Texas's Redistricting Plans Could Open Pandora's Box

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Politics

Texas's Redistricting Plans Could Open Pandora's Box

What's going on: Texas Republicans are moving quickly to redraw congressional maps to create five new GOP-favored districts ahead of the 2026 midterms, a move President Donald Trump backs to help maintain the House majority. The state kicked off a special session over the weekend to approve the new maps, but more than 50 Democrats fled mostly to Illinois to block the vote (a tactic that hasn’t worked in the past). On Monday, the Republican-led House swiftly issued civil arrest warrants for the absent Democrats. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) ordered state police to track them down, but the warrants can’t be enforced outside Texas. One Democratic lawmaker told CNN what she thought of Abbott’s hardball move: “That doesn’t bother me.” 

What it means: Gerrymandering is a time-honored American tradition — and both parties have long weaponized redistricting to their advantage. Now, with Trump’s push, Republicans aim to take the strategy beyond Texas, pursuing unconventional mid-decade redraws in states like Missouri and Florida to lock in their power. (The DNC is expected to swiftly challenge the new Texas map in court.) In response, Democratic governors in California, New York, and Illinois are exploring their own map changes to counter Republican gains. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said, “This moment requires us to be prepared to fight fire with fire.” As one New York Times correspondent explained: Politics may have just entered a new phase of “unvarnished partisan warfare.”

Related: These Are the 11 Senate Seats That Could Flip in 2026 (USA Today)

Health

Majority of New Moms Miss Postpartum Care — and It Could Be Deadly

What's going on: New parents barely have time to sleep, let alone squeeze in a postpartum doctor’s appointment. But health experts are raising awareness about just how important these check-ups are…and how many people are skipping them. According to a new analysis from health data company Cedar Gate, 56% of new moms missed critical postpartum follow-ups within three to eight weeks of childbirth — a sharp increase from earlier national estimates of around 40%. Cedar Gate, which didn’t account for uninsured patients, found younger parents were more likely to be no-shows and that factors like lack of child care and transportation played a role.

What it means: While 94% of pregnant patients attend prenatal visits, postpartum care often falls through the cracks. Experts say that reflects a broader cultural gap — we prioritize maternal health during pregnancy but pay far less attention after birth. Doctors say that postnatal care is just as important, especially for those with conditions like gestational diabetes or who have C-sections. Even patients without preexisting conditions need follow-ups, since life-threatening complications like postpartum preeclampsia, blood clots, or depression can emerge in the first few weeks after birth. With Medicaid cuts looming in some states, access could become even harder — and the risks even greater.

Related: More Young People Are Getting Colon Cancer — But Also Finding It Earlier (WSJ Gift Link)

Tech

Your Data May Be Helping AI Set the Price

What’s going on: Delta Air Lines swears it’s not using your data to figure out how much you’ll pay for a flight — but the backlash suggests people think it easily could. After Democratic senators accused Delta of testing AI tools to charge passengers up to their “personal pain point” (awesome, love that), the airline walked it back, insisting it will only use market-level trends, not individual profiles. Still, Delta’s new AI pricing system is rolling out 20% of domestic routes by the end of 2025, and the controversy has thrown a spotlight on the rise of personalized pricing. So far, lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban companies from using AI to set prices or wages based on personal data. But the Federal Trade Commission says companies are already tapping everything from your location to your mouse movements to quietly nudge prices...up, probably.

What it means: Personalized pricing isn’t theoretical — it’s why two airline passengers sitting on the same row, on the same flight might’ve paid vastly different prices for their tickets. It’s also not new. First there was haggling, then came “dynamic pricing” (think: surge Uber rides, hotel rates), but AI takes it further. The more we shop, search, and swipe, the more data we hand over — and the easier it gets for algorithms to target us. While you can’t stop it completely, you can make it harder: pay with cash when possible, clear your browser cache before shopping, and turn off location tracking. It won’t guarantee you’ll get a deal (please, in this economy?), but it’s a start.

Related: How AI Saved My Summer Road Trip (CNET) 

Your Political Briefing

The week in political chaos.

TACO Tuesday?: Trump’s now threatening India with higher tariffs.

Upped the ante: Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered the Justice Department to launch a grand jury investigation into Obama administration officials over their handling of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

New hat in the ring: State lawmaker Nancy Mace — who went from criticizing Trump to singing his praises — is the latest Republican to join the very crowded South Carolina governor’s race. 

Wind beneath AE’s wings: Trump couldn’t avoid wading into the Sydney Sweeney-American Eagle conversation and sent the stock soaring.

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