Gazette Daily News Podcast: March 2 and 3, 2024

– Prosecutors dropping sports betting charges against ISU athletes

– Iowa’s medical cannabis program competing with cheaper, unregulated THC products

– Comedian Tim Cavanagh loves Cedar Rapids audiences

– ‘Facing the Inferno’ brings wildland fire photos to Old Capitol Museum in Iowa City

Episode Transcript

Welcome to the weekend edition of the Gazette Daily News Podcast. This podcast gives quick bites from the latest headlines coming out of The Gazette newsroom. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Coming up, prosecutors are dropping sports betting charges against ISU athletes

And later, a proposed bill looks to regulate consumable hemp products.

Plus, things to do in the Corridor this weekend

First, sports betting charges against current and former Iowa State University athletes are being dropped. This comes after newly discovered evidence showed Iowa investigators quote “exceeded” end quote the permitted use of geofencing software.

According to the motions to dismiss, athletes Isaiah Lee, Jirehl Brock, Paniro Johnson and Eyioma Uwazurike obtained the evidence through an open records request to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. The evidence shows that GeoComply,the provider of the product used in the investigations, believed the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation quote “exceeded the scope of its permitted use in using the Kibana product in October of 2023.” end quote. The DCI’s use of the product was revoked in January due to concerns about the division’s use. Prosecutors are asking the motions to be dismissed with prejudice. That means the charges can’t be refiled later. However, the dismissal does not affect sanctions by the NCAA.

For a deeper look at this case, follow the link in this episode’s description. It’ll take you to our story on the dismissal of the sports betting charges.

Next, Iowa’s medical cannabis program has leveled off because it’s competing with cheaper, largely unregulated consumable hemp products. While the number of medical marijuana cardholders nearly doubled in 2022, cardholder numbers have flatlined since September. Iowa’s medical marijuana program was created in 2015 and allows people with certain medical conditions to buy products licensed in Iowa. In most cases, it caps at a maximum of 4.5 grams of THC per 90-day purchase. But consumable hemp products, like canned beverages and gummies, are providing a better cost per milligram of THC. Iowa’s consumable hemp program limits the THC in products to 0.3 percent by weight.

Now, a bill being considered by the Iowa Legislature looks to regulate those consumable hemp products. House File 2605 would impose restrictions on age to purchase consumable hemp products and limit THC per serving and per container. Two other cannabis-related bills are still alive in the Iowa Legislature and deal with medical cards and dispensaries.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Comedian Tim Cavanagh is taking the mic at Olympic South Side Theater in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, March 2. Cavanagh is a comic-musician, meaning he likes to sing silly songs in addition to telling jokes. Cavanagh said quote, “I love playing funny songs, I have a new one about neutering pets. It’s written from the dog’s perspective.” end quote. Cavanagh said he’s looking forward to the show since Iowa crowds are always nice and quote, “They know comedy in Cedar Rapids.” end quote. Cavanagh takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets range from $20 for a table to $40 for a couch. Buy them at facebook.com/penguinscomedyclub

You can also check out an exhibit on wildfire photography in Old Capitol Museum’s ground-floor gallery in downtown Iowa City. “Facing the Inferno: The Wildfire Photography of Kari Greer” captures the beauty, danger and people involved in fighting wildfires. Greer lives in Idaho and serves as a contract photographer with the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise. Greer’s work has been published in publications like National Geographic Adventure, The New York Times and The Gazette. Admission is free and the exhibit is open until May 10. Greer will also speak at an in-person event on March 26 at the Old Capitol Museum Senate Chamber.

As always, you can find a link to each of the stories featured in today’s episode in this episode’s description or at the gazette dot com.

Finally, let’s take a look at the weather in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Saturday will be sunny with a high of 64 degrees and low of 46 degrees. Sunday will be windy. Anticipate a high of 74 degrees and low of 41 degrees. Expect rain on Monday and a high of 57 degrees and a low of 30 degrees.

Thank you for listening to the Gazette Daily News Podcast. Stay up to date with the latest news from Eastern Iowa at the gazette dot com. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com