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Cannabis ‘price war’ could cause ‘significant’ damage to industry: HEXO CEO

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:06:15 GMT

GATINEAU, Que. — Hexo Corp.’s chief executive says he’s seen a “price war” take shape over the last five months that could cause “significant” damage to Canada’s cannabis industry.Charlie Bowman says there are many smaller and independent pot retailers that are “bleeding” because of the higher number of rivals and their tendency to undercut one another.He says the industry’s pricing troubles have been compounded by the illicit market, which Bowman noticed had “fantastic” growth this year, challenging licensed cannabis producers.Bowman is hopeful the Ontario Cannabis Store’s plan to reduce its margin and markups later this year will help licensed producers chisel away at the illicit market.The provincial pot distributor’s move is expected to put $35 million back in the hands of licensed pot companies this fiscal year and $60-million in the 2024 fiscal year. By the OCS’s count, the illicit market...

Deputy commissioner Mike Duheme to becomes interim top Mountie as Lucki retires

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:06:15 GMT

OTTAWA — The federal government says Mike Duheme will be the interim commissioner of the RCMP, until a replacement is found for Brenda Lucki.Lucki, who was appointed commissioner in April 2018, is retiring as of today. Her tenure as the top Mountie has been marked by internal and external challenges, including allegations of systemic racism within the force, growing calls to defund the police, and the devastating mass shooting in Nova Scotia in 2020.Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says Duheme, who currently oversees federal policing for the Mounties, will take over the job on Saturday. Duheme was among the RCMP officials to testify during last fall’s Public Order Emergency Commission into the federal government’s decision to use the Emergencies Act during the “Freedom Convoy” protests. Mendicino says details of the process to find a permanent commissioner will be announced in due course.This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 17, 20...

Jamaican government to increase minimum wage by 44%

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:06:15 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness says his government plans to increase the island’s minimum wage by 44% as the local economy rebounds.The change will go into effect in June. People making the minimum wage of $59 for a 40-hour workweek would instead earn $85.Holness announced the plan Thursday evening during his budget presentation in Parliament, to the cheers of government supporters. He added that the increase is the biggest in 20 years.The announcement came just days after the government increased teachers’ wages following a nearly weeklong protest that disrupted public schools.Jamaica’s economy was hit by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and a drop in tourism, but it has since recovered substantially, according to a February report by the International Monetary Fund.Annual inflation in Jamaica ranged as high as 11% over the past two fiscal years but is projected to decline to about 5% in the coming fiscal year starting next month, the report sai...

Feds want justices to end Navajo fight for Colo. River water

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:06:15 GMT

States that rely on water from the over-tapped Colorado River want the U.S. Supreme Court to block a lawsuit from the Navajo Nation that could upend how water is shared in the Western U.S. The tribe doesn’t have enough water and says that the federal government is at fault. Roughly a third of residents on the vast Navajo Nation don’t have running water in their homes. More than 150 years ago, the U.S. government and the tribe signed treaties that promised the tribe a “permanent home” — a promise the Navajo Nation says includes a sufficient supply of water. The tribe says the government broke its promise to ensure the tribe has enough water and that people are suffering as a result.The federal government disputes that claim. And states, such as Arizona, California and Nevada, argue that more water for the Navajo Nation would cut into already scarce supplies for cities, agriculture and business growth.The high court will hold oral arguments Monday in a case with critical implica...

Gov. Pritzker continues community college tour with Chicago stop to promote proposed budget

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:06:15 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker brought his community college tour to Chicago Friday to continue promoting proposed higher education investments.The governor has been making stops across the state in recent weeks to try and garner support for his fiscal year 2024 budget. In addition to higher education, his proposed budget includes the Smart Start Illinois plan to support early childhood education and universal preschool. WGN Sports brought Michael Jordan and the ’90s Bulls to Chicago — and beyond His Friday event was held at Malcolm X Community College, part of City Colleges of Chicago.

Zion man wanted after infant, woman killed in marijuana-related crash last year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:06:15 GMT

UNINCORPORATED WAUKEGAN, Ill. — A warrant is out for the arrest of a man charged with reckless homicide in a marijuana-related crash, after a baby and woman were killed in Unincorporated Waukegan in October. According to police, Jarelle Brown, 28, of Zion will be facing two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of driving under the influence of cannabis. 24-year-old man’s body recovered from Chicago River on North Side On October 29 around 4:15 p.m. police were dispatched to a crash on North Green Bay Road near Atlantic Avenue where two vehicles were found damaged. A Toyota, driven by a 34-year-old man, was leaving a parking lot when the vehicle was "T-Boned" by a Dodge travelling northbound. Driver wanted after woman critically injured in South Side hit-and-run Police reports say an eight-month-old baby restrained in the back seat of the Toyota was transferred to Advocate Condell Medical Center in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead. A 29-year-old woman sitt...

Biden cabinet member discusses Chicago gun violence, mental health

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:06:15 GMT

CHICAGO — U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra is in Chicago Friday to focus on mental health and gun violence in the area.Becerra will join a community roundtable at Kennedy-King College alongside U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). The trio will then hold a media availability following the roundtable discussion. AG: Illinois lottery employee stole, redeemed winning tickets WGN plans to livestream the media availability within this story beginning at approximately 11:45 a.m.

Twin toddlers drown in Oklahoma City swimming pool

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:06:15 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Two 18-month-old children are dead after drowning in a backyard swimming pool Thursday morning at a home in northwest Oklahoma City. When firefighters pulled up to the home in the Cobblestone neighborhood, they found the children had already been pulled out of the water by a parent who was administering CPR.  Restaurant owner makes miraculous recovery after near-death accident First responders continued CPR on the children as they transported them to Baptist Hospital.  “It was a male and female... They were siblings,” said Greg Merrell, Battalion Chief OKCFD. They were two twins, according to several neighbors. ‘I pray that you cry out for God on more days than you don’t’: Emotions run high after Oklahoma man pleads guilty to 2021 triple murder The Oklahoma City Fire Department told KFOR they are not sure how long the kids were in the pool. “I saw the mother who was distraught, who got in an EMS vehicle,” said neighbor Mike Bernar...

Buona, Rainbow Cone opening in Valparaiso

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:06:15 GMT

VALPARAISO, Ind. — The first Northwest Indiana Buona and Rainbow Cone location is opening up next month.The new location is set to open April 12, at 2901 John Howell Drive in Valparaiso.It is the second Buona location to open in Northwest Indiana after their Schererville store opened up in March 2018."Our Indiana communities share the same passion for Buona and Rainbow Cone as our incredible Chicago-area customers do," said Joe Buonavolanto Ill. "Our expansion to the state has had enormous success. We welcome our Valparaiso neighbors to the Buona/Rainbow Cone family!" ‘Sickened’: Robert Smith blasts Ticketmaster fees ahead The Cure’s upcoming tour The new location features drive thru and dual lane options, with plans for kiosks in the future.In addition to a opening of the new Valparaiso location, Buona and Rainbow Cone plan to bring food trucks to celebrate with area residents

'Digital Terror Report' released: Shows increased hate online

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:06:15 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — Antisemitic, racist, anti-LGBTQ hate and violence against Black, immigrant, and Jewish resident posts have been increasing online, according to a newly released report.Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will be joined by other community leaders Friday to officially release the Simon Wiesenthal Center Digital Terror Report and discuss its findings.WGN has a reporter at the event and this story will be updated later today with additional details.