Federal judge upholds constitutionality of nitrogen gas executions

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A federal judge on Thursday ruled that execution by nitrogen gas does not violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, rejecting an Alabama inmate’s claim that it causes excessive suffering.

Alabama asks Supreme Court to allow use of congressional map helping GOP

WASHINGTON (AP) – Alabama on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to allow it to use a congressional map favoring Republicans in this year’s elections, despite a lower court’s ruling that the redistricting plan intentionally discriminates against Black people.

The Trump Report: Latest Updates

President Donald Trump convened his Cabinet on Wednesday at a precarious moment for talks aimed at ending the war with Iran, just days after insisting that his administration and Tehran had “largely negotiated” a settlement but with the negotiations still in a state of flux. Closure to his war of choice may be unsatisfactory, putting off many critical issues to be resolved later.

Trump threatens more strikes on Iran after Tehran fires back at countries

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The United States launched airstrikes early Wednesday against Iran after blaming Tehran for the crash of an American attack helicopter, prompting new attacks from Iran and further widening the retaliatory strikes that threaten to derail talks to end to the war.

Federal court blocks Alabama plan for new congressional districts

Federal judges on Tuesday blocked Alabama’s plan to use a congressional map that could give Republicans an advantage in a key U.S. House race in the midterm elections.

South Carolina senators weigh scrapping primary for congressional races

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Early in-person voting began Tuesday in South Carolina’s primaries, as state senators considered whether to cancel the congressional votes and instead schedule a new primary under revised districts designed to help Republicans oust a longtime Democrat.

The Trump Report: The Latest Updates

President Donald Trump insists a peace deal is close on the 88th day of the Iran war, but Iran on Tuesday denounced U.S. airstrikes as a sign of “bad faith and unreliability” as negotiations continue. Meanwhile, state media in Lebanon reports that Israel has killed 12 more people in another strike.

Trump signs bill giving nearly $70B to his immigration enforcement agenda

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump signed a bill into law on Wednesday that gives his immigration and deportation agenda a nearly $70 billion boost for the rest of his time in the White House.

Today in History: May 20, Lincoln signs Homestead Act

Today is Wednesday, May 20, the 140th day of 2026. There are 225 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 20, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, which was intended to encourage settlement west of the Mississippi River by making federal land available for private ownership and farming.