State Superintendent Lindel Fields asked lawmakers for a $4 billion education budget while highlighting literacy, teacher pay and school safety as top priorities. The request centers on a $23 million boost for educators’ health insurance.

State Sen. Scott Wiener won a commanding pre-endorsement vote from California Democratic Party delegates, putting him on the consent calendar for the Feb. 20–22 convention in San Francisco.

Hawaii sets the candidate filing start date for the 2026 Elections on February 2, providing guidance for those seeking office including the governorship.

During the Illinois Senate debate, Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton criticized opponents Krishnamoorthi and Kelly for their records, sparking heated exchanges on ICE and PAC money.

Arizona's House Health and Human Services Committee discusses six bills to reform Medicaid and improve rural healthcare, aligning with federal H.R. 1, amid rising costs and calls for sustainability.

Illinois told a federal court that Coinbase’s planned sports event contracts look like state-regulated bets, intensifying a fight over who governs prediction markets. The ruling could reshape nationwide access to these markets.

Councilmember Jason Chavez of Minneapolis warned the community about federal immigration operations led by Tom Homan, claiming they target immigrants and disrupt daily life. He's urging locals to patrol and support their immigrant neighbors.

NEISD trustees voted 7‑0 to keep a phone policy that allows device use outside class time, directly defying a TEA directive and an end‑of‑January compliance deadline.

California DOJ says a Prop 65 settlement was reached after tests found lead and cadmium in seafood; companies will pay penalties and add warnings.

Prosper Police Chief Doug Kowalski is retiring after a 49-year career in law enforcement, expanding his department and earning accolades for leadership.

A CBS investigation and state audits found lawmakers left roughly three in four auditor recommendations unaddressed — a pattern that has cost California taxpayers billions. Key examples include unemployment‑benefits fraud and untracked homelessness spending.

At an Urban League forum in San Francisco, gubernatorial candidates condemned ICE after the Minneapolis shooting and sketched competing plans on reparations, housing and homelessness.

Federal Education and HHS officials have referred Minnesota’s transgender‑athlete dispute to the Justice Department, escalating a Title IX fight that could put federal funding at risk.