A group of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle is proposing the establishment of a relief program worth $50 million. The program aims to provide assistance to small businesses that have been adversely affected by the recent storms in Maine and other severe weather events. A new bill has been proposed by Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, with support from lawmakers across party lines. The bill aims to create a “Small Business Weather Emergency Relief Program.” A request has been made for a substantial amount of $50 million to be allocated towards a relief fund. The Department of Economic and...
Governor Conducts Final Interviews for Director of the Department of Health
Rhode Island is on the verge of appointing a new Director for its Department of Health, putting an end to the succession of interim directors that followed the pandemic. Governor Dan McKee recently made an appearance on WBLQ’s It’s Your Business, hosted by Frank Prosnitz. During the interview, he revealed that he is currently conducting “two or three final interviews” for a certain position. Additionally, he mentioned that he is collaborating with the General Assembly to raise the director’s salary, which currently stands at approximately $150,000, in order to attract more qualified candidates from neighboring states. “We anticipate being competitive...
‘Critical Threat’ to Medical Marijuana Eases Amid Consideration of Nine Cannabis Bills
A Senate committee led by a member of the state’s Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee voted against a bill Wednesday that would have had big effects on people who use weed. Seven of the nine bills that would change South Dakota’s medical cannabis laws are still alive in Pierre. These include bills to raise the cost of a dispensary license, let police search dispensaries, and require prescribers to let a patient’s primary care provider know when they get a card. Senate Bill 82, which has since been shelved, was the most worrying for people who support weed, according to Jeremiah Murphy,...
Rawlins City Council Greenlights Contract with Cheyenne Housing Authority
In a meeting held on Tuesday, Jan. 16, the Rawlins City Council gave their approval to a local agent administrative contract with the Cheyenne Housing Authority. The city of Rawlins has partnered with the Cheyenne Housing Authority (CHA) to provide Section 8 Housing assistance to community members. According to the agenda, the City of Rawlins is responsible for administering services on behalf of the Cheyenne Housing Authority. The Cheyenne Housing Authority is committed to offering the Section 8 Rentals Certificate Program, which aims to provide affordable housing options to our residents with very low incomes. City staff conducts thorough inspections...
Cheyenne City to Invest Around $10 Million in Recreation Facilities
The city of Cheyenne is putting almost $10 million into two different projects to build leisure centers. It will cost about $5 million for the City Council to buy the BEAST building from the BEAST Foundation and to build a gymnastics center at the Ice and Events Center, which is owned by the city. Andrew Coe, who is in charge of recreation in Cheyenne, said, “I think the future looks bright for the city of Cheyenne with recreation in general.” BEAST Foundation The BEAST building is an event center that covers 28,000 square feet and will mostly be used for...
Minneapolis City Council Signals Support for Ceasefire Resolution Approval
In a decisive 9-3 vote, the Minneapolis City Council has expressed its approval by passing a ceasefire resolution. This resolution calls for an end to U.S. aid to Israel. On Tuesday, the resolution underwent eight amendments in the presence of a crowd limited by capacity restrictions. The attendees included supporters of Palestinian rights and local Jewish leaders. Concerns have been raised about the risk of genocide in Gaza, as language from the United Nations Human Rights Office was added to an amendment. The resolution is scheduled to be presented to the council for a final vote on Thursday morning. During...
Mystery Deepens Over Kansas City Men Found Dead in Friend’s Frozen Backyard
According to Jordan Willis’s lawyer, on January 7, his client had four friends over to watch the Kansas City Chiefs win a football game on TV. After the game, Willis said goodbye to his guests and went to sleep. Sometime later, three of those men died in the garden in the cold without Willis knowing. Their bodies were found days later, but not by him. Now, Willis has to deal with public attention and is “anxiously” waiting for the results of tests that are supposed to find out what substances may have been in the blood of his late friends...
SNAP Income Limits in Some US Cities
“Financial Assistance Program Supports Low-Income Families in the United States” Millions of people in the United States rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a crucial source of financial assistance each month. Amidst the increasing cost of living, individuals and families with low incomes heavily depend on SNAP payments to afford food for their households. A program has been established to distribute payments through EBT electronic benefit transfer cards. These cards can be utilized to purchase a wide range of food items, such as bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and poultry. Certain products, including alcohol, tobacco, pet...
99 Years Ago Today, A Total Solar Eclipse Split A Major U.S. City
In just 75 days, an extraordinary event will take place in North America. A total solar eclipse will cast a rare darkness upon parts of 15 U.S. states, as well as sections of Mexico and Canada. This phenomenon will occur during the day, captivating the attention of many. In a significant event that took place 99 years ago today, on January 24, 1925, a momentous total solar eclipse occurred in the northeastern United States. This celestial phenomenon caused a division among the residents of one of the world’s largest cities, creating distinct groups of eclipse observers and those who missed...
DOD Takes Aim at ‘Forever Chemicals’ Again Around Michigan Military Base
Two additional groundwater treatment systems will be installed at a former Michigan military base by the U.S. Department of Defense. The purpose is to address the contamination caused by “forever chemicals,” as announced by U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin’s office on Friday. According to environmentalists, the implementation of these systems will play a crucial role in preventing the spread of PFAS into the Clarks Marsh area and the Au Sable River, which are located near the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, situated on the shores of Lake Huron. In 1993, the base closed as part of a base realignment....