This is an L.A. Times Studios podcast.

Hi, I'm Faith Pino, and this is headlines from L.A. Times Studios.

Here are some of today's top stories from the Los Angeles Times.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced yesterday that he's calling a special election for November 4th,

asking Californians to temporarily throw out the state's independently drawn congressional maps.

The move backed by Democratic lawmakers and union leaders would redraw districts to favor Democrats.

It comes as a direct response to states like Texas,

where GOP leaders called a special session in an attempt to add Republican seats. Newsom says it's

about meeting fire with fire against what he calls efforts by President Trump to rig the

2026 midterm election. Critics argue it undermines California's nonpartisan redistricting commission and could set a dangerous precedent.

The measure needs lawmaker approval by August 22nd to make the ballot.

If passed, it could cut California's Republican congressional delegation by more than half and shift the balance

of power in Washington. Today, President Trump travels to Alaska for the first U.S. Russia

summit in years. Michael Wilner reports that President Trump will host Russian President Vladimir Putin

at a U.S. military base in Anchorage.

The meeting over the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine comes as a surprise move

after Trump spent much of the summer criticizing the Russian leader.

While Trump has made it clear he wants to broker a peace deal between the two countries,

allies warned Trump against cutting a deal without Ukraine at the table. Meanwhile, White House expectations for the summit shifted this week.

Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said Tuesday that this will be a, quote,

listening exercise for the president.

But experts warn that Putin is a skilled manipulator

...