Good morning, it’s Friday, December 19, 2025. In today’s edition, Trump reschedules marijuana; DOJ sues states for voter information; states at war over stadium deals:
Top Stories
MARIJUANA: President Trump has signed an executive order aimed at reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The order pushes federal regulators to classify marijuana as a schedule III drug, a substance with accepted medical use and low to moderate addiction potential. The move will allow growers and sellers to deduct business expenses, though there are few other consequences for states. (Pluribus News)
REDISTRICTING: A panel appointed by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) has voted to advance its work and solicit public proposals for redrawing the state’s congressional district lines. The vote came during an unadvertised meeting, which critics including the League of Women Voters called disturbing. (Maryland Matters)
GAMING: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has approved regulations requiring licensed sports betting operators to inform bettors when their wagers are limited. The commission has been investigating whether sports betting companies restrict wagers from players who have a history of winning. (State Affairs)
ELECTIONS: The U.S. Justice Department has sued Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia and Washington, D.C., seeking information about voter registration the states have refused to turn over. The DOJ has now filed suits against 22 states seeking voter information including full names, dates of birth, residential addresses and driver’s license numbers. (Associated Press)
DEATH PENALTY: Florida’s Supreme Court has upheld a law allowing nonunanimous juries to sentence people to death. The court upheld a 2023 law ending requirements that juries be unanimous in capital cases. The law requires at least eight of 12 jurors to vote in favor of executions, the lowest bar in the country. (Associated Press)
STADIUMS: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) is cheering a decision by the Chicago Bears to explore moving to his state. The Bears are pushing Illinois lawmakers to approve tax breaks for a $5 billion mixed-use stadium in Arlington Heights, Ill. Indiana lawmakers approved a bill to create a stadium authority to lure the team across the border this year. (State Affairs)
MORE: Kansas lawmakers will meet Monday to finalize bonds worth hundreds of millions of dollars aimed at luring the Kansas City Chiefs across the Missouri River. The Kansas Department of Commerce says the state is in active discussions with the team about moving. (Kansas Reflector)
In Politics & Business
CALIFORNIA: A new Civic Lens Research poll shows former Fox News host Steve Hilton (R) leading the all-party primary for governor with 18%, followed by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R) with 14%. U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D) is at 12%, and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D) is at 9%. (Sacramento Bee)
ALABAMA: State Rep. Phillip Ensler (D) has filed papers to run for lieutenant governor. Ensler said he wouldn’t seek re-election and would move back to his home state of New York earlier this year; he said in a statement Thursday he had decided to stay in Alabama. (Alabama Reflector)
MASSACHUSETTS: A measure to eliminate marijuana legalization has qualified for the 2026 ballot, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Massachusetts voters opted to legalize recreational pot in 2016, with 54% of the vote. (State Affairs)
PEOPLE: Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt (D) has died at 88, his daughter, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt (D), announced Thursday. Hunt served an unprecedented four terms in office in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. (Associated Press)
By The Numbers
63%: The share of American voters who are extremely or very worried about artificial intelligence, up seven points from the last time Fox News pollsters asked. Four in ten AI users say they use “please” and “thank you” when asking AI questions. (Fox News)
$6 billion: The amount of money states will lose over a federal plan to roll back royalty rates on oil production. The rates will drop from 16.7% to 12.5% under President Trump’s reconciliation bill; states get about half the royalty rates the federal government collects. (Associated Press)
$35.2 million: The amount in state tax credits awarded to the rocket producer Ursa Major, the largest single incentive award in state history. The award is based on expectations that the company will employ 1,850 people at an average wage of $128,108 over the next eight years. (Denver Post)
Off The Wall
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) has pardoned country music star Jelly Roll for past criminal convictions for robbery and drug felonies. Lee cited the artist’s work as a missionary and his musical story of redemption. Jelly Roll has testified before Congress about the dangers of fentanyl. (Associated Press)
Your Mom’s House has been seized by Denver officials. The city took control of the entertainment venue over nearly $30,000 in unpaid taxes. (Westword)
The Black Hawk Bridge, connecting Iowa and Wisconsin over the Mississippi River, will be demolished Friday in a controlled implosion. The bridge, built in 1931, will be replaced by a new one expected to be completed by 2027. Drivers can take a ferry across the river in the meantime. (Associated Press)
Quote of the Day
“The McCaskey family should focus on hosting a playoff game in a stadium that actually exists, not distract by pontificating about hosting a Super Bowl in one that doesn’t.”
— Illinois Rep. Kam Buckner (D), on the Chicago Bears exploring a move to Illinois over a dispute over the team’s proposed new stadium. (WTTW)