Louisiana’s bait-and-switch on voting rights

Plus, a slate of unresolved issues await lawmakers returning to the Capitol today |

VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Tuesday, Sep. 02, 2025 THE LATEST Black voters' rights are under attack by the state of Louisiana By Ashley K. Shelton Black voters' rights are under attack by the state of Louisiana By Ashley K. Shelton This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — one of the most transformative laws in American history. Signed into law after the Selma-to-Montgomery marches, the Voting Rights Act gave teeth to the 15th Amendment's promise that no American could be denied the right to vote because of race. The results were undeniable.   In places where Black voter registration had once been in the single digits, registrations surged. Black citizens who had long been shut out of the political process gained a voice on school boards, in state legislatures and in Congress. The Voting Rights Act was proof that when the federal government enforces equality, democracy becomes stronger.   But anniversaries aren't just moments of celebration; they're moments of reckoning. As we are recognizing the 60th anniversary of this landmark legislation, Louisiana is at the center of a case — Louisiana v. Callais — that could completely erase the legacy of this act.   This is a preview of Ashley K. Shelton's latest column. Read the full column here. TOP STORIES ALISSA MAGRUM Drowning was already a problem in the U.S. RFK Jr. may have made the issue worse. The CDC has said drowning costs the U.S. economy more than $50 billion a year. That's one reason the agency firing its drowning prevention team makes no sense. Read more. JA'HAN JONES Republicans are probing Wikipedia, a longstanding MAGA target House Republicans are probing the online encyclopedia over claims of foreign manipulation, anti-Israel bias and antisemitism. Read more. RABBI RICK JACOBS I'm a Rabbi. Here is why my faith tells me the war in Gaza must end. The High Holy Days call us to act: free the hostages, feed the hungry, end the war. Read more. CHRISTINA WYMAN Taylor Swift's about to find out what a lot of married women already know In many ways, marriage creates more problems than it solves. No one knows that more than, well, people who are married. Read more.  TOP VIDEOS WAY TOO EARLY A slate of unresolved issues await lawmakers returning to Capitol today WATCH NOW KATY TUR Kristi Noem confirms plans to expand ICE operations in Chicago WATCH NOW CHRIS JANSING REPORTS Putin in China for 'Axis of Upheaval' Summit WATCH NOW CHRIS JANSING REPORTS White House 'continues to stonewall the full release' of the Epstein files: Rep. Garcia WATCH NOW MORE FROM MSNBC This week on "The Best People," Nicolle Wallace speaks with documentarian Ken Burns to discuss his upcoming documentary series on the American Revolution and how this film showed him that tensions felt today mirror the tension that gave birth to our nation. Listen now, and subscribe to MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts for early access, ad-free listening, and bonus content. On Saturday, October 11, don't miss the chance to attend "MSNBCLIVE '25," our second live community event featuring more than a dozen of our hosts in New York City. "MSNBCLIVE '25" will unite anchors, experts, and fans in an immersive, in-person experience centered on the pressing issues facing Americans today. Go to msnbc.com/live25 to buy your tickets now.    MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community.   Download the MSNBC App: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE