Gerrit Cole was a unanimous winner of his first American League Cy Young Award, and Blake Snell took the NL honor in becoming the seventh hurler to earn baseball’s top pitching prize in both leagues.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson says he isn’t concerned about Houston starter Framber Valdez’s unusual hand rubbing during Game 2 of the World Series, downplaying speculation on social media that the left-hander was up to something fishy during a dominant victory.

Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge staggered Cleveland with early homers, and the New York Yankees rocked past the Guardians 5-1 in the decisive Game 5 of their AL Division Series to set up another rematch with Houston for the pennant.

When Justin Verlander takes the mound for the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the AL Division Series on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners, it will have been almost three years since his last playoff appearance.

Across the U.S., COVID-19 relief money is helping to subsidize growing numbers of big-city schools with small numbers of students.

San Antonio ISD’s Board of Trustees voted to officially approve Dr. Jaime Aquino as the new superintendent of schools following a lengthy search to replace former superintendent Pedro Martinez.

David Ortiz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first turn on the ballot, while steroid-tainted stars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were denied entry to Cooperstown in their final year under consideration by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

The New York Mets and Max Scherzer have finalized a $130 million, three-year deal, a contract that shattered baseball’s record for highest average salary and forms a historically impressive 1-2 atop New York’s rotation with Jacob deGrom.

The halt comes after Gov. Greg Abbott expanded his ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates — which previously applied to cities, counties and school districts — to private employers.

“They allowed me to really create an amazing team across the district, including my board, my principals and my school leaders and the staff here in central office, and my teachers," said Pedro Martinez, outgoing superintendent.

A legal battle over San Antonio Independent School District's COVID-19 vaccine mandate is set to continue on Thursday in a Bexar County courtroom.

The San Antonio Independent School District Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Robert Jaklich as the district’s interim superintendent on Monday night.

An SAISD spokesperson said even though Superintendent Pedro Martinez is leaving the district later this month, free COVID--19 testing will continue to be offered to students.

San Antonio Independent School District Superintendent Pedro Martinez is heading back to Chicago, where he will be the CEO of Chicago Public Schools.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing San Antonio ISD again over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

San Antonio ISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez may be returning to Chicago Public Schools, where he once served as CFO.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking San Antonio ISD to court over its vaccine mandate for staff members.

Students and staff in the San Antonio Independent School District will be required to wear masks, effective immediately. In addition, staff will be required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 15. Both mandates were issued Monday by Superintendent Pedro Martinez.

The long, awaited moment arrived Monday morning when students in the San Antonio Independent School District headed back to the classroom for a new school year -- mask or no mask.

There’s a new school and a new level of excitement as San Antonio Independent School District teachers and students have returned back to the classroom in-person.

Many students in and around San Antonio return to the classroom this coming Monday. For these families and children, it is their first time being back inside of a classroom since March of 2020.

In Bexar County, the San Antonio Independent School District and the School of Science and Technology will be included in the program.

SAN ANTONIO – One year ago, San Antonio students began their 2020 spring break only to learn it wouldn’t end as planned. COVID-19 pandemic worries had reached a tipping point by then, and schools around the country shut down. San Antonio school superintendents are now looking back on lessons learned and where we are going from here. Speaking of tests, most school districts are now offering regular COVID-19 tests for staff and students, and vaccinations are now being added the mix. District leaders said look for the fall school plans to roll out by the end of this semester.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Independent School District teachers and staff members received Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday morning. The clinic, STAAMP Allergy, administered 100 doses of the new COVID-19 vaccine, which received emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Feb. 27. “With the Johnson and Johnson (vaccine), there’s 100% protection rate from death in the studies. He hopes all staff members can get vaccinated. San Antonio ISD employees say they are thankful for the opportunity to get a vaccine.

SAN ANTONIO – COVID-19 testing will be provided at San Antonio Independent School District’s high school campuses Saturday. Community Labs will provide the testing in a response to a request from San Antonio ISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez. According to Community Labs’ release, testing is restricted to SAISD students and staff. The free testing will allow the district to identify positive cases before classes resume Monday, according to Community Labs. We will finish this year strong, and we will begin next school year even stronger for it.”Click here to register for testing.

Students at Driggers Elementary School attend a class in-person as they interact with classmates virtually, Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – It’s not cheap running a school district during the coronavirus pandemic. Superintendent Pedro Martinez says the San Antonio Independent School District is “very strict” about quarantining both staff and students in the case of possible COVID-19 exposures. So far, there have been two rounds of federal relief funding — the CARES Act in March 2020 and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) in December. None of the poverty funding, none of the special-ed funding, none of those extra funds for children who have extra needs, has ever been held harmless.”The Texas Education Agency says that all Texas school districts were fully funded for the 2019-2020 school year.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Independent School District officials announced on Monday that the district will begin to phase-in students to in-person classes beginning on Feb. 22. Officials say their decision to announce the phase-in stemmed from city and county officials announcing that the local positivity rate dropped below 10%. Pedro Martinez, superintendent of schools for SAISD, said the district’s phase-in will depend on the community staying below 10%. “As long as our local positivity rate remains in single digits, we will continue a gradual return of students,” Martinez said in a statement. Additionally, according to the district, families of returning students will also be allowed to have their children participate in the weekly COVID-19 testing on each of the district’s campuses before resuming in-person learning.

Teachers union upset with SAISD plans to allow more students on campusPublished: November 11, 2020, 5:39 pmThe San Antonio Alliance of Teachers is opposing a move by the San Antonio Independent School District to increase the number of students in the classroom. SAISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez said the district is concerned about a decline in student performance due to remote learning and needs a plan to help struggling students. But the union said the district needs to put the health and safety of students and staff first.

SAN ANTONIO – Voters in the San Antonio Independent School District overwhelmingly approved two propositions that will bring technology upgrades and significant renovations to aging campuses. In the Nov. 3 election, Proposition A, a $1.21 billion bond that will allow renovations at 36 campuses was approved with 68.46% of voters in favor of the bond. The district said 21 of those campuses have not received a full renovation in more than 50 years. That $90 million measure will supply classrooms with more efficient technology like high-speed internet, individual devices, interactive smartboards and audio systems. Rick Flores, the principal of Rhodes Middle School, told KSAT in October that the bond will bring facilities up to code.

Aaron Boone hit a game-ending leadoff homer in the 11th, sending New York to the World Series. 2015 WORLD SERIES GAME 5Matt Harvey and the New York Mets held a 2-0 lead, needing a win to send the Series back to Kansas City. 2016 WORLD SERIES GAME 7The Chicago Cubs led the Cleveland Indians 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth. 2019 WORLD SERIES GAME 7Too bad for Houston fans, the last time they saw Gerrit Cole throw, it was in the bullpen rather than on the mound. “I wasn’t going to pitch him unless we were going to win the World Series and have a lead,” Hinch said.

(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)PARIS – Sebastian Korda was 9, heart set on a hockey career, when he went with his father, Petr, to the 2009 U.S. Open. By then, Petr — 1998 Australian Open champion, 1992 French Open finalist — had retired as a competitor and turned to coaching. Went home, came back the next year, and said, ‘This is exactly what I want to do,’” Korda said. “Everybody is always asking him: ‘Are you the son of Petr Korda?’ Which I would love to change in the future,” Dad said in a telephone interview, “so that people ask me, ‘Are you Sebastian’s father? On Sunday, Korda plays 12-time champion Rafael Nadal, while Gaston meets U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem.

SAN ANTONIO As Labor Day approaches, some of the largest school districts in and around San Antonio are preparing to bring some of its students back to campus for in-person classes next week. The San Antonio Independent School District is one of those districts. As many students have adapted to virtual learning, Martinez said older students are doing well with engagement; however, for younger students, its been more challenging. The school district is prepared for the students return to the classroom and has several health precautions in place, according to Martinez, which includes providing face shields for students, adding specialized air conditioning filters, and more. Read also:Students, staff at San Antonio ISD must wear masks, district officials saySAISD wraps up first week of remote learning for new school year

(AP Photo/David Banks)A look at whats happening around the majors on Thursday:WELCOME BACK TO BUSCHThe St. Louis Cardinals are finally coming home. The Cardinals didnt play any games at all for a stretch of over two weeks due to a coronavirus outbreak within the organization that included star catcher Yadier Molina. Everyones still pretty excited about the fact were back out, Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong said. He homered against the Seattle Mariners in his season debut Friday but went on the injured list just three days later. A BIEBER FANClevelands Shane Bieber owns a 4-0 record and 1.30 ERA, but its his strikeout numbers that have put him in select company.

SAN ANTONIO Some of the largest school districts in and around San Antonio are set to start their academic year this week, even if the first three weeks will be virtual. With classes beginning online for the first three weeks, if the COVID-19 cases in San Antonio continues on a downward trend after that, some students may be able to return to the classroom. We will require masks, we have cleansing procedures, disinfecting procedures, as well as children washing their hands every hour. We will be there in our buildings, will be open for any needs you have with devices for you to registering children, Martinez said. Read also:350 JBSA children receive donated backpacks, school supplies from Operation HomefrontSan Antonio-area teachers share expectations for the upcoming school yearNavarro ISD sees increase in COVID-19 cases among students, staffStudents, staff at San Antonio ISD must wear masks, district officials say

SAN ANTONIO The upcoming school year is sure to be unlike any other. With so many lingering questions about how schools can reopen safely amid the coronavirus pandemic, KSAT 12 hosted a live town hall with five panelists at the forefront of the back-to-school discussion in San Antonio. Next Wednesday, Aug. 19, SA Live will present a primetime Back to School special on KSAT12 and KSAT.com. Before that, we take a look back at the four biggest takeaways from KSATs town hall:1. The digital divide needs to be addressedThe coronavirus pandemic exposed the disparity among San Antonio students who dont all have the same access when it comes to virtual learning.

SAN ANTONIO On Tuesday, Bexar County officials announced the discovery of 854 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total case count to 21,067. Since the start of the pandemic, 201 San Antonio residents have lost their lives due to the virus. The virus toll continues to strain hospital resources, but the numbers were a little lower than the prior day. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said hospitals are caring for 1,237, down from 1,267 on Monday. SAISD moving to online-only for first 3 weeks due to spike in COVID-19 cases, superintendent saysInstead, students will have an online-only model for the first three weeks.

SAN ANTONIO SAISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez will hold a briefing on Tuesday afternoon to discuss plans for the upcoming school year as students will head back to the classroom either virtually or in-person during a global pandemic. Martinez will provide information about the start of school plans as local officials, parents and teachers have expressed concern about sending children to campus with a rise in COVID-19 cases. Last week, the TEA issued guidance for school districts as the state continues to see an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Texas teachers caught in the middle of political battles over schools reopeningAs the plan stands now, parents can choose to send their children to full-time on-campus or remote learning for the 2020-21 school year. Masks will be mandatory for students older than 10 years old and teachers in counties with 20 or more COVID-19 cases.

SAN ANTONIO Three San Antonio school districts are among an alliance of some of the largest school districts in Texas petitioning Gov. Greg Abbott for more flexibility and protected funding as they plan for a new school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. North East ISD, Northside ISD and San Antonio ISD are among 40 school districts from around the state represented in the Texas School Alliance. The groups, which represent nearly 40% of the states total pupil enrollment, sent a letter to Abbott requesting changes to the Texas Education Agencys plan for schools. Right now, the TEA requires that schools must facilitate in-person learning every day for students who choose that mode of instruction.

Greg Abbott has announced that public school students in Texas will return to the classroom in the fall, San Antonio superintendents are making preliminary plans for the new school year. Related: Texas students will return to school campuses this fall, Gov. Safety is a critical component of each plan, with protocols being developed within a framework of hygiene, physical distancing and other public health considerations. Northside Independent School District Superintendent Brian Woods said that school in the fall does not come without proper health and safety precautions. It will be safe for Texas public school students, teachers and staff to return to school campuses for in-person instruction this fall, Moraths email stated.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio ISD will hold Class of 2020 graduation ceremonies at Alamo Stadium in June. “We are excited that we are able to move forward with in-person ceremonies, especially earlier in the summer, which allows our graduates to begin pursuing their future plans,” Superintendent Pedro Martinez said Monday. Here are the class of 2020 graduation plans for San Antonio-area high schoolsIn addition to following state agency guidelines, SAISD will continue to work closely with local officials to meet city and county health guidelines. Even though the number of guests will be limited due to the state’s restrictions, the ceremonies will continue to be videotaped and livestreamed as they have been in previous years. Here is the graduation ceremony schedule:

SAISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez talks about plans for new school yearIf you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

Academic improvements and campus building challenges were the focus Wednesday of the annual San Antonio Independent School District’s state of the district by Superintendent Pedro Martinez. “I’m seeing the instruction. I’m seeing the results. I’m seeing the aspirations being met. “When it sounds like a lot, it’s what we need,” Perez said.