Louisiana’s state senate has passed a new congressional map, eliminating one of two majority-Black districts in the state. On this week’s On the Media, hear why the Supreme Court’s blessing of that move rests on a basic statistical error. Plus, how an unprecedented storm of conspiracy theories beset FEMA during Hurricane Helene.
[01:00] Host Brooke Gladstone sits down with G. Elliott Morris, journalist, statistician, and author of the data-driven news website Strength in Numbers, to talk about the statistical error he found in the Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling, and the widespread consequences for our democracy. 
[15:38]  Host Micah Loewinger presents the third part of our investigation American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA. This week, Micah takes a deep dive into the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024, when conspiracy theories surged online, including the old rumors about FEMA camps. And we hear from a library worker who was rescued by raft during the storm, about the greatest obstacle she faced after the storm: bureaucracy.
 Further reading / watching:
<ul>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/2026-05-08-simple-math-error-scotus-callais-vra" rel="noopener noreferrer">The simple statistical error Republican Supreme Court justices used to gut the VRA</a>,” by G. Elliot Morris</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/2026-05-12-uncompetitive-seats" rel="noopener noreferrer">This year’s U.S. House elections will be least competitive on record</a>,” by G. Elliot Morris</li>
 <li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/12/15/some-nc-residents-distrust-fema-so-much-theyre-hesitant-apply-hurricane-aid/" rel="noopener noreferrer">“Some N.C. residents distrust FEMA so much they’re hesitant to apply for hurricane aid,” </a>by Brianna Sacks</li>
 <li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/10/23/how-conspiracy-fueled-militia-got-foothold-this-hurricane-battered-town/" rel="noopener noreferrer">“How a conspiracy-fueled group got a foothold in this hurricane-battered town,”</a> by Brianna Sacks</li>
</ul>
On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (<a href="https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm">https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm</a>). Follow our show on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onthemedia/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/onthemedia.bsky.social">Bluesky</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@onthemedia">TikTok</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OnTheMedia">Facebook</a> @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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