October 2019

Frustration, pride in Canada after a year of legal pot

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The weed is expensive, the selection is limited, the black market persists, and licensed stores are scarce.

It’s one year into Canada’s experiment in legal marijuana, and hundreds of legal pot shops have opened. While many residents remain proud of Canada for bucking prohibition, a lot still buy cannabis on the sly, because taxes and other issues mean highquality bud can cost nearly twice what it did before legalization.

CORRECTION

In Tuesday’s election recap story, it was erroneously reported that Jim Donelon secured the Commissioner of Agriculture seat in the Oct. 12 election. Donelon was actually reelected to serve as the state’s Commissioner of Insurance.

Toys for Tots applications available

Each year the ASSIST Agency aims to help those in need provide gifts at Christmas time. Under the direction of the United States Marines Corps, the Toys for Tots program collects gifts to ensure children have something under their tree on Christmas morning.

Applications are now being accepted to help families that may otherwise be unable to provide gifts for their children.

What happened election night in Louisiana?

As Gomer Pile insightfully said, “Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!” There were a number of them on election night in the Bayou State.Gov. John Bel Edwards’ quest for a first primary victory fell flat as several factors in the final days of the campaign caused his poll numbers to plummet. Now voters can look forward to a nasty runoff, with the airwaves filled with a boatload of negative TV and radio spots.

GM, union reach tenative deal that could end strike

DETROIT (AP) — Bargainers for General Motors and the United Auto Workers reached a tentative contract deal on Wednesday that could end a monthlong strike that brought the company’s U.S. factories to a standstill.

The deal, which the union says offers “major gains” for workers, was hammered out after months of bargaining but won’t bring an immediate end to the strike by 49,000 hourly workers. They will likely stay on the picket lines for at least two more days as two union committees vote on the deal, after which the members will have to approve.

Stocks erase early losses, mixed in midday trading

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks erased an early loss and were little changed in midday trading Wednesday.

A potential settlement in the opioid epidemic involving some of the nation’s largest drug distributors lifted the health care sector.

Homebuilders benefited from a surprisingly good survey on sales. Technology stocks were the biggest losers.

General Motors rose 2.2 percent after the auto company and the United Auto Workers reached a tentative deal.

Oklahoma tests power of tribal gambling

ADA, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma’s history is so deeply intertwined with the 39 Native American tribes located there that the state’s creation in 1907 was celebrated with a symbolic wedding ceremony between the Indian and Oklahoma territories.

The relationship between Oklahoma and the tribes has sometimes been contentious, but one of its undisputed successes has been a 15-year-old agreement to expand gambling in the state.

NATIONAL BRIEFS

Louisiana Senate race candidate asks for vote recount

Edwards, Rispone launch attacks in governor runoff

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards and his Republican opponent Eddie Rispone are trading attacks in their first TV ads of the Louisiana governor’s runoff election.

In his 30-second spot released statewide Tuesday, the Deep South’s only Democratic governor suggests that Rispone would return Louisiana to the deficit-riddled days of Republican former Gov. Bobby Jindal.

SENIORS ON THE MOVE

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The Jeff Davis Council on Aging offers a variety of activities for seniors including Zumba and bingo Monday through Friday. To find out more about the programs they offer, contact their office at (337) 824- 5504.