Independent redistricting commissions have fallen prey to partisanship.

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The Big Story
Thu. Jan 18, 2024

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The Failed Promise of Independent Election Mapmaking <[link removed]> In Washington and other states, independent redistricting commissions have fallen prey to partisanship, just like the legislative bodies they were meant to replace. by Marilyn W. Thompson

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Wisconsin’s Legislative Maps Are Bizarre, but Are They Illegal? <[link removed]> Wisconsin’s gerrymandering case has garnered national attention. But a little-explored aspect of the suit — the pervasive presence of “Swiss cheese” districts — could have huge ramifications for the outcome. by Megan O’Matz, graphics by Lucas Waldron <[link removed]>

The GOP’s Secret to Protecting Gerrymandered Electoral Maps? Claim Privilege. <[link removed]> Through new and expansive assertions of privilege, Republican legislatures around the country are shielding their work on allegedly discriminatory voting maps to prevent the public from finding out how and why they made their decisions. by Marilyn W. Thompson <[link removed]>

Wisconsin’s Republicans Went to Extremes in Gerrymandering. Now They’re Scrambling to Protect That Power. <[link removed]> Heavily redrawn election districts in the battleground state gave Republicans firm control of the legislature — and the leeway to move aggressively against officials and judges they perceive as threats. by Megan O’Matz <[link removed]>

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When Families Need Housing, Georgia Will Pay for Foster Care Rather Than Provide Assistance <[link removed]> A five-year analysis by WABE and ProPublica found that, in more than 700 cases, Georgia reported inadequate housing as the sole reason for removing a child. Advocates say it would be cheaper to help families get housing. by Stephannie Stokes, WABE; Data analysis by Agnel Philip, ProPublica <[link removed]>

Congressional Watchdog Will Launch Inquiry Into FDA Oversight of Medical Device Recalls <[link removed]> Sens. Dick Durbin and Richard Blumenthal asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate the regulatory agency, citing ProPublica and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on the 2021 recall of Philips breathing machines. by Haajrah Gilani, Emma McNamee, Phillip Powell and Juliann Ventura, Northwestern University; and Jonathan D. Salant, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette <[link removed]>

How Walmart’s Financial Services Became a Fraud Magnet <[link removed]> Scammers have duped consumers out of more than $1 billion by exploiting Walmart’s lax security. The company has resisted taking responsibility while breaking promises to regulators and skimping on training. by Craig Silverman and Peter Elkind <[link removed]>

Secret Recording Shows NRA Treasurer Plotting to Conceal Extravagant Expenses Involving Wayne LaPierre <[link removed]> Audio obtained by The Trace and ProPublica reveals, in real time, the gun lobbying group enacting a plan that would conceal payments for fancy hotels, limousines and other luxury expenses connected to its longtime CEO for a decade. by Mike Spies, The Trace <[link removed]>

How Many of Your State’s Lawmakers Are Women? If You Live in the Southeast, It Could Be Just 1 in 5. <[link removed]> A record number of women were elected to statehouses last year. But in the Southeast, where some legislatures are more than 80% male, representation is lagging as lawmakers pass bills that most impact women, like near-total abortion bans. by Jennifer Berry Hawes <[link removed]>

As the U.S. Struggles With a Stillbirth Crisis, Australia Offers a Model for How to Do Better <[link removed]> Australia has emerged as a global leader in the effort to lower the number of babies that die before taking their first breaths. It’s an approach that could benefit America, which lags behind other wealthy nations in reducing stillbirths. by Duaa Eldeib <[link removed]>

How the VA Fails Veterans on Mental Health <[link removed]> A ProPublica analysis of 313 studies conducted by the agency’s inspector general in recent years shows repeated failures in behavioral care. The breakdowns have had fatal consequences. by Kathleen McGrory and Neil Bedi <[link removed]>

Staff Warned About the Lack of Psychiatric Care at a VA Clinic. They Couldn’t Prevent Tragedy. <[link removed]> Two veterans sought psychiatric care at a VA clinic in Chico, California. They were bounced between virtual providers and struggled to get support in the threadbare system. A staffer worried, “We are going to kill someone.” Then tragedy struck. by Kathleen McGrory and Neil Bedi, ProPublica, photography by Loren Elliott for ProPublica <[link removed]>

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