Ohio attorney general rejects proposal to legalize recreational marijuana

Attorney General Mike DeWine rejected a petition Thursday proposing legalizing marijuana in the state of Ohio to anyone 21 years and older. This amendment will add a new Section 24 to Article 1 of the Ohio Constitution to endow the Ridghts of persons in Ohio age 21 years and older to possess, produce, process, use, transport, sell, purchase, and share marijuana in Ohio The attorney general's office said the petition, titled "Marijuana Rights and Regulations Amendment," was rejected for several reasons, including: The summary language giving the General Assembly authority to regulate "marijuana commerce" does not accurately reflect the actual amendment language.

GOP super PAC showering millions on endangered California…

Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock , beneficiary of a GOP-oriented super PAC's commitment to spend millions of ad dollars in the 2018 election. Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock , beneficiary of a GOP-oriented super PAC's commitment to spend millions of ad dollars in the 2018 election.

Senate leader appears to kill special counsel protection bill’s chances

WASHINGTON - The Senate's top Republican appeared Tuesday to quash new momentum behind a bill giving special counsels such as Robert Mueller III legal recourse if they are fired, telling Fox News that he would refuse to put it to a floor vote. "I'm the one who decides what we take to the floor.

Virginia Indian monument dedicated on Capitol Square

On Tuesday, Gov. Ralph Northam, the Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission and the Virginia Capitol Foundation held a dedication ceremony for Mantle. "If you look around the Capitol grounds, you'll see that the only dedication that's taken place here for Virginia Indians is happening today -- even though the Virginia Indians have lived here for 10,000 years," said Chief Emeritus Kenneth Adams of Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe.

Mounting opposition to Pompeo makes positive Senate committee…

The two Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who last year backed Mike Pompeo as CIA director have publicly refused to support his nomination to be secretary of state, making it highly unlikely that he will have the panel's endorsement when the full Senate votes on his nomination. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who voted to confirm Pompeo as CIA director, said in a statement Tuesday evening that she could not do the same for his bid to be top diplomat, citing concerns with Pompeo's positions on gay rights, Muslim Americans and women's reproductive rights.

Trump administration defends Obama’s Atlantic monument

The Trump administration on Tuesday defended an underwater monument off the coast of New England established by former President Barack Obama to protect marine life in the Atlantic Ocean and asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit from fishermen trying to eliminate it. The fishing groups sued in federal court in Washington, challenging the creation of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument by the Democratic former president in 2016.

IRS gives taxpayers extra day to file returns

The Internal Revenue Service announced late Tuesday that it will let taxpayers submit tax returns without penalty through Wednesday, after a long day of technical problems that fueled confusion about what is already one of Americans' most frustrating interactions with their government. A computer glitch at the IRS knocked offline the agency's ability to process many tax returns filed electronically, a breakdown that left agency officials flummoxed and millions of Americans baffled.

Nevada reports show Rosen outraised Heller in recent months Source: AP

Democrat Jacky Rosen raised more than twice as much campaign cash as Nevada Republican Sen. Dean Heller in recent months, closing in on the GOP incumbent considered one of the most vulnerable to seek re-election in the Senate this year. A partial copy of Heller's fundraising report provided to The Associated Press on Monday shows Heller raised about $1.1 million from January 1 through March 31. Rosen, a congresswoman from Nevada's 3rd District who is challenging Heller this year, reported late last week having raised almost $2.6 million during the same time frame.

Senator wants info on EPA chief’s multiple email accounts Source: AP

The Republican chairman of a Senate oversight committee is pressing the head of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide details about his use of multiple government email addresses. Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman John Barrasso issued a letter asking EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to disclose all his email addresses and affirm that all were being searched in response to Freedom of Information Act requests.

Pearl Jam aims to tap into youth movement with Montana show

Pearl Jam will look to tap into a national youth movement to register new voters when the pioneering grunge rock band plays a concert in tiny Missoula, Montana, one of just four cities in its U.S. tour this summer. The politically active band has dubbed the sold-out Aug. 13 concert "Rock2Vote" and plans to give a portion of its proceeds to four Montana organizations that support youth and Native American voting, land conservation and women's health.

TV warfare: New DeWine ad calls Taylor a ‘phony conservative’

The campaign of Mike DeWine calls out Mary Taylor as a "phony conservative" in a new TV commercial underlining a $1 million media buy ahead of the Republican gubernatorial primary on May 8. The 30-second DeWine spot, which will air statewide on broadcast TV, cable TV and radio buy, paints the lieutenant governor as a "career politician" who refused to endorse President Donald Trump, supported Medicaid expansion as part of Obamacare - "then lied about it" - and claims "she used used your tax dollars to benefit her family business." The commercial concludes: "Lt.

McConnell won’t allow vote to bill to protect Mueller Source: AP

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday thwarted a bipartisan effort to protect special counsel Robert Mueller's job, saying he will not hold a floor vote on the legislation even if it is approved next week in the Senate Judiciary Committee. His comments came amid widespread opposition to the bill among members of his caucus, with several GOP senators saying the bill is unconstitutional.

Green Latino Gala Awards in Miami to Honor Al Gore, Mana

In honor of Earth Day, the Sachamama Organization is announcing their first annual Green Latino Gala Awards that will take place next April 21 at the Magic City Studios in Miami. "It's going to be an unforgettable night to celebrate our heritage and our commitment to protect our beautiful planet earth," Sachamama Executive Director Carlos Zegarra said.

Sun Country now says it will reimburse some costs for stranded Mexico fliers

Sun Country Airlines now says it plans to reimburse passengers left stranded in Mexico after the carrier canceled its last flights of the season following a late-season blizzard in Minnesota. Instead of extending its schedule or sending charters to bring home about 250 passengers from the Mexican resort cities of Cabo San Lucas and Mazatln, Sun Country opted instead to refund fliers' fares and then told them they were on their own to find a new way home.

Nevada reports show Rosen outraised Heller in recent months

Democrat Rosen raised more than twice as much campaign cash as Nevada Republican Sen. Dean Heller ... /Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP). FILE - In this June 23, 2017, file photo, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., attends a news conference at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas.