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New Mexico Cannabis Regulation Act Faces Intense Debate and Proposed Amendments in Senate Session

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SANTA FE, N.M. – A bill aimed at addressing the unintentional consequences of New Mexico’s Cannabis Regulation Act faced a series of proposed amendments and hours of debate on the Senate floor. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Katy Duhigg, sought to fill gaps in the state’s marijuana industry regulations and sparked discussions about conflicts of interest among lawmakers. The Senate voted 25-15 to approve the bill, known as Senate Bill 6, and it will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration with just nine days remaining in the session. Among the provisions of … Read more

Jury Awards $32 Million in Damages to Family of Suicidal Teen Wrongfully Killed by Benton Police

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A federal jury in Little Rock has awarded $32 million in damages to the family of a suicidal teenager who was killed by the Benton police in 2016. The jury reached its verdict on Monday against the City of Benton and former Police Chief Kirk Lane. The case brings attention to issues of police conduct and accountability, with significant implications for civil rights and law enforcement practice. The incident occurred on October 17, 2016, when the mother of 17-year-old Keagan Schweikle called 911 to report that he had threatened suicide with … Read more

Ben Roberts-Smith Appeals Defamation Lawsuit Loss, Argues ‘Blooding the Rookie’ Statement in War Crimes Case Has Different Meaning

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SYDNEY, Australia – Lawyers representing Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living soldier, argued in court that statements referring to “blooding the rookie” may have only involved lawful killing in combat, rather than proof of an unarmed Afghan being executed. The remarks were made during an appeal hearing in the Full Court of the Federal Court after Roberts-Smith lost a defamation lawsuit to Nine Newspapers last year. Roberts-Smith filed the lawsuit in 2018 against the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and Canberra Times over their reporting of war crime allegations. However, his case was dismissed by … Read more

Man Extradited from Sweden Faces Judge in Arson Cases Targeting Boston-Area Jewish Institutions

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Stockholm, Sweden – A man connected to a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish institutions in the Boston area has been extradited from Sweden. Alexander Giannakakis, a former resident of Quincy, Massachusetts, faced a judge on Monday to answer for his alleged involvement in the crimes. Federal authorities claim that Giannakakis assisted his younger brother, who is believed to have set fires at four different locations in 2019. Tragically, the younger brother passed away in 2020. Following his return from Sweden, Giannakakis appeared in court for his arraignment, which was subsequently continued until next Tuesday. … Read more