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Pope resigning on Feb. 28, conclave in March
• VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he will resign Feb. 28, the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.
• The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals Monday morning.
• He said that because of his advanced age and diminishing strength, he didn't feel he could carry on the job.
South Dakota Legislature: What to know this week
CHET BROKAW,Associated Press
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- On tap this week in the South Dakota Legislature: a bill banning texting while driving and a possible change in calculating the waiting period for abortions.
• Here are five things to know heading into the session's sixth week.
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• STORM WARNING
• The blizzard warnings looming over much of South Dakota prompted the Legislature to cancel Monday's session because it would be dangerous for lawmakers to drive back to Pierre on Sunday.
• Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, who presides over the Senate, said the Legislature might make up for lost time by meeting on Friday, which is scheduled to be a day off.
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• ANOTHER DRIVE TO BAN TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
• The Senate Transportation Committee is set to weigh a bill that would ban texting while driving -- a proposal that has been repeatedly rejected by the South Dakota Legislature.
• Supporters hope lawmakers may look more favorably on the idea this year, now that some South Dakota cities have imposed their own bans on texting. The measure would prohibit writing, sending or reading a text message while driving, but it would continue to allow drivers to make cellphone calls and use hands-free electronic devices.
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