INSIDER
THC Club in Houston accused of laundering $4.5 million by selling actual marijuana at dispensaries
Read full article: THC Club in Houston accused of laundering $4.5 million by selling actual marijuana at dispensariesA criminal enterprise in Houston, known as “THC Club,” is accused of laundering over $4.5 million through illegal marijuana sales across 18 locations in Harris County.
Chiefs trainer defends response to eye injury sustained by Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy
Read full article: Chiefs trainer defends response to eye injury sustained by Ravens linebacker Kyle Van NoyChiefs trainer Rick Burkholder defended his medical staff’s response to the eye injury sustained by Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy last week.
Kyle McCord gets the nod as starting QB for No. 3 Ohio State after 2 years as C.J. Stroud's backup
Read full article: Kyle McCord gets the nod as starting QB for No. 3 Ohio State after 2 years as C.J. Stroud's backupOhio State coach Ryan Day says Kyle McCord will be the starting quarterback when the No. 3 Buckeyes open the season Saturday at Indiana.
Kyle Busch and Richard Childress, once enemies, now winning NASCAR combination
Read full article: Kyle Busch and Richard Childress, once enemies, now winning NASCAR combinationRichard Childress and Kyle Busch were hardly on good terms 12 years ago, when they got into a fight after a Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway.
5 inmates escaped from jail through plumbing pipes, authorities say
Read full article: 5 inmates escaped from jail through plumbing pipes, authorities sayFive inmates escaped from St. Francois County Detention Center in Farmington, Missouri on Tuesday night, authorities said in a statement posted to Facebook.
Missing boy's mom: 'I could feel his fingers slipping' away
Read full article: Missing boy's mom: 'I could feel his fingers slipping' awayThe mother of a 5-year-old boy missing in floodwaters from California’s epic winter storms says she thought it was safe to drive across a creek flowing over the road she drove to school every day.
Texas suing USDA over requirement to add LGBTQ protections to nutrition programs’ nondiscrimination policies
Read full article: Texas suing USDA over requirement to add LGBTQ protections to nutrition programs’ nondiscrimination policiesThe USDA Food and Nutrition Service announced in May that it would expand its definition of sexual discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation. Paxton and other attorneys general are suing in response.
Grizzlies end Spurs' season, advance to face Warriors
Read full article: Grizzlies end Spurs' season, advance to face WarriorsDillon Brooks scored eight of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to help put Memphis ahead to stay and the Grizzlies eliminated the San Antonio Spurs 100-96 on Wednesday night in the first Western Conference play-in game.
Dapper Labs, creators of NBA Top Shot, get $305M in funding
Read full article: Dapper Labs, creators of NBA Top Shot, get $305M in fundingCanadian blockchain technology company Dapper Labs has secured $305 million in private funding, some of it from current and former NBA players, including Jordan, to scale up its virtual NBA trading card site, the company said Tuesday, March 30, 2021. – Canadian blockchain technology company Dapper Labs has secured $305 million in private funding — some of it from current and former NBA players, including Michael Jordan — to scale up its virtual NBA trading card site, the company said Tuesday. Vancouver, British Columbia-based Dapper says NBA Top Shot has rung up $500 million in sales and registered more than 800,000 accounts since its public beta testing phase began in October. Besides the NBA, Dapper partners include Warner Music Group, Ubisoft, and UFC. Current players listed as investors in Dapper include Kevin Durant, Kyle Lowry, Spencer Dinwiddie and Klay Thompson.
New this week: Godzilla vs Kong, 'Concrete Cowboy' & Mahalia
Read full article: New this week: Godzilla vs Kong, 'Concrete Cowboy' & MahaliaThis combination photo shows poster art for the film "Godzilla vs Kong," premiering on HBO Max on March 31, left, "Concrete Cowboy," premiering April 2 on Netflix and "Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia," premiering April 3 on Lifetime. (HBO Max/Netflix/Lifetime via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIES— Two of cinema’s most famous giants are headed for an old-fashioned big budget clash in “Godzilla vs. Kong,” available on HBO Max for 31 days starting Friday. After a pandemic-induced blockbuster drought, Henry told the AP that the film will be a welcome change of pace. Ad— Legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson gets overdue biopic attention in a Lifetime film debuting Saturday.
Texas unemployment rate rises to 8.1% in November
Read full article: Texas unemployment rate rises to 8.1% in NovemberCredit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribuneLearn more about how to navigate Texas’ unemployment system in our guide for jobless Texans. The unemployment rate in Texas rose to 8.1% in November, the U.S. Labor Department said Friday. That’s an increase from the state’s October rate of 6.9% as Texas, whose businesses have been battered by the coronavirus pandemic, experienced another surge in infections. The state's unemployment rate for November is the latest indicator that the economic recovery in Texas will be slow and staggered. Distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine could impact the unemployment rate in the coming months — though, as Gov.
Robert Redford's son, James, dies of liver cancer at 58
Read full article: Robert Redford's son, James, dies of liver cancer at 58LOS ANGELES – James Redford, a filmmaker, activist and son of actor Robert Redford, has died. Kyle said her husband’s liver disease returned two years ago and the cancer was discovered in November last year while he waited on a liver transplant. “We’re heartbroken,” his wife wrote about her husband, who was called Jamie. He expressed gratitude for a liver transplant that saved his life in an HBO documentary “The Kindness of Strangers” in 1999. He also established the James Redford Institute in 1995 for Transplant Awareness to raise money and distribute tools to increase awareness about the shortage of organ donors.
Teen accused of killing 2 thrust into debate over protests
Read full article: Teen accused of killing 2 thrust into debate over protestsBy the end of the night, prosecutors say, Rittenhouse had killed two people and severely wounded a third. To some, Rittenhouse is a domestic terrorist whose very presence with a rifle incited the protesters. The commander of the force said Friday over 1,000 guard members had been deployed, and more were on the way. In the scuffle, lasting just seconds, Rittenhouse shoots a third person armed with a handgun, according to the complaint. He later turned himself in in his hometown of Antioch, Illinois, according to Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis.
Tropical Storm Kyle Forms Over The Northwest Atlantic
Read full article: Tropical Storm Kyle Forms Over The Northwest AtlanticLocation 185 miles SE of Atlantic City New Jersey Wind 40 mph Heading ENE at 17 mph Pressure 29.77 Coordinates 71.7W, 37.7NDiscussionAt 500 p.m. EDT (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Kyle was located near latitude 37.7 north, longitude 71.7 west. Kyle is moving toward the east-northeast near 17 mph (28 km/h). A continued east-northeastward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected for the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Kyle is forecast to become post-tropical by late Sunday or early Monday.
Sports jumps on PPP bandwagon, but big leagues take a pass
Read full article: Sports jumps on PPP bandwagon, but big leagues take a passHowever, none of the four major North American sports leagues the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball were among the businesses that applied, according to the data. The data showed businesses that applied for and received loans, though some may not ultimately have taken the funds. An AP survey completed in May found 32 U.S. Olympic sports organizations about 70% of all federations had applied for PPP loans. With their seasons shut down, more than a dozen minor league baseball teams turned up on the PPP rolls. The Big South Conference, Conference USA, Southland Conference and Big Sky Conference all listed less than two dozen full-time employees, according to the data.
Analysis: An accidental lesson on public health and politics in a pandemic
Read full article: Analysis: An accidental lesson on public health and politics in a pandemicEddie Gaspar/The Texas TribuneEditor's note: If you'd like an email notice whenever we publish Ross Ramsey's column, click here. Greg Abbott voices rising concern about the seriousness of the pandemic, state leaders are detailing another phase of extensive reopenings. At the beginning of this week, Abbott changed the key from major to minor at a sobering Monday news conference. In social terms, opening the schools could set loose a lot of people who were sent home for their own safety last spring. The announcement of a return to classes landed right in step with Abbotts acknowledgement that the risks of the pandemic are rising.
Texas woman decorates Christmas tree with free face masks those in her neighborhood can use
Read full article: Texas woman decorates Christmas tree with free face masks those in her neighborhood can useKYLE, Texas – One Central Texas woman is giving back to the community by putting her Christmas Tree to good use during the off-season. Kyle resident Jacqueline Smith decorated her metallic pink Christmas tree with hand-sewn face masks for the community to use. She had signs written in English and Spanish to tell her neighbors the masks were free and donations were accepted. Smith says it became such a hit that she ran out of masks to give away, but other community members came to refill her tree with masks they made. With great spirits, not only did she receive monetary donations but also supply donations to encourage her to make more face masks.
Baby named Frankenstein born on Halloween
Read full article: Baby named Frankenstein born on HalloweenTheir baby, Oskar Gray Frankenstein, was born at Winter Park Memorial Hospital at 2:57 p.m. Tuesday. Kyle and Jessica Frankenstein were planning to welcome their baby boy into the world Saturday, but grandmother Jennifer Frankenstein said her family had a suspicion that little Oskar's birth would coincide with the holiday. "He was due four days ago and he decided to wait until Halloween,” Jennifer Frankenstein said. Jennifer Frankenstein said Oskar is her first grandchild and the first with her namesake born on Halloween, although she does have a 13-year-old daughter who shares the same birthday as "Frankenstein" author Mary Shelley. “Everybody’s safe and sound and we’re super excited,” Jennifer Frankenstein said.