jili777 pw is legit
Guardiola signs a 2-year contract extension at Man City and eyes 'more trophies'
Calgary police have laid charges and are checking for drug impairment in a horrific high-speed multi-vehicle crash that killed one girl and left another child in critical condition on Boxing Day. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Calgary police have laid charges and are checking for drug impairment in a horrific high-speed multi-vehicle crash that killed one girl and left another child in critical condition on Boxing Day. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Calgary police have laid charges and are checking for drug impairment in a horrific high-speed multi-vehicle crash that killed one girl and left another child in critical condition on Boxing Day. “We share the deep sadness felt by the family and loved ones who have had their lives forever changed by someone’s disregard for public safety,” Calgary police Acting Insp. Andy Woodward said in a news release Friday. The statement said speed and impairment by drugs are being investigated as potential contributing factors in the crash. Police also released more details on the crash that occurred on the city’s south side just before 10 a.m. Thursday. They have said it began when police responded to reports of a pharmacy robbery at Pharmasave Millrise at around 9 a.m., where the suspect allegedly assaulted a pharmacist and drove away in a stolen car. The driver was chased by police, but because of the driver’s unsafe driving behaviour and traffic, officers stopped the pursuit and instead used helicopter air watch. The suspect, they said, was erratically driving a Dodge Caravan, “weaving in and out of traffic.” Around 9:50 a.m., he roared through the intersection, running a red light at Macleod Trail and Southland Drive. Two cars also came through the intersection at the same time, crossed his path and were hit: a Toyota 4Runner driven by a woman in her 40s; and a Pontiac Vibe operated by a woman in her 40s with two child passengers. That set off a chain-reaction crash that saw the first two vehicles struck by the suspect’s Caravan slam into two more trucks. The Caravan, meanwhile, proceeded on and struck a light post in the median and came to a stop. The trio in the Pontiac Vibe – the woman and two children – were all sent to hospital in critical condition. “Sadly, one of the children passengers succumbed to her injuries yesterday,” said police in the release. The woman was later upgraded to stable, but the second child remained in critical care at Alberta Children’s Hospital. The age and gender of the child were not released by police. “Sadly, one of the children passengers succumbed to her injuries yesterday,” said police in the release. The woman driving the 4Runner was listed in stable condition. The four people in the other two vehicles hit in the chain-reaction crash – three men and a woman – received minor injuries. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, or ASIRT, was called in to check on police actions prior to the crash. “After reviewing available evidence, a determination was made that the actions of the involved officers did not directly contribute to the collision,” police said. “Therefore, ASIRT will have no further involvement in the matter.” The accused was arrested on scene and faces 11 charges, including robbery, theft, dangerous driving causing death, driving without a licence, fleeing from police, dangerous driving causing bodily harm and dangerous driving causing death. Duane Arlen John Nepoose, 30, has been remanded in custody with a court date pending. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. Advertisement AdvertisementPart of the reason we started a Cannabis Industry team at a Southeastern-based law firm before any Southeastern state had adopted a marijuana program was because we had a hunch that the expansion of cannabis would eventually make its way to our neck of the woods. And we guess it was just kind of a slow day around the office. It turns out that our hunch – which even we are modest enough to admit was pretty much obvious and inevitable – turned out to be true. In the last seven years, there has been an explosion of cannabis activity and controversy in the Southeast. From marijuana in various forms to hemp and all of its iterations, the Southeast has been playing catchup with the rest of the country and in doing so is experiencing the progression of cannabis reform at an accelerated pace with the benefit of seeing the experiences of earlier cannabis adopters. We aren’t alone in observing this phenomenon. Jessica Billingsley, for Rolling Stone , has written on the topic several times . Don’t get me wrong, we’re not so naïve as to think that states around the country aren’t also experiencing dramatic and dynamic debates and reforms about the cannabis industry. In fact, we’ve dedicated a great deal of time and effort to writing about those issues and how they reflect – or in some cases depart from – cannabis programs in other states. But the speed of reform efforts and their concentration in a specific portion of the country have made the Southeastern U.S. the – ok, at least a – current hotbed of cannabis activity. C’mon. What’s Happening in the Southeast That Makes It So Special? Aren’t You Just Writing This Because You Live There? Could You Be More Egocentric? Wow, that got a little weird and revealing there for a second but we’re back. For those who may not enjoy the privilege of calling the Southeastern U.S. home, here is a sampling of the cannabis activity currently taking place in the region: Florida’s Medical Marijuana Market Matures, but Voters Narrowly Rejected the Ballot Initiative for an Adult-Use Program; Hemp Program Survives by Governor’s Veto (for Now) Florida broke the seal on medical marijuana in the Southeast when it adopted a medical program in 2016. While the program has certainly had its hiccups, it has generally proven to be a popular program as it has matured over the years. On April 1, 2024, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that voters would decide whether Florida will become the 24 th state to legalize adult-use marijuana at the ballot boxes in November. The significant opposition that succeeded in keeping a similar initiative off the 2022 ballots evidently prevailed this year. The initiative came short of receiving the required 60% approval to pass with only about 56% of Florida voters voting in favor. On the hemp front, earlier this year we wrote that the Florida Legislature passed a bill that would limit the amount of THC in hemp-derived products and upend the novel cannabinoid industry in the state by banning delta-8 and delta-10 products. But in a surprising move described by Marijuana Moment as “somewhat contradictory,” conservative Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the legislation, even as he campaigns against adult-use marijuana. This being the South and a controversial issue involving potentially extraordinary amounts of money, there are strange bedfellows and innuendo : The governor of Florida is reportedly planning to veto a bill that would ban consumable hemp-derived cannabinoid products such as delta-8 THC, apparently because he’s hoping the hemp industry will help finance a campaign opposing a marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot. As Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) prepares to step up his push against the legalization measure, officials close to the governor... say he’s plotting to leverage the hemp industry’s economic interest in participating in the intoxicating cannabinoid market to convince people to vote against marijuana reform. Safe to same there’s more to come in the next couple of months for what has become the 5,000 lbs. gorilla in the Southeastern cannabis landscape. Arkansas’ Medical Program Booms While Adult Use and Hemp in Limbo During Court Battles Like Florida, Arkansas was one of the pioneers of bringing medical marijuana to the Southeast. Arkansans voted to approve a medical marijuana program in 2016 via Amendment 98, although the first legal sales did not occur until May 2019. The program eclipsed $1 billion in sales by late 2023, and as of August 2024, sales in 2024 exceeded $158.5 million. From all metrics, the program appears to be doing very well. And, while an effort to place on the November ballot an initiative that would have further expanded the program was stymied by the Arkansas Supreme Court just before the election, a ballot initiative in 2022 to create an adult-use program didn’t fail by an insurmountable margin, with 43.8% voting in favor. On the hemp front, all eyes are on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. That court conducted oral arguments in the Sanders v. Bio Gen appeal on September 24, so a decision should be forthcoming. The trial court action was filed by hemp companies challenging an Arkansas law (known as Act 629) that the plaintiffs contended impermissibly outlawed hemp-derived consumable products in Arkansas. The appeal followed issuance of an injunction by U.S. District Judge Billy Roy Wilson blocking enforcement of Act 629. Mississippi Struggling to Reconcile Supply and Demand on the Marijuana Front; Unsettled Hemp Rules Mississippi surprised many observers when a statewide ballot initiative in 2020 went overwhelmingly in support of medical marijuana. After a couple of years of frustrating and largely obstructionist legal wrangling, Mississippi’s medical program is fully up and running now, going on almost two years. One of the most notable and unique aspects of Mississippi’s program is the absence of any limitations on the number of licenses available to operators. While there are components of the Mississippi laws and regulations governing the program that necessarily limit how many licenses can be issued (e.g., local government opt-outs and distance setback limitations) the program is struggling due in large part to an oversupply of product and not enough patients (as of November 21, 2024, the state reports 48,129 patients). Last legislative session, the Mississippi Legislature modified the state’s medical cannabis law in certain ways that were aimed to improve patient access hurdles, and more amendments are expected in the upcoming session. On the hemp front, Mississippi lacks any real legislative or regulatory guidance on the subject. Consequently, many in the state view the hemp-derived intoxicating products sold in gas stations and other retail stores as a real problem . Last legislative session, a bill (HB 1676) aimed to regulate intoxicating hemp products failed. Since then, state law enforcement has conducted raids and arrests of retail stores that sell products they believe are illegal under Mississippi law. Also, the Mississippi attorney general recently issued an opinion concluding that hemp-derived THC beverages could be illegal under Mississippi law. We wrote about that opinion here . The Mississippi legislature will almost assuredly revisit legislation governing these products next session while it also explores ways to amend the Medical Cannabis Act. Texas Low-THC Marijuana Program Continues as Fierce Debates Rage Over Hemp Texas passed the Texas Compassionate Use legislation in 2015, allowing certain qualified physicians to prescribe low THC products (max of 1% THC by weight) to patients having certain medical conditions. Currently, the state has only licensed three entities, all located in the central region of the state, as “dispensing organizations” to cultivate, process, and dispense low-THC cannabis. While the state has implied it may issue more licenses and a third-party consultant it hired recently recommended that it should, that has not yet occurred. The last application window closed on April 28, 2023. We, along with most everyone in the industry, is watching what Texas ends up doing with this program; everything is supposed to be bigger in Texas, and a real-deal medical cannabis program shouldn’t be any exception. The hemp world in Texas slightly resembles the one in Arkansas; it’s mired in litigation. Texas has a robust legal and regulatory program that governs hemp and consumable hemp products. That program operated for years without much interruption until the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) took action in 2020 and 2021 to restrict the sale of certain consumable hemp products. This culminated in the publication of an official statement online in October 2021 stating that Texas law only “allows Consumable Hemp Products in Texas that do not exceed 0.3% Delta-9 . . . THC [, and] [a]ll other forms of THC, including Delta-8 in any concentration and Delta-9 exceeding 0.3% are considered Schedule 1 controlled substances.” In response, a group of plaintiffs sued the TDSHS and its commissioner seeking to enjoin the “‘effectiveness going forward’ of the amendments to the terms ‘tetrahydrocannabinols; and ‘Marihuana extract’ in the Department’s 2021 Schedule of Controlled Substances.” The trial court granted the requested injunction, ordered the TSDHS to “remove from its currently published Schedule of Controlled Substances the most recent modifications” the subject definitions and any subsequent publications, and “enjoin[ed] the effectiveness going forward of the rule stated on [the Department’s] website that Delta-8 THC in any concentration is considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance.” The state appealed, the Austin Court of Appeals affirmed, and the matter now sits with the Texas Supreme Court. THC-infused beverages have also been a focus in Texas recently. As we wrote last month, the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs held a hearing on October 17, 2024, to discuss how the state might soon regulate THC-infused beverages. That issue will most assuredly be addressed by the Texas legislature this next session. Louisiana Medical Program Expands Amidst Fight Over Scope of Hemp Program While Louisiana technically legalized medical marijuana in 1978 and passed several laws in the years that followed in that pursuit, the first products weren’t sold until 2019. The very limited license (only two authorized cultivators and processors) regime is now headed towards a bustling program. The number of dispensaries that can exist in Louisiana is currently capped at 30, but that number will only grow as the patient numbers increase in the regions identified throughout the state. Louisiana’s hemp program, which is governed by a well-developed regulatory regime, is also in a current state of uncertainty. During the 2024 legislative session, the Legislature amended the hemp laws to restrict where certain hemp-derived products can be sold and their potency. As in Arkansas and Texas, the hemp industry quickly responded with litigation. In that matter, Hemp Assoc. of La. v. Landry , No. 3:24-cv-00871, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, was filed on October 18, 2024. The plaintiffs alleged that the 2018 Farm Bill preempts the legislation and is unconstitutional on other grounds. The state disagreed and moved to dismiss, but on November 19, 2024, the state informed the court that it would stay the effective date of the new legislation so that the parties could fully brief the pending motions and the court could reach a decision. The motions are due to be fully briefed in the coming days. Georgia Trying to Get Its Act Together The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission describes the Georgia law as “much more limited than some other states.” The statute does little more than allow registered people to buy and possess low-THC oil from licensed dispensaries. This oil may contain CBD and up to 5% THC by weight. Only a select number of licensed producers can grow the cannabis that will eventually be turned into the allowed low-THC oil. As in many other states, the application and licensing process is quite strict . To obtain a registration card, prospective patients must have a qualifying condition or disease and be registered through their physician. Once a patient has their card, they can buy low-THC oil and possess 20 fluid ounces or less so long as they keep it in the manufacturer-labeled pharmaceutical packaging. On the hemp side, the Georgia Legislature recently passed SB 494, which Gov. Brian Kemp subsequently signed into law. This law introduces substantial changes to the hemp industry. The Georgia Department of Agriculture is in the process of drafting the corresponding and required agency rules. It appears that most hemp extracts like delta-8-THC, delta-10-THC, HHC, and other cannabinoids remain legal under Georgia law as “consumable hemp products.” Alabama Medical Marijuana Program on the Ropes While Hemp Flourishes Sigh... where do we even begin when it comes to medical marijuana in Alabama? There have been more twists and turns than a classic Iron Bowl. The Legislature approved a medical program in 2021, and recent court hearings suggest that we are potentially no further along after three years, with a possibility of the Legislature being forced to take action to modify (or end) the program. We have written extensively about the years of litigation and dysfunction that have plagued the Alabama medical marijuana program. In a nutshell, the cap on the number of licenses for various categories (cultivators, processors, dispensaries, etc.) has led to a scenario where applicants dissatisfied with the regulators’ decision to award licenses have sued on multiple occasions, and the regulators have either acceded to the demands or ended up in a court that has not acted quickly to impose order on the process. In the midst of this chaos, the Legislature had an opportunity to tweak the law but overwhelmingly chose not to do so . We’re choosing to take the optimistic view that the court system will be able to find a resolution to the years of litigation without putting the matter into the Legislature’s hands. We stress that view is very optimistic, but we should know more by the beginning of 2025. On a brighter note for cannabis advocates, hemp is growing strong in the state, benefiting largely from a relatively liberal regulatory regime. Although the Legislature considered a significant rollback of hemp sales during the last session, the only law passed was a statewide age-limit on products containing hemp. There have been recent reports of law enforcement activity related to hemp businesses being raided for selling unlawful products, but on the whole Alabama should be considered hemp-friendly for the moment. Tennessee Marijuana Reform Frustrated While Hemp Market Experiences Growth But Tighter Regulation For years we were astonished that Tennessee was not a huge marijuana (at least medical) spot, but years of hearing over and over from friends and colleagues in the state have finally convinced us of the political complexities at play. We, likely as most people, tend to view Tennessee as being dominated by Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and other hemp-friendly areas of east Tennessee. If the decision was up to the citizens of those areas, Tennessee would likely have a well-established marijuana program. But, as it turns out, Tennessee is a big state with widely varying views on all ranges of social issues, including marijuana. For that reason, marijuana proposals have had little success in the largely conservative state Legislature. We still think Tennessee could be a monster player with the right program in place, but we’d be lying if we predicted that was imminent. On the hemp side, Tennessee was an early adopter, and its hemp industry blossomed for years under a hands-off regulatory regime. In May 2023, Tennessee enacted T.C.A. § 43-27-201 , which is an industry-friendly statutory framework for products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-10 THC. The statute delegated rulemaking authority to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) to flesh out its requirements. That is where the trouble began. In December 2023, TDA published emergency rules that largely aligned with T.C.A. § 43-27-201 with respect to its licensing and labeling requirements, leaving those operators that focus on edible hemp-derived cannabinoid products pleased. But the rules contained a bombshell: specifically, the requirement that hemp contain 0.3% or less total THC , which includes both delta-9 THC and THCA. The TDA maintained this total THC standard in the permanent rules it promulgated in September 2024. The TDA’s total THC requirement is at odds with Tennessee’s hemp statute , which defines hemp as cannabis containing 0.3% or less delta-9 THC (with no mention of THCA). In reliance on this statutory scheme, many Tennessee hemp companies that focus on psychoactive products have made high-THCA smokable products a large part of their offerings. The TDA’s new rules, which go into effect on December 26, 2024, pose a grave danger to those operators. Industry groups, including the Tennessee Growers Coalition , are preparing for war to prevent these new rules from going into effect. Stay tuned to Budding Trends for updates on the lawsuits against the TDA that are coming down the pike. Kentucky Begins Medical Marijuana Program and Remains Hemp Stalwart The OG of hemp, with the help of its powerful Sen. Mitch McConnell, Kentucky has an outsized responsibility for passage of the two most recent farm bills that have led to the explosion of the hemp industry. Kentucky’s hemp program remains strong, and many of its Congressional delegation represent a bulwark against efforts to severely limit the availability of hemp products. Kentucky’s medical cannabis program is just now off to the races. Licenses are currently being awarded and industry observers are carefully watching the Bluegrass State’s progress as the program gets off the ground. Nothing to Show Yet, But South Carolina Begins to Show Signs of Life in Cannabis Reform Efforts Ah, South Carolina. Its siren song has tempted cannabis advocates for years with its diversity – political, geographical, geological, and otherwise. But to date, nada. We’ve written about the fits and starts with the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act in the past few years. The Legislature has not enacted the law as of yet, but we are keeping our eyes on it during the next legislative session. On the hemp side, coming from a state that has famously been near the back of the line on cannabis liberalization, we’ll admit that we were surprised to read a recent letter from the solicitor general of South Carolina stating that, as a general rule, hemp beverages containing less than .3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis are legal. We suspect that will be a topic of discussion at the next legislative session. North Carolina Not Quite there on Marijuana , Stalled on Hemp North Carolina is going to be a monster marijuana jurisdiction, but like Tennessee, the geopolitical makeup of the state has restrained cannabis liberalization to date. Maybe we should have known better than to predict that the Tar Heel State was going to take action on marijuana legislation in an election year in which the speaker of the N.C. House, Tim Moore (R), is running for an open U.S. Congress seat. Passing a marijuana legalization bill was not going to be a political priority and could have given political adversaries an opportunity to paint supporters as soft on crime, even if a majority of the state’s electorate does support some kind of legalization. For its part, the state Senate passed yet another medical marijuana and hemp regulation bill, House Bill 563, though one of the most restrictive in the country, only to see it stall in the hose. As in years past, Moore has not allowed the House to take a vote on a bill and has cited his “majority of the majority” policy and lack of Republican support in the House as a basis for refusing to bring the Senate bill to the House floor for a vote. It’s likely not going to move anytime soon, but what’s in HB 563? Half the bill is dedicated to the regulation of hemp, while the second half – the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act – opens the door to legalizing medicinal marijuana. On the medicinal marijuana side, the bill creates a state commission to oversee the distribution of medical marijuana and regulate which medical conditions are eligible for treatment. It also outlines the process for patients to obtain medical cannabis cards, creating restrictions on where cannabis can be smoked, and requires physicians to write prescriptions for patients to use medical cannabis. Some Senate Republicans expressed concern that legalization of medicinal marijuana was a fast and slippery slope towards legalizing recreational marijuana. To alleviate that concern, an amendment was adopted that clarified that recreational use would remain illegal in North Carolina even if the federal government reclassified or legalized marijuana nationwide. On the hemp regulation side, HB 563 would require all hemp product manufacturers and distributors to be licensed. In addition, there are new safety and testing standards, marketing and label restrictions, and more strict product regulations on the amount of cannabinoids that can be included in ingestible or inhalable products. Politically, it makes sense for supporters of medical marijuana to tie its fate to hemp regulation. Hemp regulation has broad bipartisan support and would likely pass both chambers if presented as a standalone bill. By linking hemp regulation to the Compassionate Care Act, medical marijuana supporters are daring their House and Senate colleagues to vote against hemp regulation. For the time being, that leaves the hemp industry with the uncertainty, and opportunity, of North Carolina continuing to have very limited regulations for the industry. Why Is the Southeast Experiencing Such Explosive, Concentrated Cannabis Activity? Part of the reason for the accelerated pace of developments of cannabis reform in the Southeast is precisely because the Southeast started cannabis programs later than other parts of the country. As a result, Southeastern cannabis efforts are, on the whole, not as mature as markets in other states. There are examples from other states that legislatures and regulators can look to for how other states in recent years have addressed the issues just now facing Southeastern states. There is a great scene in the movie Major League where Willie Mays Hayes, played by the wonderful Wesley Snipes, is removed from the Cleveland (then) Indians’ baseball spring training while he sleeps in bed because there is no record of anyone by that name being invited to spring training (because he wasn’t invited). When Willie wakes up in the morning to the sound of potential Indians running sprints, Willie jumps out of bed in his pajamas and starts running, eventually finding himself running between two uniformed players. Because of his remarkable speed (“I hit like Mays, and I run like Hayes”), Willie explodes past the other two even though they had a head start. The manager Lou Brown, played sublimely by the delightful James Gammon, immediately says “[g]et him a uniform.” What the hell are we talking about? We think the Southeastern cannabis market is a little like Willie Mays Hayes. The market was late to the cannabis industry, but once it arrived it has the benefit of seeing the experiences of other states and, like Willie, has the benefit of hitting the ground running. Separately, the issue of cannabis reform is ripe for political battles in the Southeast. The region is certain not as socially progressive on most issues like cannabis. After all, in this part of the country there are still knock-down, drag-out fights about whether to allow the sale of beer before noon on Sundays. But the region is proving to be more progressive than many would have thought, in part perhaps because people around these parts have heard anecdotal reports about friends and family who have used cannabis products safely and perhaps in part because we have seen that cannabis liberalization in other parts of the country has not led to the type of Reefer Madness scenarios long feared. So, What’s Next? As with most trends, the rapid expansion of cannabis activity mirrors – and is in many ways a microcosm – of the policies, setbacks, and successes experienced across America. If we were certain what the future holds for cannabis in the Southeastern United States, we would be sitting on an island somewhere instead of writing blog posts. That said, we expect (1) clear, if not sometimes frustratingly paced expansion of medical cannabis across the region; (2) an expansion of qualifying medical conditions and form factors; (3) an eventual tipping point in the direction of adult-use programs; and (4) hemp continuing to see strong sales unless the federal or state governments enact laws to thwart that growth. At the conclusion of the wonderful Ken Burns’ epic documentary on country music, the great Marty Stuart says the following about the genre: Country music has something for everybody, and it’s inside the song, it’s inside the characters. It’s really colorful in here. I invite you in. Cannabis in the Southeastern United States has something for everybody, and maybe not enough for some people. And we certainly have colorful characters making some of the important decisions about the future of cannabis policy in our little corner of the world. We see this area as one of massive potential growth, particularly with the help of the right people. We invite you in. Listen to this Post
It took Oliver Anthony less than two weeks to go from total unknown to viral hitmaker with his controversial country screed “ Rich Men North of Richmond .” So, naturally, he has some opinions about Beyoncé. The comments were made in a 15-minute YouTube clip titled “What I’ve Learned in the Music Industry So Far...” in which Anthony rants while driving by chickens, horses, and goats. “I had a lot to get off my chest,” he writes in the caption. “Hope ya’ll like it!” Yeah, no. Roughly 10 minutes into the video, Anthony vents about the industry, claiming, “I don’t need a bunch of nerds and coffee-drinkin’ freaks in Nashville to tell me how to live my life. I guess that was my mistake for relying on those people, instead of relying on God and the people I trust.” He takes a dig at his management, who entered the picture and got rid of everyone in Anthony’s circle who believed in his vision. He says management’s one goal was to try and make him cool. “One of the guys I worked with, he wanted me to make some stupid fucking post about Beyoncé’s country album, about how it was good, even though it was complete trash,” he said. “It makes me just want to throw up.” From there, he moved onto Beyoncé’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” saying he couldn’t even get through the beginning of the Cowboy Carter track. “It’s just total cringe,” he said. “It represents how degenerative our society has become, that a song like a Beyoncé version of ‘Jolene’ can come out and anybody actually listen to it and think it’s not just complete fucking trash.” He continued: “So I was supposed to make a post, basically trying to associate myself with Beyoncé in hopes of us doing some kind of song together, but you know, how many people do that? How many artists do you follow on social media that have never even looked at their social media, and you’re just reading words and posts and things that were written by somebody that you’ve never even met, that aren’t the artist, that don’t even necessarily work directly for the artist ... It’s so much theatrics and illusion and characterizations that are built in this whole thing to like keep people hanging on for more. And God, if it’s that bad in music, it’s gotta be bad in everything.” The clip follows the video that Anthony posted in late October, when he claimed he was pivoting away from the music industry to focus on ministry work — though he still plans on making music. “I’m in the process of getting out of the music industry,” he said. “It’s a big joke. The plan is to eventually change my entire focus to traveling ministry work ...I just have to go at it in baby steps since it’s completely DIY.”
B.C. children's minister stepping away from role following cancer diagnosisThe Sacramento Kings have fired coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his third season with the team mired in a five-game losing streak, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the firing hadn't been announced by the team. ESPN first reported the firing. Brown won NBA Coach of the Year in his first season in 2022-23, when he helped Sacramento end the longest playoff drought in NBA history at 16 seasons. But Sacramento lost in the play-in tournament last year and was off to a 13-18 start this season, leading to the move to fire Brown about six months after he agreed to a contract extension through the 2026-27 season. The Kings have lost an NBA-worst nine games this season after leading in the fourth quarter with the worst one coming in Brown's final game as coach Thursday night against Detroit. Sacramento led by 10 points with less than three minutes to play only to collapse down the stretch. Jaden Ivey converted a four-point play with 3 seconds left when he made a 3-pointer in the right corner and was fouled by De’Aaron Fox. That gave the Pistons a 114-113 win, leaving the Kings in 12th place in the Western Conference. The Kings came into the season with hopes of finishing in the top six in the West and avoiding the play-in tournament after acquiring DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal over the summer to add to a core that featured Fox, Domanta Sabonis and Keegan Murray. Fox, who is in the second-to-last year of his five-year, $163 million contract, declined to sign an extension in the offseason. He said on a podcast with Draymond Green earlier this month that he wanted to be on a team that could “compete at a high level.” Sacramento has been far from that this season, thanks in large part to an NBA-worst 3-11 record in games decided by five points or fewer. Brown publicly criticized Fox for his role in the game-winning play Thursday night, saying he should have been closer to Ivey instead of committing a foul on a close out. "You should be hugged up to your man at the 3-point line,” Brown said. “Everybody should, and why there was a closeout by Fox, I’m not sure. I got to go back and watch the tape. But for sure 100% we told our guys, can’t give up a 3, can’t give up a 3, can’t give up a 3, stay on the high side, stay on the high side.” Brown has a 107-88 record in two-plus seasons in Sacramento with a winning record in both of his full seasons. Rick Adelman is the only other coach to post a winning record in a full season since the Kings moved to Sacramento Brown previously had two stints as coach in Cleveland and spent one-plus season as Lakers coach. He has a 455-304 record and has made the playoffs in seven of his nine full seasons. He won Coach of the Year twice, also getting the award in Cleveland in 2008-09. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBAElon Musk spent a quarter-billion dollars electing Trump, including financing mysterious ‘RBG PAC'
The wrong people are apologizing for Ohio State’s to Michigan, againBitcoin tops $100,000 for first time amid optimism over Trump plans
Nigerian music consumption soars 146% in 2024 – Spotify
NORTON -- Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday announced the relocation of Wrap Technologies to Southwest Virginia, marking a significant expansion of the company’s commitment to defense and public safety technology. The new manufacturing and distribution facility at Project Intersection in Norton will result in 126 new jobs, contributing to the acceleration of the region’s growing tech corridors, according to a news release. Project Intersection is a revenue-sharing venture between Lee, Wise, Scott and Dickenson counties and the city of Norton – so tax, lease and sales revenues from the project are split between the localities. “As Wrap Technologies brings its operations to Virginia and creates more than 120 jobs, we are reaffirming the Commonwealth’s leadership in technology and innovation,” said Youngkin. “This expansion further accelerates our efforts to develop key technology hubs in the region.” The new 20,000-square-foot facility in Norton’s Project Intersection will serve as the central hub for Wrap’s manufacturing and distribution operations. This expansion will support the development of next-generation tech products, including Wrap's innovative AI and VR training platforms, integrated body camera systems, and planned advanced drone technologies designed for safer and more efficient law enforcement practices. “Virginia continues to be a prime location for leading technology companies,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “Wrap Technologies' investment will not only advance our public safety infrastructure but also contribute to economic development and high-tech job creation in Southwest Virginia.” “Our move to Virginia allows us to work closely with our already established base, focus on our Made in America tech strategy, and begin implementing our plans to deliver an integrated solution to our customers across the state,” said Wrap Technologies Founder and CEO Scot Cohen. “This is a tremendous victory in the region’s quest to expand our manufacturing base and create good-paying jobs,” said Sen. Todd Pillion. “We are excited to welcome Wrap Technologies to Norton and appreciate their shared commitment to making Southwest Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family.” “Wrap Technologies opening its doors in Southwest Virginia is just the latest example of how our region is accelerating,” said Del. Terry G. Kilgore. “Wrap's investment in Southwest Virginia shows that our region is capable of leading in the modern technological workforce. Funding from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission helped make this project a reality. The Commission is always looking to bring businesses like Wrap Technologies to our region that will provide jobs and new capital, while also helping revitalize and diversify the local economy. This further proves that our region is just as competitive as anywhere in the United States to open your doors for business.” “We are thrilled to have Wrap Technologies moving to Southwest Virginia,” said Lonesome Pine RIFA Chairman Joseph Fawbush. “This is not just an investment in business but an investment in the people, community, and future of this region. This is another example of how the Lonesome Pine Regional Industrial Facilities Authority’s model of working together as a region helps make a rural area competitive in the recruitment of world-class companies like Wrap Technologies.” “On behalf of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, I would like to congratulate Wrap Technologies on selecting Norton, Virginia, for its next manufacturing location,” said VCEDA Executive Director Jonathan Belcher. “This project is a testament to the hard work of the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission, the Lonesome Pine Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, the region’s legislators, the Commonwealth, and the company. VCEDA was glad to assist by approving a $3,160,000 loan to the Norton Industrial Development Authority to assist with the construction of the new facility for this project at the Intersection development in Norton. This project is an excellent example of regional cooperation at its best, and of what is possible in the business-friendly environment of Southwest Virginia.” The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Lonesome Pine Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission, InvestSWVA, the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission to secure the $4.1 million project for Virginia. Youngkin approved a $425,000 grant from the Commonwealth's Opportunity Fund to assist with the project. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission awarded an $800,000 grant through its Southwest Economic Development program to assist with this project.
Newcastle District Cricket Association: Mid-season review for 2024-2025Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Jacqueline Jossa has hinted at more drama to come on EastEnders . Earlier this week, fans of the BBC soap were left in shock as Cindy Beale (portrayed by Michelle Collins) was brutally attacked with a shovel on Christmas Day, leaving her in a medically-induced coma. Among the suspects is Lauren Branning, played by Jacqueline, 32, who had revealed Cindy's affair with Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) at the Queen Vic just before the attack occurred in Albert Square. The revelation left Cindy's partner Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and her family devastated, while her ex-husband George Knight (Colin Salmon) was also taken aback by Cindy and his son Junior's secret antics. Reflecting on how her character "ruined" Christmas once again - mirroring when she exposed her father Max Branning's affair with Stacey Slater back in 2007 - Jacqueline shared a post on her Instagram Story on Thursday. She also hinted that fans will love what's coming up on the show. In the post, she said: "Thank you for the DMs and kind words. I love being back on the square causing much chaos. I love slipping Lauren's boots on and ruining Christmas hehehe. Watching with my family and having them all guessing along etc will never get old and I'm extremely proud. I always say it and will continue to. I bloody love EastEnders." She also gave her fans a tantalising glimpse into what's to come, hinting on her social media: "Wait till you see what's in store for the next few months ... as you guys know it's the 40th anniversary [in] Feb 2025 and it's EPIC!" She expressed her gratitude by saying, "I wish I could message every one that's messaged or commented or DMed etc. I just wanted to say thank you. It doesn't go unnoticed and I really appreciate it. Thank you.", reports the Mirror . Adding a cheeky festive touch, she signed off with: "Merry Christmas ... if anyone has any huge family secrets they need to be exposed, you know where I am." Linking back to an earlier post from the same day, Jacqueline shared snaps of herself in a wintery Albert Square, teasing: "Lauren Branning up to her old tricks again. My girl Lauren does love a Christmas reveal." She playfully concluded with a cliffhanger, asking her followers: "Who hit Cindy then? ".No. 10 Maryland holds off George Mason late, 66-56 in a matchup of unbeatens
NoneSportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78
Almost three months after a long-running feud between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel escalated into a full-blown war, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch has arrived in Sinaloa to coordinate the security strategy in the violence-plagued northern state. On Wednesday, García admitted that there is no silver bullet to the violence in Sinaloa, but emphasized that the government is committed to bringing peace to the state no matter how long it takes. The violence, he said, “won’t be resolved from one day to the next.” More than 500 people have been murdered in Sinaloa since a full-scale war between the Los Mayos and Los Chapitos factions of the Sinaloa Cartel broke out on Sept. 9. The trigger for the escalation in the conflict was the arrest of cartel kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in the United States in late July after he was allegedly kidnapped and forced onto a private plane by Joaquín Guzmán López , one of the sons of convicted drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The federal government has deployed additional security forces to Sinaloa , but has been unable to stanch the bloodshed in any significant way. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Wednesday that García traveled to Sinaloa on Tuesday. “He will be there a few days with a special team from the Ministry of the Defense and the Ministry of the Navy,” she told reporters at her morning press conference. She said that García will help “local forces to coordinate in a better way the [security] strategy in Sinaloa.” The day the security minister arrived in Sinaloa, federal security forces completed the largest fentanyl bust in Mexican history, seizing more than 1,000 kilograms of the synthetic opioid in the municipality of Ahome . García announced the bust as well as the arrest of two men on social media, and declared that “these actions will continue until violence decreases in the state of Sinaloa.” In addition to the hundreds of murders in Sinaloa in recent months, scores of suspected cartel members have been arrested in the northern state . But the violence has continued: At least 12 people were killed in the state on Wednesday alone. At her Wednesday morning press conference, Sheinbaum also conceded that violence in Sinaloa won’t “drastically decrease” in a short period of time. But it will decline, she pledged before emphasizing the importance of a coordinated security plan and reiterating the four pillars of the federal government’s strategy , namely attention to the root causes of crime; consolidation of the National Guard; strengthening of investigative and intelligence practices; and coordination between authorities at all levels of government. “In Sinaloa, in particular, we took the decision for the minister to go there for a period to guarantee this coordination with Army and Navy forces,” Sheinbaum said. She didn’t offer any other specific examples of how García will go about improving the security strategy in Sinaloa, which has recorded the second highest number of homicides among Mexico’s 32 federal entities since the new federal government took office on Oct. 1. García met with Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya in Culiacán on Wednesday morning to discuss the current security strategy in the state. Rocha, who has faced criticism over his management of the security crisis in Sinaloa, said that he and García spoke about “the special strategy for Sinaloa” and about “the presence” the federal security minister “will personally have in the state.” The governor said they evaluated the security operations that have already been carried out, and declared that state and federal authorities “will be in close permanent coordination in order to strengthen security for the good of Sinaloa residents.” “El Mayo” Zambada claimed in August that Guzmán López lured him to a property in Culiacán on July 25 on the pretext that he would help resolve a dispute between Rocha and former Culiacán Mayor Héctor Cuén over who should head up the Autonomous University of Sinaloa. Cuén was allegedly killed at the property where Zambada was supposedly kidnapped. Rocha has denied that he was at the property, or that he had any knowledge of the meeting. After his meeting with Rocha, García told a press conference that Sheinbaum gave him the instruction to “review, supervise and coordinate” the security strategy in Sinaloa and ultimately “pacify” the state. Asked how long pacification of the state would take, he responded: “I can give you an answer that won’t be very popular: as long as necessary.” “The important thing,” García continued, is that security authorities are present in the state and ready to “combat violence.” “Citizens have to be clear about who their allies are. The authorities are the allies of citizens,” he said. “... We’re going to work every day to reduce violence and actions such as the confiscation of fentanyl won’t stop,” García said. “A lot of the time we can’t prevent terrible acts like homicides, robberies, ... there are things that are beyond our reach ... [but] what is within our reach is to prevent [crimes] from going unpunished. That is the task, that is the instruction,” he said. Much of the recent cartel-related violence in Sinaloa has occurred in and around state capital Culiacán. But García is expected to visits various municipalities in Sinaloa as he pursues a strategy aimed at reducing violence across the state, including in the Pacific coast resort city of Mazatlán. García Harfuch’s presence in Sinaloa and the focus on the fight against fentanyl in the northern state could help the Mexican government to get on the right side of Donald Trump, who will be sworn in as the United States 47th president on Jan. 20. Trump last week threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian exports to the United States due to what he described as the “long simmering problem” of migrants and drugs entering the U.S. via Mexico and Canada. He said he would impose the tariffs on the first day of his second term and that they would remain in effect “until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” The record seizure of fentanyl in Sinaloa came just eight days after Trump issued his threat. Operativo realizado en la Col. Francisco I. Madero, de #Sinaloa , por parte se @SEMAR_mx , @SEDENAmx , @GN_MEXICO_ y @FGRMexico . Se logró el decomiso de 151 maquinitas tragamonedas, las cuales se encontraban en 17 establecimientos que operaban de manera irregular como mini casino. pic.twitter.com/8SfB0bz3ve — Santiago Delta (@Santiagod181281) December 4, 2024 On Tuesday, authorities also seized more than 100 slot machines allegedly operated by Sinaloa Cartel factions. Ioan Grillo, a Mexico-based crime journalist, wrote on his Substack site Crash Out Media that it was “hard to believe” that the timing of the raids on two properties were the record amount of fentanyl was seized on Tuesday “was a coincidence.” “Mexican agents will often make big busts handily before bilateral meetings with Washington,” he added. Sheinbaum hopes that Mexican officials will have the opportunity to meet with members of Trump’s team before Jan. 20 so that they can present their case against the tariff that the former and future U.S. president has threatened to impose on Mexican exports. In addition to seizing more than 1 tonne of fentanyl in the coastal municipality of Ahome, the army on Tuesday also confiscated in Sinaloa more than 4,000 liters of “chemical substances” used to manufacture methamphetamine, according to a government statement . Authorities have reported other drug busts in recent days as well as arrests and seizures of firearms and slot machines at “ casas de juego ” — illegal casinos — allegedly operated by a criminal organization. On Thursday, García noted on X that another suspect had been arrested in connection with the 1-tonne fentanyl bust on Tuesday. “The investigations in the state continue,” he added. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration , the Sinaloa Cartel, which was founded by El Mayo, El Chapo and others, “is largely responsible for the massive influx of fentanyl into the United States over the past approximately eight years.” With reports from El Universal , El Financiero and Aristegui NoticiasTehran's support for Lebanon highlighted in phone call between parliamentary leadersOhio State, Michigan players involved in postgame scuffle
- Previous: jili777 pw download
- Next: super jili777 login
