Former President Barack Obama gives his approval of California Gov. Gavin Newsom's redistricting strategy as Texas debates over its proposed plan.

Other Democratic lawmakers have joined a colleague in staying at the Texas Capitol rather than accept around-the-clock police escorts meant to prevent them from blocking a vote on a Republican plan for redrawing congressional districts.

Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier on Wednesday interrupted a Zoom call promoting Democratic redistricting fights to say she was being threatened with a felony before abruptly leaving the bathroom where she had been speaking.

Texas House Democrats on Wednesday plan to offer an amendment that would block a Republican redistricting effort until the complete release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Why it matters: The Democratic effort,

Hurricane Erin may not be forecast to make landfall, but the sprawling Category 2 storm is still going to impact much of the East Coast as it tracks north this week. On Tuesday, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency to prepare for the life-threatening rip currents and storm surge expected to affect the coastal region.

The Texas State Capitol was cleared of visitors Tuesday evening and closed to the public after a social media threat, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

A Texas lawmaker confirmed she remained in her seat on the Texas House floor Monday morning after refusing to sign a GOP-mandated "permission slip" requiring Department of Public Safety escorts for Democrats who broke quorum over redistricting.

Multiple Texas House Democrats will spend the night inside the Texas House chamber to protest law enforcement escorts that have been following them around to ensure they show up to the Capitol on Wednesday.