Big Bend border wall construction blocked by judge

Building a wall through a national park: the one project that can unite hikers, ranchers and a federal judge.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from pursuing border wall construction in the Big Bend region in Texas on Friday The big picture: The construction inside the national park sparked local outrage and environmental concerns, with Friday's decision handing the Department of Homeland Security a loss in its quest to rapidly expand the Southwestern border wall. Driving the news: The administration is barred, for now, from building border barrier or infrastructure — or engaging in any "construction or ground disturbing activities" — in the Big Bend sector, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone said in a brief order. The administration paused border wall construction in the park back in August, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott saying he'd visit and discuss with local stakeholders. This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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