Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. State lawmakers in Texas started a special session today. At the top of the agenda is disaster preparedness in the wake of deadly flooding. The Texas newsrooms, Blaise Ganey, reports.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott wants lawmakers to send him legislation around emergency communications

and alert warning systems. What that looks like will be worked out in new flood-focused

committees, but the elephant in the room is whether Democrats will attempt to break quorum

when Republicans bring up plans that would reach all congressional districts in areas

currently held by Democrats. Texas House Democratic leader Gene Gene Wu, says they haven't decided yet.

Every option is on the table, and Democrats are going to consistently look at the environment and

see what is the smartest decision to make, and we will come to a consensus on what that decision is.

President Trump has said he believes Republicans could gain five U.S. House seats if Texas

redrails the maps as he's asked. I'm Blaise Ganey

in Austin. States are suing the Trump administration over its move to bar migrants in the U.S.

illegally from safety net programs. NPR's Jennifer Lutton reports some states say the policy

threatens food banks, housing aid, and head start, among other programs.

Immigrants without legal status are already banned from federal aid, but for decades,

states have been allowed to offer many services, no matter someone's status. This month,

four federal agencies said they were changing that to make sure taxpayer money only helps

Americans. New York's Attorney General and 19 other states have filed suit, alleging the sudden

change is unlawful and unworkable. They say local nonprofits do not have the capacity to vet

immigration status and a wide range of programs, from anti-poverty

to health care and education, are now at risk of shutting down.

Jennifer Lutton and Pierre News, Washington.

A beloved star of The Cosby Show has died.

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