Federal court blocks new Texas congressional map

US District Judge Jerry Smith criticized his colleague Jeffrey Brown in a dissenting opinion regarding Texas's congressional redistricting, suggesting that billionaire George Soros influenced the decision. Smith's 104-page dissent followed a ruling by a three-judge panel that deemed the new congressional map likely unlawful for discriminating against non-white voters.

As noncitizens face an increased risk of deportation from the United States, many immigrants are being targeted by scammers who pretend to be lawyers without providing any services. The number of immigration-related scams in New York City increased by 27 percent last year, highlighting the vulnerability of immigrant communities amid heightened enforcement actions.

U.S. Circuit Judge Jerry Smith criticized his colleague for 'judicial misbehavior' in a dissenting opinion regarding the blocking of Texas's new congressional map. Smith described the conduct as the most outrageous he has encountered in his 37 years on the federal bench. His dissent follows a federal court ruling that deemed the map racially gerrymandered, impacting the Republican Party's strategy ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Amtrak has reported a significant increase in ridership this holiday season as more Americans choose train travel. This surge follows federally mandated flight reductions that caused numerous delays and cancellations at major airports across the country. NBC News' Emilie Ikeda highlights this trend, which caps off a record year for both ridership and revenue for Amtrak.

A cold case in Texas has been revived thanks to a group of criminal justice and forensic science students who urged investigators to focus on a specific suspect. Their efforts have led to new developments in the decades-old murder investigation.

The latest NPR, PBS News, Marist poll indicates a decline in approval ratings for Republicans, reflecting low confidence in both major political parties among voters. This trend suggests a challenging political landscape as the midterm elections approach.

NBC News' Peter Nicholas visited Georgia to gather opinions from voters in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's district regarding her recent conflict with former President Donald Trump. The discussions highlighted the varying levels of support for both political figures among constituents.

Not all members of the grand jury that indicted former FBI Director James Comey were privy to the final indictment details. This development raises questions about the indictment process and the transparency of the proceedings.