Texas created a blueprint for abortion restrictions. Republican-controlled states may follow suit.
After Texas enacted a first-of-its-kind near-total abortion ban, advocates on both sides anticipate a domino effect in Republican-controlled statehouses, as the nation has reached a critical moment for abortion rights.
washingtonpost.comUnemployed Texans will stop getting additional $300-per-week benefit next month after Gov. Greg Abbott opts out of federal program
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.
100 days in power, Myanmar junta holds pretense of control
After Myanmar’s military seized power by ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, they couldn’t even make the trains run on time: State railway workers were among the earliest organized opponents of the February takeover, and they went on strike. Health workers who founded the civil disobedience movement against military rule stopped staffing government medical facilities. Many civil servants were no-shows at work, along with employees of government and private banks.
news.yahoo.comAs hot-button issues dominate Texas legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott sends clear signals on some conservative priorities
LEE boys soccer defeats Jersey Village 2-0, returns to UIL State championship game
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.
Week 2 of Derek Chauvin's trial wraps; state may rest its case as early as Monday
The state may rest its case as early as Monday in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin. Day 10 wrapped Friday with key testimony from the medical examiner who conducted George Floyd's autopsy. Joe Barrett, a senior Midwest correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, joined CBSN's Lana Zak to break down the second week of proceedings.
cbsnews.comMississippi to increase lowest welfare payments in the US
– 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."
California governor launches campaign against likely recall
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.
CHAMPIONS: Cole boys defeat Tatum, win first state title since 1989
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.
Mississippi gov signs bill limiting transgender athletes
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.
Cole boys defeat Little River Academy, advance to second straight UIL Class 3A State Championship Game
“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.
HIGHLIGHTS: Schertz John Paul II boys, girls battle for TAPPS Division III State soccer titles
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
TMI boys soccer wins third consecutive TAPPS State Division II Championship
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 gov will sign bill limiting transgender athletes
– 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.
HIGHLIGHTS: Boerne Champion wins relay title at UIL Girls 5A State
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!
Calls for Cuomo's resignation mount as 3rd accuser emerges
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.
New Standard: Edison’s Christian Rangel returns to UIL State for second straight season
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.
Lawmakers vote to abolish death penalty in Virginia
Two years later, Rachel Sutphin was one of 13 family members of murder victims who sent a letter to the General Assembly asking lawmakers to abolish the death penalty. We all know the death penalty doesn't do that. Even last year, death penalty abolition bills in the General Assembly went nowhere. Historically, Virginia has used the death penalty more than any other state, executing nearly 1,400 people since its days as a colony, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, Virginia, with 113 executions, is second only to Texas.
cbsnews.comUIL postpones girls basketball state tournament after winter weather impacts schedule
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.
WATCH: Gov. Abbott to deliver State of the State address Monday night
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).
Kansas governor: Medical pot should fund Medicaid expansion
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.
Dr. John LaPook on the state of COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Dr. John LaPook on the state of COVID-19 vaccine distribution Despite more than 40 million doses of coronavirus vaccines made available in the U.S., only 20 million have been administered thus far. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook answers some common questions regarding the state of vaccine distribution.
cbsnews.comDr. Jon LaPook on the state of COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Dr. Jon LaPook on the state of COVID-19 vaccine distribution Despite more than 40 million doses of coronavirus vaccines made available in the U.S., only 20 million have been administered thus far. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook answers some common questions regarding the state of vaccine distribution.
cbsnews.comCuomo: New Yorkers 65 and older are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that New Yorkers who are 65 or older are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, "effective immediately." The federal government has said people 65 and older and the immunocompromised should eligible to be vaccinated. "I urge patience as unfortunately there are far more eligible NYers than there is vaccine supply from the federal gov," Cuomo tweeted. NEW: New Yorkers age 65+ are now eligible for the COVID vaccine — effective immediately. I urge patience as unfortunately there are far more eligible NYers than there is vaccine supply from the federal gov.
cbsnews.comCoronavirus in Illinois updates: Here’s what happened Dec. 25-27 with COVID-19 in the Chicago area
Airline passengers from the United Kingdom will need to get negative COVID-19 tests within three days of their trip and provide the results to the airline, the CDC said in a statement. The agency said the order will be signed Friday and go into effect on Monday.
chicagotribune.comTexas court upholds order allowing multiple absentee ballot drop-off locations, but appeal will keep that from happening yet
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.
Cindy McCain rebukes fellow Republican Trump to back Biden
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)
Cindy McCain endorses Biden for president in rebuke of Trump
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)