John Hanna
@apjdhanna.bsky.social
Reporter for The Associated Press in Topeka, Kansas, since 1986. I cover politics, state government and breaking news in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri. University of Kansas graduate. Proud father of a (now grown) theater kid.
States are justifying mid-decade redistricting as fair because other states are doing it and say it will maintain partisan balance in the US House. It could reduce power for minority communities and leave fewer distinct voices in DC.
apnews.com/article/redi...
apnews.com/article/redi...
As gerrymandering battles sweep country, supporters say partisan dominance is 'fair'
State officials engaged in unusual mid-decade redistricting are pushing a new definition of what it means to have “fair maps” for Congress.
apnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:59 PM
States are justifying mid-decade redistricting as fair because other states are doing it and say it will maintain partisan balance in the US House. It could reduce power for minority communities and leave fewer distinct voices in DC.
apnews.com/article/redi...
apnews.com/article/redi...
apnews.com/article/nati...
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation faces outrage from fellow Native Americans after new tribal business signed nearly $30M federal contract involving immigrant detention centers. Tribe now says it's trying to get out of it.
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation faces outrage from fellow Native Americans after new tribal business signed nearly $30M federal contract involving immigrant detention centers. Tribe now says it's trying to get out of it.
Some Native Americans draw shocked response over contract to design immigration detention centers
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation that was uprooted from the Great Lakes region in the 1830s is facing widespread outrage over plans to profit from another forced removal.
apnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
apnews.com/article/nati...
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation faces outrage from fellow Native Americans after new tribal business signed nearly $30M federal contract involving immigrant detention centers. Tribe now says it's trying to get out of it.
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation faces outrage from fellow Native Americans after new tribal business signed nearly $30M federal contract involving immigrant detention centers. Tribe now says it's trying to get out of it.
U.S. Supreme Court allows TX to use its new, more-GOP-favoring congressional map in 2026 elections. Candidate filing deadline there is Monday, because the primary is in early March.
apnews.com/article/supr...
Supreme Court allows Texas to use a congressional map favorable to Republicans in 2026
apnews.com/article/supr...
Supreme Court allows Texas to use a congressional map favorable to Republicans in 2026
Supreme Court allows Texas to use a congressional map favorable to Republicans in 2026
The Supreme Court is allowing the challenged Texas congressional redistricting plan to be used in next year’s election, despite a lower-court ruling that the map likely discriminates on the basis of r...
apnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:55 PM
U.S. Supreme Court allows TX to use its new, more-GOP-favoring congressional map in 2026 elections. Candidate filing deadline there is Monday, because the primary is in early March.
apnews.com/article/supr...
Supreme Court allows Texas to use a congressional map favorable to Republicans in 2026
apnews.com/article/supr...
Supreme Court allows Texas to use a congressional map favorable to Republicans in 2026
apnews.com/article/redi...
Panel of federal judges, in 2-1 decision, blocks TX from using new congressional map, enacted this year to give GOP five more US House seats there, which touched off state-by-state fight over mid-decade redistricting. TX promises a swift appeal to the US Supreme Court.
Panel of federal judges, in 2-1 decision, blocks TX from using new congressional map, enacted this year to give GOP five more US House seats there, which touched off state-by-state fight over mid-decade redistricting. TX promises a swift appeal to the US Supreme Court.
Federal judges block Texas from using its new US House map in the 2026 midterms
A panel of three federal judges has blocked Texas from using a new congressional map that Republicans drew in hopes of picking up five U.S. House seats.
apnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:39 PM
apnews.com/article/redi...
Panel of federal judges, in 2-1 decision, blocks TX from using new congressional map, enacted this year to give GOP five more US House seats there, which touched off state-by-state fight over mid-decade redistricting. TX promises a swift appeal to the US Supreme Court.
Panel of federal judges, in 2-1 decision, blocks TX from using new congressional map, enacted this year to give GOP five more US House seats there, which touched off state-by-state fight over mid-decade redistricting. TX promises a swift appeal to the US Supreme Court.
apnews.com/article/redi...
Different needs but similar fears arise in communities on both ends of Missouri's redistricting. A look at the effects of the rush to redraw America's political maps.
Different needs but similar fears arise in communities on both ends of Missouri's redistricting. A look at the effects of the rush to redraw America's political maps.
Different needs but similar fears arise in communities on both ends of Missouri's redistricting
The rush to redraw America's congressional maps has put a historically Black neighborhood in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and a mostly white farming community 100 miles away in the same district.
apnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:50 PM
apnews.com/article/redi...
Different needs but similar fears arise in communities on both ends of Missouri's redistricting. A look at the effects of the rush to redraw America's political maps.
Different needs but similar fears arise in communities on both ends of Missouri's redistricting. A look at the effects of the rush to redraw America's political maps.
A raid on the Marion County Record sparked outrage in August 2023. The county has agreed to pay a little more than $3 million and apologize to the paper, its publisher, employees, the estate of the publisher's mother and a former City Council member.
apnews.com/article/kans...
apnews.com/article/kans...
A Kansas county agrees to pay $3 million and apologize over a raid on a small-town newspaper
A rural Kansas county has agreed to pay more than $3 million and apologize over a law enforcement raid on a small-town weekly newspaper in 2023.
apnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:37 PM
A raid on the Marion County Record sparked outrage in August 2023. The county has agreed to pay a little more than $3 million and apologize to the paper, its publisher, employees, the estate of the publisher's mother and a former City Council member.
apnews.com/article/kans...
apnews.com/article/kans...
A special US House election in Houston: Harris County's top civil attorney and a former Houston City Council member are headed to a runoff to fill the seat held by the late Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner. Both candidates are Democrats.
apnews.com/article/cong...
apnews.com/article/cong...
Texas Democrats Menefee and Edwards advance to runoff for vacant US House seat
A Houston official and a former City Council member are headed to a runoff for the vacant U.S. House seat in a heavily Democratic district.
apnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:55 AM
A special US House election in Houston: Harris County's top civil attorney and a former Houston City Council member are headed to a runoff to fill the seat held by the late Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner. Both candidates are Democrats.
apnews.com/article/cong...
apnews.com/article/cong...
An expansive, GOP-backed plan to change voting procedures in Maine (it included a voter ID law) fails at the polls. In Texas, voters approve a state constitutional amendment against noncitizen voting. Kansas will have a similar measure on its ballot in November 2026.
apnews.com/article/vote...
apnews.com/article/vote...
Maine voters reject new GOP-backed voter ID requirement while Texans approve citizenship proposal
Voters in Maine and Texas have considered Republican-backed proposals that proponents say would safeguard elections, but opponents believe are intended to make voting more difficult.
apnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:22 AM
An expansive, GOP-backed plan to change voting procedures in Maine (it included a voter ID law) fails at the polls. In Texas, voters approve a state constitutional amendment against noncitizen voting. Kansas will have a similar measure on its ballot in November 2026.
apnews.com/article/vote...
apnews.com/article/vote...
UPDATE: After Kansas House speaker announces that there will be no special session on redistricting, Senate president promises it will be a top priority when lawmakers convene their next annual session in January. Speaker says most Republicans want a conversation.
apnews.com/article/redi...
apnews.com/article/redi...
Kansas legislators won't have a special session to join the US redistricting battle
The Kansas House's top Republican has given up for now on forcing a special session of the Legislature to redraw the state’s U.S.
apnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:11 AM
UPDATE: After Kansas House speaker announces that there will be no special session on redistricting, Senate president promises it will be a top priority when lawmakers convene their next annual session in January. Speaker says most Republicans want a conversation.
apnews.com/article/redi...
apnews.com/article/redi...
apnews.com/article/redi... Republicans drop push to enter nation's widening redistricting battle
Kansas Republicans drop push to enter nation's widening redistricting battle
Top Kansas Republicans have given up for now on forcing a special session of the Legislature to redraw the state’s U.S.
apnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:56 AM
apnews.com/article/redi... Republicans drop push to enter nation's widening redistricting battle
apnews.com/article/elec...
Maine and Texas are the latest fronts in voting battles, with voter ID, citizenship on the ballot. The Texas question is similar to ones that will be on the ballot in Kansas and South Dakota in November 2026.
Maine and Texas are the latest fronts in voting battles, with voter ID, citizenship on the ballot. The Texas question is similar to ones that will be on the ballot in Kansas and South Dakota in November 2026.
Maine and Texas are the latest fronts in voting battles, with voter ID, citizenship on the ballot
Maine and Texas are the latest states where Republicans are pushing ballot initiatives targeting noncitizen voting, which is rare.
apnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:52 PM
apnews.com/article/elec...
Maine and Texas are the latest fronts in voting battles, with voter ID, citizenship on the ballot. The Texas question is similar to ones that will be on the ballot in Kansas and South Dakota in November 2026.
Maine and Texas are the latest fronts in voting battles, with voter ID, citizenship on the ballot. The Texas question is similar to ones that will be on the ballot in Kansas and South Dakota in November 2026.
apnews.com/article/redi...
President Donald Trump has been pushing Republican state lawmakers across the U.S. to redraw congressional districts to help the GOP in the 2026 midterms, but the effort has met resistence in Indiana and Kansas.
President Donald Trump has been pushing Republican state lawmakers across the U.S. to redraw congressional districts to help the GOP in the 2026 midterms, but the effort has met resistence in Indiana and Kansas.
Trump's redistricting push hits roadblocks in Indiana and Kansas as Republican lawmakers resist
Republicans in Indiana and Kansas are resisting pressure from President Donald Trump to redraw congressional districts.
apnews.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:50 PM
apnews.com/article/redi...
President Donald Trump has been pushing Republican state lawmakers across the U.S. to redraw congressional districts to help the GOP in the 2026 midterms, but the effort has met resistence in Indiana and Kansas.
President Donald Trump has been pushing Republican state lawmakers across the U.S. to redraw congressional districts to help the GOP in the 2026 midterms, but the effort has met resistence in Indiana and Kansas.
apnews.com/article/alam...
The CEO of the Alamo's historic site has resigned after a top Texas Republican criticized her.
The CEO of the Alamo's historic site has resigned after a top Texas Republican criticized her.
The CEO of the Alamo's historic site has resigned after a top Texas Republican criticized her
The CEO of the nonprofit managing the Alamo has resigned after a powerful Republican state official criticized her and suggested she has views that are not compatible with the Texas shrine's history.
apnews.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
apnews.com/article/alam...
The CEO of the Alamo's historic site has resigned after a top Texas Republican criticized her.
The CEO of the Alamo's historic site has resigned after a top Texas Republican criticized her.
Vance dismisses outrage over racist, offensive Young GOP group chat as "pearl clutching," citing 2022 text by Dem AG candidate in VA suggesting a big Rep should be shot.
apnews.com/article/vanc...
JD Vance dismisses bipartisan outrage over racist and offensive Young Republican group chat
apnews.com/article/vanc...
JD Vance dismisses bipartisan outrage over racist and offensive Young Republican group chat
JD Vance dismisses bipartisan outrage over racist and offensive Young Republican group chat
The public release of a Young Republican group chat that included racist language, jokes about rape and flippant commentary on gas chambers has prompted bipartisan calls for those involved to be remov...
apnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Vance dismisses outrage over racist, offensive Young GOP group chat as "pearl clutching," citing 2022 text by Dem AG candidate in VA suggesting a big Rep should be shot.
apnews.com/article/vanc...
JD Vance dismisses bipartisan outrage over racist and offensive Young Republican group chat
apnews.com/article/vanc...
JD Vance dismisses bipartisan outrage over racist and offensive Young Republican group chat
As states consider redrawing their congressional district lines to favor one political party, some politicians warn that attempts to gerrymander can devolve into “dummymandering,” when partisan goals end up helping the opposing party in neighboring districts.
apnews.com/article/redi...
apnews.com/article/redi...
States are redistricting to help one party but sometimes the move can backfire
An unprecedented number of states are considering redrawing their congressional district lines mid-decade.
apnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:06 PM
As states consider redrawing their congressional district lines to favor one political party, some politicians warn that attempts to gerrymander can devolve into “dummymandering,” when partisan goals end up helping the opposing party in neighboring districts.
apnews.com/article/redi...
apnews.com/article/redi...
apnews.com/article/abor...
Abortion providers say Missouri's attorney general is trying to get patient records. Missouri's AG has subpoenaed five people, demanding documents, including patient records, according to court filings.
Abortion providers say Missouri's attorney general is trying to get patient records. Missouri's AG has subpoenaed five people, demanding documents, including patient records, according to court filings.
Abortion providers say Missouri's attorney general is trying to get patient records
Planned Parenthood officials say in court filings that Missouri's Republican attorney general is trying to get the medical records of patients who’ve had abortions.
apnews.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:48 AM
apnews.com/article/abor...
Abortion providers say Missouri's attorney general is trying to get patient records. Missouri's AG has subpoenaed five people, demanding documents, including patient records, according to court filings.
Abortion providers say Missouri's attorney general is trying to get patient records. Missouri's AG has subpoenaed five people, demanding documents, including patient records, according to court filings.
Several months after Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly of Kansas dropped the state's membership in the National Governors Association, fellow Democratic Govs. JB Pritzker of Illinois and Gavin Newsom of California are talking about leaving the group.
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apnews.com/article/news...
Bipartisan US governors' group faces division over Trump's deployment of troops to states
Democratic governors from California and Illinois are threatening to leave the National Governors Association unless it denounces President Donald Trump's troop deployments to states.
apnews.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Several months after Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly of Kansas dropped the state's membership in the National Governors Association, fellow Democratic Govs. JB Pritzker of Illinois and Gavin Newsom of California are talking about leaving the group.
apnews.com/article/news...
apnews.com/article/news...
A hearing on whether the new TX congressional map is an illegal and unconstitutional racial gerrymander has started in a federal courthouse in El Paso.
apnews.com/article/redi...
A key court test begins for Texas' redrawn US House map that boosts the GOP
apnews.com/article/redi...
A key court test begins for Texas' redrawn US House map that boosts the GOP
A key court test begins for Texas' redrawn US House map that boosts the GOP
A panel of three federal judges are considering whether Texas can use a redrawn congressional map that boosts Republicans and has launched a widening redistricting battle ahead of the 2026 midterm ele...
apnews.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:21 AM
A hearing on whether the new TX congressional map is an illegal and unconstitutional racial gerrymander has started in a federal courthouse in El Paso.
apnews.com/article/redi...
A key court test begins for Texas' redrawn US House map that boosts the GOP
apnews.com/article/redi...
A key court test begins for Texas' redrawn US House map that boosts the GOP
apnews.com/article/trum...
Missouri legislators have redrawn the state's congressional districts so that the GOP can win a 7-1 margin in seats there. The 5th, represented by Emanuel Cleaver II, had much of KC's Black population. Now those residents are split among various districts.
Missouri legislators have redrawn the state's congressional districts so that the GOP can win a 7-1 margin in seats there. The 5th, represented by Emanuel Cleaver II, had much of KC's Black population. Now those residents are split among various districts.
Trump redistricting push threatens minority representation. Black voters worry about its impact
Republicans in Texas and Missouri have redrawn congressional districts to help their party in the 2026 midterm elections.
apnews.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:17 PM
apnews.com/article/trum...
Missouri legislators have redrawn the state's congressional districts so that the GOP can win a 7-1 margin in seats there. The 5th, represented by Emanuel Cleaver II, had much of KC's Black population. Now those residents are split among various districts.
Missouri legislators have redrawn the state's congressional districts so that the GOP can win a 7-1 margin in seats there. The 5th, represented by Emanuel Cleaver II, had much of KC's Black population. Now those residents are split among various districts.
apnews.com/article/poli... Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has died after being struck by a fleeing driver
A Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has died after being struck by a fleeing driver
A Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has died after a fleeing driver hit tire-deflating devices and veered into him, authorities said.
apnews.com
August 27, 2025 at 2:46 PM
apnews.com/article/poli... Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has died after being struck by a fleeing driver
apnews.com/article/poli...
A police officer died after a fleeing driver hit tire-deflating devices and veered into him, authorities said. His police chief said the death was “an intentional act of homicide.”
A police officer died after a fleeing driver hit tire-deflating devices and veered into him, authorities said. His police chief said the death was “an intentional act of homicide.”
A Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has died after being struck by a fleeing driver
A Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has died after a fleeing driver hit tire-deflating devices and veered into him, authorities said.
apnews.com
August 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
apnews.com/article/poli...
A police officer died after a fleeing driver hit tire-deflating devices and veered into him, authorities said. His police chief said the death was “an intentional act of homicide.”
A police officer died after a fleeing driver hit tire-deflating devices and veered into him, authorities said. His police chief said the death was “an intentional act of homicide.”
apnews.com/article/new-...
ICYMI: A Maryland man who traveled to El Salvador was diagnosed as having picked up the New World Screwworm fly's flesh-eating larvae. The man recovered and isn't believed to have spread it to animals.
ICYMI: A Maryland man who traveled to El Salvador was diagnosed as having picked up the New World Screwworm fly's flesh-eating larvae. The man recovered and isn't believed to have spread it to animals.
Maryland resident is diagnosed with New World screwworm. What to know about the parasite
A person in the U.S. who traveled to El Salvador has been diagnosed with New World screwworm.
apnews.com
August 27, 2025 at 2:39 PM
apnews.com/article/new-...
ICYMI: A Maryland man who traveled to El Salvador was diagnosed as having picked up the New World Screwworm fly's flesh-eating larvae. The man recovered and isn't believed to have spread it to animals.
ICYMI: A Maryland man who traveled to El Salvador was diagnosed as having picked up the New World Screwworm fly's flesh-eating larvae. The man recovered and isn't believed to have spread it to animals.
apnews.com/article/redi...
Even at the grocery store, Texas troopers don't let Democrats out of sight after walkout. The Texas House is set to vote Wednesday on a proposal for redrawing congressional districts, aiming to have the GOP pick up five seats there in 2026.
Even at the grocery store, Texas troopers don't let Democrats out of sight after walkout. The Texas House is set to vote Wednesday on a proposal for redrawing congressional districts, aiming to have the GOP pick up five seats there in 2026.
Even at the grocery store, Texas troopers don't let Democrats out of sight after walkout
Texas Democrats are joining a colleague who can't leave the state Capitol because she won't agree to having law enforcement officers shadow her.
apnews.com
August 20, 2025 at 12:03 AM
apnews.com/article/redi...
Even at the grocery store, Texas troopers don't let Democrats out of sight after walkout. The Texas House is set to vote Wednesday on a proposal for redrawing congressional districts, aiming to have the GOP pick up five seats there in 2026.
Even at the grocery store, Texas troopers don't let Democrats out of sight after walkout. The Texas House is set to vote Wednesday on a proposal for redrawing congressional districts, aiming to have the GOP pick up five seats there in 2026.
apnews.com/article/redi...
What to know about redistricting fights as Texas Democrats return and California starts work.
What to know about redistricting fights as Texas Democrats return and California starts work.
What to know about redistricting fights as Texas Democrats return and California starts work
Republicans can move ahead with redrawing Texas’ congressional districts now that Democratic lawmakers have returned to the state.
apnews.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:52 PM
apnews.com/article/redi...
What to know about redistricting fights as Texas Democrats return and California starts work.
What to know about redistricting fights as Texas Democrats return and California starts work.