Biden's big move on marijuana

President Joe Biden announced a big shift in marijuana policy. At least 22 children are among those killed in a massacre that started at a day care in Thailand. And ending COVID-19 rules only brought new limits for some travelers.

👋 Hey! Laura Davis here. If you're looking for Thursday's news, you came to the right place. Here we go.

But first, we've lost another legend. 💔 Pebbles, a tiny toy fox terrier who held the title of the world's oldest living dog, died at 22. Her owners said she spent her days "enjoying country music and being loved." Who could ask for a better life? Rest in power, Pebbles.

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Biden pardons thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession

In a seismic shift that could help thousands of people and sends a powerful message on how such actions should be treated, Biden announced Thursday he is pardoning people with federal convictions for simple possession of marijuana.

Here's what we know:

  • How many pardons? All prior federal offenses of "simple possession of marijuana" will be pardoned, clearing about 6,500 people who were convicted under federal law between 1992 and 2021.

  • Spotlight on Schedule 1: Biden also asked the departments of Justice and Health and Human Services for an expeditious review of how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. It's currently classified as Schedule 1, a designation given to the most dangerous drugs like heroin and LSD – while fentanyl and methamphetamine are Schedule 2 substances.

  • Where is pot legal? Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have already legalized the recreational use of marijuana, while 37 states have legalized marijuana for medical use.

A demonstrator waves a flag with marijuana leaves depicted on it during a protest calling for the legalization of marijuana, outside of the White House on April 2, 2016, in Washington.
A demonstrator waves a flag with marijuana leaves depicted on it during a protest calling for the legalization of marijuana, outside of the White House on April 2, 2016, in Washington.

Dozens dead in Thailand day care attack

In what has become Thailand's deadliest rampage ever, at least 36 people, most of them children, were killed by a disgraced former police officer in a shooting and slashing rampage that started Thursday at a day care center and ended at the man's own home, authorities said. At least 19 boys, three girls and two adults were killed at the day care center before the suspected gunman drove off shooting randomly at people on the street in Nong Bua Lamphu province, one of the poorest parts of Thailand, police said. The suspect drove home and killed his wife and son before killing himself, police said.

Residents line up to donate blood a the local hospital for victims of an attack at a day care center on Thursday in the town of Nong Bua Lamphu, northeastern Thailand. More than 30 people, primarily children, were killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire in the child care center, authorities said.
Residents line up to donate blood a the local hospital for victims of an attack at a day care center on Thursday in the town of Nong Bua Lamphu, northeastern Thailand. More than 30 people, primarily children, were killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire in the child care center, authorities said.

What everyone's talking about

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Daniel Prude's family reaches settlement with Rochester, NY 

The city of Rochester has agreed to pay $12 million to settle a wrongful death suit filed by the family of Daniel Prude, who died after police pinned him to the ground in March 2020. The settlement is not an admission of liability, the court documents show. Almost $4 million of the total $12 million will cover attorney fees. Prude's death and the perception that city officials tried to cover it up led to weeks of protests and fallout including the firing of Rochester's police chief. Prude died while experiencing a severe mental health crisis. His son Nathaniel McFarland said Thursday that his father's "only crime was needing help."

Daniel Prude, a 41-year-old Black man died of asphyxiation complications after being pinned to the ground by police in Rochester, N.Y.
Daniel Prude, a 41-year-old Black man died of asphyxiation complications after being pinned to the ground by police in Rochester, N.Y.

As COVID travel rules end, some high-risk travelers feel left behind

Travel requirements have been steadily dropping as the pandemic has waned. But a number of travelers are wary: the risk of getting sick still seems too high. More than 1 million people have died as a result of COVID-19 in the U.S., and more than 6.5 million have died worldwide. For some travelers, health concerns have limited their options, while others have stopped traveling altogether. Some high-risk travelers may not want to go on a cruise but feel comfortable with other types of travel. And others – such as those with compromised immune systems – feel like they can't risk getting COVID-19, choosing not to travel at all. So, how safe is it? Keep reading.

Real quick

$1 of every $10 raised this election: Billionaires account for an outsized share of political contributions this election cycle. Here are 11 of the biggest spenders, led by George Soros.

Racism allegation scrutiny: Duke’s Rachel Richardson levied allegations that she and her teammates were targets of racism during a match against BYU. But more than five weeks later, many questions remain. Here’s what we know transpired before the match was even played – and the aftermath that followed.

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Florida woman mourns husband who drowned saving home from Ian's floods

It would have been their 26th wedding anniversary yesterday. But instead of spending the day celebrating with her husband, Juanita Foley reminisced on the happy memories before he was suddenly ripped from her life. Ronald Foley, 72, a resident of Deltona, Florida, drowned in a canal while trying to save his home from rising floodwaters. The number of deaths caused by Hurricane Ian has risen to at least 98 in recent days, 89 of them in Florida.

Ronald Foley and his wife, Juanita Foley, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last October. Ronald Foley drowned in a canal on Thursday as he drained his Deltona, Fla., home's swimming pool to stop it from flooding his home during Tropical Storm Ian.
Ronald Foley and his wife, Juanita Foley, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last October. Ronald Foley drowned in a canal on Thursday as he drained his Deltona, Fla., home's swimming pool to stop it from flooding his home during Tropical Storm Ian.

A break from the news

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures – and misadventures – on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Federal marijuana pardons, Thailand massacre, Daniel Prude, Hurricane Ian. Thursday's news.