Vance Heads to Indiana as GOP Warns Trump White House of Stalled Redistricting Push

Facing resistance from state lawmakers, Vice President JD Vance makes his second trip to Indiana to rally support for Trump’s mid-cycle redistricting plan that could reshape House control heading into 2026.

WASHINGTON | President Donald Trump’s ambitious mid-cycle redistricting strategy has hit a roadblock in Indiana, prompting the White House to deploy Vice President JD Vance for a high-stakes visit aimed at salvaging the effort.

According to three senior Republican officials familiar with internal discussions, Indiana GOP leaders have privately warned the White House that the redistricting initiative—intended to secure up to two additional congressional seats for Republicans—is at risk of stalling in the state Senate.

The cautionary message triggered a rapid response: Vance is returning to the Hoosier State for his second visit in three months to pressure lawmakers into action. “The vice president wants to come out and put the hard sell on Indiana legislative Republicans,” one Republican source told 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' News.

Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy Warns of Rising Partisanship and Vulgarity in U.S. Political and Judicial Discourse

In a rare public reflection ahead of his memoir release, former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy voices concern that political division and coarsened public dialogue—fueled in part by the Trump era—are eroding trust in democracy and the judiciary.

WASHINGTON | In a candid and sobering interview ahead of the release of his memoir “Life, Law & Liberty,” retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy expressed deep concern about the decline of civility and the encroachment of partisanship within the American judicial system and political discourse.

“The justices have to resist thinking of themselves as being partisan,” Kennedy told The Associated Press from his Supreme Court chambers. “In our current discourse, it seems to me, partisanship is creeping its way into the court.”

Kennedy, now 89, lamented the increasingly personal tone of judicial opinions and the breakdown of decorum in public life. “You criticize the opinion and the reasoning,” he said, “not the author. Some of the recent opinions are attacks on your colleagues… I was astounded, very worried about it.”

A Troubled View of Modern Politics and Public Language

Kennedy—who served as a pivotal swing vote on landmark cases involving abortion, gay rights, and campaign finance—pointed to the “vulgar and vile” language dominating today’s political rhetoric. From members of Congress using profanity in public to former President Donald Trump’s frequent inflammatory remarks, Kennedy said he is “concerned, worried, disappointed.”

“The rest of the world looks to us to see how free speech works, how democracy works,” he added. “They will not be impressed by what they see.”

James Comey Pleads Not Guilty in Highly Charged Trump-Era Prosecution

In Alexandria court, former FBI director rejects two criminal counts tied to his 2020 congressional testimony; trial set for Jan. 5, 2026 amid claims of political retribution

ALEXANDRIA, Va. | In a moment with major implications for the Justice Department and U.S. political norms, former FBI Director James Comey entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday in federal court. The two-count indictment accuses him of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding tied to his 2020 Senate testimony — charges brought under a sharpened spotlight of President Donald Trump’s criticisms and direct calls for prosecutions of his political adversaries.

U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff has scheduled the trial to begin January 5, 2026. 

Indictment, Political Context & Legal Stakes

The indictment, returned by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia, centers on Comey’s 2020 Senate Judiciary Committee appearance, during which he denied authorizing anonymous FBI leaks to the press. Prosecutors allege that he knowingly misled Congress and subsequently obstructed its inquiry. 

Of particular note: the prosecution was brought by Lindsey Halligan, a former personal attorney to Trump who was recently installed as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia — replacing a career prosecutor reportedly reluctant to move forward with charges. 

Many observers see this prosecution as part of a broader pattern. Trump has publicly pressured the DOJ to take action against perceived opponents, including Comey, Letitia James, and Adam Schiff. 

Flight Delays Surge Nationwide as Air Traffic Controllers Miss Paychecks Amid Shutdown Standoff

Flight disruptions across the U.S. intensified on Tuesday evening as multiple major airports reported severe delays directly tied to air traffic controller staffing shortages, which were exacerbated by the ongoing federal funding lapse.

At Nashville International Airport, average arrival delays reached 126 minutes by 5:30 p.m. ET, with the cause attributed to controller “staffing” constraints. Simultaneously, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Newark, and Teterboro airports all cited similar staffing pressures, either actively impacting operations or expected to do so imminently.

This pattern marks a continuation of Monday’s isolated delays—most notably near Los Angeles at Hollywood Burbank Airport—though Tuesday’s disruptions are broader and earlier in the evening, raising concerns of mounting congestion if the crisis deepens.

Utah Legislature Approves New Congressional Map, Opening Two Competitive Districts Amid National Redistricting Battles

The GOP-controlled Legislature passes a court-ordered map that gives Democrats slim opportunities in a deep-red state—pending judicial approval.

SALT LAKE CITY | Utah lawmakers approved a new congressional map Monday that could make two of the state’s four districts more competitive, offering Democrats a rare opening in one of the nation’s most Republican states. The move follows a federal judge’s August ruling striking down Utah’s previous map as a violation of a voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law.

The Republican-controlled Legislature advanced the map during a special session, selecting the version least favorable to Democrats among six considered proposals. While the new map introduces slightly more competitive districts, analysts say both still lean Republican — with former President Donald Trump having carried them in 2024 by narrow margins.

According to a Salt Lake Tribune analysis, the redrawn 3rd District has a +6 Republican edge, while the 2nd District sits at +11. The Legislature’s plan must now be approved by a federal judge before taking effect in time for the 2026 midterm elections.

Courts Clash with Trump Over National Guard Deployments as Militarization of U.S. Cities Intensifies

Judges push back on the expanding use of federal troops in domestic unrest, warning of blurred lines between civil authority and military power.

WASHINGTON | The militarization of American cities isn’t happening through tanks rolling down Main Street — it’s unfolding through a steady series of National Guard deployments ordered by President Donald Trump. What began as a limited operation to quell immigration protests in Los Angeles has now evolved into a constitutional confrontation between the White House and the federal courts, testing the boundaries of presidential power under the Posse Comitatus Act.

A June 7 memorandum initiated the current wave of troop movements, ostensibly targeting “civil disturbances.” Despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom and several mayors, Guard units have since appeared — or are being considered — in major metropolitan areas including Chicago, Portland, and Oakland.

State leaders have responded with lawsuits arguing that the president’s actions exceed constitutional limits. “The American people should not live under the threat of occupation by their own military,” attorneys for Illinois wrote in their suit challenging Trump’s plan to deploy troops to Chicago.

LSU Women’s Golf Shines at Medinah, Tied for Fifth After Strong Second Round

Senior Elsa Svensson leads Tigers at 5-under as LSU fires an 8-under second round to climb leaderboard at the Illini Women’s Invitational.

BATON ROUGE | The LSU women’s golf team delivered a powerful performance on Monday, carding an impressive 8-under par (280) in the second round to move into a tie for fifth place after 36 holes at the Illini Women’s Invitational at Medinah Country Club, one of the nation’s most storied golf venues.

Senior Elsa Svensson continued her steady play, posting rounds of 70–69 for a 5-under total (139), placing her in a tie for eighth heading into the final day. Svensson, from Sweden, recorded seven birdies across 36 holes, including a flawless card with three birdies in her afternoon 69.

The Tigers found momentum across the lineup. Senior Taylor Riley opened with a 4-under 68, tallying seven birdies in the morning round before following with an even-par 72 in the afternoon, sitting tied for 11th at 4-under (140). Sophomore Josefin Widal stormed back in the second round, matching Riley’s 68 to return to even par for the tournament after five birdies in her afternoon round.

Freshman Ryleigh Knaub also contributed with a 1-under 71 in the second round, while classmate Lucia Iraola shot a 1-under while competing as an individual.

“South Carolina, Miami End Planned Home-and-Home Football Series”

The University of South Carolina and the University of Miami football programs announced Monday that they have mutually agreed to cancel their home-and-home football series for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

The Hurricanes were scheduled to play at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., in 2026 with the Gamecocks making the trip to Hard Rock Stadium in 2027.

Both the SEC and ACC are moving to nine-game conference schedules in 2026. South Carolina has a non-conference home game against Towson and a road game at Clemson on its 2026 slate and is actively pursuing a third non-conference opponent. Miami’s three 2026 non-conference games are Florida A&M (home), Central Michigan (home), and Notre Dame (away).

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-- By Michele Robinson

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