Employees of an Auburn, Maine restaurant were surprised to find a plastic tote containing 14 kilograms (31 pounds) of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl in a crate they thought was a shipment of mugs. The estimated street value of the drugs is $3 million. The Auburn Police Department is working with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency to investigate the source of the shipment and is urging anyone with information to contact them.
Posts tagged as “Arizona”
Brittney Griner, WNBA star and Olympic athlete, announced Thursday that she will no longer play basketball overseas during the WNBA offseason, citing the disparity in pay between the leagues and her recent detainment in Russia on drug-related charges. Griner, speaking to reporters for the first time since her return to the U.S., got emotional while discussing her experience and the importance of standing up for what is right.
The Arizona House of Representatives has expelled Republican lawmaker Kelly Townsend after an ethics committee investigation found she had committed "disorderly behavior" in violation of the chamber's rules. The investigation was prompted by a complaint from a Democratic legislator after Townsend invited an insurance agent to a televised hearing, who made unsubstantiated allegations of bribery. Townsend's actions were found to have damaged the "institutional integrity of the House," and she was expelled in a House vote. This is the first time in Arizona's history that a legislator has been removed from office by their peers, emphasizing the importance of upholding the integrity of the legislative process.
The Biden administration has released an environmental analysis of competing plans for how seven Western states and tribes reliant on the Colorado River should cut their water use. The review did not state which option should be chosen, but defended the Interior Department's authority to make sure basic needs such as drinking water and hydropower are met. The White House has proposed new measures to dramatically cut how much water states can draw from the Colorado River, and the Interior Department is expected to make a decision soon.
The Colorado River is a vital source of water and electricity for seven states and numerous tribes. The US Interior Department has released two plans for how to reduce water usage in the Colorado River system, with California and some tribes favoring one and the other six states favoring the other. The Biden administration has declined to take a side, but the analysis provides an overview of the situation and potential consequences of each plan to help the states and tribes come to an agreement.
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, becoming the first Republican to enter the race for the seat currently held by independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Lamb is a vocal supporter of former President Trump and his advocacy for tougher immigration and drug smuggling laws, and has been a frequent guest on Fox News discussing immigration issues and criticizing Covid-19 vaccine requirements. His candidacy is likely to be welcomed by the Republican base, as his record of support for President Trump and his hardline stance on immigration is popular among the party's supporters.
On Thursday, authorities released 911 recordings from the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, capturing the terror inside the school as callers pleaded for help. The shooter, 28-year-old Audrey Hale, was fatally shot by responding police officers, and the motive remains under investigation. In response to a tweet about the shooter being transphobic, the press secretary to Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs resigned.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs' press secretary, Josselyn Berry, has resigned after posting a meme on Twitter that some interpreted as advocating for violence against transphobes. This has sparked a debate about the use of social media by public officials, with some arguing for a higher standard and others advocating for free expression. Berry has not commented publicly on her resignation and it is unclear who will replace her.