California State

South Carolina State

The Independent

 California and South Carolina could become the next states to limit cellphone use in schools, with state officials taking up the issue Tuesday.California Gov. Gavin Newsom is sending letters to school districts, urging them to restrict students' use of smartphones on campus. South Carolina's State Board of Education took up guidelines to tell local districts to ban cellphone use during class time, but postponed a final vote until next month to take more time to craft the proposal.The efforts mark a broader push by officials in Utah, Florida, Louisiana and elsewhere to try to limit cellphone use in schools...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom nudges school districts to restrict student cellphone use

New Jersey State

WashingtonExaminer

Democratic New Jersey Senate President Nicholas Scutari, acting governor of the state while a large part of its executive branch has gone to the Democratic National Convention, signed a bill raising the price cap on attorney fees in workers compensation cases from 20% to 25%. Scutari is a personal injury attorney who also covers workers compensation cases, […]

New Jersey’s acting governor seizes leadership opportunity by signing bill that benefits himself

Lake Mary, FL

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Akeena

If you're a fan of hearty breakfasts and brunches in Florida, you might have had Keke’s Cafe on your radar. Known for its generous portions and friendly service, Keke’s has been a go-to spot for many. However, the Lake Mary location recently hit a bump in the road, resulting in a temporary shutdown following a state inspection that uncovered 15 violations.

Breakfast Eatery Closed in Florida for Roaches, Dirty Hands, and Cold Foods Over 41 Degrees

Ohio State

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The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

A historic marker could be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville’s New Town neighborhood nearly a year ago. If approved by the Jacksonville City Council, a marker would be installed at Kings Road and Canal Street on Aug. 25, a day before the first anniversary of the shooting, when a white gunman took the lives of three Black people.

Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims

Virginia State

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Kentucky Vibes.net

Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of A.I. software. On July 28, 2024, a TikTok video posted by Erica W., known as @tasteofmelanin on the platform, garnered significant attention after she exposed disturbing racist decorations in an Airbnb rental. The incident occurred in a rental property that Erica had booked, although the exact location remains unspecified. The video has since gone viral, prompting widespread concern and leading to the removal of the listing from Airbnb's platform.

Airbnb Listing Taken Down After Black Woman Finds Hanging Monkeys and Cotton Used As Decor

New York City, NY

A former New York cop running for Congress was once sued for allegedly detaining an infant, forcing the city to shell out $25,000 to the child’s mother in a settlement. Republican Alison Esposito is taking on Democratic Representative Pat Ryan in New York’s 18th congressional district which encompasses the upstate cities of Newburgh, Beacon, Kingston, and Poughkeepsie.

GOP House candidate once sued for arresting infant, forcing New York to shell out $25,000 to baby’s mom

Bristol, VA

John M. Dabbs

BRISTOL, Va. – Nestled in the heart of Bristol, Virginia, the historic Burger Bar continues to delight patrons with its nostalgic charm and delectable offerings. A cornerstone of the community since its opening in 1942, the Burger Bar remains a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

Historic Burger Bar in Bristol, Virginia: A Classic Dining Experience

TheDailyBeast

A California state senator, fed up with the Democratic Party’s supermajority in the Golden State’s legislature, announced she is defecting to the Republican Party. Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil was elected in 2022 to represent California’s fourth senate district, which includes parts of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the agrarian Central Valley. Alvarado-Gil made the party switch announcement on Thursday, after serving two years of her four year term. “I was elected to serve the public, not a political ideology,” Alvarado-Gil said in a statement. “The status quo under a supermajority Democratic rule in the legislature is simply not working for this state.” In an interview with Sacramento Bee opinion columnist Marcos Bretón, Alvarado-Gil said the “last straw” was the attempt to pass reforms to Proposition 47—a decade-old ballot initiative that downgraded some property crimes like shoplifting, forgery, and writing bad checks to misdemeanors. Read it at Sacramento BeeRead more at The Daily Beast.

California State Senator Defects From Democratic Party

Denver, CO

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

Georgia State

Winder, GA

Daily Coffee Press

A 50-year-old former jailer has been charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) with cruelty to inmates and violation of oath of office. On Sunday, July 21, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate an incident involving one of their jailers, Lolita Lightner of Winder, Georgia.

Former Jailer at Georgia County Jail Arrested

Hawaii State

Fox News

Sen. Mazie Hirono easily won her second Senate re-election campaign in Hawaii and is the favorite to win a third term in November.

Mazie Hirono wins Hawaii Senate primary, setting Dems up for much-needed November win

Florida State

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said he will consider more DUI patrols if voters legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Voters will consider Amendment 3 in November. It would allow adults 21 or older to possess, purchase or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical purposes.

More DUI patrols possible if marijuana issue passes

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

(CHICAGO) In July, Democratic National Convention (DNC) officials predicted 50,000 visitors to Chicago and a $150 million boost to the economy. But are restaurants feeling the bump in business thanks to the convention?

DNC in Chicago: Some Restaurants Left Hungry for Expected Business Boom

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

Floyd County, GA

According to officials with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), three former officers from the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), one GDC investigator, and a former Floyd County deputy have been charged for the aggravated assault of an inmate at the Floyd County Jail.

Five Former Georgia Law Enforcement Officers Charged With Aggravated Assault Against Inmate

Casper, WY

WyoFile

Testimony from Casper area residents who oppose the controversial Prism Logistics gravel pit here helped convince a legislative panel on Tuesday to temporarily set aside a draft bill they say would only exacerbate conflicts between mining and nearby communities.

Lawmakers pump brakes on fast-tracked mining after gravel pit dustup

Minnesota State

UPI News

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan might become the nation's first female indigenous governor, depending on how Gov. Tim Walz handles campaigning and the Nov. 5 election's outcome.

Minnesota's Peggy Flanagan could become nation's first female indigenous governor

The Lens

This year’s area of low oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico is larger than average, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday. The “dead zone” is approximately 6,705 square miles , as measured last week. Within NOAA’s 38 years of measuring the dead zone, this year’s assessment marks the 12th-largest area of low to no oxygen, which can kill fish and marine life.

Gulf ‘dead zone’ larger than average, larger than expected for 2024, scientists announce

NewsBreak

North Coast State Sen. Mike McGuire steps up as acting governor again

The following is a release from the Office of Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire:. Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) issued the following...

North Coast State Sen. Mike McGuire steps up as acting governor again

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