Trump orders medical marijuana

to be classified as less dangerous

President Donald Trump’s administration has reclassified medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

The order, signed Thursday, marks a first step toward broader federal acceptance. It could boost research and profitability in the marijuana industry.

But it doesn’t legalize marijuana under federal law. The reclassification moves state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, alongside substances like ketamine. Recreational marijuana remains a Schedule I drug, like heroin.

The change could allow businesses that sell medical marijuana to claim tax deductions for expenses, though complications remain. Studies show that marijuana use has increased nationally, as more states embrace legalization.

Trump unveils deal with Regeneron

to lower prices of its drugs in US

President Donald Trump has announced a deal with Regeneron to lower the cost of its pharmaceutical products.

The agreement, announced Thursday, includes lowering the prices of current and future drugs on Medicaid and selling a cholesterol drug for $225 on the White House’s discounted drug website, TrumpRx. The deal first reported by NOTUS is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to provide economic relief to Americans ahead of the midterm elections.

It’s one of many deals the White House has struck that aim to align U.S. pharmaceutical prices with other developed nations. Details of these agreements remain undisclosed, but Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says nonproprietary information will be shared with Congress.

Mass shooting leaves one dead,

five injured inside Louisiana mall

BATON ROUGE, La. — Police say one person died and five more were wounded after a shooting inside the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on Thursday.

Police have described it as a confrontation between two groups. Authorities had initially said as many as 10 people were injured, but the number was changed a few hours after the shooting.

Lafayette Parish officials say at least three of the victims were high school seniors from a local school. Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse says five people have been arrested, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The chief has appealed to witnesses to provide any video of the shooting.

Warner-Paramount $11B merger has

potential to reshape entertainment

NEW YORK — HBO Max, “Harry Potter,” “Top Gun,” CBS and CNN may all be placed under the control of the upstart Paramount Skydance soon.

That’s because shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery approved an $81 billion sale of the company on Thursday. The deal, including debt, is valued at nearly $111 billion.

While the megamerger faces ongoing regulatory review, it could vastly reshape Hollywood and the wider media landscape.

It would further consolidate power in an industry already run by just a handful of major players. Paramount itself was acquired by Skydance just last year.

Five critically injured in collision

of two trains north of Copenhagen

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Two trains have collided in Denmark, leaving five people critically injured. Police have called it a major incident.

The collision happened early Thursday near Hillerød, north of Copenhagen.

Roughly a dozen others have minor injuries, according to the Greater Copenhagen Fire Department. A spokesperson for the North Zealand police says there were 38 people aboard the two trains. Investigators are looking into the cause of the collision. Photos show the front ends of the trains smashed, but both remain upright. The mayor of Gribskov says some of those injured were flown to the hospital. The crash occurred on a local rail line used by many residents.

House member wants Washington

to annex Virginia’s Democrat areas

A Republican congressman has introduced legislation that would expand the borders of Washington, D.C., and cost Virginia Democratic voters. The move comes after Virginia voters approved a redistricting referendum that could net Democrats a 10-1 House seat advantage. Georgia Republican Rep. Rich McCormick on Thursday introduced the Make DC Square Again Act.

It would undo the 19th century return of the southwestern part of the district to the state of Virginia, known as retrocession. The measure’s prospects are unlikely in a Congress that can barely keep the lights on. But it’s the latest partisan salvo in an effort to gain the upper hand in the closely divided House ahead of this year’s contested midterm elections.

Mexican Mafia members arrested

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Federal authorities say they have arrested nearly two dozen members and associates of the Mexican Mafia during a crackdown across Southern California.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said search and arrest warrants were executed Thursday mostly in Orange County, south of Los Angeles.

A total of 43 people could face charges including murder, kidnapping, running an illegal gambling operation and drug trafficking. Agencies involved in the operation include the FBI, the IRS and local police from the cities of Anaheim and Santa Ana.