By MARY CLARE JALONICK, KEVIN FREKING and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press1

Congressional Republicans scored a massive victory this summer when they passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” of tax and spending cuts</a>&nbsp;without a single Democratic vote. But as they return to Washington this fall after a monthlong August recess, they will have to find a way to work with Democrats — or around them — as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-spending-trump-government-shutdown-democrats-republicans-a282c46016d64c5f4ffb8c3c99c9077e">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;looms.

The annual spending battle will dominate the September agenda, along with a possible effort by Senate Republicans to change their chamber's rules to thwart Democratic stalling tactics on nominations. The Senate is also debating whether to move forward on legislation that would slap steep tariffs on some of Russia’s trading partners as the U.S. pressures Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.

In the House, Republicans will continue their investigations of former President Joe Biden while Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a split in his conference over whether the Trump administration should release more files in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;investigation.

A look at what Congress will be doing as lawmakers return from the August break:

The most urgent task for Congress is to avoid a government shutdown on Sept. 30, when federal funding runs out. And it’s so far unclear if Republicans and Democrats will be able to agree on how to do that.

Congress will have to pass a short-term spending measure to keep the government funded for a few weeks or months while they try to finish the full-year package. But Republicans will need Democratic votes to pass an extension, and Democrats will want significant concessions. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s vote with Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-gop-chuck-schumer-86385e644239a3dc1558b37d13094234">avoid a shutdown in March</a>&nbsp;prompted furious backlash within his party.

The Trump administration's efforts to claw back previously approved spending could also complicate the negotiations. Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pbs-npr-budget-cuts-trump-republicans-7d29c97c85d0b450549af657e115f0f8">passed legislation this summer that rescinded about $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds</a>&nbsp;and Trump notified Congress again on Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-aid-pocket-rescission-374c63e6b4004e819a657e33b76f502e">that he will block</a>&nbsp;$4.9 billion in congressionally approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/foreign-aid">foreign aid</a>.

Democrats have warned that such efforts could tank the broader negotiations. “Trump is rooting for a shutdown,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., posted on social media Friday.

Senators are expected to return to Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-confirmations-nominations-trump-schumer-thune-905a63d0046319eeb7c266d5e24e70b6">right where they left off in early August</a>&nbsp;— fighting over Trump’s nominees.

Exasperated Republicans fled Washington for the month after making little headway with Senate Democrats over their nominations blockade, which has forced delays in confirmations and angered Trump as many of his administration’s positions remain unfilled. Republican leaders called it quits after a rare Saturday session that ended with a breakdown in bipartisan negotiations and Trump posting on social media that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;could “GO TO HELL!”

Republicans now say they’re ready to try and change Senate rules to get around the Democratic delays, and they are expected to spend the next several weeks discussing how that might work.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of Trump’s closest congressional allies, has pushed the president for months to support his sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-d1ec6840d4452a0209403e4c4c3ef861">bipartisan sanctions bill</a>&nbsp;that would impose steep tariffs on countries that are fueling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by buying its oil, gas, uranium, and other exports. The legislation has the backing of 85 senators, but Trump has yet to endorse it, and Republican leaders have so far said they won’t move without him.

Graham has stepped up his calls after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-alaska-russia-ukraine-a7b167f17a3e06fbce2f583c93f8bae1">met with Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;and Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy last month in hopes of a peace deal. Since then, Russia has continued to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-attack-23e051f1b7e93308f99b6fdfdd8949f2">step up attacks on Ukraine</a>.

“If we don’t have this thing moving in the right direction by the time we get back, then I think that plan B needs to kick in,” Graham said of his bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-sanctions-ukraine-trump-zelenskyy-war-negotiations-d94711651ab5b96f7b771c1fb3af1179">in an interview with The Associated Press last month.</a>

Health and Human Service Secretary Robert F. Kennedy will appear before the Senate Finance Committee to discuss his health care agenda on Thursday, less than a week after he ousted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-director-susan-monarez-50dfbec849b53b4593755d2e6e616687">Susan Monarez</a>&nbsp;as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Several other top officials also resigned in protest.

Kennedy has tried to advance&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-f-kennedy-vaccines-trump-rfkjr-7f8dcb25de76a5a70710d22bbc63f6fa">anti-vaccine policies</a>&nbsp;that are contradicted by decades of scientific research. Monarez’s lawyers said she refused “to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.”

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Republican chairman of the HELP panel that oversees the CDC and a member of the Finance Committee, has called on the CDC to delay a meeting of outside experts who make recommendations on the use of vaccines until Congress can look into the issue.

The House left Washington in July amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-jeffrey-epstein-trump-f2a03eca247268b14a9e38858338eded">disagreements among Republicans</a>&nbsp;about whether they should force President Donald Trump’s administration to release more information on the sex trafficking investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein. The pressure for more disclosure could only get more intense when lawmakers return.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky are pushing the House to take up their bill to force the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigation. They are planning a news conference this week joined by Epstein victims. The House Oversight Committee is also investigating the issue.

Democrats are eager to keep pressing on the Epstein files, especially after the Trump administration reneged on pledges for transparency. The case for years has been the subject of online conspiracy theories and speculation about who may have been involved or aware of the wealthy financier’s abuse.

The House Oversight Committee will return from August recess with a slate of interviews lined up as part of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-biden-election-democrat-midterm-78b6e3998772b987625abbbc9bebf3d0">investigation into former President Joe Biden’s mental state while in office</a>. The committee has already conducted interviews and depositions with nearly a dozen former top Biden aides and members of the president’s inner circle.

The Republican-led committee will hear from former top Biden staffers in September like Jeff Zients, Biden’s final White House chief of staff, Karine Jean-Pierre, the former White House press secretary, and Andrew Bates, a top press aide.

Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., has said public hearings and a full report can be expected sometime in the fall.

Congress has discussed proposals for years to keep lawmakers from engaging in trading individual stocks, nodding to the idea that there’s a potential conflict of interest when they are often privy to information and decisions that can dramatically move markets.

That push is now gaining momentum. A Senate committee has approved legislation from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hawley-pelosi-stocks-insider-trading-ban-cf6200d0ec71fe012bb3b9a916696b37">GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri</a>&nbsp;that would also extend the prohibition on stock trading to future presidents and vice presidents — while notably exempting Trump. In the House, several members are putting forward proposals and even threatening to maneuver around GOP leadership to force a vote.

Still, there is plenty of resistance to the idea, including from many wealthy lawmakers who reap dividends from their portfolios.

Associated Press writers Matt Brown and Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, KEVIN FREKING and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press1Congressional Republicans scored a massive victory this summer when they passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” of tax and spending cuts</a>&nbsp;without a single Democratic vote. But as they return to Washington this fall after a monthlong August recess, they will have to find a way to work with Democrats — or around them — as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-spending-trump-government-shutdown-democrats-republicans-a282c46016d64c5f4ffb8c3c99c9077e">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;looms.The annual spending battle will dominate the September agenda, along with a possible effort by Senate Republicans to change their chamber's rules to thwart Democratic stalling tactics on nominations. The Senate is also debating whether to move forward on legislation that would slap steep tariffs on some of Russia’s trading partners as the U.S. pressures Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.In the House, Republicans will continue their investigations of former President Joe Biden while Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a split in his conference over whether the Trump administration should release more files in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;investigation.A look at what Congress will be doing as lawmakers return from the August break:<h2>Keeping the Government Open</h2>The most urgent task for Congress is to avoid a government shutdown on Sept. 30, when federal funding runs out. And it’s so far unclear if Republicans and Democrats will be able to agree on how to do that.Congress will have to pass a short-term spending measure to keep the government funded for a few weeks or months while they try to finish the full-year package. But Republicans will need Democratic votes to pass an extension, and Democrats will want significant concessions. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s vote with Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-gop-chuck-schumer-86385e644239a3dc1558b37d13094234">avoid a shutdown in March</a>&nbsp;prompted furious backlash within his party.The Trump administration's efforts to claw back previously approved spending could also complicate the negotiations. Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pbs-npr-budget-cuts-trump-republicans-7d29c97c85d0b450549af657e115f0f8">passed legislation this summer that rescinded about $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds</a>&nbsp;and Trump notified Congress again on Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-aid-pocket-rescission-374c63e6b4004e819a657e33b76f502e">that he will block</a>&nbsp;$4.9 billion in congressionally approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/foreign-aid">foreign aid</a>.Democrats have warned that such efforts could tank the broader negotiations. “Trump is rooting for a shutdown,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., posted on social media Friday.<h2>Senate Nominations Fight</h2>Senators are expected to return to Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-confirmations-nominations-trump-schumer-thune-905a63d0046319eeb7c266d5e24e70b6">right where they left off in early August</a>&nbsp;— fighting over Trump’s nominees.Exasperated Republicans fled Washington for the month after making little headway with Senate Democrats over their nominations blockade, which has forced delays in confirmations and angered Trump as many of his administration’s positions remain unfilled. Republican leaders called it quits after a rare Saturday session that ended with a breakdown in bipartisan negotiations and Trump posting on social media that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;could “GO TO HELL!”Republicans now say they’re ready to try and change Senate rules to get around the Democratic delays, and they are expected to spend the next several weeks discussing how that might work.<h2>Russian Sanctions</h2>Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of Trump’s closest congressional allies, has pushed the president for months to support his sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-d1ec6840d4452a0209403e4c4c3ef861">bipartisan sanctions bill</a>&nbsp;that would impose steep tariffs on countries that are fueling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by buying its oil, gas, uranium, and other exports. The legislation has the backing of 85 senators, but Trump has yet to endorse it, and Republican leaders have so far said they won’t move without him.Graham has stepped up his calls after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-alaska-russia-ukraine-a7b167f17a3e06fbce2f583c93f8bae1">met with Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;and Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy last month in hopes of a peace deal. Since then, Russia has continued to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-attack-23e051f1b7e93308f99b6fdfdd8949f2">step up attacks on Ukraine</a>.“If we don’t have this thing moving in the right direction by the time we get back, then I think that plan B needs to kick in,” Graham said of his bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-sanctions-ukraine-trump-zelenskyy-war-negotiations-d94711651ab5b96f7b771c1fb3af1179">in an interview with The Associated Press last month.</a><h2>Oversight of the CDC</h2>Health and Human Service Secretary Robert F. Kennedy will appear before the Senate Finance Committee to discuss his health care agenda on Thursday, less than a week after he ousted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-director-susan-monarez-50dfbec849b53b4593755d2e6e616687">Susan Monarez</a>&nbsp;as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Several other top officials also resigned in protest.Kennedy has tried to advance&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-f-kennedy-vaccines-trump-rfkjr-7f8dcb25de76a5a70710d22bbc63f6fa">anti-vaccine policies</a>&nbsp;that are contradicted by decades of scientific research. Monarez’s lawyers said she refused “to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.”Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Republican chairman of the HELP panel that oversees the CDC and a member of the Finance Committee, has called on the CDC to delay a meeting of outside experts who make recommendations on the use of vaccines until Congress can look into the issue.<h2>Divisions over Epstein</h2>The House left Washington in July amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-jeffrey-epstein-trump-f2a03eca247268b14a9e38858338eded">disagreements among Republicans</a>&nbsp;about whether they should force President Donald Trump’s administration to release more information on the sex trafficking investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein. The pressure for more disclosure could only get more intense when lawmakers return.Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky are pushing the House to take up their bill to force the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigation. They are planning a news conference this week joined by Epstein victims. The House Oversight Committee is also investigating the issue.Democrats are eager to keep pressing on the Epstein files, especially after the Trump administration reneged on pledges for transparency. The case for years has been the subject of online conspiracy theories and speculation about who may have been involved or aware of the wealthy financier’s abuse.<h2>Investigating Biden</h2>The House Oversight Committee will return from August recess with a slate of interviews lined up as part of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-biden-election-democrat-midterm-78b6e3998772b987625abbbc9bebf3d0">investigation into former President Joe Biden’s mental state while in office</a>. The committee has already conducted interviews and depositions with nearly a dozen former top Biden aides and members of the president’s inner circle.The Republican-led committee will hear from former top Biden staffers in September like Jeff Zients, Biden’s final White House chief of staff, Karine Jean-Pierre, the former White House press secretary, and Andrew Bates, a top press aide.Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., has said public hearings and a full report can be expected sometime in the fall.<h2>Stock Trading Ban</h2>Congress has discussed proposals for years to keep lawmakers from engaging in trading individual stocks, nodding to the idea that there’s a potential conflict of interest when they are often privy to information and decisions that can dramatically move markets.That push is now gaining momentum. A Senate committee has approved legislation from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hawley-pelosi-stocks-insider-trading-ban-cf6200d0ec71fe012bb3b9a916696b37">GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri</a>&nbsp;that would also extend the prohibition on stock trading to future presidents and vice presidents — while notably exempting Trump. In the House, several members are putting forward proposals and even threatening to maneuver around GOP leadership to force a vote.Still, there is plenty of resistance to the idea, including from many wealthy lawmakers who reap dividends from their portfolios.___Associated Press writers Matt Brown and Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.

Annual spending battle begins as Congress returns from recess

KANSAS CiTY—A Kansas woman faces felony charges&nbsp; in connection with a fatal shooting that killed a teenage girl who was inside a Kansas City, Missouri home.

Bailey Lewis, 21, Lenexa, faces 2nd Degree Felony Murder, three counts of Accessory Armed Criminal Action, and two counts of Accessory Unlawful Use of a Weapon, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's office.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2717/Lewis-Bailey-Complaint-and-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 3600 block of Norton Avenue on August 9, regarding a shooting. They located a juvenile female in the bathroom suffering from a gunshot wound to her throat. She was transported to a hospital where she died. &nbsp;

Witnesses reported hearing sounds of gunshots and observed projectiles entering the home through the front door and living room wall and window area.&nbsp;

Detectives connected the defendant to the homicide through surveillance video connecting her registered vehicle in the area of the homicide. She was then captured on video at a nearby gas station shortly after the homicide exiting the same vehicle.&nbsp; Lewis is being held on a $400,000 cash bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756498687479.png" alt="Lewis photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Lewis photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CiTY—A Kansas woman faces felony charges&nbsp; in connection with a fatal shooting that killed a teenage girl who was inside a Kansas City, Missouri home.Bailey Lewis, 21, Lenexa, faces 2nd Degree Felony Murder, three counts of Accessory Armed Criminal Action, and two counts of Accessory Unlawful Use of a Weapon, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's office.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2717/Lewis-Bailey-Complaint-and-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 3600 block of Norton Avenue on August 9, regarding a shooting. They located a juvenile female in the bathroom suffering from a gunshot wound to her throat. She was transported to a hospital where she died. &nbsp;Witnesses reported hearing sounds of gunshots and observed projectiles entering the home through the front door and living room wall and window area.&nbsp;Detectives connected the defendant to the homicide through surveillance video connecting her registered vehicle in the area of the homicide. She was then captured on video at a nearby gas station shortly after the homicide exiting the same vehicle.&nbsp; Lewis is being held on a $400,000 cash bond.&nbsp;

Kansas woman accused of random gunfire that killed girl inside home

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

At 5:20p.m. on Friday an officer on patrol observed 21-year-old Jeremiah Mullins on foot in the area of 9th and Unity Street in the city. of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The officer took him into custody on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. Mullins was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Taken to County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756745872411.png" alt="Mullins photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Mullins photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.At 5:20p.m. on Friday an officer on patrol observed 21-year-old Jeremiah Mullins on foot in the area of 9th and Unity Street in the city. of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The officer took him into custody on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. Mullins was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Taken to County Jail.

Police: Kan. man who skipped court caught with meth

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Wichita.&nbsp;

At 1:40 a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 100 block of N. Rock Island in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. 

First responders found&nbsp;23-year-old D’Andre Rubio-Glover of Wichita, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Detectives have learned that a disturbance took place before the shooting occurred. The circumstances that led to the shooting remain under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call investigators at 316-268-4407. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756763100709.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Wichita.&nbsp;At 1:40 a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 100 block of N. Rock Island in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. First responders found&nbsp;23-year-old D’Andre Rubio-Glover of Wichita, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.Detectives have learned that a disturbance took place before the shooting occurred. The circumstances that led to the shooting remain under investigation.Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call investigators at 316-268-4407. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Homicide: 23-year-old identified as victim in Kansas shooting

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/christopher-rugaber">CHRISTOPHER RUGABER</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s attempt to fire a member of the Federal Reserve’s governing board has raised alarms among economists and legal experts who see it as the biggest threat to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-independence-5c2ec1a37dc4aca6a59544f8b4513a45">central bank’s independence</a>&nbsp;in decades.

The consequences could impact most Americans’ everyday lives: Economists worry that if Trump gets what he wants — a loyal Fed that sharply cuts short-term interest rates — the result would likely be higher inflation and, over time, higher borrowing costs for things like mortgages, car loans and business loans.

Last week, Trump <a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-lisa-cook-trump-6fca3d2fbb54ba204cc91398e6a7b020">sought</a>&nbsp;to fire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lisa-cook-fed-governor-trump-firing-211c3db1a5082d46449f26b865fde850">Lisa Cook</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lisa-cook-federal-reserve-firing-trump-dei-4fdbb4af653bcca7b6fb0432166b44f3">first Black woman</a>&nbsp;appointed to the Fed’s seven-member governing board. It was the first time in the Fed’s 112-year history that a president has tried to fire a governor.

Trump said he was doing so because of allegations raised by one of his appointees that she has committed mortgage fraud.

Cook has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-cook-trump-308f2e6ac04f62643d96b8347d5b2417">argued in a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;seeking to block her firing that the claims are a pretext for Trump’s true goal: Gaining more control over the Fed. A court may decide next week whether to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-cook-trump-e9933d518af5155250bebbdc29fd3f2b">temporarily block Cook’s firing</a>&nbsp;while the case makes its way through the legal process.

Cook is accused of claiming two homes as primary residences in July 2021, before she joined the board, which could have led to a lower mortgage rate than if one had been classified as a second home or an investment property. She has suggested in her lawsuit that it may have been a clerical error but hasn’t directly responded to the accusations.

Trump and members of his administration have made no secret about their desire to exert more control over the Fed. Trump has repeatedly demanded that the central bank cut its key rate to as low as 1.3%, from its current level of 4.3%.

Before trying to fire Cook, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-federal-reserve-building-renovation-2393d9ac9fdb9508f285d0faa5f4de41">repeatedly attacked</a>&nbsp;the Fed’s chair, Jerome Powell, for not cutting the short-term interest rate and threatened to fire him as well.

“We’ll have a majority very shortly, so that’ll be good,” Trump said Tuesday, a reference to the fact that if he is able to replace Cook, his appointees will control the Fed’s board by a 4-3 vote.

“The particular case of Governor Cook is not as important as what this latest move shows about the escalation in the assaults on the Fed,” said Jon Faust, an economist at Johns Hopkins and former adviser to Powell. “In my view, Fed independence really now hangs by a thread.”

Some economists do think the Fed should cut more quickly, though virtually none agree with Trump that it should do so by 3 percentage points. Powell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-powell-287af1c758a30d67f5384d17423c5029">has signaled</a>&nbsp;the Fed is likely to cut by a quarter point in September.

Why economists prefer independent central banks

The Fed wields extensive power over the U.S. economy. By cutting the short-term interest rate it controls — which it typically does&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-congress-general-news-47edd7d4ae44414490b645068e7da54a">when the economy falters</a>&nbsp;— the Fed can make borrowing cheaper and encourage more spending, growth, and hiring. When it raises the rate to combat the higher prices that come with inflation, it can weaken the economy and cause job losses.

Most economists have long preferred independent central banks because they can take unpopular steps that elected officials are more likely to avoid. Economic research has shown that nations with independent central banks typically have lower inflation over time.

Elected officials like Trump, however, have much greater incentives to push for lower interest rates, which make it easier for Americans to buy homes and cars and would boost the economy in the short run.

Douglas Elmendorf, an economist at Harvard and former director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, said that Trump’s demand for the Fed to cut its key rate by 3 percentage points would overstimulate the economy, lifting consumer demand above what the economy can produce and boosting inflation — similar to what happened during the pandemic.

“If the Federal Reserve falls under control of the president, then we’ll end up with higher inflation in this country probably for years to come,” Elmendorf said.

And while the Fed controls a short-term rate, financial markets determine longer-term borrowing costs for mortgages and other loans. And if investors worry that inflation will stay high, they will demand higher yields on government bonds, pushing up borrowing costs across the economy.

In Turkey, for example, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan forced the central bank to keep interest rates low in the early 2020s, even as inflation spiked to 85%. In 2023, Erdogan allowed the central bank more independence, which has helped bring down inflation, but short-term interest rates rose to 50% to fight inflation,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/turkey-central-bank-interest-rates-33610217e70f157478e03f031d50fad9">and are still 46%</a>.

Other U.S. presidents have badgered the Fed. President Lyndon Johnson harassed then-Fed Chair William McChesney Martin in the mid-1960s to keep rates low as Johnson ramped up government spending on the Vietnam War and antipoverty programs. And Richard Nixon pressured then-Chair Arthur Burns to avoid rate hikes in the run-up to the 1972 election. Both episodes are widely blamed for leading to the stubbornly high inflation of the 1960s and ‘70s.

Trump has also argued that the Fed should lower its rate to make it easier for the federal government to finance its tremendous $37 trillion debt load. Yet that threatens to distract the Fed from its congressional mandates of keeping inflation and unemployment low.

Presidents do have some influence over the Fed through their ability to appoint members of the board, subject to Senate approval. But the Fed was created to be insulated from short-term political pressures. Fed governors are appointed to staggered, 14-year terms to ensure that no single president can appoint too many.

Jane Manners, a law professor at Fordham University, said there is a reason that Congress decided to create independent agencies like the Fed: They preferred “decisions that are made from a kind of objective, neutral vantage point grounded in expertise rather than decisions are that are wholly subject to political pressure.”

Yet some Trump administration officials say they want more democratic accountability at the Fed.

In an interview with USA Today Vice President JD Vance said, “What people who are saying the president has no authority here are effectively saying is that seven economists and lawyers should be able to make an incredibly critical decision for the American people with no democratic input.”

And Stephen Miran, a top White House economic adviser, wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://manhattan.institute/article/reform-the-federal-reserves-governance-to-deliver-better-monetary-outcomes" target="_blank">a paper</a>&nbsp;last year advocating for a restructuring of the Fed, including making it much easier for a president to fire governors.

The “overall goal of this design is delivering the economic benefits” of an independent central bank, Miran wrote, “while maintaining a level of accountability that a democratic society must demand.” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-miran-794df2cd9d33b327bf3b836a553dd5ef">has nominated</a>&nbsp;Miran to the Fed’s board to replace Adriana Kugler, who stepped down unexpectedly Aug. 1.

Trump has personally insulted Powell for months, but his administration now appears much more focused on the Fed’s broader structure.

The Fed makes its interest rate decisions through a committee that consists of the seven governors, including Powell, as well as the 12 presidents of regional Fed banks in cities such as New York, Kansas City, and Atlanta. Five of those presidents vote on rates at each meeting. The New York Fed president has a permanent vote, while four others vote on a rotating basis.

While the reserve banks’ boards choose their presidents, the Fed board in Washington can vote to reject them. All 12 presidents will need to be reappointed and approved by the board in February, which could become more contentious if the board votes down one or more of the 12 presidents.

“The nuclear scenario is ... the reappointment of the reserve bank presidents and interfering with that, (which) would be the signal that things are truly going off the rails,” said Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753406454439.png" alt="File President Trump on a visit to the Federal Reserve construction site with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell last month -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File President Trump on a visit to the Federal Reserve construction site with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell last month -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/christopher-rugaber">CHRISTOPHER RUGABER</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s attempt to fire a member of the Federal Reserve’s governing board has raised alarms among economists and legal experts who see it as the biggest threat to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-independence-5c2ec1a37dc4aca6a59544f8b4513a45">central bank’s independence</a>&nbsp;in decades.The consequences could impact most Americans’ everyday lives: Economists worry that if Trump gets what he wants — a loyal Fed that sharply cuts short-term interest rates — the result would likely be higher inflation and, over time, higher borrowing costs for things like mortgages, car loans and business loans.Last week, Trump <a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-lisa-cook-trump-6fca3d2fbb54ba204cc91398e6a7b020">sought</a>&nbsp;to fire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lisa-cook-fed-governor-trump-firing-211c3db1a5082d46449f26b865fde850">Lisa Cook</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lisa-cook-federal-reserve-firing-trump-dei-4fdbb4af653bcca7b6fb0432166b44f3">first Black woman</a>&nbsp;appointed to the Fed’s seven-member governing board. It was the first time in the Fed’s 112-year history that a president has tried to fire a governor.Trump said he was doing so because of allegations raised by one of his appointees that she has committed mortgage fraud.Cook has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-cook-trump-308f2e6ac04f62643d96b8347d5b2417">argued in a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;seeking to block her firing that the claims are a pretext for Trump’s true goal: Gaining more control over the Fed. A court may decide next week whether to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-cook-trump-e9933d518af5155250bebbdc29fd3f2b">temporarily block Cook’s firing</a>&nbsp;while the case makes its way through the legal process.Cook is accused of claiming two homes as primary residences in July 2021, before she joined the board, which could have led to a lower mortgage rate than if one had been classified as a second home or an investment property. She has suggested in her lawsuit that it may have been a clerical error but hasn’t directly responded to the accusations.<h2>Fed independence ‘hangs by a thread’</h2>Trump and members of his administration have made no secret about their desire to exert more control over the Fed. Trump has repeatedly demanded that the central bank cut its key rate to as low as 1.3%, from its current level of 4.3%.Before trying to fire Cook, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-federal-reserve-building-renovation-2393d9ac9fdb9508f285d0faa5f4de41">repeatedly attacked</a>&nbsp;the Fed’s chair, Jerome Powell, for not cutting the short-term interest rate and threatened to fire him as well.“We’ll have a majority very shortly, so that’ll be good,” Trump said Tuesday, a reference to the fact that if he is able to replace Cook, his appointees will control the Fed’s board by a 4-3 vote.“The particular case of Governor Cook is not as important as what this latest move shows about the escalation in the assaults on the Fed,” said Jon Faust, an economist at Johns Hopkins and former adviser to Powell. “In my view, Fed independence really now hangs by a thread.”Some economists do think the Fed should cut more quickly, though virtually none agree with Trump that it should do so by 3 percentage points. Powell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-powell-287af1c758a30d67f5384d17423c5029">has signaled</a>&nbsp;the Fed is likely to cut by a quarter point in September.<h2>Why economists prefer independent central banks</h2>The Fed wields extensive power over the U.S. economy. By cutting the short-term interest rate it controls — which it typically does&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-congress-general-news-47edd7d4ae44414490b645068e7da54a">when the economy falters</a>&nbsp;— the Fed can make borrowing cheaper and encourage more spending, growth, and hiring. When it raises the rate to combat the higher prices that come with inflation, it can weaken the economy and cause job losses.Most economists have long preferred independent central banks because they can take unpopular steps that elected officials are more likely to avoid. Economic research has shown that nations with independent central banks typically have lower inflation over time.Elected officials like Trump, however, have much greater incentives to push for lower interest rates, which make it easier for Americans to buy homes and cars and would boost the economy in the short run.<h2>A political Fed could boost inflation</h2>Douglas Elmendorf, an economist at Harvard and former director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, said that Trump’s demand for the Fed to cut its key rate by 3 percentage points would overstimulate the economy, lifting consumer demand above what the economy can produce and boosting inflation — similar to what happened during the pandemic.“If the Federal Reserve falls under control of the president, then we’ll end up with higher inflation in this country probably for years to come,” Elmendorf said.And while the Fed controls a short-term rate, financial markets determine longer-term borrowing costs for mortgages and other loans. And if investors worry that inflation will stay high, they will demand higher yields on government bonds, pushing up borrowing costs across the economy.In Turkey, for example, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan forced the central bank to keep interest rates low in the early 2020s, even as inflation spiked to 85%. In 2023, Erdogan allowed the central bank more independence, which has helped bring down inflation, but short-term interest rates rose to 50% to fight inflation,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/turkey-central-bank-interest-rates-33610217e70f157478e03f031d50fad9">and are still 46%</a>.Other U.S. presidents have badgered the Fed. President Lyndon Johnson harassed then-Fed Chair William McChesney Martin in the mid-1960s to keep rates low as Johnson ramped up government spending on the Vietnam War and antipoverty programs. And Richard Nixon pressured then-Chair Arthur Burns to avoid rate hikes in the run-up to the 1972 election. Both episodes are widely blamed for leading to the stubbornly high inflation of the 1960s and ‘70s.Trump has also argued that the Fed should lower its rate to make it easier for the federal government to finance its tremendous $37 trillion debt load. Yet that threatens to distract the Fed from its congressional mandates of keeping inflation and unemployment low.<h2>Independence vs accountability</h2>Presidents do have some influence over the Fed through their ability to appoint members of the board, subject to Senate approval. But the Fed was created to be insulated from short-term political pressures. Fed governors are appointed to staggered, 14-year terms to ensure that no single president can appoint too many.Jane Manners, a law professor at Fordham University, said there is a reason that Congress decided to create independent agencies like the Fed: They preferred “decisions that are made from a kind of objective, neutral vantage point grounded in expertise rather than decisions are that are wholly subject to political pressure.”Yet some Trump administration officials say they want more democratic accountability at the Fed.In an interview with USA Today Vice President JD Vance said, “What people who are saying the president has no authority here are effectively saying is that seven economists and lawyers should be able to make an incredibly critical decision for the American people with no democratic input.”And Stephen Miran, a top White House economic adviser, wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://manhattan.institute/article/reform-the-federal-reserves-governance-to-deliver-better-monetary-outcomes" target="_blank">a paper</a>&nbsp;last year advocating for a restructuring of the Fed, including making it much easier for a president to fire governors.The “overall goal of this design is delivering the economic benefits” of an independent central bank, Miran wrote, “while maintaining a level of accountability that a democratic society must demand.” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-miran-794df2cd9d33b327bf3b836a553dd5ef">has nominated</a>&nbsp;Miran to the Fed’s board to replace Adriana Kugler, who stepped down unexpectedly Aug. 1.<h2>There could be more turmoil ahead</h2>Trump has personally insulted Powell for months, but his administration now appears much more focused on the Fed’s broader structure.The Fed makes its interest rate decisions through a committee that consists of the seven governors, including Powell, as well as the 12 presidents of regional Fed banks in cities such as New York, Kansas City, and Atlanta. Five of those presidents vote on rates at each meeting. The New York Fed president has a permanent vote, while four others vote on a rotating basis.While the reserve banks’ boards choose their presidents, the Fed board in Washington can vote to reject them. All 12 presidents will need to be reappointed and approved by the board in February, which could become more contentious if the board votes down one or more of the 12 presidents.“The nuclear scenario is ... the reappointment of the reserve bank presidents and interfering with that, (which) would be the signal that things are truly going off the rails,” said Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

How the Fed losing its independence could affect your life

By LUENA RODRIGUEZ-FEO VILEIRA, MAKIYA SEMINERA and COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press

One international student after another told the University of Central Missouri this summer that they couldn't get a visa, and many struggled to even land an interview for one.

Even though demand was just as high as ever, half as many new international graduate students showed up for fall classes compared to last year.

The decline represents a hit to the bottom line for Central Missouri, a small public university that operates close to its margins with an endowment of only $65 million. International students typically account for nearly a quarter of its tuition revenue.

“We aren’t able to subsidize domestic students as much when we have fewer international students who are bringing revenue to us,” said Roger Best, the university's president.

Signs of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-students-visas-trump-uk-dubai-6fd432398ce4c87f49a89c9c39421dec">decline in international students</a>&nbsp;have unsettled colleges around the U.S. Colleges with large numbers of foreign students and small endowments have little financial cushion to protect them from steep losses in tuition money.

International students represent at least 20% of enrollment at more than 100 colleges with endowments of less than $250,000 per student, according to an Associated Press analysis. Many are small Christian colleges, but the group also includes large universities such as Northeastern and Carnegie Mellon.

The extent of the change in enrollment will not be clear until the fall, Some groups have forecast a decline of as much as 40%, with a huge impact on college budgets and the wider U.S. economy.

International students face new scrutiny on several fronts

As part of a broader effort to reshape higher education, President Donald Trump has pressed colleges to limit their numbers of international students and heightened scrutiny of student visas. His administration has moved to deport foreign students involved in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-mahmoud-khalil-ice-15014bcbb921f21a9f704d5acdcae7a8">pro-Palestinian activism</a>, and new student visa appointments were put on hold for weeks as it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-visas-trump-social-media-6632a2c585245edcd6a63594345dd8c7">ramped up vetting</a>&nbsp;of applicants' social media.

On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security said it will propose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/28/2025-16554/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant">a rule</a>&nbsp;that would put new limits on the time foreign students can stay in the U.S.

The policies have introduced severe financial instability for colleges, said Justin Gest, a professor at George Mason University who studies the politics of immigration.

Foreign students are not eligible for federal financial aid and often pay full price for tuition — double or even triple the in-state rate paid by domestic students at public universities.

“To put it more dollars and cents-wise, if an international student comes in and pays $80,000 a year in tuition, that gives universities the flexibility to offer lower fees and more scholarship money to American students,” Gest said.

A Sudanese student barely made it to the US for the start of classes

Ahmed Ahmed, a Sudanese student, nearly didn't make it to the U.S. for his freshman year at the University of Rochester.

The Trump administration in June announced a travel ban on 12 countries, including Sudan. Diplomatic officials assured Ahmed he could still enter the U.S. because his visa was issued before the ban. But when he tried to board a flight to leave for the U.S. from Uganda, where he stayed with family during the summer, he was turned away and advised to contact an embassy about his visa.

With the help of the University of Rochester’s international office, Ahmed was able to book another flight.

At Rochester, where he received a scholarship to study electrical engineering, Ahmed, 19, said he feels supported by the staff. But he also finds himself on edge and understands why other students might not want to subject themselves to the scrutiny in the U.S., particularly those who are entirely paying their own way.

“I feel like I made it through, but I’m one of the last people to make it through,” he said.

Colleges are taking steps to blunt the impact

In recent years, international students have made up about 30% of enrollment at Central Missouri, which has a total of around 12,800 students. In anticipation of the hit to international enrollment, Central Missouri cut a cost-of-living raise for employees. It has pushed off infrastructure improvements planned for its campus and has been looking for other ways to cut costs.

Small schools — typically classified as those with no more than 5,000 students — tend to have less financial flexibility and will be especially vulnerable, said Dick Startz, an economics professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Lee University, a Christian institution with 3,500 students in Tennessee, is expecting 50 to 60 international students enrolled this fall, down from 82 the previous school year, representing a significant drop in revenue for the school, said Roy Y. Chan, the university’s director of graduate studies.

The school already has increased tuition by 20% over the past five years to account for a decrease in overall enrollment, he said.

“Since we’re a smaller liberal arts campus, tuition cost is our main, primary revenue,” Chan said, as opposed to government funding or donations.

The strains on international enrollment only add to distress for schools already on the financial brink.

Colleges around the country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-closing-university-of-arts-philadelphia-7c884439f16f24d99a61544381f49c23">have been closing</a>&nbsp;as they cope with declines in domestic enrollment, a consequence of changing demographics and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skipping-college-student-loans-trade-jobs-efc1f6d6067ab770f6e512b3f7719cc0">effects of the pandemic</a>. Nationwide, private colleges have been closing at a rate of about two per month, according to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.

The number of high school graduates in the U.S. is expected to decline through 2041, when there will be 13% fewer compared to 2024, according to projections from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

“That means that if you lost participation from international students, it’s even worse,” Startz said.

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

FILE - The Conn Student Union at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., is shown Friday, May 20, 2022. (Matt Hamilton//Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP, File)

DateAug 29, 2025 11:01 PMHeadlineEducation-International StudentsSourceChattanooga Times Free PressNotesMANDATORY CREDIT; THE DAILY CITIZEN OUT; CLEVELAND DAILY BANNER OUT; CHATTANOOGAN.COM OUT; NOOGA.COM OUTRestrictionsEds: UPDATES: Updates Media.Use informationUse of this content is for editorial purposes only. For inquiries regarding non-editorial uses, contact your licensing representative.

By LUENA RODRIGUEZ-FEO VILEIRA, MAKIYA SEMINERA and COLLIN BINKLEY Associated PressOne international student after another told the University of Central Missouri this summer that they couldn't get a visa, and many struggled to even land an interview for one.Even though demand was just as high as ever, half as many new international graduate students showed up for fall classes compared to last year.The decline represents a hit to the bottom line for Central Missouri, a small public university that operates close to its margins with an endowment of only $65 million. International students typically account for nearly a quarter of its tuition revenue.“We aren’t able to subsidize domestic students as much when we have fewer international students who are bringing revenue to us,” said Roger Best, the university's president.Signs of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-students-visas-trump-uk-dubai-6fd432398ce4c87f49a89c9c39421dec">decline in international students</a>&nbsp;have unsettled colleges around the U.S. Colleges with large numbers of foreign students and small endowments have little financial cushion to protect them from steep losses in tuition money.International students represent at least 20% of enrollment at more than 100 colleges with endowments of less than $250,000 per student, according to an Associated Press analysis. Many are small Christian colleges, but the group also includes large universities such as Northeastern and Carnegie Mellon.The extent of the change in enrollment will not be clear until the fall, Some groups have forecast a decline of as much as 40%, with a huge impact on college budgets and the wider U.S. economy.<h2>International students face new scrutiny on several fronts</h2>As part of a broader effort to reshape higher education, President Donald Trump has pressed colleges to limit their numbers of international students and heightened scrutiny of student visas. His administration has moved to deport foreign students involved in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-mahmoud-khalil-ice-15014bcbb921f21a9f704d5acdcae7a8">pro-Palestinian activism</a>, and new student visa appointments were put on hold for weeks as it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-visas-trump-social-media-6632a2c585245edcd6a63594345dd8c7">ramped up vetting</a>&nbsp;of applicants' social media.On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security said it will propose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/28/2025-16554/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant">a rule</a>&nbsp;that would put new limits on the time foreign students can stay in the U.S.The policies have introduced severe financial instability for colleges, said Justin Gest, a professor at George Mason University who studies the politics of immigration.Foreign students are not eligible for federal financial aid and often pay full price for tuition — double or even triple the in-state rate paid by domestic students at public universities.“To put it more dollars and cents-wise, if an international student comes in and pays $80,000 a year in tuition, that gives universities the flexibility to offer lower fees and more scholarship money to American students,” Gest said.<h2>A Sudanese student barely made it to the US for the start of classes</h2>Ahmed Ahmed, a Sudanese student, nearly didn't make it to the U.S. for his freshman year at the University of Rochester.The Trump administration in June announced a travel ban on 12 countries, including Sudan. Diplomatic officials assured Ahmed he could still enter the U.S. because his visa was issued before the ban. But when he tried to board a flight to leave for the U.S. from Uganda, where he stayed with family during the summer, he was turned away and advised to contact an embassy about his visa.With the help of the University of Rochester’s international office, Ahmed was able to book another flight.At Rochester, where he received a scholarship to study electrical engineering, Ahmed, 19, said he feels supported by the staff. But he also finds himself on edge and understands why other students might not want to subject themselves to the scrutiny in the U.S., particularly those who are entirely paying their own way.“I feel like I made it through, but I’m one of the last people to make it through,” he said.<h2>Colleges are taking steps to blunt the impact</h2>In recent years, international students have made up about 30% of enrollment at Central Missouri, which has a total of around 12,800 students. In anticipation of the hit to international enrollment, Central Missouri cut a cost-of-living raise for employees. It has pushed off infrastructure improvements planned for its campus and has been looking for other ways to cut costs.Small schools — typically classified as those with no more than 5,000 students — tend to have less financial flexibility and will be especially vulnerable, said Dick Startz, an economics professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.Lee University, a Christian institution with 3,500 students in Tennessee, is expecting 50 to 60 international students enrolled this fall, down from 82 the previous school year, representing a significant drop in revenue for the school, said Roy Y. Chan, the university’s director of graduate studies.The school already has increased tuition by 20% over the past five years to account for a decrease in overall enrollment, he said.“Since we’re a smaller liberal arts campus, tuition cost is our main, primary revenue,” Chan said, as opposed to government funding or donations.The strains on international enrollment only add to distress for schools already on the financial brink.Colleges around the country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-closing-university-of-arts-philadelphia-7c884439f16f24d99a61544381f49c23">have been closing</a>&nbsp;as they cope with declines in domestic enrollment, a consequence of changing demographics and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skipping-college-student-loans-trade-jobs-efc1f6d6067ab770f6e512b3f7719cc0">effects of the pandemic</a>. Nationwide, private colleges have been closing at a rate of about two per month, according to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.The number of high school graduates in the U.S. is expected to decline through 2041, when there will be 13% fewer compared to 2024, according to projections from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.“That means that if you lost participation from international students, it’s even worse,” Startz said.___The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.Slide 1 of 3PreviousNextFILE - The Conn Student Union at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., is shown Friday, May 20, 2022. (Matt Hamilton//Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP, File)<h2>Photo Details&nbsp;(1&nbsp;of&nbsp;3)</h2>DateAug 29, 2025 11:01 PMHeadlineEducation-International StudentsSourceChattanooga Times Free PressNotesMANDATORY CREDIT; THE DAILY CITIZEN OUT; CLEVELAND DAILY BANNER OUT; CHATTANOOGAN.COM OUT; NOOGA.COM OUTRestrictionsEds: UPDATES: Updates Media.Use informationUse of this content is for editorial purposes only. For inquiries regarding non-editorial uses, contact your licensing representative.

Colleges face financial struggles as international enrollment is plummeting

State attorney general says departure of running mate requires removal of Billings

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas secretary of state relied Friday on a legal opinion issued by the attorney general to remove Republican Doug Billings from the roster of candidates running for governor.

Attorney General Kris Kobach’s nonbinding opinion pointed to state law requiring governor and lieutenant governor candidates to run as a team. Kobach said the statute meant the decision by Billings’ running mate, April McCoy, to be removed from the ticket and have her name scrubbed from the August 2026 primary ballot meant Secretary of State Scott Schwab was obligated to terminate Billings’ candidacy.

Kobach said the key point was that when one member of this type of electoral alliance withdrew or died, after officially submitting candidate filing documents but prior to the state’s filing deadline, the candidacy had to be concluded because there was no mechanism in state law to replace one of the running mates.

“The Legislature knows how to prescribe a procedure for allowing a candidacy to continue, and it did not include one for this scenario,” Kobach’s opinion said. “While the remaining member is free to find another running mate and pursue ballot access, he must do so as part of a new candidacy.”

Kobach said Billings would be able to relaunch a campaign for governor, but would have to complete all requirements of a candidate to include payment of filing fees.

Billings couldn’t be immediately reached for comment on the decision.

Schwab, who serves as the state’s top elections official and is a candidate for the GOP nomination for governor, requested the attorney general’s opinion. Schwab’s office said the decision to remove Billings as a candidate for governor was based on the legal advice from the attorney general.

Billings, an Olathe podcaster and supporter of President Donald Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/05/kansas-podcaster-seeks-gop-gubernatorial-nomination-to-copy-trump-crusade-at-state-level/">launched a long-shot campaign</a>&nbsp;for governor. The GOP field includes Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, Senate President Ty Masterson, former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Schwab and several others.

Billings, who began hosting “The Right Side” podcast after a career in human resources, said Kansas needed a governor who would mirror the budget mindset offered by Trump and former DOGE adviser Elon Musk. He said reducing state spending and lowering income and businesses taxes would lead to a flourishing state economy.

In terms of election security, Billings promised to direct the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to investigate voting “irregularities” in Kansas.

“We need a strong conservative governor in that office,” Billings said during an interview in May. “We need a politician who’s going to tell the truth.”

In mid-August,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/running-mate-kansas-governor-candidate-103000106.html?guccounter=1" target="_blank">the Kansas City Star published an article</a>&nbsp;highlighting concerns raised by McCoy and others that Billings pocketed a $2,700 donation to his gubernatorial campaign. McCoy says the money was earmarked for purchase of a software program useful to a statewide campaign. Billings told the newspaper the dispute was a misunderstanding and the payment was a donation to his podcast.

In addition, the Star reported Billings was convicted during 2010 in Johnson County District Court of a felony charge of theft involving more than $25,000. Eight counts of fraud were dismissed by the prosecutor, records showed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756689251110.png" alt="Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach says state law requires Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Billings’ name to be removed from the list of candidates because his declared running mate quit. In this image, Billings is delivering a speech in 2021. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach says state law requires Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Billings’ name to be removed from the list of candidates because his declared running mate quit. In this image, Billings is delivering a speech in 2021. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>State attorney general says departure of running mate requires removal of Billings</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas secretary of state relied Friday on a legal opinion issued by the attorney general to remove Republican Doug Billings from the roster of candidates running for governor.Attorney General Kris Kobach’s nonbinding opinion pointed to state law requiring governor and lieutenant governor candidates to run as a team. Kobach said the statute meant the decision by Billings’ running mate, April McCoy, to be removed from the ticket and have her name scrubbed from the August 2026 primary ballot meant Secretary of State Scott Schwab was obligated to terminate Billings’ candidacy.Kobach said the key point was that when one member of this type of electoral alliance withdrew or died, after officially submitting candidate filing documents but prior to the state’s filing deadline, the candidacy had to be concluded because there was no mechanism in state law to replace one of the running mates.“The Legislature knows how to prescribe a procedure for allowing a candidacy to continue, and it did not include one for this scenario,” Kobach’s opinion said. “While the remaining member is free to find another running mate and pursue ballot access, he must do so as part of a new candidacy.”Kobach said Billings would be able to relaunch a campaign for governor, but would have to complete all requirements of a candidate to include payment of filing fees.Billings couldn’t be immediately reached for comment on the decision.Schwab, who serves as the state’s top elections official and is a candidate for the GOP nomination for governor, requested the attorney general’s opinion. Schwab’s office said the decision to remove Billings as a candidate for governor was based on the legal advice from the attorney general.Billings, an Olathe podcaster and supporter of President Donald Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/05/kansas-podcaster-seeks-gop-gubernatorial-nomination-to-copy-trump-crusade-at-state-level/">launched a long-shot campaign</a>&nbsp;for governor. The GOP field includes Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, Senate President Ty Masterson, former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Schwab and several others.Billings, who began hosting “The Right Side” podcast after a career in human resources, said Kansas needed a governor who would mirror the budget mindset offered by Trump and former DOGE adviser Elon Musk. He said reducing state spending and lowering income and businesses taxes would lead to a flourishing state economy.In terms of election security, Billings promised to direct the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to investigate voting “irregularities” in Kansas.“We need a strong conservative governor in that office,” Billings said during an interview in May. “We need a politician who’s going to tell the truth.”In mid-August,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/running-mate-kansas-governor-candidate-103000106.html?guccounter=1" target="_blank">the Kansas City Star published an article</a>&nbsp;highlighting concerns raised by McCoy and others that Billings pocketed a $2,700 donation to his gubernatorial campaign. McCoy says the money was earmarked for purchase of a software program useful to a statewide campaign. Billings told the newspaper the dispute was a misunderstanding and the payment was a donation to his podcast.In addition, the Star reported Billings was convicted during 2010 in Johnson County District Court of a felony charge of theft involving more than $25,000. Eight counts of fraud were dismissed by the prosecutor, records showed.

Kansas secretary of state acts on legal opinion, drops GOP candidate for governor

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Police arrested an 80-year-old woman in connection with a weekend crash that killed two Wichita women.

At approximately 9:35 p.m. on Saturday, officers responded to a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Central and Webb Road in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. A black Chevrolet truck traveling east on Central collided with a white BMW and a gray Jeep that were both traveling south on Webb.&nbsp;

In the BMW were Lashea Bell, 42, and her passenger Aniah Bell, 25, both from Wichita. Lashea Bell was pronounced dead at the scene, while Aniah Bell was transported to a local hospital, where she later died, according to Gupilan.

The 41-year-old male driver of the Jeep was treated at the scene and released. The driver of the Chevrolet identified from Sedgwick County booking records as Clowie Ann McLaughlin, was taken to a local hospital with injuries. An officer stayed with her, and once she was medically cleared, McLaughlin was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges that include two counts of second-degree homicide. She bonded out of jail just before 7:30p.m. Sunday, according to online jail records.

Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in this crash.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756685308870.png" alt="View of the crash scene -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>View of the crash scene -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— Police arrested an 80-year-old woman in connection with a weekend crash that killed two Wichita women.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756722147795.png" alt="Mclaughlin photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Mclaughlin photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>At approximately 9:35 p.m. on Saturday, officers responded to a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Central and Webb Road in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. A black Chevrolet truck traveling east on Central collided with a white BMW and a gray Jeep that were both traveling south on Webb.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756685616137.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>In the BMW were Lashea Bell, 42, and her passenger Aniah Bell, 25, both from Wichita. Lashea Bell was pronounced dead at the scene, while Aniah Bell was transported to a local hospital, where she later died, according to Gupilan.The 41-year-old male driver of the Jeep was treated at the scene and released. The driver of the Chevrolet identified from Sedgwick County booking records as Clowie Ann McLaughlin, was taken to a local hospital with injuries. An officer stayed with her, and once she was medically cleared, McLaughlin was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges that include two counts of second-degree homicide. She bonded out of jail just before 7:30p.m. Sunday, according to online jail records.Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in this crash.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.

Driver accused in deadly Kansas crash moved from hospital to jail

By DAVID A. LIEB and JESSE BEDAYN Associated Press

A battle between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-redistricting-congressional-map-882eae23a280a68dd6e0fc5a3bf11a0d">Texas Republicans</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-texas-redistricting-congressional-map-4c22e21d5d4022d33a257045693b6fd4">California Democrats</a>&nbsp;to bolster their party's advantage in the U.S. House has led politicians in other states to consider ways they, too, could leverage partisan power to rack up more victories in the 2026 congressional elections.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-governor-redistricting-trump-33bfdc8790cdf8201d80c8c89258df3d">signed into law</a>&nbsp;a new U.S. House map sought by President Donald Trump that could help Republicans in their quest to keep control of the chamber. Hours later, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced that he was calling a special session to also redraw House districts in Republicans' favor.

California Democrats already have launched a counteroffensive, asking voters to approve revised House districts designed to boost Democrats' prospects.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-election-2026-texas-california-trump-1e23e2b3f8e09031cf1eee8979ff3559">Redistricting typically occurs</a>&nbsp;once a decade, immediately after a census. But in some states, there is no prohibition on a mid-cycle map makeover. The U.S. Supreme Court also has said there is no federal prohibition on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gerrymandering-texas-congress-redistricting-0c751f48a7757fc11214472944670413">political gerrymandering</a>, in which districts are intentionally drawn to one party's advantage.

The redistricting efforts could play a role in determining control of the U.S. House and, with it, the prospects for Trump's policy goals in the latter half of his term.

Here is a rundown of what states are doing.

Texas Democrats walked out, but Republicans prevailed

Democratic state House members&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-legislature-quorum-break-redistricting-trump-743e616c14903deb7f264b2734422a09">left Texas</a>&nbsp;for two weeks to scuttle a special session on redistricting by preventing a quorum needed to do business. But after that session ended, Abbott quickly called another one — and Democrats returned, satisfied that they had made their point and that California was proceeding with a counter plan.

Republicans currently hold 25 of the 38 congressional seats in Texas. A revised map passed Aug. 23 is intended to give Republicans a shot at picking up five additional seats in next year's elections. Abbott's signature made the map final.

Missouri lawmakers to meet in a special session on redistricting

Kehoe scheduled a special legislation session on redistricting to start Sept. 3 and released a proposed new congressional map that targets a seat held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. The plan would give Republicans a chance at winning the seat by stretching the Kansas City-based district into rural Republican-leaning areas.

Republicans currently hold six of Missouri’s eight congressional seats.

Unlike in Texas, Missouri Democrats can’t prevent a quorum for business by walking out. And although Democrats could filibuster in the Senate, Republicans could use procedural maneuvers to shut that down and pass a new congressional map.

Kansas Republicans haven’t ruled out redistricting

Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson didn’t rule out trying to redraw the state’s four congressional districts, one of which is held by the state's sole Democratic House representative. The Legislature's GOP supermajority could do so early next year, which would put the new lines in place before the June 1 candidate filing deadline.

California Democrats seek to counter Texas

Democrats already hold 43 of the 52 congressional seats in California. But similar to Texas, a revised map passed Aug. 21 by the state Legislature is aimed at giving Democrats a chance to gain five additional seats in the 2026 elections.

Unlike Texas, California has an independent citizens' commission that handles redistricting after the census, so any changes to the commission's map would need to win approval from voters. A referendum on the revised map is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Indiana Republicans meet with Trump about redistricting

Indiana’s Republican legislative leaders met privately with Trump to discuss&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/redistricting">redistricting</a>&nbsp;while in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 26. Some also met with Vice President JD Vance.

Several Indiana state legislators came out in support of a mid-cycle map change following the meetings. But others have expressed hesitation about joining Trump’s push to remake districts in Republicans’ favor. It remains unclear if Indiana will hold a legislative session on redistricting.

Republicans hold a 7-2 edge over Democrats in Indiana’s congressional delegation. All incumbent GOP congressional representatives have said they support redistricting.

Louisiana Republicans looking at times for a special session

Louisiana lawmakers are being told to keep their calendars open between Oct. 23 and Nov. 13. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Oct. 15 over a challenge to the state's congressional map.

Republican state Rep. Gerald “Beau” Beaullieu, who chairs a House committee that oversees redistricting, told the AP that the idea is to have lawmakers available to come back to work in case the Supreme Court issues a ruling quickly.

Republicans currently hold four of Louisiana's six congressional seats.

Ohio must redraw its maps before the 2026 midterms

Because of the way its current districts were enacted, the state constitution requires Republican-led Ohio&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-ohio-state-government-01117758be7ece7ce12ebc04baa0ce05">to adopt new House maps before the 2026</a>&nbsp;elections. Ohio Democrats are bracing for Republicans to try to expand their 10-5 congressional majority when they meet later this year to redraw maps.

Democrats don’t have much power to stop it. But “we will fight, we will organize, we will make noise at every step of the process,” Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde said.

New York Democrats try to change state law

New York, similar to California, has an independent commission that redraws districts after every census. But state Democrats have introduced legislation to allow mid-decade redistricting.

Democratic Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-election-2026-texas-redistricting-136cfeddc717f9fc69337bd3d39b1819">Kathy Hochul had said</a>&nbsp;that if Texas proceeded, “we must do the same.”

But the soonest new maps could be in place would be for the 2028 elections. That is because the proposal would require an amendment to the state constitution, a change that would have to pass the Legislature twice and be approved by voters.

Maryland Democrats planning a response to Texas

Democratic state Sen. Clarence Lam already has announced he is filing redistricting legislation for consideration during the 2026 session. Democratic House Majority Leader David Moon also has said he will sponsor legislation triggering redistricting in Maryland if Texas or any other state conducts mid-decade redistricting. Democrats already control seven of Maryland's eight congressional seats.

Florida's governor pledges support for redistricting

Florida Republican state House Speaker Daniel Perez said his chamber&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-indiana-redistricting-donald-trump-fafc5bd34f741b3886913e792ab33048">will take up redistricting</a>&nbsp;this year through a special committee. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has reiterated his support for the state to join the redistricting fray, calling on the federal government to conduct a new Census count and claiming that the Trump administration should “award” the state another congressional seat.

Florida has 28 U.S. House seats, 18 of them currently occupied by Republicans.

A court orders Utah to redraw its districts

Utah Republicans hold all four of the state's U.S. House seats under a map the GOP-led Legislature approved after the 2020 census. But a judge ruled Aug. 25 that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-congressional-map-redistricting-trump-midterms-100656aa263866946e0fd83f0319894a">the map was unlawful</a>&nbsp;because the Legislature had circumvented an independent redistricting commission established by voters to ensure districts don’t deliberately favor one party.

The judge gave lawmakers until Sept. 24 to adopt a map that complies with voter-approved standards. A new map could increase Democrats' chances of winning a seat.

Associated Press writers Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York; Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City; Isabella Volmert in Lansing, Michigan; and Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756504994284.png" alt=" Proposed Missouri congressional maps released Friday by the governor’s office." />
 <figcaption> Proposed Missouri congressional maps released Friday by the governor’s office.</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID A. LIEB and JESSE BEDAYN Associated PressA battle between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-redistricting-congressional-map-882eae23a280a68dd6e0fc5a3bf11a0d">Texas Republicans</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-texas-redistricting-congressional-map-4c22e21d5d4022d33a257045693b6fd4">California Democrats</a>&nbsp;to bolster their party's advantage in the U.S. House has led politicians in other states to consider ways they, too, could leverage partisan power to rack up more victories in the 2026 congressional elections.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/F2mgXWyWNo">pic.twitter.com/F2mgXWyWNo</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1961549912069566966?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-governor-redistricting-trump-33bfdc8790cdf8201d80c8c89258df3d">signed into law</a>&nbsp;a new U.S. House map sought by President Donald Trump that could help Republicans in their quest to keep control of the chamber. Hours later, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced that he was calling a special session to also redraw House districts in Republicans' favor.California Democrats already have launched a counteroffensive, asking voters to approve revised House districts designed to boost Democrats' prospects.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-election-2026-texas-california-trump-1e23e2b3f8e09031cf1eee8979ff3559">Redistricting typically occurs</a>&nbsp;once a decade, immediately after a census. But in some states, there is no prohibition on a mid-cycle map makeover. The U.S. Supreme Court also has said there is no federal prohibition on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gerrymandering-texas-congress-redistricting-0c751f48a7757fc11214472944670413">political gerrymandering</a>, in which districts are intentionally drawn to one party's advantage.The redistricting efforts could play a role in determining control of the U.S. House and, with it, the prospects for Trump's policy goals in the latter half of his term.Here is a rundown of what states are doing.<h2>Texas Democrats walked out, but Republicans prevailed</h2>Democratic state House members&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-legislature-quorum-break-redistricting-trump-743e616c14903deb7f264b2734422a09">left Texas</a>&nbsp;for two weeks to scuttle a special session on redistricting by preventing a quorum needed to do business. But after that session ended, Abbott quickly called another one — and Democrats returned, satisfied that they had made their point and that California was proceeding with a counter plan.Republicans currently hold 25 of the 38 congressional seats in Texas. A revised map passed Aug. 23 is intended to give Republicans a shot at picking up five additional seats in next year's elections. Abbott's signature made the map final.<h2>Missouri lawmakers to meet in a special session on redistricting</h2>Kehoe scheduled a special legislation session on redistricting to start Sept. 3 and released a proposed new congressional map that targets a seat held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. The plan would give Republicans a chance at winning the seat by stretching the Kansas City-based district into rural Republican-leaning areas.Republicans currently hold six of Missouri’s eight congressional seats.Unlike in Texas, Missouri Democrats can’t prevent a quorum for business by walking out. And although Democrats could filibuster in the Senate, Republicans could use procedural maneuvers to shut that down and pass a new congressional map.<h2>Kansas Republicans haven’t ruled out redistricting</h2>Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson didn’t rule out trying to redraw the state’s four congressional districts, one of which is held by the state's sole Democratic House representative. The Legislature's GOP supermajority could do so early next year, which would put the new lines in place before the June 1 candidate filing deadline.<h2>California Democrats seek to counter Texas</h2>Democrats already hold 43 of the 52 congressional seats in California. But similar to Texas, a revised map passed Aug. 21 by the state Legislature is aimed at giving Democrats a chance to gain five additional seats in the 2026 elections.Unlike Texas, California has an independent citizens' commission that handles redistricting after the census, so any changes to the commission's map would need to win approval from voters. A referendum on the revised map is scheduled for Nov. 4.<h2>Indiana Republicans meet with Trump about redistricting</h2>Indiana’s Republican legislative leaders met privately with Trump to discuss&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/redistricting">redistricting</a>&nbsp;while in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 26. Some also met with Vice President JD Vance.Several Indiana state legislators came out in support of a mid-cycle map change following the meetings. But others have expressed hesitation about joining Trump’s push to remake districts in Republicans’ favor. It remains unclear if Indiana will hold a legislative session on redistricting.Republicans hold a 7-2 edge over Democrats in Indiana’s congressional delegation. All incumbent GOP congressional representatives have said they support redistricting.<h2>Louisiana Republicans looking at times for a special session</h2>Louisiana lawmakers are being told to keep their calendars open between Oct. 23 and Nov. 13. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Oct. 15 over a challenge to the state's congressional map.Republican state Rep. Gerald “Beau” Beaullieu, who chairs a House committee that oversees redistricting, told the AP that the idea is to have lawmakers available to come back to work in case the Supreme Court issues a ruling quickly.Republicans currently hold four of Louisiana's six congressional seats.<h2>Ohio must redraw its maps before the 2026 midterms</h2>Because of the way its current districts were enacted, the state constitution requires Republican-led Ohio&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-ohio-state-government-01117758be7ece7ce12ebc04baa0ce05">to adopt new House maps before the 2026</a>&nbsp;elections. Ohio Democrats are bracing for Republicans to try to expand their 10-5 congressional majority when they meet later this year to redraw maps.Democrats don’t have much power to stop it. But “we will fight, we will organize, we will make noise at every step of the process,” Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde said.<h2>New York Democrats try to change state law</h2>New York, similar to California, has an independent commission that redraws districts after every census. But state Democrats have introduced legislation to allow mid-decade redistricting.Democratic Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-election-2026-texas-redistricting-136cfeddc717f9fc69337bd3d39b1819">Kathy Hochul had said</a>&nbsp;that if Texas proceeded, “we must do the same.”But the soonest new maps could be in place would be for the 2028 elections. That is because the proposal would require an amendment to the state constitution, a change that would have to pass the Legislature twice and be approved by voters.<h2>Maryland Democrats planning a response to Texas</h2>Democratic state Sen. Clarence Lam already has announced he is filing redistricting legislation for consideration during the 2026 session. Democratic House Majority Leader David Moon also has said he will sponsor legislation triggering redistricting in Maryland if Texas or any other state conducts mid-decade redistricting. Democrats already control seven of Maryland's eight congressional seats.<h2>Florida's governor pledges support for redistricting</h2>Florida Republican state House Speaker Daniel Perez said his chamber&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-indiana-redistricting-donald-trump-fafc5bd34f741b3886913e792ab33048">will take up redistricting</a>&nbsp;this year through a special committee. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has reiterated his support for the state to join the redistricting fray, calling on the federal government to conduct a new Census count and claiming that the Trump administration should “award” the state another congressional seat.Florida has 28 U.S. House seats, 18 of them currently occupied by Republicans.<h2>A court orders Utah to redraw its districts</h2>Utah Republicans hold all four of the state's U.S. House seats under a map the GOP-led Legislature approved after the 2020 census. But a judge ruled Aug. 25 that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-congressional-map-redistricting-trump-midterms-100656aa263866946e0fd83f0319894a">the map was unlawful</a>&nbsp;because the Legislature had circumvented an independent redistricting commission established by voters to ensure districts don’t deliberately favor one party.The judge gave lawmakers until Sept. 24 to adopt a map that complies with voter-approved standards. A new map could increase Democrats' chances of winning a seat.____Associated Press writers Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York; Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City; Isabella Volmert in Lansing, Michigan; and Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland, contributed to this report.

What Kan. and other states are doing in the battle over US House redistricting maps

KANSAS CITy —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 48-year-old Stephonne M. Jones, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 10pm. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 5200 block of Euclid Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri on a reported sound of shots. While enroute the call was updated to a shooting. First responders located Jones suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and unresponsive. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced her deceased, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.&nbsp;This incident is being investigated as a homicide and police have not identified a suspect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756643273626.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITy —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 48-year-old Stephonne M. Jones, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 10pm. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 5200 block of Euclid Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri on a reported sound of shots. While enroute the call was updated to a shooting. First responders located Jones suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and unresponsive. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced her deceased, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.&nbsp;This incident is being investigated as a homicide and police have not identified a suspect.

Homicide: KCPD found 48-year-old woman dead outside home

JEFFERSON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Sunday in Jefferson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Hyundai Kona SUV driven by Shelby D. Copp, 33,&nbsp;Oskaloosa, was southbound on K-237 Highway at U.S. 24.

The driver failed to stop at the stop sign and struck a westbound 2008 Chevy Suburban driven by Douglas K.&nbsp;Gould, 68, Topeka, in the passenger side.&nbsp; The Suburban was pulling a boat trailer. The boat detached and continued westbound on U.S. 24 and struck the front of a 2008 Chevy Silverado driven by Deegan K.&nbsp;Fraizer, 16, Topeka.

Copp and a passenger in the Surburban identified as Connie J. Gould, 66, Topeka were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Barnett Family Funeral Home.

EMS transported Douglas Gould and two passengers in the Hyundai identified as a 6-year-old girl and an 8-year-old girl to&nbsp;Stormont Vail Health in Topeka.&nbsp; Fraizer and a passenger in the pickup were not injured. The drivers and adult passengers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP. The KHP did not have information on whether the children were properly restrained.

JEFFERSON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Sunday in Jefferson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Hyundai Kona SUV driven by Shelby D. Copp, 33,&nbsp;Oskaloosa, was southbound on K-237 Highway at U.S. 24.The driver failed to stop at the stop sign and struck a westbound 2008 Chevy Suburban driven by Douglas K.&nbsp;Gould, 68, Topeka, in the passenger side.&nbsp; The Suburban was pulling a boat trailer. The boat detached and continued westbound on U.S. 24 and struck the front of a 2008 Chevy Silverado driven by Deegan K.&nbsp;Fraizer, 16, Topeka.Copp and a passenger in the Surburban identified as Connie J. Gould, 66, Topeka were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Barnett Family Funeral Home.EMS transported Douglas Gould and two passengers in the Hyundai identified as a 6-year-old girl and an 8-year-old girl to&nbsp;Stormont Vail Health in Topeka.&nbsp; Fraizer and a passenger in the pickup were not injured. The drivers and adult passengers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP. The KHP did not have information on whether the children were properly restrained.

2 Kan. women dead, 2 children injured in 3-vehicle crash

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Desperate Afghans clawed through rubble in search of missing loved ones after a strong earthquake killed some 800 people and injured more than 2,500 in eastern Afghanistan, according to figures provided Monday by the Taliban government.

The 6.0 magnitude quake late Sunday hit towns in the province of Kunar, near the city of Jalalabad in neighboring Nangarhar province, causing extensive damage.

The quake at 11:47 p.m. was centered 27 kilometers (17 miles) east-northeast of Jalalabad, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It was just 8 kilometers (5 miles) deep. Shallower quakes tend to cause more damage. Several aftershocks followed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756722828476.png" alt="Image USGS" />
 <figcaption>Image USGS</figcaption>
 </figure>KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Desperate Afghans clawed through rubble in search of missing loved ones after a strong earthquake killed some 800 people and injured more than 2,500 in eastern Afghanistan, according to figures provided Monday by the Taliban government.The 6.0 magnitude quake late Sunday hit towns in the province of Kunar, near the city of Jalalabad in neighboring Nangarhar province, causing extensive damage.The quake at 11:47 p.m. was centered 27 kilometers (17 miles) east-northeast of Jalalabad, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It was just 8 kilometers (5 miles) deep. Shallower quakes tend to cause more damage. Several aftershocks followed.Footage showed rescuers taking injured people on stretchers from collapsed buildings and into helicopters as people frantically dug through rubble with their hands.The Taliban government's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said at a press conference Monday that the death toll had risen to at least 800 with more than 2,500 injured. He said most of the casualties were in Kunar.Buildings in Afghanistan tend to be low-rise constructions, mostly of concrete and brick, with homes in rural and outlying areas made from mud bricks and wood. Many are poorly built.One resident in Nurgal district, one of the worst-affected areas in Kunar, said nearly the entire village was destroyed.“Children are under the rubble. The elderly are under the rubble. Young people are under the rubble,” said the villager, who did not give his name.“We need help here,” he pleaded. "We need people to come here and join us. Let us pull out the people who are buried. There is no one who can come and remove dead bodies from under the rubble.”<h2>Homes collapsed and people screamed for help</h2>Eastern Afghanistan is mountainous, with remote areas.The quake has worsened communications. Blocked roads are forcing aid workers to walk four or five hours to reach survivors. Dozens of flights have operated in and out of Nangarhar Airport, transporting the injured to hospitals.One survivor described seeing homes collapse before his eyes and people screaming for help.Sadiqullah, who lives in the Maza Dara area of Nurgal, said he was woken by a deep boom that sounded like a storm approaching. Like many Afghans, he uses only one name.He ran to where his children were sleeping and rescued three of them. He was about to return to grab the rest of his family when the room fell on top of him.“I was half-buried and unable to get out,” he told The Associated Press by phone from Nangarhar Hospital. “My wife and two sons are dead, and my father is injured and in hospital with me. We were trapped for three to four hours until people from other areas arrived and pulled me out."It felt like the whole mountain was shaking, he said.Rescue operations were underway and medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar and the capital Kabul have arrived in the area, said Sharafat Zaman, a health ministry spokesman.Zaman said many areas had not been able to report casualty figures and that “the numbers were expected to change” as deaths and injuries are reported. The chief spokesman, Mujahid, said helicopters had reached some areas but road travel was difficult.“There are some villages where the injured and dead haven't been recovered from the rubble, so that’s why the numbers may increase,” he told journalists.<h2>The tremors were felt in neighboring Pakistan</h2>Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said the earthquake intensified existing humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan and urged international donors to support relief efforts.“This adds death and destruction to other challenges including drought and the forced return of millions of Afghans from neighbouring countries,” Grandi wrote on the social media platform X. “Hopefully the donor community will not hesitate to support relief efforts.”A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-herat-earthquake-155c12cd085d7aa8ee1fef5882e120f4">Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2023</a>, followed by strong aftershocks. The Taliban government estimated at least 4,000 people perished in that quake.The U.N. gave a lower death toll of about 1,500. It was the deadliest natural disaster to strike Afghanistan in recent memory.The latest earthquake was likely to “dwarf the scale of the humanitarian needs” caused by the disaster of 2023, according to the International Rescue Committee.Entire roads and communities have been cut off from accessing nearby towns or hospitals and 2,000 casualties were reported within the first 12 hours, said Sherine Ibrahim, the country director for the aid agency.“Although we have been able to act fast, we are profoundly fearful for the additional strain this will have on the overall humanitarian response in Afghanistan," said Ibrahim. "&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-aid-agencies-women-8e6b00ad31a4b6a192c32f7b9ed8070f">Global funding cuts</a>&nbsp;have dramatically hampered our ability to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.”The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a statement that immediate needs include search and rescue support, emergency healthcare and medical supplies, food, clean water, and restoring road access to reach isolated communities.Sunday night’s quake was felt in parts of Pakistan, including the capital Islamabad. There were no reports of casualties or damage.Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was deeply saddened by events in Afghanistan. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We are ready to extend all possible support in this regard,” he said on X.Pakistan has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-afghan-refugees-deadline-return-un-fe4a63a110fdb4d7528352cf9e5b1d9b">expelled tens of thousands of Afghans</a>&nbsp;in the past year, many of them living in the country for decades as refugees.At least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-pakistan-afghan-deportation-refugees-ea3fd1f9b995e4f97d8584718cea058d">1.2 million Afghans</a>&nbsp;have been forced to return from Iran and Pakistan so far this year, according to a June report by UNHCR.———Associated Press journalist Suzan Fraser contributed reporting from Ankara, Turkey.