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Missouri House backs bill requiring state research on psychedelics to treat depression, PTSD

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

The suicide rate among veterans in Missouri is nearly double the state rate and one of the highest in the country.In hopes of helping veterans and other Missourians facing mental health issues, the Missouri House advanced a bill Wednesday that would require the state to conduct a study on using psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms,” to treat depression, substance use or as part end-of-life care. Several lawmakers said they were “passionate” about seeing the study go forward during Wednesday’s debate. Among them was Rep. Aaron McMullen, R-Independence, a veteran who served in a combat unit in Afghanistan. “Substance abuse and suicide are escalating in the veterans community,” McCullen said, quoting a letter from the Grunt Style Foundation that serves veterans. “While psilocybin is not a panacea for every issue, it represents a first true scientifically-validated hope that we have to address this crisis."The House overwhelmingly approved the measure, sponsored by Rep. ...

Democratic filibuster blocks vote on bill making it harder to amend Missouri Constitution

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

Senate Democrats seized control of the Missouri Senate floor Wednesday afternoon to block a Republican proposal making it harder to change the state constitution.The measure that would impose a 60% threshold as the minimum majority for amendments has already passed the House and, if approved in the Senate, would go before voters in 2024. Republicans pushing the measure argue that groups from outside the state have funded campaigns that enact measures their legislative majority has rejected, including Medicaid expansion and marijuana legalization.Democrats argue that the initiative process has worked well since it was enacted in 1908 and no changes are needed.After nearly four hours of debate, Republicans sat the bill aside for the night.Even among Republicans who support making it more difficult to pass initiatives, there is no agreement on exactly how to do that.The measure handled by Sen. Sandy Crawford keeps the 60% majority requirement that passed the House. But before the Democ...

Supporters of St. Louis police protest against state control at Missouri Capitol

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Supporters of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department who want control of the department to stay in the city took their case to Jefferson City, Missouri. With signs in their hands and chanting "Hands off St. Louis," dozens of grassroots organizations gathered on the front steps of the state capitol.The Missouri House and Senate are thinking again about taking local control away from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD).“State control of St. Louis police department is based in history of pro-slavery," said Senator Karla May, who represents St. Louis City. "By once again, seizing control of St. Louis democratically elected legal institutions, the Missouri government is reviving the legacy of historic discrimination against people of color." Top Stories: Officers injured in Maryland Heights crash Earlier this month, lawmakers in the Missouri House voted that the state should seize control; it's now up to the Senate.“The officers believe that...

Hawley, Paul clash on floor over TikTok ban 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) clashed Wednesday afternoon over the future of TikTok in a spirited exchange on the Senate floor that shows disagreements over how to regulate the controversial app cross party lines in Congress.  The two conservative stars butted heads when Hawley attempted to gain unanimous consent to pass his bill to prohibit TikTok from operating in the United States and ban commercial activity with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.  Paul immediately slapped down Hawley’s request.  “There are two main reasons why we might not want to do this. The one would be the First Amendment to the Constitution. Speech is protected whether you like it or not. The second reason would be that the Constitution actually prohibits bills of attainder,” he said before objecting.   “This fails on two egregious points, pretty obvious points. I think we ought to think about that,” he added.  The Constitution prohibits bills of attainder, which allow the ...

Companies bid $264M in Gulf oil sale mandated by climate law

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

By KEVIN McGILL and MATTHEW BROWN (Associated Press)NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Oil companies offered a combined $264 million for drilling rights in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday in a sale mandated by last year’s climate bill compromise.The auction was the first in the Gulf in more than a year and drew strong interest from industry giants including Chevron, BP and ExxonMobil. But it could further test the loyalty of environmentalists and young voters who backed President Joe Biden in 2020 and were frustrated by this month’s approval of a huge drilling project in Alaska.Developing the Gulf leases would produce up to 1.1 billion barrels of oil and more than 4 trillion cubic feet (113 billion cubic meters) of natural gas over 50 years, according to a government analysis. Burning that oil would increase planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions by tens of millions of tons, the analysis found.A legal challenge to the sale from environmental groups is pending in...

Victims of Nashville school shooting honored in somber vigil

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

By TRAVIS LOLLER, KIMBERLEE KRUESI and DENISE LAVOIE (Associated Press)NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday at a candlelight vigil in Nashville to honor and mourn the three children and three adults who were killed in a shooting at a Christian school this week.The downtown ceremony for the victims of the shooting at The Covenant School was largely somber and silent and filled with young people. First lady Jill Biden and singer Sheryl Crow were among those attending, as were civic leaders including the mayor and police chief.“Just two days ago was our city’s worst day,” Mayor John Cooper said. “I so wish we weren’t here, but we need to be here.”Earlier in the day, Pope Francis sent condolences to the city and offered prayers to those affected. Police have said a 28-year-old former student drove up to the school Monday morning, shot out the glass doors, entered and began firing indiscriminately. The dead were identifie...

Rockies’ Bud Black: “We’re committed to bouncing back, in all areas”

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who relishes opening day more than Rockies manager Bud Black.Ever the optimist, the 65-year-old baseball lifer subscribes to the Charlie Chaplin philosophy of life: “You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.”Little wonder, then, that Black uses a broad brush to paint a sunny picture of his team as they get ready to open the 2023 season Thursday against the Padres at Petco Park.“This group of guys is committed to bouncing back from an off year, in all areas,” Black said, referring to Colorado’s 94-loss season in ’22. “That’s the thing that excites me. I like where their heads are, proving that last year was, in so many ways, an off year.”But springtime optimism can’t erase the fact that since Colorado made the playoffs in 2017-18 in Black’s first two seasons at the helm, the club has had four consecutive losing seasons. In their first 30 years of existen...

Football: Darian Hagan an asset to new CU Buffs RB coach Gary Harrell

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

Assistant coach Darian Hagan during the University of Colorado Boulder Spring football game on April 23, 2022. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)Darian Hagan has a new role with the Colorado football program, but he’s still making an impact in the running back room.When new head coach Deion Sanders was hired in December, he brought in an entirely new coaching staff, but he did retain Hagan, although in a much different role.CU’s running backs coach the past seven years, Hagan is now the Buffs’ executive director for community engagement and outreach and a football ambassador. He’s also been able to help new running backs coach Gary Harrell during the transition this offseason.“We come from that same tree,” Harrell said. “I was able to go to Howard University and win early in college and won a national championship. He was here (at CU) during the championship days. Anytime you have someone with that type pedigree, with the understanding they have that championship mentality, you’re...

Inglewood lawmaker proposes 'Ebony Alert' system for missing Black youth and young adults

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

A bill aimed at creating a system similar to Amber Alerts but specifically for missing Black young adults and adolescents was introduced into the California Senate last month.Senate Bill 673, introduced by Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), would create the "Ebony Alert" system, which would have the California Highway Patrol take steps to assist local law enforcement agencies in finding missing people such as "issuing a be-on-the-lookout alert, an electronic flyer, or changeable message signs."“The Ebony Alert would ensure that resources and attention are given so we can bring home missing Black women and Black children in the same way we would search for any missing child and missing person,” said Bradford.The bill lays out considerations for if an Ebony Alert should be issued, including if the missing person is between 12 to 25 years of age; if they suffer from a mental or physical disability; if their physical safety may be endangered; and other factors. According to the bill, B...

Top 5 Natural Adderall Alternatives You Must Know

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

Many people rely on adderall nowadays for focus and concentration. Most of the people who rely on adderall don’t want to be relying on it. Many aren’t aware of the natural adderall alternatives on the market that provide healthier options for focus and concentration. In this article, we’ll discuss the need for natural adderall alternatives and highlight our top picks.Natural Adderall Alternatives Overview – 5 Best Supplements To Boost Focus and ConcentrationBATCH Brain Boost Gummies – made with Organic Mushroom Extracts such as Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Reishi.Otter Space Full Spectrum CBD Gummies – made with full spectrum CBD. CBD is an effective nootropic.Elm and Rye NootropicsMojo Brain GummiesEquilibria Focus GummiesUnderstanding Adderall – What is Adderall?Adderall is a prescription drug that is typically used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. It is a stimulant that affects chemicals in the brain and nervous system that contribute to hyperactivity and impu...