Georgia patients, dispensaries hopeful new medical marijuana expansion will bring more relief

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Daniel Wilkerson

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — Georgians with chronic pain and dispensary operators are hopeful for a new law that expands access to medical marijuana in the state.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 220 into law on Tuesday, removing a cap on the amount of THC in medical products and allowing vaping as one of the acceptable uses.

The law also drops some restrictions on what illnesses medical marijuana can be used to treat.

Juan Merced said THC helped him move away from years of opioid use tied to his severe chronic pain.

“It has been a godsend, actually,” said Merced. “I spent 16 years on opiates, medication, pain medications.”

Merced said doctors repeatedly increased his dosage over the years as he struggled with chronic pain tied to nerve damage and neck injuries.

“Someone suggested THC, and I had – I tried to replace that with my opioid medication with THC, which helped me tremendously,” he said.

Inside Fine Fettle’s Lawrenceville dispensary, workers are already preparing for the expansion.

Judson Hill, the market president for the dispensary, said supporters believe the changes could help patients who previously relied on low-THC oil products.

“It completely changes things,” said Hill. “What we’ve had to date has been a low-THC oil program. So that was really giving the weakest medicine to the sickest people.”

Hill said the new products could provide faster relief for some patients dealing with severe medical conditions.

“SB 220 adds flower and vape as products that can be purchased by the patients,” said Hill. “So those products have immediate efficacy.”

He said many patients are also asking questions about cost and whether insurance could eventually help cover medical cannabis products.

“Short story is to date, it’s been all out-of-pocket purchase,” said Hill.

Hill said products currently range from a few dollars for some single-use products to more expensive options designed to last weeks.

“I would say we have products that range from as low as $5 to $10 for a single-use product to, you know, 60 to $75 for maybe a pack of gummies or let’s say, a vape that someone may purchase that should last them two weeks to a month’s supply of medicine,” said Hill.

Merced said as Georgia’s medical cannabis program expands, affordability will remain important for patients looking for long-term relief options.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Swedish family sues Miami Beach resort for $15 million over 11-year-old daughter’s alleged attack at pool

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Larry Seward

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    MIAMI BEACH, Florida (WFOR) — A couple from Sweden is suing the owners of a Miami Beach resort and demanding at least $15 million, claiming the facility provided “grossly inadequate security.” The lawsuit follows an alleged attack on their 11-year-old daughter at the resort pool in October 2025.

The family, including the parents and their three daughters, ages 19, 14, and 11, was vacationing in South Florida for the first time, spending a week at the Radisson Resort Miami Beach.

According to a police report filed by the family, the attack occurred just two days into their trip. Miami Beach Police said that Osvaldo Diaz, 68, attacked the 11-year-old girl in the resort pool. Diaz was not a resort guest and allegedly sneaked around the hotel’s key card security system.

Once in the pool, Diaz grabbed and groped the girl, police said.

Investigators noted that the girl’s family was on the pool deck when the attack happened. The girl was able to get away from Diaz and immediately told her sisters and parents, according to authorities.

The girl’s father called the police and followed Diaz, who left the property by going through a neighboring hotel. Officers subsequently arrested the suspect on Collins Avenue.

The family’s attorney, Justin Shapiro, said the resort lacked proper security.

“There was no supervision, no access control,” Shapiro said. “Anyone could have followed guests into that pool area from the beach (or) from the lobby”.

The lawsuit, filed by Shapiro on behalf of his clients, targets Radisson Resort Miami Beach’s owners, operators, managers, and Diaz.

“We have no indication that (the resort) had visible presence of security anywhere on that hotel’s grounds, which is grossly inadequate,” Shapiro said, adding that such a lack of security is “highly unusual in Miami Beach.”

The parents said the incident has caused their daughter “life-changing trauma”.

“Our daughter is not the same anymore,” the father said. “She is scared of things that she was not scared of before. She comes to our bedroom and sleeps now in our bedroom often.” The father declined to provide his name to protect his daughter’s privacy.

The girl’s mother added, “We just want to make sure this never, ever happens to any other child”.

CBS News Miami called and messaged the owners of the resort, but no one responded before the deadline.

Diaz remains in jail without bond. Last month, his public defender filed a motion asking for a speedy trial, claiming the statutory period for securing one ended in April.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Who best represents the taxpayers? Marco Erickson and Jilene Burger battle it out in Idaho Falls race for Legislature

KIFI on May 15, 2026

David Pace

ELECTION 2026 Coverage: Local News 8 is highlighting some of the most competitive, talked-about Legislative races in the region during the final run-up to the May 19 primary election.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – With the primary election right around the corner, one repeat matchup is heating up in Idaho Falls.

Long-time GOP advocate Jilene Burger is challenging incumbent Marco Erickson for Legislative District 33 Seat B in Idaho Falls.

Erickson currently serves as vice chairman of the Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee. Burger previously served as chairwoman of the Legislative District 33 Republican Committee.

Marco Erickson: “We have a couple of different factions that we’re voting for. If you want the right wing extremism in Idaho, you’re going to get that. Or you could just have someone that’s doing what he’s been doing in the moderate sector.”

Jilene Burger: “I believe in the Republican platform. I’d stick with it. I would hope to have a 100% record of voting with the platform and not 64.1% with the Democratic platform.”

Burger wants to repeal all property taxes, while Erickson argues he has already supported billions in tax cuts during his tenure.

Jilene Burger: “Being the voice of the taxpayer, I’m on their side. Most people are not aware of the fact that the Communist Manifesto’s very first plank on their platform is to not have private property. And to have property tax. I don’t believe we should ever tax property, so let’s get rid of it.”

Marco Erickson: “I’m the true voice of you as the taxpayers. I’ve cut taxes for six years in a row, multiple billions of dollars. But I’ve also done a good job making sure Idaho performs well and being a part of a good team there. I’m in leadership for a reason. That means my colleagues and the leadership in the Statehouse believe in me.”

Watch our full, in-depth interviews below for more on their views about social issues, Medicaid expansion, and immigration.

Marco Erickson election interview.

Jilene Burger election interview.

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State Track and Field Championships day one

KRDO on May 15, 2026

Rob Namnoum

Day 1 state track and field at Jefferson County Stadium.

Awesome atmosphere as we go over to the 4a girls triple jump finals, Lily Nibert of Pueblo County with a personal best of 37 feet and 2 ¾ inches, she placed fourth but it’s the sophomore Skylar Angelidis from Palmer High School getting a personal best 38 feet, 6 ¼ inch to win the state title. “I’m literally shaking right now. This is so cool. I love track so much, and this is such a fun environment, so I’m just grateful to be here and to win. This is awesome.” says Angelidis.

Over to the Boys 4a shotput, the reigning champion Owen Twesme of Palmer Ridge looking to go back to back. A winning throw for him and a state meet record of 60 feet 11 inches as he wins it again, “Got every ounce of momentum I had to throw right through into the shot. And I knew the second, at least I was like, that’s that’s a state record.,” says Twesme.

Then all eyes at 4a boys high jump, Nathan Moller Palmer Ridge duking it out with his friend Josiah Garcia of Mesa Ridge at 6’7. Moller with a chance to win a state title and he does!

But he’s not done, he’s going for a personal best of 6’10 and on his third attempt he got it!, “And so I put it up there and then I had a couple not so good jumps. And then that last jump started that club, and, I’m just really happy how it went. Honestly,” says Moller.

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Osage Beach alderman bonds out of jail day after drug charges are filed

KMIZ on May 15, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Osage Beach alderman who was charged with multiple felonies on Wednesday has bonded out of jail.

John Robert “Bob” O’Steen, 60, who represents the city’s first ward, was charged on Wednesday with delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of drug possession and one count of unlawful use of a weapon. 

O’Steen was booked into the Camden County Jail on Tuesday and was released at 2:45 p.m. after posting a $250,000 bond, jail and court records show. He has a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 23.

Court documents in previous reporting say O’Steen tried to buy two “8-balls” of cocaine for $500 from an undercover law enforcement officer on Tuesday. Law enforcement served a warrant at O’Steen’s residence and found drugs and nine guns, the statement says.

O’Steen is still listed on the city’s website as an alderman. The city made another statement on its Facebook page on Thursday.

“The Osage Beach Mayor and Board of Aldermen want our citizens and visitors to know that, despite the unfortunate events of yesterday, we will remain fully committed to providing the highest level of service to our community,” the statement reads. “Our outstanding team will continue serving Osage Beach with the same dedication and professionalism that our residents and visitors have come to expect. We will move forward together, emerging stronger and better than ever before.”

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Healthcare and economic philosophies: McKellar and Bingham fighting for Idaho Falls Legislative seat

KIFI on May 15, 2026

David Pace

ELECTION 2026 Coverage: Local News 8 is highlighting some of the most competitive, talked-about Legislative races in the region during the final run-up to the May 19 primary election.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Economic issues are at the forefront of the minds of voters and are helping drive the election between current legislator Erin Bingham and her opponent Brian McKellar. 

McKellar, a healthcare broker, is going head-to-head with Bingham, an accountant, in the election for Legislative District 32 Seat B in Idaho Falls.

The two candidates shared their approaches to budget cuts and their views on Medicaid Expansion.

“This year in the budgeting, we had 4% cuts for last year and 5% cuts going forward,” Bingham said. “I don’t like that type of budgeting. I’m a small business owner, and as a small business owner, that’s not how I would run my business. If revenues were down, I would go and I would look through each item. I would look line-by-line through each program and say, ‘Okay, where can I cut? Where are some smart cuts?'”

“They sort of balanced the budget. They sort of met that constitutional responsibility. But this last legislative session was a disaster,” McKellar said. “They cut benefits to the disabled, to the children. … My top priority is finding places where we’re spending money, where we don’t need to be spending money anymore.”

The two differ in their views on Medicaid expansion.

“I think it was a mistake to continue Medicaid expansion,” McKellar said. “I understand the arguments with continuing Medicaid expansion is that we’re getting money from the Feds. But the second we get rid of Medicaid expansion, a lot of those dollars actually gets accessible through Obamacare. A lot of that population set gets access through Obamacare. Then there is a segment that wouldn’t, that would fall in kind of this hole that existed before. One of the things that worries me about society is that we’ve depended upon our government to be the charitable organization.”

“I do not support repealing it. Medicaid expansion was voted on in 2018 and went into effect in 2020, and it was created for the working poor,” Bingham said. “That’s individuals who don’t qualify – because of income requirements – for regular Medicaid, but they don’t make enough money that they can afford regular insurance. So this is a 90:10 program. The federal government pays for 90% of this, and the state pays for 10% of that. So what that means is about $92 million is what it cost our state, but yet it’s about $1 billion in Idaho’s economy.”

You can catch our full interviews with both candidates below for their views on education, immigration enforcement, social issues and more.

Erin Bingham election interview.

Brian McKellar election interview.

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Made in Central Oregon: Light Elegance grows global beauty brand from local roots

KTVZ on May 15, 2026

Claire Elmer

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — What started in a garage in Eugene in 1999 with a salon owner, a chemist, and a dream has grown into a global company shipping products around the world — all while keeping every step of the process rooted in Central Oregon.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Jim and Lezlie McConnell, Light Elegance built its business around family values, in-house innovation, and what company leaders call a commitment to safer, cleaner products.

The result of the belief that ‘what’s inside matters’ is great chemistry, and success.

After launching in the Willamette Valley, the company expanded to Deschutes County in 2011. Today, its headquarters and manufacturing operation in Redmond handles everything from research and development to production, packaging, and shipping.

“We do everything here,” said General Manager Nate Meyer. “From our formulations, we order and source all of the ingredients that are required for that. We order and source all of the packaging and labeling. We do it all here.”

The company says that full in-house control allows its chemists and technicians to focus on quality, consistency, and safety. Light Elegance formulates all of its own products from start to finish, including HEMA-monomer free nail products designed to help reduce allergic reactions for nail technicians and customers.

Technical Director Alyssa Allen said the company’s philosophy centers on creating products with lower allergy potential in an industry where allergic reactions have historically been common.

“I think it’s the pride of what we put in our containers for the end user,” Allen said. “We are really conscious about having low allergy potential and low allergenic reactions.”

The company describes its mission as “bridging the gap between beauty and biology,” with a belief that safer and cleaner products ultimately create better results.

But beyond beauty products, the company has also branched into unexpected industries — creating specialty products tied to fly-fishing, skincare, and even protective coatings for guitar players’ fingers.

“We like to solve problems,” Allen said.

Growth Manager Stephanie Hooper added with a laugh, “Very Central Oregon — music and fly fishing. Right? Why not?”

While the company’s products are used internationally, leaders say their identity remains deeply tied to Oregon.

“We’re loud and proud that we’re made here in Redmond, Oregon,” Hooper said.

According to company leadership, roughly 95% of employees were either born in Oregon or have lived in the state for more than a decade. The average employee tenure is around eight years.

Company leaders say hiring and training local talent has helped create long-term careers in an industry many employees never expected to find in Central Oregon.

Marketing Operations Manager Natalie Kemnitz said she originally thought she would need to go back to Los Angeles to find opportunities in the beauty industry.

“When I found out that Light Elegance was here, I quickly came here,” Kemnitz said.

Allen shared a similar story, saying she believed she would have to relocate to the East Coast or California before discovering the opportunity in her own backyard.

Employees throughout the company repeatedly pointed to one theme behind the company’s culture: people first.

“Without people, you have nothing,” Hooper said.

Many workers started in temporary positions and stayed for years.

Packaging and Labeling Manager Larry Brannan said he originally walked into a temp agency simply trying to pay a cellphone bill.

“Here I am 11 years later,” Brannan said.

Jason Ahlman, who works in packaging and labeling, joked that he was originally sent to the company as a temporary worker “for three weeks” — adding that it turned into “a long three weeks.”

Others described the company as a support system during difficult times.

Deb Cleveland, who works in quality control and on the production line, said coworkers supported her through breast cancer treatment.

“This place is just amazing,” Cleveland said. “They are our family.”

Production employee Amber Havlik described the workplace as “a very big family dynamic,” while tint maker Kodie Howard said coworkers have become “more like siblings.”

The company has also expanded its investment into education through Light Elegance University, a program designed to help train and support nail technicians entering the industry.

Leaders say the goal is not only to improve professional skills, but to help elevate industry standards through education, safety and product quality.

“What’s inside the bottle matters,” Hooper said. “If you’re using that product, you really need to make sure that it’s a high-quality product, and we stand behind that 1,000%.”

For Meyer, the company’s continued growth is about more than business success.

“We’ll continue to pull resources into Central Oregon,” Meyer said. “It’s going to benefit not only the people that work here with us, but the community as a whole.”

From a garage startup in Eugene to a worldwide brand operating out of Redmond, it’s proof that you don’t need a big city zip code to change an industry — when you invest in people and prioritize quality, you’ll build something great.

Legacy to legendary, Light Elegance is proudly made in Central Oregon. 

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Rocheport man found guilty of manslaughter in deadly Business Loop crash

KMIZ on May 15, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Rocheport man was found guilty of manslaughter and other charges on Thursday in the February 2024 death of a woman.

Matthew Shilling was found guilty of second-degree involuntary manslaughter, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of second-degree assault and driving while suspended.

He was originally charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of second-degree assault and a count of driving while suspended.

Shilling is accused of causing a crash that killed Christina Mayfield, 32, on Feb. 2, 2024, on Business Loop 70 near Hathman Place.

Court documents in previous reporting say a motorcycle was rear-ended by Shilling’s SUV, sending it forward into another SUV and throwing the rider and Mayfield from the bike. 

Shilling and the family had reached a settlement last year, according to previous reporting.

Check back for updates.

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Lawsuit seeks to block or rewrite ballot measure that could eliminate income tax in Missouri

KMIZ on May 15, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Kansas City woman is suing Missouri’s secretary of state and multiple lawmakers over language used for a potential ballot question this fall.

The lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday, surrounds House Joint Resolution 173/174, which would put a question on whether to eliminate income tax in the state before Missouri voters.

Jill Owens, who describes herself as a taxpayer in the lawsuit, claims that the ballot question violates a section of the Missouri Constitution because it amends multiple articles and “embraces more than one subject.

Owens is seeking for the state to either get rid of the question or rewrite the ballot language, which currently reads:

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

Phase-out the individual income tax based on revenue growth;

Reduce personal property and other local taxes when local revenues increase;

Modify the sales and use tax to eliminate income tax and reduce local taxes; and

Protect local funding for public schools and other purposes?”

A trial setting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday June 22.

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1 person, 4 dogs dead after a house fire in Horizon City

KVIA on May 15, 2026

Yvonne Suarez

UPDATE (May 14, 2026, 1:50 p.m.) — The Horizon City Police Department said faulty wiring in the house caused the fire. A 77-year-old woman died with her four pets, police said.

Lorenzo Helguera, one of the neighborhood residents, told ABC-7 that his 10 and 11 year old nephews tried going into the house to help.

After they were unable to help though, Helguera said that they left but heard an explosion, which is when he said first responders began to arrive.

Their reaction made Helguera happy because he said they ‘acted like good human beings’ and he said people across El Paso should try to help when they can as well.

Helguera said the events of the fire left him feeling sad that this happened in neighborhood and also said he believes the first responders could have saved the woman if the home had not exploded.

Horizon Fire has not identified the woman found in the fires aftermath.

UPDATE (May 14, 2026) — Horizon City Fire Department has confirmed to ABC-7 that one person and four dogs have died. Investigators found them dead inside the home after the fire extinguished.

Horizon FD said 35 firefighters put the fire out, including help from the Socorro, Montana Vista and Clint fire departments.

They were located by fire marshals upon further investigation of the home, according to Horizon City Fire.

As of Thursday morning, El Paso Fire Department investigators are joining the fire investigation.

There is no other information about the victim. Horizon FD said no firefighters were injured.

HORIZON CITY, Texas (KVIA) – First responders are at a house near Cow Tongue and Desert Mesa in Horizon City after a fire broke out just after 7 p.m.

Horizon City Fire says the house was fully engulfed when they arrived. Thick black smoke was visible for miles and the area was closed to traffic as firefighters fought the fire and brought it under control.

No injuries have been reported.

Fire marshals are investigating, no word yet on what caused the fire.

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