Latest news with #677
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nebraska attorney general steps up medical cannabis opposition, regulatory bill awaits debate
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, center, leads a news conference against Legislative Bill 677 that seeks to help implement medical cannabis regulations in the state. About a dozen law enforcement officials joined against the legislation as it awaits full legislative debate. May 7, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers escalated his opposition to legislative efforts to help implement medical cannabis Wednesday, parading out more than a dozen law enforcement officers who support his stance. At a Wednesday news conference, Hilgers blasted Legislative Bill 677, from State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, asserting that the effort to build a regulatory framework around voter-approved medical cannabis is nothing more than a path to recreational marijuana that he argued would 'supercharge the black market.' As he has already said this year, he urged lawmakers to wait until at least January, as he continues challenging in court the laws that voters approved last fall. 'This is not about the will of the people,' Hilgers, joined by various sheriffs, said of LB 677. 'This is going to make Nebraska less safe, more dangerous. It's going to handcuff the good men and women here that are in front of you and all their colleagues around the state.' Coming Friday Families, advocates speak out on pending medical cannabis regulations. Hansen, other lawmakers and supporters of the 2024 ballot measures have already indicated that they have no intention to wait. They argue that without LB 677, the voter-approved laws could become the 'wild west' or prevent Nebraskans who need cannabis the most from accessing it. The voter-approved laws allow up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis with a physician's recommendation. In effect since December, the laws passed in November with 71% voter approval. A new Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission is set to write new regulations around the laws, part of a companion ballot measure that passed with about 68% approval. 'Our fight remains' Hansen told reporters after Hilgers' news conference that LB 677 being recreational 'couldn't be farther from the truth' and that 'turning a blind eye' to the ballot measure would hurt voters. 'That would be like saying we're providing recreational opiates or recreational fentanyl,' Hansen said. 'We don't do any of that.' Crista Eggers of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, center, leads a news conference urging legislative support for bills to help implement a safe, fully regulated medical cannabis system. March 3, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, said there was 'no greater hypocrisy' than Hilgers' telling the Legislature to respect the will of the voters 'after actively working to undermine it at the ballot box, in the courts and within the Legislature itself.' Eggers, who led the 2024 ballot measure, the third campaign for the group, said Hilgers' actions were primary reasons why medicinal cannabis continue to be out of reach for many. 'Our fight remains as it always has: as a voice for Nebraska patients — real people in our communities who are suffering,' Eggers said in a statement. 'As long as patients like Will, Brooke, Jayen, Kyler, Colton, and countless others are suffering, you have our unwavering commitment: We will never stop fighting.' Regulations remain in limbo Hansen and State Sens. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue and John Cavanaugh of Omaha, chair and vice chair of the Legislature's General Affairs Committee, hosted three town halls this weekend, in La Vista, Omaha and Lincoln, receiving feedback on LB 677 and a new amendment. It was that new amendment, AM 1251, that got LB 677 out of committee in a 5-3 vote last week after earlier stalling in committee. The 124-page amendment makes various changes to the laws but is intended to put in place various regulations and safeguards around the new Medical Cannabis Commission. An attorney for the commission has said in court filings that, without the follow-up legislation, commissioners have 'no ability to carry out any duties' set forth in the new laws. As of late March, no meetings. No deliberations. No votes. No employees. No regulations. State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, left, listens as Speaker John Arch of La Vista addresses the Nebraska Legislature. July 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LB 677, with the amendment, would move the process forward, giving the commission more time to act, through Oct. 1 rather than July 1, but also more guardrails. As it stands, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission within the executive branch and its five governor-appointed members would get full rein over regulations, which could set up a system more restrictive than LB 677 or its amendment. Hilgers, whose office is defending other state officials in that same lower-court case against the voter-approved laws, said of the commission's position: 'We think they're wrong.' 'If they're taking that position, then they're contrary to the law and to the will of the people,' Hilgers said. However, those comments came as Hilgers and his staff await the commission's regulations and the eventual licensure of medical dispensaries. When that happens, Hilgers' office has threatened to bring a new lawsuit. Core criticisms Among Hilgers' main concerns is that LB 677 would restrict the sale of cannabis flower, up to 2 ounces, a 'gigantic loophole' he said would open the door to smoking. While LB 677 prohibits smoking, he said allowing flower 'is like saying you can buy the beer, you can bring the beer home, you can put the beer in your refrigerator, but whatever you do, just don't drink the beer.' The ballot measure legalized 5 ounces of cannabis 'for all parts' of the cannabis plant, including flower, which can be ground into joints or blunts. It can also be processed to be used in vaporizers, edibles, tinctures, creams and more, which would be allowed under LB 677. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers holds up an amendment to Legislative Bill 677 that seeks to help implement medical cannabis regulations. Hilgers led a news conference with about a dozen law enforcement officials against the legislation as it awaits full legislative debate. May 7, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Hilgers also criticized that in a list of 15 qualifying conditions in LB 677's amendment, the proposal would allow medical cannabis for certain serious medical conditions or chronic pain, which he said would blow the list 'wide open.' The list was created a few years ago with the Nebraska Medical Association. The list does not currently include post-traumatic stress disorder. The ballot measure legalized cannabis for all conditions with a practitioner's recommendation. Also on the list of criticisms is that LB 677's amendment would not allow anyone to go after medical practitioners for recommending cannabis, and there would be little process to take away a patient or caregiver's practitioner-approved card, also a new system in LB 677. Hilgers said his office plays an 'enormously critical role' in ensuring health professionals follow their license. However, he said if a health care practitioner recommends cannabis to a pregnant woman, whose pregnancy ends in miscarriage or fetal development disability, or someone with a history of mental health challenges commits suicide or murder, the state needs leeway to act. Asked by a reporter whether disciplinary action would be on a case-by-case basis, Hilgers said sometimes yes, but he acknowledged that all physicians who recommend cannabis could be at risk, which comes as the state continues to face health care staffing shortages. He said it's an 'ethical violation' to encourage patients to break federal law. 'All health licensure is at risk of revocation, except in this case, if this bill were passed,' Hilgers said. Hilgers, while telling reporters he didn't want to speculate, talked about hypothetical scenarios in which patients or caregivers could start to accumulate 'pounds' of cannabis and sell it to friends or neighbors. No matter LB 677 or the ballot measure, that would be illegal. State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha speaks with reporters after the core legislative proposal seeking to help implement medical cannabis stalls in committee. April 17, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Hilgers rejected a reporter's question that he was 'punishing' anyone or using supposed bad actors to argue against medicinal cannabis generally. Hansen and Cavanaugh have said that preventing the 'black market' starts with reasonable regulations. That includes seed-to-sale tracking and using the state's prescription drug monitoring program, used for drugs such as opiates or fentanyl, Hansen said. Opposition largely with ballot measure LB 677 and its amendment would be able to identify issues in Nebraska's program within 'about two seconds,' Hansen said, while providing new resources and guidance to law enforcement. Cavanaugh, a lawyer, noted that nearly all of Hilgers' criticisms were of the ballot measure, not LB 677. More than 300 people attended the weekend events, Cavanaugh estimated, and 97 speakers (some repeats across the three events) spoke to a bipartisan group of 13 senators. Cavanaugh said it is 'disingenuous' to organize opposition at this 'late hour' but not work with Hansen or the General Affairs Committee beforehand. Now, Cavanaugh said Hilgers' goal is to stop the legislation from passing at all. 'He's losing in the courts and trying to win in the Legislature,' Cavanaugh said. Hilgers also sent a letter to Speaker John Arch of La Vista, who could schedule LB 677 for debate later this month after the state budget passes. Hilgers served as speaker before becoming attorney general two years ago. Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner speaks against a legislative proposal for additional medical cannabis regulations through Legislative Bill 677. Wagner in 2020 helped toss a previous ballot measure off the ballot in front of the Nebraska Supreme Court. May 7, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Arch confirmed he had read the letter and said it would have no effect on scheduling LB 677 for debate. At the news conference, Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner said LB 677 was 'purely' recreational marijuana 'masked' as medicinal. Sarpy County Sheriff Greg London said it was a 'red herring to get into full-fledged recreational marijuana.' Joining the letter were Sheriffs Neil Miller (Buffalo), Colin Caudill (Otoe), Robert Sorenson (Cass), Dwaine Ladwig (Polk), Shawn Messerlie (Colfax), London (Sarpy), Tom Decker (Dixon), Mark Overman (Scotts Bluff), Aaron Hanson (Douglas), Mike Vance (Seward), Lynn Lyon (Johnson), Mike Robinson (Washington), Wagner (Lancaster), Paul Vrbka (York) and Brent Lottman (Nemaha). Vrbka also signed on behalf of the Nebraska Sheriffs Association as president, as did Police Chief Kenny Denny on behalf of the Police Chief Association of Nebraska. Gov. Jim Pillen, speaking with the Nebraska Examiner last week, declined to comment on LB 677 other than to say cannabis wouldn't be approved in a form that could become recreational. 'My advocacy for it is that if you have a medical condition [and] you need it, you'll get it, but it's going to taste like crap,' Pillen said. 'It's going to be a bitter pill to swallow.' 'Think with the heart' If lawmakers do not act, Hansen has said Hilgers' actions could inadvertently lead to recreational marijuana in a different ballot measure. At the public forums this weekend, Hansen discussed that lawmakers might not be able to get at the 'full apple' but would work to get 75%, 80%, and expand legislation in the future. He asked those in attendance Sunday if they would support recreational marijuana on the ballot if LB 677 failed and medicinal marijuana remained out of reach. Of dozens of people in attendance, nearly every single one raised their hands. Hansen has asked Nebraskans to share their stories, particularly with his Republican colleagues, to help LB 677. He estimated it could be scheduled for debate shortly after the state budget is passed, which must be done by May 15. The Legislature is set to adjourn June 9. 'We're so kind of caught up sometimes in the minutia of this bill and the taxing and the regulation, which is good, but we sometimes forget about the people actually going to use this,' Hansen told reporters. 'We need to think with the heart a little bit here as well as our head.' Nebraska Attorney General Hilgers discusses future, stance on medicinal cannabis Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, in a one-on-one interview with the Nebraska Examiner on Wednesday, said he recognizes that voters are angry with him over his continued opposition to medical cannabis, including in the courts and at the Legislature. Hilgers said he recognizes separation of powers between the branches of government but views himself as the state's voice for law enforcement officers and said it's his duty to speak up. 'I'm a big boy. It doesn't bother me,' Hilgers said of opponents. 'I've gone through the wars. What people way to say they want to say.' While some view his actions as 'just political,' Hilgers said, if that's true, 'it's not a very good political decision' because 70% of voters legalized medical cannabis. He said most politicians base 'political decisions' on the winning side of 70-30 issues, but 'that is not what I ran on.' 'I could not go to my grave looking backward at the work that I did, whether it's in the Legislature or here, and having that kind of a consideration for me not to do the right thing,' said Hilgers, a former six-year member of the Legislature. 'And in this case, I think it's the right thing.' Attorney General Mike Hilgers. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska News Service) Dozens of other states have legalized medical cannabis, which Hilgers said is part of the reason voters are frustrated. He said it's an 'abject failure' of the feds to not follow the law they created. 'I think two plus two is four even if everyone else says two plus two is five,' Hilgers said. Hilgers said his 'heart goes out' to anyone in pain who feels they can't access something that they feel could alleviate the hurt. But he also asked 'what about' those whose lives have been 'ravaged' by drug use or Nebraskans harmed by marijuana-like products, including a wife who had to call law enforcement on her husband who 'lost his mind' and a man in a southwest Omaha neighborhood this week who ran around without any clothes saying he was going to kill people. Hilgers said he is also working to uphold the 'integrity' of the ballot measure process with his work, referencing his office's efforts to decertify the medical cannabis ballot measures last year alleging widespread fraud. Those legal arguments were rejected in Lancaster County District Court last, and Hilgers is appealing to the Nebraska Supreme Court. Of four targeted campaign notaries in that case, Hilgers confirmed none have been charged or convicted. Campaign officials have denied wrongdoing. 'People might be upset today. They might be upset in 10 years,' Hilgers said. 'But at the end of the day, it's a principle that matters for all of us, and that's what I'm defending.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Over 70,000 students appear for NEET UG in Andhra Pradesh
VIJAYAWADA: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate courses (NEET UG) 2025 was conducted smoothly across the State on Sunday, with over 70,000 candidates writing the examination at designated centres in all 26 districts. The exam, held nationwide from 2 to 5 pm, proceeded without major incidents, thanks to elaborate arrangements made by district administrations to ensure fair and orderly conduct. Attendance was notably high in the north coastal region, where 7,179 out of 7,344 candidates appeared in Visakhapatnam district, 1,525 out of 1,550 appeared in Srikakulam and 1,523 in Vizianagaram. In the Godavari districts, Kakinada saw 2,812 candidates taking the test, while 2,690 appeared in East Godavari, 1,847 in West Godavari, and 1,162 in Eluru. Rayalaseema districts also recorded high participation, 4,381 in Kurnool, 1,144 in Nandyal, 2,534 in Anantapur, 2,311 in Kadapa, 4,333 in Tirupati, and 677 in Chittoor. In the south, Nellore had 2,852 examinees and Prakasam 1,428. Among the central districts, NTR stood out with the highest turnout, 13,455 out of 13,625 candidates, across 23 centres. Guntur reported 4,153 candidates at 16 centres, Krishna district saw 1,073 participants, and Bapatla recorded 304 of 316 candidates. However, chaos was reported at Sri Padmavathi Degree and PG College in Tirupati, where students alleged delayed entry, mid-exam biometric interruptions, absence of a wall clock, and poor staff coordination. Candidates demanded a re-exam and urged the District Collector to probe the alleged mismanagement. Apart from the Tirupati episode, NEET UG 2025 concluded smoothly across the State.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senators schedule public forums on medical cannabis and pending Nebraska legislation
Crista Eggers of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, center, leads a news conference urging legislative support for bills to help implement a safe, fully regulated medical cannabis system. March 3, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — State lawmakers scheduled three eastern Nebraska public forums this weekend to allow the public to weigh in on medical cannabis and proposed state legislation. State Sens. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue and Ben Hansen of Blair plan to host the series this Saturday in La Vista, Sunday in Omaha and Monday in Lincoln. Attendants will be able to hear updates on the status of medical cannabis legislation, namely Hansen's Legislative Bill 677, and 'share their thoughts.' The schedule is as follows: Saturday, May 3, from 1-3 p.m. at the Carpenters Union Hall in La Vista (10761 Virginia Plaza, La Vista). Sunday, May 4, from 1-3 p.m., at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Thompson Alumni Center (8800 Dodge St., Omaha). Monday, May 5, from 5-7 p.m., at Southeast Community College (8800 O St., Lincoln). The hosts plan to accommodate everyone who wishes to speak during the two-hour events. In November, about 71% of Nebraskans legalized medical cannabis with a physician's recommendation, and 67% of Nebraskans voted for a regulatory scheme. 'Since the legislature has failed to act at this point, I want to give the citizens an opportunity to have their voices heard by their elected representatives,' Cavanaugh told the Nebraska Examiner. Hansen's LB 677 seeks to help the ballot measures build better guardrails, with help from supporters who put the measures on the ballot. His bill would delay full implementation of the regulatory law to give the new Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission time to craft regulations that, without funding, officials have said is near impossible to get done by the voter-set July 1 deadline or begin licensing by Oct. 1. LB 677 has stalled in the Legislature's General Affairs Committee that Holdcroft chairs. Cavanaugh is the vice chair. Holdcroft, who has said he would support a narrowed LB 677, said he is looking for 'back and forth' at the public forums, such as whether to allow smoking or how many dispensaries should be permitted. At an April 17 meeting of committee members, the committee considered a narrower committee amendment that sought to create a list of qualifying conditions, restrict who can recommend medical cannabis, exclude smoking as permissible for medical cannabis and prohibit sales of natural cannabis flower or bud. None of the eight committee members tried to attach the amendment to LB 677. Advancing the bill as-is failed along ideological lines, 3-5. Five days later, Hansen filed an amendment to add post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying condition and allow sales of flower and bud, the latter of which is a line in the sand for Hansen. Hansen also filed what is known as a 'pull motion' that would advance LB 677, with at least 25 votes in the full 49-member legislative body and start the three-round debate. The latest Hansen amendment would not allow smoking. Holdcroft and Hansen continue to discuss whether a path forward in the committee exists. Speaker John Arch of La Vista, who sets the daily legislative agenda, declined to say if he would schedule the pull motion as those discussions continue. Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, said her team is 'very appreciative' of lawmakers' efforts to give voters a chance to voice their feelings on the issue. 'While we find it disheartening that Nebraskans are being asked to 'clarify their vote,' we hope this final effort makes it clear: Nebraskans support medical cannabis. They knew what they were voting for,' Eggers said. 'They now are demanding lawmakers to uphold the voice of the people.' LB 677 faces a tight timeline and fiscal situation in the waning days of the 2025 legislative session. Debate on the state's budget bills — with a major hole to still fill — is set to begin May 6. The final budget must pass by May 15. Lawmakers are set to adjourn for the year on June 9. Also co-hosting the public forums are State Sens. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, John Fredrickson of Omaha, Jane Raybould of Lincoln, Victor Rountree of Bellevue, Margo Juarez of Omaha, Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, Megan Hunt of Omaha, Myron Dorn of Adams, Merv Riepe of Ralston, Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, Tom Brandt of Plymouth, George Dungan of Lincoln and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla, Trump Media, Xiaomi, Boeing, BYD, Carvana, GameStop, McCormick: Stocks to watch today
Stocks fluctuated, giving up earlier gains, after U.S. economic indicators came in weaker than expected. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indexes were slightly higher, while the Dow Jones Industrial average fell by about 28 points. The consumer confidence index fell to 922.9 from 98.3 in February. The consensus estimate had been for a reading of 94.5. The expectations measure plunged to 62.5 New home sales picked up last month to an annualized rate of 676,000 from 657,000 in January. Expectations had been for 677,500. The Richmond Fed Index fell to -4; the projection had been for -2. Federal Reserve Atlanta President Raphael Bostic told Bloomberg TV on Monday afternoon that he now sees just one interest-rate cut as likely this year as tariff hikes impede progress on inflation, anticipating a return to the 2% target only in early 2027. Markets rose on Monday after Donald Trump's comments about tariffs due to be unveiled on April 2. The president said reciprocal duties may stop short of his pledge to equalize with levels charged by foreign countries on U.S. goods. The administration may also delay duties on particular types of products. Here are some stocks in focus today: Boeing's stock edged higher after the Wall Street Journal reported that the planemaker is seeking to withdraw its earlier agreement to plead guilty in a criminal case that alleged it deceived regulators before two fatal crashes of its 737 MAX jets. The Trump administration is inclined to at least modify parts of the agreement, the newspaper said, citing people familiar. BYD's ADRs fell 4.8% after the electric vehicle maker's Hong Kong-listed shares fell 3.5%, failing to sustain Monday's gains in the U.S. driven by better-than-expected earnings. Carvana jumped about2% after Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas increased his recommendation on the stock to buy from hold and bumped his price target to $280 from $260, Barron's reported. GameStop's stock edged lower. The game distributor will report fiscal fourth-quarter earnings after the close on Tuesday. Consensus is for per-share earnings of 8 cents on sales of $1.48 billion, according to StreetAccount's survey of analysts. McCormick & Co.'s shares fell 2.3% after the food flavorings company said that fiscal first-quarter sales and per-share profit missed the consensus expectations compiled by StreetAccount. The company reaffirmed its earnings projections for the full year. Mobileye's stock gained 4.4% after the company announced a tie-up with Volkswagen on automated-driving technology. Tesla's stock fell about 1.6% after European sales and market share declined again in February despite overall growth in EV registrations in the region during the month, Reuters reported, citing European Automobile Manufacturers Association data. Trump Media's stock jumped more than 7% after it announced a tie-up with to start exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through the brand that will combine digital assets with securities with a 'made in America' focus in industries such as energy. 23andMe's stock slumped 15% following its 59% plunge yesterday after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to facilitate a sale process. Xiaomi's stock fell 6.3% in Hong Kong after the Chinese company said it's raised HK$42.5 billion ($5.5 billion) to fund its expansion into EVs through the private sale of 800 million new shares at HK$53.25 each. The ADRs edged higher in New York trading this morning. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Gulf Today
16-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Binghatti buys two numbers for Dhs44.2m at the Most Nobel Number charity auction
Mohammed Binghatti, Chairman of Binghatti Holding, participated in "The Most Noble Number" charity auction of premium numbers that took place on Saturday evening in Dubai. The total amount spent by Binghatti was Dhs44.2 million. Overall the Most Noble Number charity auction raised Dhs83,677,000, all of which will be invested to help support the objectives of the Fathers' Endowment campaign, which has been launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Mohammed Binghatti's participation was confirmed with the purchase of DD5 for Dhs35 million and DD15 for Dhs9.2 million, respectively, during the auction. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) organised the event in collaboration with Emirates Auctions at Armani Dubai in Burj Khalifa with the support of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), e& UAE, and du. The auction saw the sale of 25 unique numbers, including 5 from RTA, 10 from e& UAE, and 10 from du. As Mohammed Bin Ghati stated, "The participation in the charity auction is indicative of our commitment to supporting the noble goals of the "Fathers' Endowment" campaign. Furthermore, it serves to convey the UAE's message of charitable giving to the global community, contribute to the enhancement of the lives of underprivileged communities, and enable their members to access sustainable healthcare." He asserted that "The Most Noble Number" auction constitutes an exceptional opportunity to support the Ramadan endowment campaign and honour all fathers in the UAE. "The UAE community will remain a global exemplar in terms of generosity and giving," Binghatti added.
