When someone told cannabis educator Casey Sanginario that a Boston-based company was selling a domestic robot that grows cannabis using artificial intelligence, she waived it off as entirely non-credible.

“My first thought was, there’s no way,” Sanginario said with a laugh after describing herself as a cannabis snob. “I’m in groves all the time. I have a lot of grow experience. Some of my best friends are growers. It’s a really complicated process – PH levels, humidity levels, temperature, regulation – bugs. The plant attracts bugs!”

Annaboto was founded two years ago with an aspiration to hydroponically solve food insecurity – allowing people to easily grow plant-based food at home. The uptake on that idea was slow so they pivoted to cannabis. Interest isn’t slow anymore. They’ve sold hundreds of units – shipping them around the country where cannabis is legal.

“People who use cannabis for health and wellness want something that’s clean – pesticide-free – and consistent so you can dose it accordingly,” said Annaboto Founder and CEO Carl Palme. “When you grow at home you get all those benefits, but growing at home is so challenging.”

The Justice Department officially proposed reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. News4’s Jackie Bensen explains how it would ease restrictions on cannabis on the federal level if approved.

The promise of Annaboto is simplicity. All that’s needed are seeds and water. The robot does everything else: how much light to deploy, how many nutrients to dose – even when to turn on a fan to regulate odor. Plus, the robot’s artificial intelligence technology sends back lessons learned so the next 90-day harvest is supposed to be better than the last.

“We have machines all over the US and in Mexico. We’re learning from people growing in Arizona, Massachusetts and California and all of that information is being relayed back to us. The more data we get, the better the AI performs,” Palme said.

BUTLER, Pa. (KDKA) — Former President Donald Trump is returning to the Butler Farm Show grounds for the first time since an assassination attempt in July. 

Trump was grazed in the ear, firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed and two others were injured when Thomas Crooks opened fire from the top of a nearby building.

It’s estimated that anywhere between 15,000 to 60,000 people will attend his rally in Butler County. 

The gates for Saturday’s event open at 10 a.m. Trump is expected to start speaking at 5 p.m. According to his guest list, attendees include Comperatore’s family, one of the men who was injured at the last rally, Marc Fogel’s mother Malphine, Elon Musk and vice presidential nominee JD Vance.  

Construction could cause traffic issues

With construction on Route 68, traffic could be an issue. Cars were backing up on Friday. Route 68 is one of the ways into the Butler Farm Show grounds, and Meridian Road on the other side is partially closed.

“It’s going to be difficult travel tomorrow getting here to where you gotta park,” Butler County DA Richard Goldinger said.

Goldinger said local police will be assisting with traffic. State police will help. With construction near the farm show complex, Goldinger said to be patient and follow the officers’ and troopers’ instructions.

“Follow their orders. Don’t drive in closed lanes or anything like that. We want everybody to be safe,” Goldinger said.

While there is parking at the farm show, some nearby lots are selling spaces. One right next to the grounds is selling spots for $20. Some people were already paying to park on Friday. The property owner says they can fit about 400 cars and will have four to five people out getting the money and cars into the lot. 

The district attorney is calling on people to have patience and plan on Saturday being a longer day out. The traffic between people, politicians and other celebrities is expected to slow down the flow of everything.

“It doesn’t change the fact that this road is under construction so it’s going to be slow travel,” Goldinger said.

Security for this Trump rally will be different 

Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche said the Butler County Emergency Services Agency will be the unified communications bridge between the United States Secret Service, state and local police, fire, and EMS. 

Unlike the first rally on July 13, there will be one command post. In that post, there will be one person from all law enforcement and emergency services agencies working the rally. 

During the first rally, three separate radio systems created communication delays. On Saturday, there will be one for state and local police and one for the Secret Service. A Secret Service agent will also be embedded with each state and local team.

Goldinger told KDKA-TV earlier this week that the snipers posted inside the AGR building where Crooks fired from have been asked to help again. Law enforcement will also be on top of the AGR building. 

Man who was behind Trump during shooting says he’ll be back

One person expected to be in the crowd is a man who was sitting behind Trump when the former president was grazed by a bullet on July 13.

Chesher said he witnessed the attempted assassination of Trump.

“It’s been a couple of months but I’m still processing what happened that day. The emotions are all over the place,” Chesher said. 

He said he’ll be back at the Butler Farm Show grounds this weekend.

“We’re forever connected to President Trump now,” Chesher said. 

Not far away from Chesher, others were struck, including Comperatore, who died as a result of being hit by a bullet meant Trump.

Chesher said he believes there will be “a spiritual positivity” at the rally on Saturday. Chesher also said he believes he will be sitting behind Trump again on Saturday.

As for being worried about more violence, given what occurred, Chesher believes Saturday’s event will be a safe one.

“He said it should be the most secure event. In my heart, I believe it will be the most secure event. I think God’s on our side though,” Chesher said. 

 Chesher said he’s hoping to talk to the former president, and regardless, he hopes the event is peaceful.

A man fatally shot his wife at a Connecticut rehabilitation facility before turning the gun on himself in an apparent murder-suicide.

Barbara Brandt, 81, was shot in her room by her husband, Dennis Brandt, 82, according to the Cromwell Police Department.

“It is with great sadness to inform you that the husband of one of our residents at Apple Rehab Cromwell took the life of his wife and then his own this morning,” Michael Landi, Apple Rehab’s vice president of operations, said in a statement to Newsweek.

She had no roommate and no witnesses were present. Landi said staff immediately called 911, and no other residents or staff were injured or involved in the incident.

Barbara Brand lived in the facility as a resident for three years.

Landi said there were no known previous threats, and the motive remains unclear at this time.

“Our focus will remain on our staff and residents and we will be providing any and all resources and counseling services that they may need to get through this tragic event, many of which are already onsite,” Landi said.

Newsweek reached out to the Cromwell Police Department about the fatal shooting, which stated they had no further information.

KinderCare, located next to Apple Rehab, was on lockdown earlier this morning. However, they told Newsweek that the lockdown has been lifted, and police have left the area. They declined to comment further on the shooting.

Apple Rehab Cromwell

Apple Rehab Cromwell is a nursing facility located in Cromwell, Connecticut, offering a range of services, including short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and specialized therapy programs.

The facility is Medicare and Medicaid certified, with 85 licensed beds and an average occupancy rate of 73.41 percent. It provides progressive nursing and rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, catering to patients recovering from various conditions such as surgeries, cardiac events, or strokes.

The facility emphasizes patient-centered care, creating customized care plans for each resident, and offers amenities such as private rooms with flat-screen TVs, wireless internet, and fine dining. The rehabilitation gym is equipped with the latest therapeutic equipment.

In addition to medical care, the center provides comprehensive discharge planning, family education, and support groups.

According to the Violence Policy Center, nearly 1,200 Americans die in murder-suicides each year. A gun is involved in nine out of 10 murder-suicides. In nearly two-thirds of all murder-suicides, the shooter’s intimate partner is among the victims.

Cromwell, Connecticut

Cromwell, Connecticut, a suburban town in Middlesex County, is known for its blend of history and modern community life.

Covering approximately 15 square miles, Cromwell is located along the Connecticut River and near major highways. As of the 2020 census, the town has a population of about 13,000, offering a family-friendly environment with a mix of suburban and rural.

Cromwell maintains a low crime rate, contributing to its reputation as a safe community. The town typically reports fewer than five violent crimes annually, including incidents such as homicide, assault, and robbery.

Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com