Daily Briefing: Map battles

Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Begin Thursday with these reads:

• See if you'll get money in a Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement.
• Do you have to get a passport with Trump's face on it? 
• LIV Golf is Saudi-funded no longer.

Nicole Fallert here, wishing I had a backyard sauna. Today's news involves a national battle over redistricting. Plus: Two queens go to a library, and a trivia night trauma.

Will SCOTUS ruling impact national redistricting battle?

The Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned Louisiana’s latest congressional map, which critics said would "eviscerate" the Voting Rights Act. The high court effectively struck down a Black majority congressional district in Louisiana and limited a landmark civil rights law passed to protect the voting power of racial minorities.

The decision comes amid remapping fights across the country as Republicans battle against Democrats to keep control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Experts tell USA TODAY the move will not likely play much of a role in the 2026 midterm elections but could remove the justices from future redistricting fights.

More news to know now

• The Iran war has cost the US $25 billion, the Pentagon says. The Trump administration defended blockading Iran’s ports until the country disavows its nuclear program, despite criticisms over the war’s impact on Americans. Meanwhile, the U.S. has about 25 days of oil supply.
• Jerome Powell's last Fed meeting: A divided Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged April 29, while Powell delivered something of a farewell address.
• Back to long airport lines? The Transportation Security Administration told USA TODAY that more than 1,100 personnel have left the agency amid a Department of Homeland Security funding stalemate.

Royal Visit

And just like that ...'Carrie' and Camilla

Queen Camilla had her own "Carrie Bradshaw" moment during her visit to New York City on Wednesday, when Sarah Jessica Parker of "Sex and The City" fame toured the queen through the city's public library. The royals head to Virginia today.

Games

A behind-the-scenes corporate deal stole trivia joy

USA TODAY's David Oliver used to love going to trivia. The guessing or thinking something through was part of the fun. But then it all changed: Sporcle, the quiz company, purchased trivia company District Trivia, and in doing so, changed Oliver's weekly ritual as he knew it. It replaced the District Trivia format with one that favored random, easy questions and out-of-this-world difficult ones. Oliver writes: "Hell, it traumatized us."

Before you go

• Cool girl vibes only at Billboard's Women in Music event.
• Would you pay $22,000 for hair and makeup?
• Girls' flag football is growing across America.

Have feedback on the Daily Briefing? Shoot Nicole an email at [email protected].