Alternative News

Texas begins replacing paved roads with gravel due to lack of funding

"The Texas Department of Transportation began converting more than 80 miles of paved roads to gravel on Monday, according to the Texas Tribune. The speed limit on the new gravel roads will be reduced to 30 mph. Texas lawmakers approved $225 million for the repair of roadways and bridges within the state highway system this year. Texas lawmakers also approved a ballot measure that would provide $1.2 billion a year for state transportation projects. But the Texas Department of Transportation said $400 million was needed to repair immediate damage caused by energy sector traffic across the state." Continue reading →

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Lebron James Escorted Through Oncoming Traffic To Concert By Police

"'It's unclear which law enforcement agency assisted King James in his concert commute, or whether the NBA superstar, who recently earned $56.6 million, arranged for such services himself. TMZ reports four law enforcement agencies, including City of Miami PD, Miami-Dade PD, Miami Gardens PD, and the Florida Highway Patrol have all denied escorting LeBron -- but a source with Miami-Dade Police told the site they are 'investigating' the breach of protocol.' The Young Turks hosts Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian break it down." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLebron James Escorted Through Oncoming Traffic To Concert By Police

French cops caught on video beating and tear-gassing women at traffic stop

"The driver allegedly refused to take a breathalizer exam and swung at the officers. As the video opens, one of the women can be seen behind one of the officers, while the apparent driver lies on the ground. At one point, he hits her with his baton. Radio France Internationale reported that, according to police sources, the woman was biting the officer. After the two separate, the officer grabs a can of tear gas and sprays it in her face before apparently admonishing a man standing at the scene to walk away. The officer later sprays another woman in the face. The video later shows the driver and the first woman being arrested." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrench cops caught on video beating and tear-gassing women at traffic stop

Bitcoin could be a boon for porn and other high-risk merchants

"The adult industry is known for its technological innovation. It was among the first to stream video commercially, for example. 'I’m convinced that once the big players go in the underground world, the mainstream guys will follow,' said Spagaris, who used to work for adult entertainment giant Manwin, which owns several huge porn brands. 'They’ll see that people are making money off this.' But it hasn’t happened in significant numbers yet and one of the biggest reasons, other than the concern about regulatory issues and the general lack of awareness, has been bitcoin’s lack of support for recurring payments." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBitcoin could be a boon for porn and other high-risk merchants

Groklaw Shuts Down Over U.S. Internet Surveillance

"My personal decision is to get off of the Internet to the degree it's possible. I'm just an ordinary person. But I really know, after all my research and some serious thinking things through, that I can't stay online personally without losing my humanness, now that I know that ensuring privacy online is impossible. I find myself unable to write. I've always been a private person. That's why I never wanted to be a celebrity and why I fought hard to maintain both my privacy and yours. Oddly, if everyone did that, leap off the Internet, the world's economy would collapse, I suppose. I can't really hope for that. But for me, the Internet is over." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGroklaw Shuts Down Over U.S. Internet Surveillance

Federal Drug Agency Denies Marijuana Is Less Toxic Than Alcohol

"The National Institute on Drug Abuse released an eyebrow-raising statement to PolitiFact on Monday, denying that marijuana is less toxic than alcohol. 'Claiming that marijuana is less toxic than alcohol cannot be substantiated since each possess their own unique set of risks and consequences for a given individual,' wrote the institute. NIDA, part of the National Institutes of Health, funds government-backed scientific research and has a stated mission 'to lead the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFederal Drug Agency Denies Marijuana Is Less Toxic Than Alcohol

U.S. survey data casts doubt on classification of psychedelics as ‘dangerous’

"The study, published online Tuesday in PLoS One, used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health survey to investigate psychedelic drug use and mental health problems. The survey is administered annually by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The researchers found psychedelic use was not associated with a higher rate of mental health problems. In fact, the use of psychedelic drugs appeared to reduce the risk of mental illness, though only slightly." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. survey data casts doubt on classification of psychedelics as ‘dangerous’

White House dodges question on Sanjay Gupta’s marijuana reversal

"The White House refused to comment Tuesday on Sanjay Gupta’s vocal support of medical marijuana, continuing a pattern of ignoring the issue. During a press briefing, CQ-Roll Call reporter Steve Dennis asked White House spokesman Josh Earnest if President Barack Obama had any reaction to Gupta’s recent advocacy in favor of medical marijuana. Dennis noted that Obama had once considered appointing Gupta as surgeon general of the United States. 'I have to confess, I did not see the Sanjay Gupta column that you’re referring to, so it is hard for me to comment on it at this point,' Earnest responded." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhite House dodges question on Sanjay Gupta’s marijuana reversal

Fake it Till You Make it, How to Become a Journalist

"In this video, Luke Rudkowski talks about the process he went through in order to become a Journalist. he details his preconceived notions and how he learned from his mistakes. We hope this video is helpful to everyone who inquired interest in doing the work that we do." Continue reading →

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Hastings Coroner Report: He Was Using Drugs, But Not Considered a Factor

"Michael Hastings, who was killed in a fiery Los Angeles crash in June, died of 'traumatic injuries' as a result of the accident and had traces of drugs in his system, Los Angeles coroner's officials said. Coroner's officials said Hastings had traces of amphetamine in his system, consistent with possible intake of methamphetamine many hours before death, as well as marijuana. However, neither were considered a factor in the crash, according to toxicology reports. Hastings had arrived in Los Angeles from New York the day before the accident ' [..] as his family was attempting to get [Hastings] to go to detox,' the report stated." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHastings Coroner Report: He Was Using Drugs, But Not Considered a Factor