Recent attacks on villages in Mexico’s western state of Michoacán reveal the cartels’ growing paramilitary-style power, using drones, I.E.D.s and other weapons of war. Paulina Villegas examines the aftermath of these assaults.

The battle over redistricting is playing out in the country’s two largest states. Texas and California passed redistricting efforts this week that counter each other. David Goodman and Laurel Rosenhall explain how redistricting is playing out in both states and what the final outcome could look like.