The Texas Education Agency calls Sentinel the "one-stop shop" for monitoring and storing school district safety information.

West Virginia Republican Gov. Jim Justice broke with the GOP-majority Legislature to veto a bill that would have loosened one of the country’s strictest school vaccination policies.

Washington state's governor has called for the state to develop best practices on how agencies use generative artificial intelligence as it continues to incorporate the technology into government operations.

A Kansas judge has put a new state law on medication abortions on hold and blocked the state from enforcing older abortion restrictions.

Myanmar’s military-controlled government has extended the state of emergency it imposed when the army seized power from an elected government 2 1/2 years ago, forcing a further delay in elections it promised when it took over.

A nonprofit that describes itself as a collection of doctors and others uniting to “protect healthcare from a radical, divisive, and discriminatory ideology” has become a significant presence in statehouses.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom will announce plans for the state to pay to build 1,200 small homes to help house the homeless population.

In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Texas Tribune politics reporters James Barragán and Patrick Svitek about Abbott’s prime-time address.

Gov. Greg Abbott will deliver his State of the State address on Thursday evening.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed a bill prohibiting the use of nonbinary gender markers on state birth certificates.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new law to make abortions cheaper for people on private insurance plans.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has signed a bill to limit how race can be discussed in classrooms.

Gov. Bill Lee says he supports placing more scrutiny over school libraries so that students consume “age appropriate” content.

California’s unemployment rate dipped a half-percentage point in December as the most populous state added 50,700 nonfarm jobs.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made clear in his State of the State speech that he likes teachers, first responders and freedom and he doesn’t like Dr. Anthony Fauci, critical race theory, abortion, illegal immigration and Burmese pythons.

The Senate has confirmed two prominent anti-Trump Republicans to serve in the Biden administration.

A crowd of about 70 rallied at San Pedro Springs Park on Wednesday to protest the new Texas abortion law.

The youngest daughter of New York’s governor used a social media post Thursday to share her “queer” identity and call for allies to speak up against homophobia.

On Monday afternoon, Holy Cross high school held a rally to celebrate accomplishments at the TAPPS state level, including newly crowned champions in softball, cheerleading and track & field.

The unemployment rate in Texas was 6.9% in March, which is more than double the record low of 3.4% in May 2019. The extra $300 federal benefit will end June 26 for jobless Texans.

Julian Sanchez tallied a goal and an assist, as the LEE Volunteers defeated Jersey Village in the UIL Class 6A State semifinals on Tuesday night, punching their tickets to the championship game for the second time in the last three seasons.

One year after their season was ended prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic, the LEE boys soccer team is heading back to the UIL State Semifinals looking to finish the job and take home the title.

State health officials have reported below-average new COVID-19 case and death totals for Texas.

– Mississippi will increase the lowest monthly welfare payments in the nation under a bill signed into law Wednesday by the state's Republican governor. The payments in Mississippi have been $146 for a family of two, $170 for a family of three and $194 for a family of four. AdEven with the increase, the Mississippi welfare payments will still be only a fraction of the federal poverty level, according to the liberal-leaning Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. Brandon Jones, a Democratic former Mississippi House member and current policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund in Mississippi, called the increase long overdue. “This $90 increase gets Mississippi off the bottom and is desperately needed by struggling families throughout the state."

Newsom and his Democratic allies launched a political committee Monday, March 15 to stop a proposed recall election that could oust him from office. Orrin Heatlie, a retired county sheriff's sergeant who filed the recall petition, said Newsom is engaging in a “smear campaign" about the recall organizers because he can't defend his record. Defeating the recall “will be one of the most important priorities for Democrats this year,” Booker said in a statement. Newsom for months sidestepped questions about the recall but has more recently started to ramp up his political operation and strategy. AdResponding to Newsom’s campaign, the California Republican Party pointed to a slew of issues beyond the coronavirus.

On the exact anniversary of the 2020 University Interscholastic League (UIL) state tournament’s cancellation due to COVID-19, the Cougars used a third-quarter surge to knock off Tatum in the Class 3A State Championship Game at the Alamodome, 77-60. Trailing 9-7 after one quarter of play, Cole found some separation in the second quarter. Cole then outscored Tatum 31-12 in the third quarter, providing all the separation they would need to cruise to the title. Congrats to Cole High School on winning the Class 3A boys state basketball title! #KSATsports @RGC_BBasketball @SHAQ https://t.co/FGNKcY3yAK pic.twitter.com/GylwsuZHII — KSAT 12 Sports (@InstantReplaySA) March 13, 2021This is the program’s first state championship since Shaquille O’Neal led the Cougars to the Class 3A title in 1989.

Tate Reeves signs the first state bill in the U.S. this year to ban transgender athletes from competing on female sports teams, as supporting lawmakers gather behind him, Thursday, March 11, 2021, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. Tate Reeves signed a bill Thursday to ban transgender athletes from competing on girls or women’s sports teams. Alphonso David, president of the LGBTQ civil rights organization Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement Thursday that the Mississippi law could lead to more bullying of transgender people. “This law is a solution in search of a problem, and legislators in Mississippi have not provided any examples of Mississippi transgender athletes gaming the system for a competitive advantage because none exist,” David said. Republican legislators who pushed the bill gave no evidence of any transgender athletes competing in Mississippi schools or universities.

“It feels great,” Blackmore said. “We’re going back to the championship game, and we actually get to play it this year. I love how we can come through in a tight game like this against a great team. “You never know if you’re going to get back to state or if you’re ever going to have a chance to get back to a state championship. They think they’re going to win every game.”The Cougars will return to the Alamodome on Friday, March 12 to take on Tatum in the UIL Class 3A State Championship Game.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

ROUND ROCK – Both the girls and boys soccer teams from Schertz John Paul II qualified for their respective TAPPS Division III State Championship Game, and they come up just short in dramatic battles with Dallas Covenant School. Champion Score Runner-Up Boys Dallas Covenant School 1-0 Schertz John Paul II Girls Dallas Covenant School 3-1 Schertz John Paul IIMORE TAPPS STATE SOCCER COVERAGE

ROUND ROCK – Twelve TMI seniors took the field at Round Rock Multipurpose Complex on Friday with a rare opportunity to win three straight TAPPS state titles. The Panthers scored early and often in a 5-0 rout of Frisco Legacy Christian in the TAPPS Division II State Championship Game. @TMIEpiscopal boys soccer have gone back to back to back - catch all the highlights and hear from the Panthers on their victory coming up ONLY on #KSATsports! @InstantReplaySA pic.twitter.com/EQ8BQdWbwH — Andrew Cely (@ACelySports) March 6, 2021“It’s crazy, winning three years in a row,” Parra said. AdThe Panthers have now won four of the last five TAPPS Division II State titles.

– Mississippi is on track to become the first state this year to enact a law banning transgender athletes from competing on girls or women's sports teams. Tate Reeves said Thursday that he will sign a bill that the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature has passed. AdRepublican legislators who pushed the bill gave no evidence of any transgender athletes competing in Mississippi schools or universities. A Mississippi mother with a transgender daughter spoke Thursday during the Human Rights Campaign news conference. AdSupporters of bills such as the one in Mississippi argue that transgender girls, because they were born male, are naturally stronger, faster and bigger than those born female.

Alamo Heights 1:50.87 200 yard Freestyle 9. Peyton Brehmer (Boerne Champion) 57.7559.00 200 yard Freestyle Relay 1. Boerne Champion 1:36.92 100 yard Backstroke 5. Elizabeth Walsh (Alamo Heights) 1:06.91 400 yard Freestyle Relay 3. @swimWACdive's Clark, Garcia, Ziemba & Brehmer combine to win the 200 yard Freestyle Relay at #UILState!

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

New York's attorney general said she's moving forward with an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo after receiving a letter from his office Monday, March 1, 2021, authorizing her to take charge of the probe. AdAttorney General Letitia James received a letter Monday from Cuomo’s office authorizing her to take charge of the probe after a weekend of wrangling over who should investigate. The harassment allegations come on the heels of accusations he covered up the true death toll of coronavirus on nursing home residents. Cuomo senior adviser Beth Garvey said she would facilitate interviews with witness and requests for documents from Cuomo’s office.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

SAN ANTONIO – Three years ago, as a sophomore at Edison High School, Christian Rangel started diving on a whim. Put simply, Rangel has transformed himself into one of the best high school divers in Texas. “I did have a lot of anxiety when I first started diving because I was scared I’d get hurt. Then and now, Rangel has always been proud to represent both Edison and SAISD at high school diving’s highest level. When he finishes his high school career this weekend and officially graduates this spring, that is precisely the legacy he wants to leave behind.

SAN ANTONIO – Following a rush of scheduling changes due to the winter storm, the University Interscholastic League has decided to postpone the girls state basketball tournament to March 10-11 at the Alamodome. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held on March 5 and 6. The extra days will give teams more opportunities to complete the playoffs in a safe manner. The boys state tournament will also be held in the Alamodome from March 12-13.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

AUSTIN, Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott will lay out his priorities for the 2021 legislative session when he gives his State of the State address Monday. The speech, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., will be livestreamed on KSAT.com. The speech is usually delivered in the Capitol before members of the House and the Senate, but due to COVID-19, Abbott will deliver the address from a small business in Central Texas. (Editor’s note: Thanks to the Texas Tribune for providing the information for this story).

Kelly championed Medicaid expansion in her first race in 2018 and promised to sign legislation legalizing medical marijuana, though she has not pushed that issue aggressively so far. But University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller said he wonders why any Kansas politician still opposes medical marijuana. The Legislature has taken only relatively small steps toward legalizing medical marijuana even as most other states have done it. She said legalizing medical marijuana could raise up to $50 million a year and her proposal “eliminates the argument” that Kansas can't afford Medicaid expansion. AdBut Republican lawmakers remained skeptical that medical marijuana could raise much money or cover Medicaid expansion costs.

It’s a common adage in Texas that we are the only state that can secede from the U.S. but is it true?

The Travis County Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd. A state appeals court has upheld a Travis County State district court order allowing Texas counties to have multiple drop-off locations for hand delivery of absentee ballots, undercutting Gov. But it remains unclear if the intermediate court's decision will lead to the reopening of ballot drop-off locations that were shut down in Harris and Travis counties following Abbott's order. Abbott and Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs are expected to quickly appeal the ruling to the Texas Supreme Court to again block the order from taking effect. Last week, Travis County State District Judge Tim Sulak agreed, ruling against Abbott’s order.

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo Cindy McCain, wife of former Arizona Sen. John McCain, waves to the crowd after being acknowledged by Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey during his State of the State address on the opening day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Phoenix. Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden said Sept. 22 that Cindy McCain plans to endorse him for president. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo Cindy McCain, wife of former Arizona Sen. John McCain, waves to the crowd after being acknowledged by Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey during his State of the State address on the opening day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Phoenix. Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden said Sept. 22 that Cindy McCain plans to endorse him for president. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

The state is reporting a record number of hospitalized coronavirus patientsIf you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.