Crossword puzzle clue "state your common start of direct examination"

"State your ___" (common start of direct examination)

Start of a question on cross-examination?

Yell at your parents for not making the soup salty enough because your crush told you your mouth looks too funny to kiss, e.g.

Performed in a way that made your parents leave your school play in the middle of your solo :/

Article of tropical apparel ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares

Secretariat's mother, for one ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares

Emergency worker ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares

Biblical idol ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares