Walters: Supreme Court bolsters doctrine California is using to…

When the U.S. Supreme Court set aside a federal law prohibiting states from legalizing gambling on sports, it elated pro-gambling interests and ignited a storm of media speculation about potential impacts on amateur and professional athletics. Get editorials, opinion columns, letters to the editor and more in your inbox weekday mornings.

CALmatters Commentary: Conservative Supreme Court helps blue California

When the U.S. Supreme Court set aside a federal law prohibiting states from legalizing gambling on sports, it elated pro-gambling interests and ignited a storm of media speculation about potential impacts on amateur and professional athletics. However, the decision , authored by the court's most conservative member, Samuel Alito Jr., and supported in whole or part by six other justices, could have a much broader effect by bolstering the "anti-commandeering" doctrine contained in the Constitution's 10th amendment, to wit: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, not prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."

News The Latest: Trump insists Mexico will pay for border wall

President Donald Trump is resurrecting his rallying cry that Mexico will pay for his proposed border wall, despite sensitive ongoing negotiations over the future of a key North American trade deal. Acknowledging the sensitivity of the subject but abandoning caution, Trump says, "I don't want to cause a problem, but in the end, Mexico's gonna pay for the wall."

The Latest: Trump insists Mexico will pay for border wall

President Donald Trump gestures as he walks toward Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 29, 2018, as he heads to Nashville for a rally. President Donald Trump has taken the stage in Tennessee for a campaign rally to boost Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn.

Minnesota Legislative Update: Two Steps Back

When the Minnesota Legislature convened in February, the state had just announced a modest budget surplus. Lawmakers and Governor Mark Dayton were optimistic that they could reach agreement on a capital investment bill, a tax bill conforming to recently enacted federal tax reform, and other pressing issues including opioid abuse, MNLARS, the state's troubled vehicle title and registration system, elder abuse, and school safety.

Mario Cuomo loomed large over NYS Democratic convention

Gov. Cuomo's father, former three-term Gov. Mario Cuomo, passed away more than three years ago, but his presence loomed large at last week's Democratic state party convention. Cuomo's mother, Matilda Cuomo, former Vice President Joseph Biden, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez and others all warmly discussed Mario Cuomo during their remarks before delegates and tied the governor to him and his legacy.

Governor candidates promise more spending on higher education

All of the top Democrats running for California governor are calling for major new investments to make the state's public universities more affordable and relieve crushing student debt, suggesting they'd be more willing than Gov. Jerry Brown to open state purse strings and give students a hand up. The proposals focus on helping Californians afford college as the Golden State struggles to preserve a public higher education system that was once the envy of the world.

Tennessee GOP governor front-runners go right on immigration

The Republican front-runners for Tennessee governor are parroting President Donald Trump's call to "build the wall" and are depicting each other as sympathizers of people in the country illegally. U.S. Rep. Diane Black and former state economic development chief Randy Boyd are touting their toughness on immigration.

Montana Democrats sense a chance to capture US House seat

For more than two decades, Montana's lone U.S. House seat has been a sacrificial altar where Democratic candidates' dreams are squashed. Not only have all 12 Democratic candidates since 1996 lost to Republicans, but only two of them have since gone on to win any election at all.

Trump hails Indiana teacher who stopped shooting

''Thanks to very brave teacher and hero Jason Seaman of Noblesville, Ind., for his heroic act in saving so many precious young lives,'' Trump said on Twitter. "His quick and automatic action is being talked about all over the world!'' Vice President Mike Pence, the former governor of Indiana, also credited the teacher's ''courageous action'' for saving lives during the shooting.

Follow the Money: Parsons Corporation promotes Delta Tunnels behind the scenes

A review of federal election campaign contributions by Restore the Delta reveals that the Parsons Corporation, an international infrastructure contractor, has contributed to campaign coffers of Riverside Republican House member Ken Calvert and House majority leader Kevin McCarthy, Republican from Bakersfield. "Follow the money," a catchphrase popularized by the 1976 drama-documentary motion picture All The President's Men that suggests a money trail or corruption scheme within high office, definitely applies to the current rush by the state and federal governments to construct Governor Jerry Brown's environmentally destructive Delta Tunnels even though the project makes no scientific, economic or financial sense.

The Latest: Rants about demonic possession linked to shooter Source: AP

Police say a Facebook page in which a man claims his television is possessed by the devil belongs to the man suspected of opening fire at a lake-side restaurant in Oklahoma City. Police spokeswoman Megan Morgan said Friday police believe the Facebook page is that of 28-year-old Alexander Tilghman, who was shot dead by two bystanders after Thursday night's shooting.

Connecticut launches Troops for Teachers veteran training program

With the help of a federal grant, Connecticut will kick off Troops for Teachers, a program that trains veterans to become K-12 educators, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Connecticut congressional leaders announced Friday. "The men and women of our armed forces are a uniquely talented group of people with an exceptional skill set that undoubtedly can be beneficial in the classroom as they move into civilian life," Governor Malloy said.

In turnabout, Minnesota senator becomes lieutenant governor

A high-ranking Minnesota state lawmaker thrust into the lieutenant governor's office following U.S. Sen. Al Franken's resignation moved abruptly Friday to resign her state Senate seat and take the oath of office as lieutenant governor, a swift reversal for the longtime Republican senator who had resisted the job and its duties. Senate President Michelle Fischbach's ascent was automatic after Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton appointed then-Lt.