Federal judge extends block on Trump executive order seeking to limit mail voting in the midterms

By The Associated Press
September 4, 2026 | 5:45 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal judge extends block on Trump executive order seeking to limit mail voting in the midterms.

Former New Mexico lawmaker pleads guilty to diverting public school funds

By The Associated Press
September 4, 2026 | 6:32 PM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A former high-ranking Democratic legislator in New Mexico accused of diverting millions of dollars meant for vocational education in the state’s largest school district to businesses and charities in which she had an interest has pleaded guilty to state charges that include fraud and money laundering. Sheryl Williams Stapleton changed her plea during a hearing Friday, just three weeks after a federal jury convicted her of dozens of similar charges stemming from what prosecutors described as a yearslong scheme. State prosecutors filed money laundering, racketeering and other charges against Williams Stapleton in 2021. She was set to go to trial in October. Under the plea agreement, all but four of the charges were dropped, and the agreement calls for a 10 1/2-year prison sentence and more than $1.8 million in restitution. “Today’s guilty plea holds Sheryl Williams Stapleton accountable for defrauding New Mexico taxpayers and abusing the public trust,” said Lauren Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Justice.

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