David W. Chen

A redistricting arms race, started by President Trump’s push to redraw Texas maps in Republicans’ favor, continues, but it may be reaching its limits.

The shutdown brought the scale of the federal food aid program into focus and raised questions about how such a rich country could have so many people on nutrition assistance.

Tuesday’s special election was forced by a court-ordered redistricting to offer Black voters a chance for more representation in the state capital.

The races for two of the five seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission are seen as a bellwether for the midterms.

The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program will run out of money on Saturday. Some governors are shifting state money to cover part of the shortfall, bolster food pantries or both.

A federal court says Republican legislators diluted Black voter strength. New maps may help Democrats break the G.O.P. supermajority in Jackson on Nov. 4.

The G.O.P. officials who participated in a group chat have faced calls to step down. State Senator Samuel Douglass was the group’s only elected member.

Some local G.O.P. officials who participated in the text exchanges are losing their jobs or being pressured to resign. But top Republicans have been dismissive.

The president’s domestic policy law created complex new work requirements for Medicaid and food stamps, but left the states to administer them. Colorado pushes that burden to its counties.

Republican governors who have mustered National Guard troops for deployment in blue-state cities may re-examine their deployments if federal intervention significantly brings crime down.