Chicago, IL

Vote on whether to decriminalize marijuana at federal level happens Friday

Published

2 years ago

April 1, 2022

HOUSTON, Texas — The Home is anticipated to vote on a invoice to decriminalize marijuana on the federal degree on Friday.

As of now, 37 states have legalized marijuana for medical use and 18 have legalized it for medical and leisure use.

The Marijuana Alternative Reinvestment and Expungement Act, generally known as the MORE Act, might make it by means of Home, however what occurs after that’s nonetheless up within the air.

Mark Jones, a professor of political science at Rice College says the MORE Act will doubtless cross within the Home, however not within the Senate.

“When it goes to the Senate, it is most likely lifeless on arrival for 2 principal causes. First, it wants 10 Republicans to assist it if the entire Democrats achieve this and proper now, the votes aren’t there,” mentioned Jones.

He added that Senate Majority chief Chuck Schumer is just not very eager on the MORE Act since he has his personal marijuana decriminalization laws to carry out later this yr.

Jones says he suspects there are three or 4 Republican senators in favor of this laws, however it can nonetheless not be sufficient for it to cross.

Nonetheless, Jones mentioned there was a shift and there are a rising variety of Republicans getting on board with decriminalizing marijuana.

“Republicans are inclined to assist the decriminalization of marijuana both for fiscal causes that’s much less authorities and extra tax {dollars} from it, or from a libertarian perspective that the federal government should not be concerned in these kinds of private selections,” mentioned Jones.

On Tuesday, Houston space Republican Congressman Troy Nehls posted a survey on his Fb web page, asking constituents to weigh in on matter.

We reached out to his workplace for his ideas on the invoice, nonetheless, they mentioned they’d not be issuing statements till after the vote.

As for what is going to finally occur?

“Not directly form or kind, federal laws will catch as much as the extra progressive states however it might take some time to do it and lots will rely upon if there is a Republican majority in the home and senate subsequent yr,” mentioned Jones.

For extra information updates, comply with Courtney Carpenter on Fb, Twitter and Instagram.

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.