| Thursday, April 23, 2026 |
| Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug in a historic shift | |
 | President Donald Trump's acting attorney general on Thursday signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug, a major policy shift long sought by advocates who said cannabis should never have been treated like heroin by the federal government. The order signed by Todd Blanche does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under U.S. law. But it does change the way it's regulated, shifting licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I -- reserved for drugs without medical use and with high potential for abuse -- to the less strictly regulated Schedule III. It also gives licensed medical marijuana operators a major tax break and eases some barriers to researching cannabis. The order represents a major policy shift for the U.S. government, which has continued its longstanding marijuana prohibition -- dating to the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 -- even as nearly all the states have approved cannabis use in some form. |
| DeSantis signs Florida law banning local DEI funding, says white men are 'disfavored' | |
| White men have been discriminated against through diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday after signing legislation which prohibits counties and cities from funding or promoting DEI initiatives. The Republican governor defined DEI at a news conference as "an ideological construct that is designed to promote a particular political agenda, particularly to the detriment of disfavored groups." "The disfavored groups, No. 1, obviously, would be white males, and I think they've been discriminated against," DeSantis said in Jacksonville. "And it's it's like a lot of people are, 'Oh that's fine. That's fine.' No, it's not fine. It's wrong." Supporters say the purpose of DEI is to remedy the effects of long-term discrimination against certain groups. During his two terms in office, DeSantis' administration has championed legislation which prohibits public colleges and universities from spending money on DEI programs and promoted the "Stop WOKE Act," which restricts how race and sex are taught in schools. |
| Police seek 17-year-old for attempted murder in shooting near U. of Iowa, authorities say | |
 | Police are seeking a 17-year-old on attempted murder charges following a shooting early Sunday in a nightlife district near the University of Iowa campus, authorities said Wednesday. Five people were treated for gunshot wounds, including three University of Iowa students. One woman remained in critical condition Wednesday after sustaining a life-threatening injury to her head, Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Liston said. Officials said an arrest warrant was issued for the 17-year-old who was allegedly engaged in the fight, adding that reports indicate as many as 40 people may have been involved. Officers had been dispatched to the fight and arrived within 45 seconds, Liston said. The minor from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will initially be charged as an adult, as is required by Iowa law for forcible felony charges against an individual aged 16 or older, said Rachel Zimmermann Smith, Johnson County attorney. Liston said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected. |
SPORTS
| MSU Baseball To Be Featured On 'SEC Inside' | |
| Mississippi State Baseball will be featured on "SEC Inside" which debuts on Thursday at 6 p.m. on SEC Network. Camera crews followed the Diamond Dawgs around for six days spanning their clinching win at Ole Miss on March 29, their run-rule victory over Grambling as well as the opening game of the Georgia series on April 2. The SEC Network had exclusive behind the scenes access which provides a 30-minute glimpse into Brian O'Connor's program. Players and coaches were mic'd up throughout the week for meetings, practices, games and more. The episode will re-air on Friday at 10 a.m., Saturday at 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. as well as Monday at 10:30 a.m. It will also be available on demand on the ESPN app. |
| Men's Golf: Bulldogs Record Program's Best SEC Championship Round In Day One | |
| Mississippi State played some of its best golf of the season in round one of the SEC Championship, sitting in sixth overall with a score of 9-under 271. Today's round of 271 is Mississippi State's lowest score ever at the SEC Championship, breaking the previous record of 274 from the 2022 edition's second round. Dain Richie continued his hot play, carding a round of 5-under 65 to lead the Bulldogs in a tie for 10th. Starting on the back nine, Richie strung together four birdies in his first seven holes and went out in 31. He played his final nine holes in 1-under to conclude his best round of the season. Ugo Malcor carded a bogey-free round of 2-under 68 in round two to sit in a tie for 23rd. Malcor played steady golf, carding two birdies to complement 16 pars for his 15th round of par or better this season. Garrett Endicott finished his first round with a 1-under 69, his 20th par-or-better round this season. True freshman Jackson Skinner played his first SEC Championship round at 1-under, concluding his day with a birdie to finish in red figures. Fellow freshman Jackson Cook rounded out the State lineup with a 5-over 75. |
| College Football Playoff leaders resume talks on 16 vs. 24 and other postseason particulars | |
 | Discussions about College Football Playoff expansion resumed this week, as the CFP's annual meeting of commissioners, selection committee members and other dignitaries reignited a yearslong conversation that will likely continue throughout the spring and the summer. A 16-team field or a 24-team field remain the two expansion options to grow beyond the current 12-team field, which just wrapped up its second season. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, as he typically does, left the meeting without speaking to reporters about his 24-team proposal, while SEC commissioner Greg Sankey did speak, citing his past comments about his league's preference for a 16-team field. The SEC and Big Ten have the power to drive any change to the format. Sankey acknowledged that upholding the value of the regular season is a factor in his preference for the 16-team model. "I understand why some of my members are frustrated because of the stress around losses, the desire for clarity on selection, no matter what the number is," Sankey said Wednesday. "But week after week, in the regular season especially, we don't have quarterbacks that start a game to continue their starting streak and sit out of the rest of the game (with a Playoff spot locked up)." |
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