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Rastafari gain sacramental rights to marijuana in Antigua and Barbuda, celebrate freedom of worship

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:23:00 GMT

LIBERTA, Antigua (AP) — On the same ground where their enslaved ancestors were forced to plant sugar cane, Rastafari in this small island nation are now legally growing and ritualistically smoking marijuana.For Rastafari, the practice brings them closer to the divine. But for decades, many have been jailed and endured racial and religious profiling by law enforcement because of their marijuana use.The government of Antigua and Barbuda has sought to right that wrong. The twin islands recently became one of the first Caribbean nations to grant Rastafari authorization to grow and smoke their sacramental herb.“We’re more free now,” said Ras Tashi, a member of the Ras Freeman Foundation for the Unification of Rastafari, who was arrested for growing cannabis.On a recent Sunday, he led chants in the tabernacle on the foundation’s farm located in Liberta’s lush agricultural district. Tashi puffed on a corn husk-wrapped joint while others passed chalice pipes and waved Rastafari flags in gre...

Why Rastafari smoke marijuana for sacramental reasons and the faith’s other beliefs

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:23:00 GMT

Members of the Rastafari religion and political movement have for decades been persecuted and imprisoned for their ritualistic use of marijuana. But the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda recently became one of the first Caribbean nations to grant Rastafari official sacramental authorization to grow and smoke the herb that they deem sacred. Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne told The Associated Press in an interview that his government took this step to try to end the persecution and bring respect to the Rastafari faith. Rastafari elsewhere are pushing for similar religious protections. Experts and stakeholders think the Antigua and Barbuda law could give a boost to these efforts worldwide at a time when public opinion and policy are continuing to shift in favor of medical and recreational marijuana use.Here is a quick look at the faith’s beliefs and history:ORIGINSThe Rastafari faith is rooted in 1930s Jamaica, growing as a response by Black people to white colonial ...

Dean's Reviews: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:23:00 GMT

Check out Dean's Review on 'Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse' that is now in theaters.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

When will you need to start repaying your student loans? Here's what to know

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:23:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - As if the ongoing legal debate over President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan wasn’t enough, federal borrowers have been thrown for another loop with the debt ceiling deal. As part of the bill, the pause on student loan payments will have a firm end date. Federal student loan borrowers haven’t been required to make regular payments on their debt since March 2020 when then-President Trump started the freeze in response to the COVID pandemic. It’s been extended multiple times since, including the most recent extension issued by Biden in November, which he called the final such move. Per the current extension, payments would resume 60 days after the Supreme Court makes its decision, or 60 days after June 30, whichever happens first.  Senate passes measure to halt Biden’s student debt forgiveness But, it appears payments will resume even sooner. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that, as part of the debt ceiling deal he and Biden announced la...

No charges after man shoots Indianapolis child's service dog

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:23:00 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) – A service dog was shot to death in southeast Indianapolis last week, and the shooter is not expected to face charges due to local animal control ordinances. The dog was a 10-year black Labrador Retriever named Clyde. The Mills family got the registered service dog primarily for their son, Mason, who has autism.“He goes everywhere with him. Whether he’s riding a bike, playing with his hoverboard, playing with his friends — the dog’s right there," said Heather Mills, Mason’s mother. "Dog even gets on the trampoline at 10 years old.” Ohio man charged after claiming dog shot itself in face Late in the afternoon of May 25, Mason and Clyde were playing in front of the family's home. On surveillance video, Mason can be seen kneeling on a hoverboard in the driveway, going in circles. Clyde is visible in the front yard beyond the driveway.Photos of Clyde and Mason provided by familyPhotos of Clyde and Mason provided by familyPhotos of Clyde and Mason provided by fami...

Austin ISD holding career fair Saturday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:23:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Independent School District is hosting a career fair Saturday for several positions.The district is looking to hire for the following positions: Counselors (K-12) NursesLSSPSLPEd Diagnostician, OT/PTBilingual teachersCareer & Technical Education teachersSpecial ED teachersSecondary Math/Science teachersLibrarianLicensed Mental HealthThe district said it would also offer sign-on bonuses for qualified applicants as well as bilingual and special ed stipends.Arnoldo Gutierrez, Assistant Superintendent of Human Capital at Austin ISD, told KXAN Friday morning the district offers a three-year mentoring program for new teachers. The career fair is Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the AISD Central Office on 4000 S I-35 Frontage Rd.Saturday's career fair follows one for teachers on April 15 where the district was looking to fill nearly 225 openings. AISD said more than 360 people attended the April 15 event and more than 120 were recommended for jobs...

Austin man pleads guilty in fentanyl case; could get life in prison

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:23:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – An Austin man pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to distribution of fentanyl causing death, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. According to court documents cited by the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Western District of Texas, David Lee Jr., 46, was identified as a supplier of counterfeit oxycodone tablets and other counterfeit prescription pills in the investigation of the overdose death of an 18-year-old Coupland man.  The office said as part of the investigation, a Williamson County Sheriff’s Office investigator purchased eight oxycodone tablets from Lee. A laboratory analysis determined the tablets contained fentanyl, tramadol and florofentanyl.  Lee then initiated a subsequent sale of 1,000 oxycodone tablets to the investigator, according to the attorney's office. The lab analysis from that controlled-buy revealed the tablets contained fentanyl.  Lee faced a penalty of 20 years to life in prison, according to Thursday's announcement. A federal d...

Cedar Park man gets 20 years in prison for fentanyl distribution

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:23:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Department of Justice said Thursday that a Cedar Park man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin last Friday to 20 years in prison for distribution of fentanyl causing death.According to court documents cited by the U.S. Attorney's Office Western Division of Texas, Jean Claude Meama-Kajue, 29, sold counterfeit Oxycodone containing fentanyl to a male subject in December 2020, coordinating the transaction over a social media app.  The documents said Emergency Medical Service personnel found the victim unresponsive in his vehicle on Dec. 13, 2020.  An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be fentanyl toxicity.  Thursday's announcement said the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pflugerville Police Department investigated the case.

NYSP: Albany woman drove a stolen car while drunk

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:23:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany woman was arrested on Monday for allegedly driving a stolen car while drunk, according to New York State Police. Kelly Golden, 44, faces several charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Monday, around 10:39 p.m., troopers pulled over a car on Washington Avenue for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Troopers identified Golden as the driver.Troopers say they arrested Golden for driving while intoxicated. While on the scene, state police say the owner of the car she was driving arrived, saying the car was stolen after being left unsecured in the area of Third Street just before the traffic stop. Test drive a bus at the CCSD transportation job fair Charges:Driving while intoxicatedFourth-degree criminal possession of stolen propertyOther vehicle and traffic law violationsPolice Golden was processed and recorded a .08% BAC. She was issued an appearance ticket to return to the Albany Cit...

Test drive a bus at the CCSD transportation job fair

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:23:00 GMT

CHATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Come and test drive a bus at the Chatham Central School District transportation job fair on Saturday, June 3, and Tuesday, June 27. The job fair will take place at Chatham Middle School, located at 50 Woodbridge Avenue, with Saturday's event starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m. On Tuesday, June 27, the event will start at 8 a.m. and end at noon. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Chatham is hiring bus drivers, starting at $22.67 an hour, and bus attendants, starting at $21.67 an hour, with no experience needed and paid training provided. The job fairs will offer on-the-spot interviews and offer opportunities for job seekers to test drive the busses.