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Red states in the South are seeking to advance the GOP’s goal of keeping the House majority this fall by redrawing their congressional maps in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling that reignited the redistricting arms race.    Tennessee Republicans approved a new map on Thursday that threatens to unseat the state’s lone House Democrat after the high court's ruling, which declared Louisiana’s map...

Alabama urged the Supreme Court on Friday for an emergency order clearing the way for its redrawn congressional map that could boost Republicans' chances of holding on to the House in November. The ask landed just as Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed the map, which lawmakers passed in response to the high court’s recent decision in Louisiana that weakened the Voting Rights Act. Alabama says that should enable the state to axe the boundaries that judges forcibly implemented...

Prosecutors allege SPLC funneled over $3m to sources in extremist groups but legal experts say case is weak

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The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges related to allegations the organization committed fraud and conspired to money launder.

The 11-count indictment filed last month accuses the civil rights organization of committing fraud in connection to a program in which it paid informants to monitor rightwing extremist groups. The program no longer exists. The investigation is being handled by the US attorney for the middle district of Alabama, which includes Montgomery, the state capital.

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© Photograph: Barry Lewis/In Pictures/Getty Images

© Photograph: Barry Lewis/In Pictures/Getty Images

© Photograph: Barry Lewis/In Pictures/Getty Images

The Supreme Court’s decision to throw out Louisiana’s congressional maps — and weaken the Voting Rights Act in the process — is throwing a wrench into an already-turbulent midterm cycle as more states prepare to hold their primaries in the coming weeks.  Louisiana officials announced they would be delaying congressional primaries — slated to start next month — in response to the high...

Todd Blanche announces 11-count indictment over payments to informants in extremist groups including Ku Klux Klan

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The Southern Poverty Law Center, the prominent civil rights organization, has been indicted on federal fraud charges related to past payments it made to confidential informants to infiltrate extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, the justice department has announced.

In a statement, Bryan Fair, the SPLC’s chief executive, called the allegations “false” and said the justice department’s actions “will not shake our resolve to fight for justice and ensure the promise of the civil rights movement becomes a reality for all”.

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© Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

© Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

© Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters