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LEANDER — Texas veterans are working to protect the state’s hemp market — and push to expand the state’s medical marijuana program — at the state Capitol during this year’s legislative session. The veterans and their supporters say they need access to the hemp product known as delta-8 to treat issues such as chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. Delta-8 is widely available throughout Texas and, like marijuana, can create a feeling of euphoria. “So many veterans are using these products and reporting good results,” said Dave Bass, an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom who is diagnosed with PTSD. He’s also a longtime advocate in the legislative push for accessible, affordable THC products. Most states, including Texas, legalized hemp production following federal changes in 2018 that removed the plant from the list of illegal controlled substances. The hemp plant has a lower amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, or … [Read more...] about Texas veterans vow to protect the state’s hemp market as one state lawmaker hopes to crack down

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida lawmakers met Monday to begin a state takeover of Walt Disney World’s self-governing district and expand a migrant relocation program, key conservative priorities of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of his expected White House run. Republican leaders of the statehouse, in coordination with DeSantis, ordered the Legislature to convene in a special session to restructure the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as the Disney government is known. Lawmakers will also consider a proposal to create a state department focused on migrant transportation, after the governor flew a group of South American migrants from Texas to Massachusetts last year in protest of federal border policy. The session continues a focus by DeSantis focus on social issues including sexual orientation, gender and immigration as the Republican governor wades into political divides … [Read more...] about Florida begins session on Disney district, migrant flights

HARTFORD -- In one way of looking at it, a gala fundraiser that drew business and political elites to honor a former elected official in a minor league baseball park on the coldest night of the year was just that, a gathering for a charity, like so many. On the other hand, the firepower at Dunkin’ Donuts Park Friday night to applaud Shawn T. Wooden, who served one, 4-year term as Connecticut’s state treasurer, would impress anyone familiar with politics, business and the civic power structure -- especially in the Black community -- in and beyond Connecticut. And that raised an obvious question. “Shawn Wooden was always committed to Hartford,” said U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Brooklyn, N.Y. Democrat who’s minority leader in the House of Representatives and likely the future House speaker when and if the Dems win back that chamber. Wooden and Jeffries are pals from NYU law school. “He had so many opportunities to practice law across the country including at some of the … [Read more...] about Dan Haar: A flashy gala raises money — and speculation about a high-profile CT political career

The National Enquirer, the scandal-hunting supermarket tabloid that was embroiled for years in its own scandals, was sold Monday to a joint venture involving an executive who has been the subject of a federal indictment. The buyer, VVIP Ventures, said it will acquire the Enquirer and its tabloid sisters the National Examiner and the Globe from A360 Media of New York. The company described the transactions as an all-cash deal, though terms were not disclosed. The Enquirer's publisher, then known as American Media Inc., admitted in 2018 that it secretly helped Donald Trump's presidential campaign through a journalistically dubious practice known as "catch and kill." It acknowledged paying $150,000 to acquire the exclusive rights to Playboy model Karen McDougal's account of an alleged affair with Trump and then suppressing the story to prevent it from hurting Trump's quest for office. The Federal Election Commission eventually fined A360, the successor to AMI, $187,500 for … [Read more...] about After a long search, scandal-plagued National Enquirer finds a buyer

In what would be the first reduction of the state income tax since 1996 and the largest since its adoption in 1991 , Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday said he will ask the General Assembly to cut the 5 percent rate to 4.5 percent, and for those who make less than $50,000 to pay no income taxes. The proposals would provide about $440 million in relief for 1.1 million of Connecticut's 1.7 million tax filers. "It's a long time coming," said the governor outside the East Hartford Community Cultural Center, stressing that working families and essential workers are the chief targets for the relief. Lamont will formally make the proposal on Wednesday, when he introduces his two-year spending proposal to the General Assembly. "This is the biggest tax cut since the dawn of the income tax in the state of Connecticut," said Lamont. Under the plan, those families who make less than $50,000 would pay no income tax, after their current 3 percent tax rate gets reduced to 2 percent. Those making less … [Read more...] about CT income tax rate would be lowered for some, erased for others under Gov. Ned Lamont proposal

When it comes to high-end hypercars and super-fast supercars, a few companies should come to mind first: Bugatti, Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Rimac, and Pagani, among others. These manufacturers have cemented themselves as the top dogs in the supercar and hypercar space, extending to their wealthiest clientele the fastest, rarest, prettiest – and in this case – most expensive cars on the planet. But in order to find out which of these unattainable-to-most vehicles is the priciest, we've scoured the invoice sheets and uncovered 40 cars all worth $1 million or more. The group includes hybrid Ferrari convertibles, an American speed king , a few electric Hypercars , and two a one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce cars built for royalty. We should note, though: The prices listed here are the price of the vehicles when new. So we’re not counting auction cars like the Ferrari 250 GTO, or overpriced secondhand sales. But don’t worry, there’s still hundreds of millions worth of cars here to whet … [Read more...] about 50 Most Expensive Cars In The World

Listen to this article Both the Kalitta and Coughlin clans are among the family dynasties in NHRA, with Connie Kalitta, nephew Doug and late son Scott on their side of the fence; Jeg, his sons John, Troy, Mike and Jeg Jr, along with Troy Coughlin, Jr., on the other. Now Troy Coughlin Jr. will join Kalitta Motorsports to drive the team’s third Top Fuel dragster, alongside Doug Kalitta and J.R. Todd. Coughlin Jr., who drove in NHRA’s J&A Pro Mod series in 2015 and earned that category’s Rookie of the Year award, has spent the 2016 season racing NHRA’s Division 3’s Super Comp Lucas Oil Sportsman category and currently holds the points lead. Coughlin Jr., 26, has also successfully raced in NHRA’s Jr Dragsters, Super Gas (2013 champ Division 3), and Top Dragster classes. A two-time U.S. Nationals winner, he started the process to gain his nitro license in November of 2015 and made three runs in Shawn Langdon’s Don Schumacher Racing dragster at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports … [Read more...] about Troy Coughlin Jr. signs with Kalitta team for 2017