Staff Reporter

Sophia Fox-Sowell

StateScoop & EdScoop

Sophia Fox-Sowell reports on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and government regulation for StateScoop. She was previously a multimedia producer for CNET, where her coverage focused on private sector innovation in food production, climate change and space through podcasts and video content. She earned her bachelor’s in anthropology at Wagner College and master’s in media innovation from Northeastern University.

Articles by Author

Gavin Newsom — Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks onstage during the NYT Climate Forward 2025 at The Times Center on September 24, 2025 in New York City. (Yana Paskova / Getty Images for NYT)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs landmark AI bill

AI

topographical map — (Getty Images)

Emergency alerts should mind geography, says Hawaii official

State

A Florida man — A couple get a boat out as roads and businesses are flooded by the rising Anclote River during the recovery from Hurricane Milton on October 11, 2024 in New Port Richey, Florida. Milton arrived on Florida’s Gulf Coast late Wednesday evening as a Category 3 storm, causing extensive flooding and damage and came just after the recent catastrophic Hurricane Helene. (Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

Crowdsourced photos help power flood-tracking app in Florida

AI

California Gov. Gavin Newsom — California Gov. Gavin Newsom stands with actor Danny Trejo, left, and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland at a press conference at Raleigh Studios unveiling a vast expansion of California’s Film and Television Credit Program on October 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Advocacy groups urge Newsom to sign California’s AI bill

AI

judge with gavel — (Getty Images)

Judge blocks USDA collection of SNAP data in 21 states

Privacy

spreadsheet — (Getty Images)

California publishes education and early career dataset

Data & Analytics

Apple App Store icon — (Getty Images)

Don’t download phony EBT app from Apple, warns California Social Services Department

Digital Services

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks onstage during the 2025 Congressional Black Caucus Ceremonial Swearing-In at The Anthem on The Wharf on January 03, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Leigh Vogel / Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation)

Microsoft to open quantum research center at the University of Maryland

Emerging Tech

A drone hovers over members of law enforcement stand watch over a gathering on a sidewalk in protest of the election process in front of the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center on November 14, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Jon Cherry / Getty Images)

Transportation Department taps state, local governments for new aviation pilot

Emerging Tech