West Virginia State

UPI News

The Federal Communications Commission has capped the rates inmates pay for phone and video calls, officials announced Thursday.

FCC slashes per-minute phone costs for inmates

“I am worried about a phone call I received from someone claiming to be from Medicare who had my personal information and was verifying it. The caller mentioned that I would receive a new plastic Medicare card with a chip the following day. It has now been over a week, and I still haven’t received the card. I think I may have made a serious mistake by confirming my details and responding to the questions the caller posed to me. What steps should I take or whom should I contact to verify if this was a legitimate communication from Medicare?” – Jeanette.

Latest Medicare Scam Targeting Seniors

Polk County, FL

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Fort Meade, FL

Uncovering Florida

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest after conducting an investigation into a case of credit card fraud involving 28-year-old Burger King employee, Kellyn Miley. The incident was discussed in detail during this morning's briefing with Sheriff Grady Judd.

Burger King Employee Caught Using Customer's Credit Card for Food at Former Job

Virginia State

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved legislation that would allow Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to recommend medical marijuana. Under current law, VA doctors are prohibited from recommending medical marijuana to their patients, even if those patients reside in states where medical marijuana is legal. A provision that would end this prohibition is included in the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies 2025 budget, approved today by the Senate Appropriations Committee in a unanimous voice vote.

U.S. Senate Committee Approves Bill Allowing VA Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana

WashingtonExaminer

As marijuana use becomes more mainstream, Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) is sponsoring legislation that will prevent federal agencies from rejecting applicants if they have smoked a “doobie.” The Dismantling Outdated Obstacles and Barriers to Individual Employment Act, also known as the DOOBIE Act, was introduced to the Senate on July 11 and referred to the […]

Democratic senator leads legislation preventing federal agencies from barring applicants for marijuana use

South Carolina State

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Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

Phoenix, AZ

PHOENIX (AP) — Visiting Phoenix amid triple-digit temperatures, the U.S. government's top health official acknowledged on Wednesday that a federal program that helps low-income people pay their utility bills needs to focus more on cooling homes in the summer instead of overwhelmingly on wintertime heating. “What we’re beginning to...

Top US Health Official Acknowledges More Federal Money for Utility Help Is Needed for Extreme Heat

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Kentucky’s Community Actions Partnerships have announced the starts date for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy, aimed at helping Kentucky households offset summer cooling costs.

LIHEAP Summer Subsidy program to help with summer cooling costs to begin enrollment July 16

Denver, CO

David Heitz

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

Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) - Around third of existing carbon credits have failed to meet criteria for a new standard that aims to serve as the global benchmark for the voluntary carbon market, its board said on Tuesday.

Around a third of carbon credits fail new benchmark test

Colorado State

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

Georgia State

Appling County, GA

Daily Coffee Press

A 40-year-old man from Appling County, Christopher Eric Stone, with a significant criminal history, was recently sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to officials from the Department of Justice.

Georgia Man Sentenced to Over 5 Years for in Federal Prison for Meth Distribution

Today marks the implementation of a new law in Colorado aimed at enhancing consumer protections in event ticket sales. “Colorado is home to many great live music venues and multiple professional sports teams, and this consumer protection law will help prevent Coloradans from being taken advantage of by bad actors,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, sponsor of HB24-1378. “This law guarantees refunds for canceled events, ensures actual all-in prices are advertised, and bans deceptive website sales to clarify consumer rights and protections in the ticket industry. We’re creating a Colorado that better serves consumers so they can fully enjoy their favorite events, from Nuggets games to Taylor Swift concerts.”

New Colorado Law Enhances Consumer Protections in Event Ticketing Industry

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

The Department of Education has again delayed the rollout of its updated federal financial aid application, known as FAFSA. The agency said Wednesday it will begin testing the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid in October, among “a limited set of students and institutions,” before circulating it to the general public in December.

The rollout for the updated FAFSA application has been delayed — again

Missouri State

CJ Coombs

Denny's was once a staple of the American diner landscape. In recent years, it has had its ups and downs, especially post-pandemic. The dining habits of people also change. Some customers have a more discerning taste.

Denny's: a legacy of serving customers for over 65 years including 27 locations in Missouri

The Denver City Council will vote Monday whether pump about $580,000 into its jail-based RISE, or Recovery in a Secure Environment program. The council will consider contracts for $389,434 and $193,475 through Sept. 30, 2025, with the Mile High Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and The Empowerment Program. Inmates enrolled in the RISE program spend much of their time out of their cells during the day engaging in therapeutic activities. There are group sessions and one on one treatment.

Jail-based drug, mental health recovery program costs Denver $580,000 for a year

Florida State

With hurricane season posing a consistent threat six months out of the year, who would not like a little help getting their home ready for the harsh weather to come? Senate Bill 7028: My Safe Florida Home Program, approved by Governor DeSantis on April 24, 2024, and effective as of July 1, appropriates a one-time total of $200 million from 2024 to 2025 for the purpose of funding hurricane mitigation grants and inspections, as well as outreach and administration costs, to support homeowners in Florida.

DeSantis Signs New Bill Giving $200 Million To Homeowners

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

New Jersey State

Collingswood, NJ

Morristown Minute

CAMDEN, N.J. – Ralston Boswell, 34, of Collingswood, New Jersey, has admitted to participating in schemes to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and unemployment insurance benefits. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Plea: Man's PPP & Unemployment Fraud - $209K Scam

NewsBreak

PSC Task Force Takes Step Back From Standardizing Utility Outage Notifications

A state task force focused on how utility and cable outages are announced to the public released its final report last week. Earlier this year the...

PSC Task Force Takes Step Back From Standardizing Utility Outage Notifications

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