Big changes to marijuana rules

A landmark change is coming to the federal government's position on marijuana. Authorities in Charlotte are investigating a gunfight that killed four officers. And a judge held Donald Trump in contempt of court.

👋 Hey, there! Laura Davis here. I’ve got Tuesday’s news ready to go!

But first: It's gonna be May. 👯‍♀️📆 Tomorrow's the day: May 1. Why you're seeing this phrase all over social media. 

Big changes coming to marijuana rules

The federal government is poised to no longer consider marijuana among the most dangerous substances under a proposed plan from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Not just blowing smoke: The DEA is moving forward with a plan to recategorize marijuana from a Schedule I drug – those considered the most dangerous and addictive, with no medical value – to a Schedule III drug. This bureaucratic move wouldn't legalize pot at the federal level, but it would be the biggest change in marijuana policy the federal government has taken since the drug was first outlawed. 💨 Here’s what we know so far.

Investigation continues after 4 officers killed serving warrant

Four law enforcement officers were killed and four were injured Monday when gunfire erupted at a house in Charlotte, North Carolina, where authorities had arrived to serve a warrant. The suspect who fired at officers was shot and killed on the lawn, and two other people inside were later taken in for questioning. Police have said there may have been more than one shooter, though that remained unclear. In the aftermath, condolences for the officers involved in one of the deadliest recent attacks on law enforcement poured out from small communities to the White House. 👉 Here's what we know.

• Neighbor describes scene of chaos, gunfire in Charlotte shooting.

📸 See photos: 4 law enforcement officers killed, 4 wounded in Charlotte.

Real quick

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• A cruise to nowhere: Royal Caribbean sailing canceled after guests boarded.

• She had Parkinson's and didn't want to live. Then she got this surgery.

• Task force: Women should start getting screened for breast cancer earlier.

• Why experts say it's good this 'Challengers' scene has people buzzing about sex.

• Johnny Depp returns to the screen as King Louis XV. But will anybody care?

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Trump fined for contempt in hush money trial

On Day 9 of Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee was held in criminal contempt and fined $9,000 for violating a judge’s gag order. Trump, the first former president to face a criminal trial, is charged with doctoring business records to cover up the true purpose of reimbursements he made to former attorney Michael Cohen.

Also on Tuesday: Attorney Keith Davidson, a lawyer who represented former Playboy model Karen McDougal, testified about his efforts to get her story of an affair with Trump into the hands of the National Enquirer during the 2016 presidential campaign.

👉 Everything from inside and outside the courtroom.

• What would Trump do in a second term? 5 takeaways from his TIME interview.

• New poll shows Trump leading Biden in seven key swing states.

Columbia students face expulsion amid protests

Columbia University severely restricted access to campus Tuesday and began suspending students involved in Gaza war protests while demonstrators seized an academic building and blocked the entrance. Students occupying Hamilton Hall face expulsion, the school said. Hamilton Hall is a short walk from where demonstrators opposed to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza have occupied an encampment that for two weeks has been the epicenter for campus protests nationwide. Shortly after 12:30 a.m., students broke into the building and barricaded themselves in with wooden chairs, metal tables and trash cans. 🪧 Follow our live updates.

• White House denounces takeover of Columbia University building.

• Christians say they can't be bystanders in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

A break from the news

• 🍍👀 Pineapple is yummy. Is it good for you?

• 🛍️💐 Spoil Mom with deals on chocolate, jewelry, flowers and more.

• 💰📊 Annuities are the key to retirement. Why aren't people buying them?

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hi: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marijuana reclassification, Charlotte shooting, Donald Trump trial: Tuesday's news