After the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana versus Callais decision gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, more than a dozen states moved to redraw their congressional district maps. Ten succeeded in quickly pushing through new lines.

Louisiana’s state legislature passed a new map that redrew the majority-Black district seat currently held by Democratic Representative Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge. His voters were at the center of the Callais decision. 

Even though his district was redrawn in an effort to bolster Republican ranks in Congress, Fields remains optimistic. 

In Episode 32, Fields discusses why the fight for voting rights isn’t over. 

Over in South Carolina, the White House pressured the Republican-led state legislature to pass a new GOP-friendly map. If passed, it would have dismantled the district held by the lone Democratic representative of the state.

Jessica Holdman, senior reporter from the South Carolina Daily Gazette, will explain what ended up happening.

Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching.

Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.

Click here for the full transcript.

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Photo: Photo: Louisiana U.S. Representative Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, spoke at the Baton Rouge Press Club luncheon July 28, 2025. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)