistricting-commission-unanimously-passes-congressional-map-further-gop-advantage/" target="_blank">Ohio</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/federal-judges-in-nc-will-consider-bid-to-block-newly-gerrymandered-district/" target="_blank">North Carolina</a>. An attempt by&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/08/kansas-legislative-leadership-wobbly-on-redistricting-as-january-session-draws-near/" target="_blank">Kansas Republicans</a>&nbsp;for a special session on redistricting stalled this fall.Democrats responded with their own redistricting in&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/11/california-proposition-50-takeaways/" target="_blank">California</a>&nbsp;and possible moves in&nbsp;<a href="https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/u-s-house-minority-leader-jeffries-accelerates-illinois-redistricting-push/" target="_blank">Illinois</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2025/11/07/judges-cool-to-legal-challenges-as-democrats-move-to-redraw-virginias-maps/" target="_blank">Virginia</a>.<h2>Bill sponsor called for Republicans to ‘fight’</h2>Redistricting bill sponsor Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, used all of his 30-minute speaking time to argue in support of it after all 10 Democratic senators and three Republicans spoke in opposition.“They want you to play by a different set of rules,” Gaskill said, referring to Democrats.He called on his colleagues “to step up and do the right thing.”“I want to see us on the Republican side fight as hard for our side as they do,” Gaskill said.Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus —&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/08/testimony-begins-with-initial-senate-redistricting-vote-expected-today/" target="_blank">who has been outspoken against midcycle redistricting</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;called the bill “on its face, is unconstitutional.”“I cannot, myself, support the bill for which there must be a legal injunction in order for it to be found constitutional,” he said.Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, had not announced a position before Thursday’s vote but told the chamber that “overwhelming feedback” from his constituents — “regardless of political leaning, or party affiliation” — influenced his decision. He ultimately voted no on the bill.&nbsp;“I’ve done my very best to quietly and respectfully listen to the people I represent,” Goode said, “and I’m confident that my vote reflects the will of my constituents.”At least a dozen legislators, many Senate Republicans — including Goode — have publicly disclosed being targeted in&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/20/two-more-indiana-gop-senators-report-swatting-attempts-as-redistricting-pressure-rages/">swatting attempts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/briefs/senate-republican-reports-business-bomb-threat/">bomb threats</a>&nbsp;and more. The incidents have prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/08/as-indiana-senate-begins-redistricting-turn-republicans-keep-mum/">an ongoing investigation</a>&nbsp;now led by the Indiana State Police.“Whether we realize it or not — whether we accept it or not — the forces that define these vitriolic political affairs in places outside of Indiana have gradually, and now very blatantly, infiltrated the political affairs in Indiana,” Goode said. “Misinformation, cruel social media posts, over-the-top pressure from within the Statehouse and outside. Threats of primaries. Threats of violence. Acts of violence. Friends, we’re better than this, are we not?”Three Republicans —&nbsp;Sens. Liz Brown, Tyler Johnson and Chris Garten —&nbsp;all spoke in staunch support.“The vote we are about to take is not just about lines on a map — it’s a vote of critical, epic proportion,” Garten said in his passionate remarks. “We’re not here to be neutral arbiters of decline. We’re here to be active agents of American greats.”