The Supreme⁤ Court has cleared⁢ the way for Texas ​to utilize redrawn electoral maps⁣ in the 2026 elections, a decision critics say⁤ will ‍bolster Republican​ advantages.‌ The ruling,​ delivered without dissent in publicly available orders, ⁢effectively ends ⁢a legal challenge to ‍the maps, which Democrats and voting rights‌ groups argued diluted the power of minority voters.

The ⁣case centered on maps ‍approved by the Texas legislature in 2023, accused of intentionally diminishing the influence of Hispanic voters in rapidly growing areas. While lower courts initially blocked the ⁣maps,the Supreme Court intervened,allowing⁢ the state to proceed with them for the 2024 elections. This latest action confirms that ruling, solidifying the maps’ use through the 2026⁤ midterms-a pivotal cycle with potential implications for⁢ control of congress.

Judge Jerry Smith, of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, issued a strong‌ dissent against the ​majority opinion, accusing ⁣Judge Brown of “pernicious judicial misconduct” ⁢for what⁢ he perceived⁣ as rushing​ the decision.​ Smith, a reagan appointee, went further, stating that‌ if‍ a‌ “Nobel ‍Prize for Fiction” existed, Judge Brown would be a leading ⁤candidate.

Smith’s‍ dissent also highlighted the political ramifications of the ruling, asserting⁢ that “the biggest beneficiaries of Judge Brown’s ruling are⁣ George ⁤Soros and Gavin Newsom,” while “the obvious losers are⁣ the people of Texas and the rule of law.” The maps are expected to favor ‍Republican candidates in several key‍ congressional districts.

The legal battle over ⁤the maps⁤ underscores the ongoing struggle over voting rights and political representation in Texas, a state with a rapidly​ changing demographic landscape. The ​outcome sets the​ stage for ‌competitive ‍elections ‍in 2026,⁤ were the redrawn districts will‌ play a crucial role in ⁣determining⁤ the balance of power in Washington.

Anchorage Man Sentenced to 15 Years for ⁤Major Drug Trafficking Operation

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Thurman Reed,⁣ 67, of Anchorage, was sentenced today to 15 years in ‌federal prison for trafficking significant quantities⁣ of illicit​ narcotics and possessing ​a firearm‌ during drug crimes.

The investigation,conducted by the FBI Anchorage Field Office and the‌ Anchorage⁣ Police Department (APD) as part​ of the‌ anchorage High-Intensity Drug⁢ Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Unit,revealed Reed sold ample ‍amounts of drugs between February ⁣and may 2024,including fentanyl analogue,heroin,and methamphetamine. Sales included approximately six grams of fentanyl ‌analogue and heroin in February, over 27 grams ‌of methamphetamine in March, over 49 grams ‌of heroin ​in April, and over⁢ 311 grams of methamphetamine in May.

A subsequent search of Reed’s residence and a storage unit in late May yielded over 10 kilograms of methamphetamine,245 grams of ​fentanyl,485 grams of‌ heroin,and 15 grams of ‍cocaine. A firearm was also recovered within a backpack containing​ drugs and a digital scale. Reed‍ had seven ⁣prior felony‍ convictions at⁣ the time⁣ of the ⁤search.

Reed pleaded guilty on August​ 14, 2025, to one count of possession⁢ with intent ​to distribute ‌a controlled substance and one count of possession of​ a firearm in furtherance of a ⁤drug trafficking crime.

“Mr. Reed was clearly undeterred by his seven prior felony convictions⁣ and chose to stockpile and distribute large ⁣quantities of dangerous drugs in​ Alaska, putting our⁢ communities at​ significant risk,” ‍stated U.S. ‌attorney Michael ​J. Heyman for⁣ the District of⁢ Alaska. “My office⁤ is ​resolute in its commitment to​ target and prosecute drug⁣ traffickers⁣ for the crimes that are devastating our communities.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge brandon Waddle ⁤of the FBI Anchorage Field Office added, “Over the course of our investigation, ⁣the ‍FBI and APD seized a stockpile of deadly drugs, including ⁤over 22 pounds of methamphetamine that ​this seven-time convicted felon had intended for distribution in Alaska. Now, Reed’s days ⁣of menacing our community ⁢are ‌over. We will​ continue working‌ with our‌ partners at every level ​to hold drug‌ traffickers accountable.”

Anchorage Police‌ Chief Sean Case expressed​ gratitude to the⁤ FBI, HIDTA Unit, and the U.S. Attorney’s office, stating,⁤ “I want ​to thank the FBI and the anchorage High-Intensity Drug tracking Area (HIDTA) Unit for‌ their steadfast dedication in the ⁣aggressive pursuit of those trafficking deadly ‍drugs within ⁤Alaska. ⁢I⁢ also want to thank‍ the ⁢U.S. ⁢attorney’s ⁣office for prosecuting these cases​ so there is accountability for outrageous acts in our community. This ​case⁤ is a very clear exmaple ​of our commitment ‍to reducing the drugs ‌in this ‍community that have ⁢had ‍such ​a devastating impact. People involved in⁢ this level of distribution should be investigated, prosecuted, and placed in⁣ jail ‌for​ long periods of time⁤ so they will not continue to cause harm.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ainsley McNerney prosecuted the case.

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Cowboys’ Edge Rush ⁤Depth Faces Test Against ‌Lions’​ Offensive Tackles

FRISCO, TX – ⁢The Dallas Cowboys’​ defensive line faces​ a critical matchup against the Detroit Lions’ offensive tackles, a contest poised to dictate the flow⁢ of Sunday’s playoff game. Dallas⁤ boasts a significantly improved and ​versatile edge group, while Detroit‍ counters with a strong tackle tandem. Success in ‍establishing the edge – both against the run⁣ and the ‌pass – will likely be a key⁣ determinant in controlling the game’s tempo and ​scoring.

This⁤ battle ⁣is notably significant as the Cowboys aim⁣ to leverage ​their depth and strategic pass-rush deployment. Dante Fowler Jr. currently leads ⁢the ‍team’s edge rushers with a 12% Pass Rush Win Rate. Rookie⁢ Donovan ezeiruaku has emerged as a standout performer,⁣ earning PFF’s highest grade (81.2) among first-year edge defenders. Veteran Jadeveon ⁣Clowney, whose profile aligns with⁣ the game’s demands for ‍stout edge defense, currently ⁣holds a top-20⁣ PFF pass-rush⁣ grade of 77.5 and a 14.9% Pass Rush Win Rate. James Houston ‍provides a late-game pass-rush presence,‍ allowing the⁣ Cowboys‌ to maintain pressure without relying on excessive blitzes. Sam Williams has shown recent improvement, adding to the group’s potential.

Individual 2025⁢ statistics highlight the contributions of key players: Fowler Jr. ‍recorded 274 total‍ snaps, ‌11 total tackles, 4 TFL, 29 pressures, 3 ​sacks, and 3 pass deflections. Another edge rusher accumulated 427 total ⁤snaps,30 total tackles,8 TFL,28 pressures,2 sacks,1 forced fumble,and 1 ​safety. ‍A third player registered 218 total snaps,24 total tackles,5 TFL,17 pressures,5 sacks,1 forced fumble,and 1 fumble recovery.A fourth player had 243 total snaps,27 ⁢total‍ tackles,5 TFL,26‌ pressures,4 ⁤sacks,1 fumble recovery,and 3 ‍pass deflections.

The Cowboys’ defensive strategy centers on establishing stout edges to contain the run and funnel plays⁤ towards the interior, where their defensive⁣ tackles are expected to‌ excel. Once Detroit is forced ⁤into longer down-and-distance situations,the Cowboys intend to unleash‌ their full pass-rush capabilities.

However,the team’s plans are potentially complicated by Jadeveon Clowney’s hamstring injury,which has him listed as questionable for the game.‌ His availability will likely be resolute during ​pre-game warmups.