Despite Colorado’s legalization of therapeutic psilocybin, Colorado Springs is implementing restrictive measures on “healing centers” due to concerns from conservative leaders, despite strong advocacy from veterans who have benefited from psilocybin therapy for PTSD. These restrictions, including a one-mile buffer zone from certain locations, limit accessibility and potentially increase wait times. While some council members acknowledge the potential benefits, concerns remain regarding FDA approval, potential risks, and the relatively nascent stage of psychedelic therapy research. The clash highlights the tension between rapid implementation of a potentially beneficial treatment and the need for cautious regulation.
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A man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, resulting in ten fatalities and over thirty injuries. The driver subsequently fired upon police officers, who returned fire. The incident, occurring in a crowded tourist area, is being investigated, though its precise motivation remains unclear. Officials have confirmed that the driver’s actions were deliberate, targeting revelers.
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In 2024, the world’s 500 wealthiest individuals saw their collective net worth reach a record-breaking $10 trillion, driven primarily by a surge in US tech stocks. Elon Musk’s fortune soared to $442.1 billion, exceeding the second-place billionaire by a record margin, largely due to his close ties to the newly elected President Trump and the performance of his companies. This surge benefited other tech giants like Zuckerberg and Huang, contributing significantly to the overall increase. However, some billionaires, particularly those in the luxury goods and Chinese tech sectors, experienced substantial losses.
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King Charles’s New Year Honours list recognizes a diverse group of individuals, including actors Stephen Fry and Carey Mulligan, who received knighthood and CBE respectively. Four sub-postmasters wrongly convicted in the Horizon IT scandal were awarded OBEs for their tireless campaigning. Additionally, Gareth Southgate was knighted for his contributions to football, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan was knighted for political and public service. The list, comprising over 1200 recipients, also celebrated numerous athletes and other individuals for their exceptional achievements and community contributions.
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A Virginia man, Brad Spafford, was granted bond on charges stemming from the discovery of over 150 homemade explosives—the largest such cache ever found by the FBI—on his property. The discovery followed a neighbor’s report and an initial arrest on an unrelated firearms charge. Prosecutors appealed the bond decision, citing Spafford’s possession of highly volatile compounds, explosive manufacturing components, and extremist materials. The investigation revealed a notebook containing recipes for military-grade explosives and online connections to far-right extremist groups. Additional charges are pending.
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Seventy-four-year-old State Court Judge Stephen Yekel was found dead in his Georgia courtroom Tuesday morning, the apparent victim of a suicide. Appointed two years prior, Judge Yekel had recently lost his reelection bid and submitted a resignation request to Governor Kemp, which was denied. His body was discovered by deputies responding to a possible suicide report; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct an autopsy. The judge’s death occurred just days before the scheduled end of his term.
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A military appeals court rejected Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s attempt to nullify plea deals for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two other 9/11 defendants. These agreements, reached after years of negotiations, would see the men plead guilty in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. The court’s decision upholds the deals, which had been challenged by Austin citing the severity of the attacks. Austin may appeal to a civilian court, while the separate repatriation of a long-held detainee leaves 26 men remaining at Guantanamo Bay.
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Do Kwon, founder of Terraform Labs, has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to the $40 billion collapse of TerraUSD and Luna cryptocurrencies in 2022. The US alleges Kwon orchestrated a multi-billion dollar fraud, leading to significant investor losses and market turmoil. Following his arrest in Montenegro after fleeing South Korea, a protracted legal battle concluded with his extradition despite the lack of a formal extradition treaty. This marks the end of an 18-month legal process.
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A record-high 36 Florida panthers died in 2024, surpassing the previous high of 42 in 2016. Vehicle collisions accounted for 29 of these deaths, highlighting the significant threat posed by human infrastructure to the endangered species. While a litter of three cubs offers a glimmer of hope, the current population estimate of 120-230 adults remains critically low and vulnerable to habitat loss, low genetic diversity, and disease. Continued efforts to reduce vehicle-related deaths are crucial for the species’ survival.
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On December 31st, 2024, Hilde Dosogne completed her year-long feat of running a marathon daily, aiming to set a new world record for women. This incredible accomplishment, which involved over 15,444 kilometers and the overcoming of numerous physical and mental challenges, also raised €60,000 for breast cancer research. Dosogne’s application for the Guinness World Record is pending, awaiting verification of the supporting evidence. If approved, she will surpass the current female record by a significant margin.
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John Q. Hosedrinker