After leaving Texas for Illinois to prevent a legislative vote on a Republican redistricting plan, state House Democratic leader Gene Wu needed a means to project his voice — and viewpoints — to a national audience. So he tapped his campaign account to buy a microphone for news conferences.

FBI agrees to help Texas locate Democratic lawmakers who fled state to block GOP redistricting vote after Sen. John Cornyn's request to Director Kash Patel.

In a preview clip of Friday's "Ruthless" podcast," Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to create up to eight new seats for his party if Democratic state lawmakers don't return.