It is up to a New Mexico judge to settle a challenge over the legality of New Mexico’s fledgling universal childcare program, an ambitious and closely watched effort to eliminate daycare costs for all working families. A lawsuit brought by former Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Rodriguez and other plaintiffs challenges the process used by state officials to eliminate an income cap and co-pays for childcare assistance. They say the Legislature didn't have a chance to weigh in or approve funding before regulations were adopted last fall by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration. Attorneys for the administration argue the case is moot since funding has since been approved.

AP Wire
  • Updated

A lapse in a law that allows the U.S. to gather intelligence abroad has grown more likely as President Donald Trump is resisting calls from Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill to immediately name a permanent director of national intelligence.  Trump has  doubled down on his temporary pick to lead the intelligence agencies, federal housing finance regulator Bill Pulte, even though he has little experience for the job and as Democrats are withholding their votes for the spy tool’s renewal in protest. On Wednesday, Trump asked for a short-term extension of the law.

AP Top Story Wire
  • Updated

House Republicans have passed a nearly $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies for the next three years and the rest of President Donald Trump's term in office. The bill now goes to Trump to be signed into law. Democrats oppose the measure, with Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries saying the money would further fund Trump's “violent mass deportation machine.” Meanwhile, Republicans said they were fulfilling their duty to safeguard the nation and support the men and women charged with enforcing the law. The funding comes on top of the nearly $140 billion that the Republican-controlled Congress gave ICE and Customs and Border Protection last year as part of Trump’s massive tax and spending cuts bill.

A national redistricting battle is about to enter a new phase. Several states already have redrawn congressional districts to create a partisan advantage in the November elections. Now, Georgia's Republican-led Legislature will convene June 17 to draw new districts for the 2028 elections not only for Congress, but also for state legislative seats. Mississippi Republicans are also planning to draw new districts before their 2027 legislative elections. It remains to be seen whether more state legislatures and local governments will try to redraw districts in light of a recent Supreme Court decision weakening the federal Voting Rights Act.