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States stiffen penalties for fentanyl, despite public health concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:34 GMT

By Amanda Hernández, Stateline.orgAs they struggle to reduce drug overdose deaths, policymakers across the United States are embroiled in a heated debate over creating and increasing criminal penalties related to fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that’s up to 100 times more potent than morphine.Legislators pushing the new wave of criminal penalties say the laws will deter drug distributors and hold offenders accountable. But opponents — including some public health officials — warn of potential consequences such as worsening the opioid crisis and pushing users toward more dangerous synthetic alternatives.As of this month, 28 states have enacted one or more fentanyl criminal provisions, according to the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association, which researches and drafts potential legislation on public safety and substance use.In this year’s legislative sessions alone, lawmakers introduced hundreds of fentanyl crime bills in at least 46 state legislatures, according to...

How to protect yourself from scam political PACs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:34 GMT

By Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles TimesAs the 2024 election heats up, campaigns and political organizations and candidates will be scrambling to raise money for everything from presidential candidates to programs to help veterans and protect the environment. Beware, however, that scam artists looking to line their pockets will be lurking among the legitimate federal political action committees.The FBI has seen an increase in these fraudulent PACs and is warning people to be on high alert. If you are solicited for a political donation by a political organization, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recommends you do the following:Visit the Federal Election Commission’s website (fec.gov) and search the organization’s name to see if the PAC is registered. If it’s not registered, it’s illegal.The FEC website also includes reports filed by PACs that show how they spend their money. Check to see what vendors they are using. “Often, in a scam PAC, you will see t...

What the Fed’s July rate hike means for homebuyers and sellers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:34 GMT

By Jeff Ostrowski, Bankrate.comThe Federal Reserve has resumed its war on inflation. After raising rates 10 times in 10 meetings in 2022 and 2023, the central bank took a break in June. But at its July 26 meeting, it was back to fighting form: Fed chairman Jerome Powell announced a quarter-point increase in interest rates.Earlier in the inflationary cycle, the Fed had enacted increases of as much as three-quarters of a point. Now that inflation is down to 3% — close to its official target of 2% — some housing economists think we are near the end of this round of tightening. “We do expect mortgage rates to trend down once the (Federal Open Markets Committee) clearly signals that they have reached the peak for this cycle, as the reduction in uncertainty with respect to the direction of rates should narrow the spread of mortgage rates relative to Treasury benchmarks,” says Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association.In an effort to rein in inflation, the Fed bo...

Captain Horan sets the tone for United States at the Women's World Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:34 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Lindsey Horan is setting a feisty tone for the United States at the Women’s World Cup.Horan, the U.S. co-captain, steadied herself after an angry exchange with Dutch midfielder Danielle van de Donk and scored to give the United States a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on Thursday.Frustrated by the Netherlands' first half lead, Horan went from exasperation with van de Donk to elation for her tying goal in a span of just two minutes in the second half.“To come from a goal down and have that momentum shift in the second half was incredible. I think no one was happy with our first-half performance, letting them have the ball a little bit too much, but we changed things, and how we responded,” she said.The tie keeps the United States atop the Group E standings, in front of the Netherlands with a better goal difference, and in good position to advance to the knockout round. The Americans wrap up group play on Tuesday against Portugal.The United States is seeki...

SFUSD sued over child sexual abuse claim

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:34 GMT

(BCN) -- The San Francisco Unified School District is being sued over a childhood sexual abuse claim involving a former Lowell High School teacher and counselor who died in 2018. According to the Corsiglia, McMahon and Allard law firm in an email this week, the former teacher, Harlan Edelman, was not properly supervised by the school district and that led to the sexual abuse of a male student only identified as "John Doe." The law firm alleged that during the 2004-2005 school year, Edelman began "grooming" Doe to gain the student's trust and sexually violate him. 2 arrested in San Francisco Sanchez Stairs crash, carjacking "Edelman, under the guise of helping Doe raise his grades, began to give Doe rides home along with buying him meals and gifts. With school officials turning a blind-eye to Edelman's behavior, he is alleged to have abused Doe on the Lowell High School campus, including in his office and classroom," the law firm said in its email. "Doe believed that ...

LIST: Bay Area bars showing Spence-Crawford fight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:34 GMT

(KRON) -- In a bout that has been marinating for years, pound-for-pound stars Errol Spence Jr. and Terence “Bud” Crawford will finally fight on July 29 in Las Vegas. The first-ever undisputed welterweight champion in the four-belt era will be crowned Saturday night.With a pay-per-view price of $84.99, people looking to watch this fight might want to head to a bar instead. KRON4 compiled a list of Bay Area spots showing the bout. Click the venue for more information about the watch party as some will have a cover charge. Spence, Crawford agree July super fight more like Leonard-Hagler 1987 classic San FranciscoGolden Gate Tap Room*Condor ClubThe Abbey Tavern*Oakland/East BayThe Athletic ClubMimosa 2Smokin' Woods BBQ Tease Southern KitchenHidden Spot (Emeryville)Rickey's Sports Lounge (San Leandro)Dave & Buster's (Concord)Straw Hat Pizza (Hayward)Chaplin's Sports Bistro (Union City)South BayThe Brit (San Jose)Fuego Sports Bar and Club (Sunnyvale)*Dave & Buster's (Milpitas)Ot...

Commanders’ training camp opens to the public Thursday. Here’s everything you need to know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:34 GMT

Get live updates on the Commanders’ training camp from WTOP’s George Wallace. Listen live at: 25 and: 55 past the hour. You can also follow George on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram for the latest updates from training camp.Thursday is the first day fans can attend the Washington Commanders’ training camp at the team’s Ashburn, Virginia, facilities. Here’s everything you need to know.WTOP Sport Director George Wallace went to the field talking to fans and members of the team.As new team owner Josh Harris arrived with his business partners Mitchell Rales and Mark Ein around 9:20 a.m., attendees cheered and flocked for autographs, with some chanting, “Thank you, Josh.”Training Camp day 2. Fans are here as is Josh Harris, Mitch Rales and @Markein Appearances by Montez Sweat and Terry. @wtop #Commanders pic.twitter.com/wm7MTtvqnu— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) July 27, 2023Shuttle buses from Dulles Town Cente brought fans to Commanders Park every 10 ...

EEUU: el PIB creció 2.4% en el segundo trimestre, a pesar de los temores de una recesión

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:34 GMT

La economía estadounidense registró en el segundo trimestre del año un crecimiento del 0.6% con respecto al trimestre anterior, según el primer cálculo del Producto Interior Bruto del país publicado este jueves por la Oficina de Estadísticas Económicas.El ritmo anual de crecimiento entre abril y junio fue del 2.4% según esta estadística.Según estos datos, el crecimiento de la primera economía del mundo se ha acelerado, ya que en el primer trimestre fue de medio punto en términos intertrimestrales y del 2 % en ritmo anual.Ante los persistentes llamados a una recesión, la economía mostró una resistencia sorprendente a pesar de una serie de aumentos en las tasas de interés de la Reserva Federal. Las más altas en 22 años: la Reserva Federal aprueba nuevo aumento de las tasas de interés La más baja en dos años: la inflación anual se situó en 3% en junio Estados Unidos muestra así la resiliencia de su economía a pesar de las subidas con...

Fomento Economico: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:34 GMT

MONTERREY N.L., Mexico (AP) — MONTERREY N.L., Mexico (AP) — Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB (FMX) on Thursday reported net income of $359.5 million in its second quarter.The Monterrey N.l., Mexico-based company said it had net income of $1 per share. Earnings, adjusted to account for discontinued operations, came to $1.64 per share.The Coca-Cola bottler posted revenue of $11.56 billion in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on FMX at https://www.zacks.com/ap/FMXSource

Officer who body-slammed man after Nuggets win charged with assault

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:34 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A Denver Police officer has been charged with second-degree assault after allegedly body-slamming a man during the Nuggets' post-championship celebration.On the night of June 12, thousands of Nuggets fans filled the streets of downtown Denver to celebrate the team's first-ever championship. Female hikers warned about sexual predator along Jeffco trails According to the Denver District Attorney's Office, Denver Police Officer Adam Glasby, 39, and another officer were working an off-duty assignment at the Hayter's and Co. bar at 1920 Blake St.The DA's office said the two officers noticed a group of men fighting outside the bar, and that is when Glasby intervened. Glasby allegedly pulled one of the men away and body-slammed him into the pavement. The man was left unconscious.Glasby stayed with the man and attempted to render aid. When he woke up, his friends walked him away, the DA's office said.Many videos began circulating online showing the altercation between Gla...