Congress is finally opening their eyes to the possibility of immense financial flow thanks to the cannabis industry. At this point, industry businesses have to operate in cash or go through Canada to make exchanges. In the U.S. it's cash for every part of the industry. No U.S. banks have ever been open... allowed to do 'green rush' business.
BUT! That may all change today!
Marijuana industry cash may soon be off the street and flowing into bank accounts today, thanks to a House committee, expected to pass a bill that would make it happen. Cannabis companies that follow state laws would be provided bank services the so-called SAFE Act would allow.
The SAFE Act debate takes place today in the House Financial Services Committee, who'll sort it all out.
Meanwhile, banking industry analysts say that even though the House is open to considering, even PASSING bills like this one, the Republican led Senate is expected to be a hard sell.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly is not interested in debating weed on the Senate floor.
Hemp could save Texas agriculture and very well may come April.
That's because on April 5th, hemp will no longer be a controlled substance in Texas.
It's new territory for the state, so, the state legislature will still have to clarify a few matters concerning the integral production of hemp and clear up questions like testing and labeling products to be FDA approved.
The federal government removed hemp from its list of controlled substances in last year's Farm Bill, and the state is following suit.
The FDA will need to approve whether growing hemp must be done as part of a state-approved program.
What about marijuana though? The fight to legalize in Texas continues.
In Austin, Texas Representative Ernest Bailes, a Republican from San Jacinto County, is filing a bill to bring back the Prison Rodeo in Huntsville. Just like in "Urban Cowboy."
The house bill would revive the annual rodeo, which was held from 1931 to 1986. Back then, the rodeo raised enough revenue to pay for itself; even subsidized educational and recreational funding to provide inmates with perks from dentures to textbooks to holiday turkeys.
The rodeo was discontinued because of structural problems with the stadium, which was later torn down.
HEIGHTSTONIANs and yes, all of Houston will be getting a sweet treat this summer!
If you like doughnuts, you'll soon have an option closer to home in the Heights.
VooDoo Doughnut will open a location on Washington Avenue near Heights Boulevard.
If you like Shipley, this is going to be some fierce competition for doughnut lovers like myself.
Here's a peek at another location!
Sure we have sweet shops popping up all over the Heights, but, like Shipley, VooDoo will also be open 24/7. It'll have a drive-thru. and take cash, credit and debit!
VooDoo takes it a step further with supporting eight nonprofits.
Founded in 2003, VooDoo is based in Oregon with seven locations across the nation.
Tuesday afternoon Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was on Heights Boulevard to take about new legislation about cycling safety.
Numbers seems to increasing when it comes to bicycle crashes and deaths. NHTSA looks at stats dating back to 2007-2016 where numbers increased nationwide.
What's going wrong? Is it drivers? It is cyclists? Both?
Whatever the case may be, the Congresswoman is trying to put forth legislation to increase safety for for everyone.
The start of Spring is marked today by the vernal equinox by the time you leave work today.
Just before 6 p.m. this evening, is the time when both the Northern and Southern hemispheres will experience twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of darkness.
Spring will officially be here in the U.S. and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere at 4:58 p.m. Texas time and with it comes warmer weather, blooming flowers and more daylight. Today is also an astronomical double-header with the final "supermoon" of the year.
Perhaps NASA will have a LIVE feed later on! Check back then!
Lindsay Halpin, Designer, Violet Peacock hat creator extraordinaire, is still at it.
Last we met, it was her very first ever on-camera interview at the firehouse on Yale in the Heights.
We met up again at Violet Peacock's spectacular studio where she held and open house over the weekend. Have a look at that video and thanks for watching!
First, let me say, I'm a Reagan Bulldog through and through. I graduated from now Heights High ... some time back.
But no need to look back!
That's because, from what I saw last night, the Heights Redcoats and the entire student body have come a long way since the 90's.
These magnificent dancers have not only earned their spot, but paid their own way to prepare and train with the best'of'em! Over time, they've been raising funds to take a trip to Disney World to train with the infamous Disney dancers.
Thing is... they'd planned, and had most of the money together... went to pay the rest of what they owed and found out $15K had vanished from their funding. ... As well as the person in charge according to reports.
So with Spring Break fast approaching, just 8 days away, the group started a GoFundMe account to raise the $15K (out of $90K) to replace those missing funds.
And guess what?!
THEY MET THEIR GOAL and are now on their way to Disney World to perform their spectacular hearts out.
Last night at Heights High, they thanked the public and donors who contributed, and decided to perform a FIRE routine that is fabulous!
The image is a stark portrayal of an amalgamation happening in music today, by one of the world's most popular music artists. Cardi B. From what I've come to understand in just a few minutes of research, Cardi B. is a unique blend of what resonates in the minds of Selena fans everywhere who remember her final performance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. An event Texans can't forget.
~ AND. Combined with ...
Impact of the outspoken, sexy commixture of music from the self-proclaimed "Trap Selena" - A flavor only Cardi B, a Bronx, N.Y. native, brings, that seems to increasingly garner support from artists of the domineering southern hip-hop scene.
God Bless Selma Blair. She's opening up for the first time about her MS diagnosis. It's difficult for her to speak. She gets tired and has crappy days like the rest of us.
Only, she went through 5 years of struggling with what was breaking her body down to the point of convulsing uncontrollably in the tube to get an MRI - only to find out she has a severe and aggressive form of MS.
It flared after the birth of her son and she's struggled ever since.
The diagnosis was the actual point of relief for the actress who has starred in blockbuster films like "Cruel Intentions" and "The Sweetest Thing."
Now she opens up about having MS and life as usual, being her career as a film and show star.
Here's her EXCLUSIVE talk with ABC News' Robin Roberts...
From actor and singer to suspect, the Chicago Police are confirming the #Jussie Smollett hoax.
Now we're all afraid any other hate crime will be treated with skepticism... which should never happen. The police did say that they treated this case like any other. ... Adding, the media put the spotlight on this particular case.
The Chicago Police department also says "it's shameful for the city of Chicago. He knew as a celeb it would get a lot of attention."
Is anyone is subject to a hate crime, always ALWAYS, AAAALLLWAAAAYS SPEAK OUT. Report it because like most of America in this case, we will believe you.
WARNING: Put on your headphones before playing our podcasts.
A Valentine's Day Comedy Album of One Minute Tracks
By no stretch of my imagination did I ever believe I would be doing this but I'm going with it because I'm having fun and it's my God given right to do and say whatever I please. I tend to surround myself with women who do the same. Of course, along came Stacy. One of my greatest friends.
And it's led to the release of this new album. Our second.
Stacy and I put out our first album about a week ago...
Denver's chance of legalization of magic mushrooms will be on the May ballot. This is major because no matter what you think they do to people, makes them more creative, it's really all natural.
AS IN: From the earth.
First Denver... then Vegas!
Want to learn more about them? I recommend watching these videos below.
How do you bang out a couple of Valentine's Day, sex and relationship podcast albums in a single day? Grab one of your best friends, GO FOR IT and don't be afraid to getting a little dirty.
In this case, Stacy and I were in bed over the weekend when we pressed record.
In the end, we just hope to make you laugh!... And maybe learn a thing or two.
The 5 officer involved shootout that happened in Houston Monday has a lot of conspiracy theories surrounding the investigation.
I didn't even know about that was the case until I heard it today. I only report the facts. If I don't know, I research. I ask. I find the source! That's real journalism.
Today, three of the officers involved remain critically hospitalized. A REAL investigation is being done, and the HPD police chief says "Those conspiracy theorists... you may as well put'em to bed."
He's been here 2 years, out of Austin, Texas. Things are done HIS WAY.
We all love and carry on through life in this city without seeing the dirty underbelly of what they go through to keep our families safe.
A few days ago, Chief Acevedo told the public in a press conference that 98% of the time, the job is boring. And you know what he means, the donut cops and cops cruising around.
The other 2% of the time, things happen that make headlines and end up with officers injured and/or lives are lost.
Today, Chief Acevedo explains that hundreds of search warrants are done every year in our great city.
This shootout involving 5 officers shot or injured, was one of those search warrants.
By the way, I toured the new Processing Center top to bottom and it's AMAZING! It's state-of-the-art high-tech and completely modern and impressive.
I took a ton of photos for when reporting original content on the job. I won't share them online here because I respect the our city's law enforcement and don't want to expose their operations in any way.
God bless our law enforcement men and women who serve and protect. I certainly hope those injured officers make a full and complete recovery.
I know... I know... Officers often look bored and like they're not doing much, which gets them a bad rap. Right?
Thing is... they walk a dangerous path every day. Each of them are less likely than us simple civilians to see tomorrow.
You do if you're wearing a special coat in Chicago ... Because at any given moment in below freezing weather, someone will probably gank your Canada Goose jacket... AT GUNPOINT!
That's how cold it is in Chicago. Sorry I'm four days late on this, but check this out...
I passed by the new HEB in the Heights and can't wait to see what's new!
A Fiesta was there for as long as we can remember. Another was on Studewood. That location is now an assisted living apartment building.
Now the one on Shepherd will be an H-E-B. Here's a first look at the sign.
So, no more Fiestas in Greater Heights. Fiestas are still around but the latin shopping experience in the Heights, has been replaced by much smaller La Michoacana Meat Markets.
Out in Sugar Land, there's been a bobcat sighting, so folks in the Greatwood neighborhood are advised to keep small pets inside for now.
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Also in Sugar Land, a major drug bust lands a couple of guys in jail, maybe worse after what police found during a search warrant.
Houston/Sugar Land area Drug Bust. FBC Narcotics Task Force conducted operation targeting a source of supply of illicit substances in Houston/Sugar Land area. Wed, Jan 23, 2 suspects taken into custody & charged; Edwin Garcia, 29, of Sugar Land & Hector Garcia, 25, of Sugar Land pic.twitter.com/OoTr2Agj44
Thousands (Yes, THOUSANDS!) of Ecstasy and Xanax pills
120 grams of THC
50 grams of pot
82 grams of cocaine
WOW, right?! Who knows how much flow is on the streets of Houston at any given moment?!!? Careful out there kids and animals!
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Other things going on in Houston...
Nine men are under arrest for stopping traffic under the "BE SOMEONE" graffiti bridge on the North Freeway, to take photos of themselves under it. They were there for about 20 minutes.
In an official statement, HPD Police Chief Acevedo said "someone could be charged with murder if the holdup caused a fatality."
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The partial government shutdown continues but Trump's new nemesis , called the "#1 Leaker" is revealed in this new report.
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And BETO devotees... Question for you... Will you still love BETO after seeing him in a onesie and sheep mask in his band?
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As for what's new here in the Heights... everyone is abuzz about the new HEB on Shepherd. I still miss the Fiesta but this new store is huge and hugs every square inch of the block with shopping stacked above fancy parking. So of course, I'm expecting something truly great! Even my mother's excited about their new shop. - I'm going to wait and see.
I wasn't a huge fan of Pete Davidson on SNL. Then he and Ariana got engaged. It made me look. Now he's back from the post about his mental health and I know it's been hard for him. Depression is so real; even for the someone so young and yes, famous. It doesn't hurt that rumors were swirling over a week ago about him and Kate Beckinsale On "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend, he joked about his mental health. I just hope he and anyone suffering from depression finds the help they need to make things better. Here's the number to a FREE nationwide suicidal hotline for anyone reading this who may need it.
It's official! The L.A. Rams and New England Patriots will go up against each other in Super Bowl 53. It takes place in Atlanta, Sunday February 3rd.
It's the fourth Super Bowl for the Rams and it's been a while. Their first appearance was in 2002, when they lost to the Pats, an underdog team with underdog quarterback Tom Brady.
Underdog? Not for long...
Most recently, Brady and New England have become familiar faces, now in the big game for the third straight year and fifth time in the last eight.
So who'll win Super Bowl 53? VOTE below!
SUPER BOWL: Who'll win the big game? Pats or Rams?
Time to rise up! Unless you're down the dumps today. It is Blue Monday after all. But is today the gloomiest, saddest, and most depressing day of the year? One British researcher says he can prove it is and that every third Monday in January is the worst. The researcher says he's created a mathematical equation for what he calls Blue Monday and bases the calculations on time, weather conditions, debt levels, days since Christmas, and days since New Year's folk quit resolutions or simply too many failed attempts at them.
Critics among the UK's Mental Health Foundation believe depression can't simply be calculated and that Blue Monday is simply a PR stunt to sell more stuff and/or a chance to claim to improve one's well being.
Here's one Blue Monday that will likely cheer you up today... Just press play and ENJOY!
In Nagasaki, a Japanese robot hotel is firing - "canning" over half of the robots it hired for a variety of jobs because they're finding out that robots like Rosie from the Jetsons, caused more problems again and again at the hotel where they worked.
More than 240 robots are now out of work because according to hotel management, and the company president, check-in robots needed help. Clueless concierge robots were also problematic. Luggage carriers bots didn't know they're way to rooms. And entertainment bots kept losing their spark, ultimately breaking down.
Check out more about the Henn-na, which btw, means weird or strange in Japanese.
weet!
Houston, Texas native Travis Scott and the who brought Astroworld back to life for native Heightstonians like myself is in the big time with a gig of a lifetime at the Pepsi Super Bowl 53 halftime show.
The Grammy-nominated rapper, Scott, will perform alongside Maroon 5. They'll all appear with Atlanta native Big Boi at halftime in Atlanta on February 3rd.
Scott has had a number-one album and a successful tour that continues after the Super Bowl. His girlfriend billionaire, Kylie Jenner, gave birth to the couple's first baby, a girl, Stormi, last February.
I was driving out in the country yesterday and took a lot of great photos and stopped to meet some animals when I had the chance. This one turned out great!
Who knew I was a horse whisperer?!?
Have a look at what happened when I asked a few horses in Millheim, Texas to come and talk to me...
What do you think of self-driving cars? Not everyone is a fan of them and their potential to radically change the American commute (no matter how much you complain about it). SO!
Folks in Chandler, Arizona have started physically attacking Waymo's vehicles. Tires have been slashed, rocks - thrown, and at someone even tried running one of the cars off the road. Nearly a dozen more attacks have been made.
Alphabet, Waymo's parent company, is also Google's parent company. Although self-driving car, employees are now riding in the cars as added safety precaution.
The Girl Scouts have a new cookie to take favorite flavors to new heights!
Girl Scout cookie season kicked off January 2nd, and now, your local Girl Scout troop will be selling a new cookie called Caramel Chocolate Chip. The gluten-free cookie is made with caramel, semi-sweet chocolate chips and a hint of sea salt.
