Declarations

Seltzer Water High

“Maybe having a 10-milligram THC-infused seltzer water is something that’s more up your alley. … In my opinion, it’s more social.”

— Alex Buschmann, cannabis practice leader at Risk Strategies Company, said during an Insurance Journal panel discussion on emerging trends in the cannabis and hemp insurance markets. Buschmann said he thinks cannabinoid-infused beverages will take up a big space in the cannabis world because they appeal to consumers who may not be comfortable smoking a joint or want an alternative to alcohol.

Solar Panel Fire

“The batteries themself will burn out. It will probably burn for the next five, seven days. … It will be at a safe level where we don’t have to worry about a big fire again.”

— Chaumont, New York, Fire Chief William Lipczynski said of the health and safety risks from a northern New York solar farm battery fire that burned in late July near the tiny village of Chaumont. Local authorities told people within a mile of the solar installation to shelter in place for about four hours as a result of the fire, which was reported to have been sparked by a mechanical equipment malfunction.

Dog Emergency

“I recognize and own that. … I am going to learn from this and not repeat the behavior. I am truly sorry.”

— Jordan Addison, a Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick, said in a statement after being stopped in late July by a state trooper who clocked him going 140 mph in a 55 mph zone. Addison told the trooper he was speeding because of an emergency involving his dog. The Minnesota State Patrol said Addison was pulled over without resistance in a Lamborghini Urus at 3:07 a.m. on Interstate 94 in St. Paul about a mile outside of downtown.

Louisiana’s Resilience

“We’ve experienced significant devastation in our recent history — from hurricanes, floods, sea level rise, subsidence, coastal land loss, habitat degradation and extreme heat. … Because we’ve been tested more than anywhere else in the country, Louisiana has gone to great lengths to increase the resilience of our communities, our economy and our ecosystems.”

— Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said in testimony before U.S. Senate Committee on the Budget, which is studying the fiscal impacts of climate change on the nation’s infrastructure.

No Certificates of Deposit

“In one instance, he convinced an elderly victim that Alfa offered certificates of deposit for purchase, when in fact Alfa is not a financial institution and does not offer certificates of deposit.”

— The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama said in a statement about Bret Chappell, 44, of Warrior, who pleaded guilty to defrauding people of more than $862,286 in life insurance. Between 2019 and 2022, Chappell, a former Alfa insurance agent, conducted a scheme to defraud numerous victims into surrendering existing Alfa life insurance policies for cash value, prosecutors said. The plea agreement comes six months after the agent was arrested.

Flawed Policy

“The problems and inconsistencies we found during this audit warrant systemwide changes at CSU. … In particular, the Chancellor’s Office must take a more active approach to overseeing campuses’ efforts to prevent and address sexual harassment.”

— California State Auditor Grant Parks said in a statement regarding an audit that showed flawed policy at California State University, the largest higher education system in the country, contributed to the closure of many sexual harassment cases without thorough explanation. There were more than 1,200 reports of sexual harassment by employees overall at California State University campuses between 2018 and 2022, the report shows. Of those, 254 were investigated.

Topics California Louisiana