Oregon governor pardons over 45,000 marijuana convictions
Oregon Governor Kate Brown has announced today that she has issued pardons to everyone caught possessing up to an ounce of marijuana prior to its legalization in 2016.
United States
Vaccine prolongs life of patients with aggressive brain cancer in new trial
The world’s first vaccine to treat deadly cancerous brain tumors can potentially give patients years of extra life, a global clinical trial from Maryland’s Northwest Biotherapeutics has concluded.
U.S. regulators approve world’s largest-ever dam demolition and river restoration project in California
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s unanimous vote is the last major regulatory hurdle and the biggest milestone for a $500 million demolition proposal championed by Native American tribes and environmentalists for years.
A historic number of LGBTQ candidates in the U.S won their elections this year
According to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, a record of at least 340 out LGBTQ people won – beating 2020’s record of 336 for the most in US history.
Mormon church endorses U.S. federal marriage equality bill
The 17-million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now supports a bill that codifies the recognition of same-sex marriages performed in any state by other states and the federal government.
Experimental vaccine stops deadly drug from entering the brain
In tests performed on rats at the University of Houston, the vaccine was shown to be effective at keeping one of the deadliest street drugs from reaching the brain, while not producing any significant side effects.
Toledo City Council approves medical debt relief legislation
In a 7-5 vote, council members approved legislation to create a partnership between the city and a nonprofit group called RIP Medical Debt to relieve debt for eligible Toledo residents.
Second oil company cancels its oil and gas lease in the Alaskan Arctic
Knik Arm Services has canceled its oil and gas lease for a tract of land in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, following fierce opposition by the Indigenous Gwich’in committee and environmental groups.
Colorado voters pass historic psychedelic decriminalization act
The measure creates a regulatory framework for psychedelic clinics to operate in the state and completely decriminalizes personal use and possession of several natural hallucinogenic plants.
Millennial fathers in the U.S. spend more quality time with children than in previous generations
Fathers in the U.S. have a growing preference for spending time with their children over working. According to Pew Research, dads spend three times more time with their children than two generations ago. Most of these men now see being a good father as central to their identity.