Everybody hates big $ in elections. Is this a fix? The vast majority of Americans say that money in politics is a threat to democracy. Seattle came up with a novel solution: give everyone money to donate to candidates. In 2015, voters approved the Democracy Voucher program, but is it working? Hans Anderson
Questions about Epstein files follow lawmakers home It's just the start of a summer recess for Congress, but already House Republicans are being asked questions back home about the push to release records related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Carmen Russell-Sluchansky
Supreme Court keeps a pause for now on a ruling that weakens the Voting Rights Act The Supreme Court has extended a pause, for now, on a lower court ruling that struck down a key tool for protecting minority voters under the Voting Rights Act in seven states. Hansi Lo Wang
Trump administration scrutiny of academic institutions stretches beyond elite colleges After pressuring elite universities, the Trump administration is now focusing on George Mason. Education reporter Katherine Mangan discusses why GMU's president says it's a backlash to DEI efforts. Tonya Mosley
State Dept. cuts China experts as administration says countering Beijing top priority The State Department has shuttered the team involved in South China Sea security, getting rid of top experts on the subject at a time when the administration says security in the region is a priority. Tom Bowman
Frustrated by NIMBYs, states are trying to force cities to build affordable housing Utah's leaders worry skyrocketing home prices are keeping young people from creating wealth. It's among a growing number of states — red and blue — passing laws to promote more affordable places. Jennifer Ludden
As lawmakers head into August recess, the Epstein controversy keeps bubbling As Democrats push to release Epstein-related files, a former Justice Department official says the public may never see the full details. Majd Al-Waheidi
Judge denies release of Jeffrey Epstein transcripts in Florida President Trump had called for the release of grand jury testimony related to Epstein. Two judges in New York also are weighing requests from the Justice Department to unseal grand jury transcripts. Ryan Lucas
'Literally no way': Idea of redrawing WA’s congressional map gets bipartisan brush off U.S. House Democrats want to counter a move by Texas lawmakers to elect more Republicans. Washington state lawmakers say redistricting won’t happen here before next year’s midterms. Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard
Trump aims to get rid of AI regulations and finance exports to win AI race President Trump says he wants to make sure the United States wins the artificial intelligence race. The White House says fewer regulations will help. Deepa Shivaram