NATIONAL NEWS

Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for special session in April to redraw Florida’s congressional districts

Jan 7, 2026, 9:36 AM

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he plans to call a special session in April for the Republican-dominated legislature to draw new congressional districts, joining a redistricting arms race among states that have redrawn districts mid-decade.

Even though Florida’s 2026 legislative session starts next week, DeSantis said he wanted to wait for a possible ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. The ruling in Louisiana v. Callais could determine whether Section 2, a part of the Voting Rights Act that bars discrimination in voting systems is constitutional.

National News

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Associated Press

Judge isn’t swayed by government’s claims that plans for an ‘anti-weaponization fund’ are dead

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Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon

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College sports bill inches ahead in the Senate even as Congress punts other issues

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The Latest: Postal chief says work has stopped on system key to Trump effort to limit mail voting

The top official at the U.S. Postal Service has said the agency has stopped work on developing a controversial computer system that was central to President Donald Trump’s effort to limit mail voting after the Supreme Court rejected his executive order this week. Also, a federal judge on Thursday ordered the Kennedy Center to provide […]

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Associated Press

Trump pushes his $5,000 ‘dividend’ pledge if GOP wins midterms. Republican candidates, not as much

President Donald Trump came to battleground North Carolina doubling down on a tantalizing and implausible midterm promise. “If we win,” he said, “we’re going to get you $5,000. So that’s it. Very simple.” The Republican candidates who spoke at the rally had nothing to say about it. Their silence reflects a broader pattern. About a […]

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Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for special session in April to redraw Florida’s congressional districts