Huntingdon County smoke shop sells $500,000 winning lottery ticket — WTAJ

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This article was adapted from an original report published on wtaj.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

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Police Investigating Armed Robbery at Whalley Avenue Vape Shop in New Haven

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Police say an armed robbery occurred at a vape shop on Whalley Avenue in New Haven and the incident is under investigation.

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Imperial Brands reported full-year results for the year ended September 20 that show continued operational momentum and strong returns to shareholders, even as some reported earnings were under pressure.

Tobacco and Next Generation Products (NGP) net revenue rose 4.1%, driven by double-digit NGP growth, robust tobacco pricing and stable market share across its five priority markets. Since FY20, the company has added 48 basis points of market share. Reported revenue, however, slipped 0.7%.

“We will continue to invest in consumer insights, innovation, and marketing capabilities,” said CEO Lukas Paravicini. “We will also continue to make deliberate, focused choices about which opportunities we pursue, and develop a simpler, more efficient, and more agile organization.”

NGP continued to perform strongly: net revenue for the category climbed 13.7% and reported NGP revenue was up 14.9%, driven by oral nicotine growth in the U.S. and Europe and share gains across all smoke-free categories. Adjusted operating profit increased 4.6%, while reported operating profit fell 1.8%. Adjusted earnings per share rose 9.1%, helped by profit growth and a reduced share count; reported EPS declined 16.5%.

Cash generation remained solid, with free cash flow of £2.7 billion, largely supported by the combustibles business. Shareholder returns were a clear focus: the FY25 dividend increased 4.5% and a £1.25 billion buyback was completed. Over FY21–FY25, Imperial returned £10 billion to shareholders, and a new £1.45 billion buyback for FY26 has already begun.

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This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

A subsidiary of Nationwide told an Illinois federal court it does not have to cover a proposed class action accusing a cannabis company of misrepresenting the safety and labeling of cannabis-infused products, ClassAction.org reports. The insurer says the company’s liability policies expressly exclude allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, or deceptive practices.

The underlying suits claim certain cannabis products—including vape oils sold as concentrates—were mislabeled to circumvent Illinois’ stricter THC limits, and that consumers were misled about potency and safety. Plaintiffs contend those practices violated state consumer protection laws and exposed buyers to unsafe products.

Nationwide’s filing highlights the growing difficulty cannabis businesses face obtaining dependable insurance as litigation risk increases. If the court sides with the insurer, the cannabis company would have to cover its own defense costs — a potentially significant financial burden in an industry already navigating complex regulations.

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This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

Springfield weighs kratom ban amid concerns of an emerging wave of addiction

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This article was adapted from an original report published on news.google.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

Tucked next to the Alki Surf Shop on Alki Ave SW, Alki Smoke Shop & Grocery fills a practical gap in the beach community, offering the everyday items neighbors ask for.

Jane Baldorj, who opened the shop with her husband Bagi, says they started by asking people what they needed. “First week we were just asking the people what they need…. We are still listening.” On the second Saturday morning she was open, two neighbors popped in for a box of butter — not what you’d expect at a smoke shop, but exactly what the neighborhood wanted. “It’s easier for the neighborhood to get something. It’s nice for the people who live down here,” Jane said.

Early customers suggested produce and items people might borrow from each other when they don’t have time to run to a grocery store — things like milk and butter. The shop is small, but Jane points out they can carry basics: garlic, onion, banana and apple. “They were (the neighbors’) ideas, and so we listened and they want some produce.”

Responding to those requests, the shop now stocks a variety of milk and butter, candy and a wide selection of drinks. “Space is limited but we will try to have at least what you need,” Jane said. She also says prices are lower than the closest grocery stores: “I stopped by (a large chain grocery store) yesterday and I thought oh my god so expensive!”

Business has been steady even “in the slow season.” “It’s better than expected because it’s a brand new store.” Despite lower beach traffic in November, Jane has seen returning customers and lots of word-of-mouth referrals. “I really appreciate the neighborhood because they were saying to another person and another one,” she said. “Everyone is saying, Oh we don’t want to go up the hill,” gesturing toward the road to West Seattle’s Admiral District.

The shop mixes snacks and smoke products on its shelves, though cigarettes and other nicotine items are kept behind the counter. Customer K.D. summed up local sentiment: “Yes 100%. It’s such a cute shop and I just want the best for them.” She picked up a Red Bull while running an errand on Alki beach and called the location perfect for quick trips: “I was like oh hey it’s just right here.”

Jane and Bagi found the space through his work as a contractor. Bagi helped remodel the upstairs, and when they learned the small storefront was available they considered opening another restaurant — they’d previously run a teriyaki restaurant in North Seattle — but decided a neighborhood grocery made more sense given the many restaurants already in the area.

The space previously housed Alki Miniatures and Brocante (now in the West Seattle Junction). The cheery shop is kid-friendly and open to all ages; smoke products remain behind the counter. Alki Smoke Shop & Grocery is located at 2622 Alki Ave SW Suite 102.

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This article was adapted from an original report published on westsideseattle.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

Tucked next to the Alki Surf Shop on Alki Ave SW, Alki Smoke Shop & Grocery has begun filling everyday needs for the beach community.

By Liz Steen

Jane Baldorj says she and her husband, Bagi, opened the shop by listening to their neighbors. “First week we were just asking the people what they need…. We are still listening,” she said. On the second Saturday after opening, two neighbors came in asking for a box of butter — not what you’d expect at a smoke shop, but exactly what locals wanted. “It’s easier for the neighborhood to get something. It’s nice for the people who live down here,” Jane said.

Early customers suggested the shop carry produce and the small staples people borrow from each other when they can’t run to a supermarket — things like milk and butter. The space is compact, but Jane points to displays of fresh fruit and says, “We can have at least garlic and onion and banana and apple.” “They were (the neighbors’) ideas, and so we listened and they want some produce.”

Responding to requests, the store now stocks a variety of milk and butter, candy, and a wide selection of drinks. “Space is limited but we will try to have at least what you need,” Jane said. She also notes prices are lower than nearby grocery stores. “I stopped by (a large chain grocery store) yesterday and I thought oh my god so expensive!” she said, adding that Alki can be pricey and she wants the shop to be affordable.

Business has been surprisingly brisk even “in the slow season.” Despite lower beach foot traffic in November, Jane is seeing returning customers and lots of word-of-mouth referrals. “I really appreciate the neighborhood because they were saying to another person and another one,” she said. Many customers tell her they prefer not to “go up the hill,” referring to the road toward West Seattle’s Admiral District shopping area.

Cigarettes and other nicotine products share shelf space with snacks, though smoke products are kept behind the counter.

Customer K.D. summed up the neighborhood support: “Yes 100%. It’s such a cute shop and I just want the best for them,” she said, holding the Red Bull she bought after walking over from the beach. “I was like oh hey it’s just right here.”

Jane and Bagi discovered the spot through his work as a contractor. He helped remodel the upstairs, and when they learned the small storefront was available they debated what to do with it. At first they considered opening another restaurant — the couple previously ran a Teriyaki restaurant in North Seattle — but ultimately chose the convenience shop to serve local needs.

The location previously housed Alki Miniatures and Brocante (now in the West Seattle Junction). The cheery space is kid-friendly and open to all ages. Alki Smoke Shop & Grocery is at 2622 Alki Ave SW, Suite 102.

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This article was adapted from an original report published on westsideseattle.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

Alki shop owners are listening to their new neighbor — Alki Smoke Shop & Grocery now open

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This article was adapted from an original report published on news.google.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

SPRINGFIELD — Five months after banning synthetic marijuana, the City Council has shifted its focus to kratom, worried it could trigger a new surge in opioid addiction.

Kratom is a leaf that can act as either a stimulant or an opioid depending on the dose. About a decade ago, users began extracting an alkaloid called mitragynine to create a more concentrated—and more dangerous—product, said Dr. C. Michael White, a professor at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy.

“What is important to know about 7-OH is (it’s) equally as potent as morphine,” White told City Council members Monday. “It has the same addictive potential as morphine, as oxycodone, as all the traditional opioids.” He added that 7-OH produces a heroin-like euphoria and that some people who tried kratom while seeking addiction treatment instead relapsed into uncontrolled substance use.

Kratom remains unregulated in Massachusetts, though several towns and cities have begun removing it from smoke shops and convenience stores. A state bill that could impose a statewide ban has also been filed.

“We have the opportunity to get ahead of it,” said City Councilor Sean Curran, who is leading the effort to ban kratom locally. He said the goal is to act quickly to keep the product out of teenagers’ hands rather than wait for the state.

The city’s Law Department drafted an ordinance that would ban the manufacture, sale and distribution of all kratom products. Officials are now reconsidering that broad approach after learning low-dose leaf products can help some people manage chronic pain and support recovery from opioid addiction.

“For those people who ended up converting over to leaf kratom products, they have felt the leaf kratom products were giving them a better ability to function,” White said. He also noted the leaf form can be an option for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Still, he warned, the risks of the highly concentrated products outweigh their benefits.

If the council pursues an ordinance, it must pass two votes; if not adopted by year’s end it will expire, though the council could revive it in the next session. “We want to act really quickly, deliberately but quickly,” Curran said.

John Shinholster, director of advocacy for American Veterans for Kratom Safe, drove from Virginia to attend Monday’s health and human services meeting and urged councilors to avoid an outright ban. “The bottom line is, it is one of the best harm-reduction products out there,” he said.

White recommended a more targeted ordinance: ban products that contain more than 2% of concentrated 7-OH and similar compounds MGM-15 and MGM-16, while allowing natural leaf products. The ordinance could also prohibit vaping forms and any sugared or flavored products designed to appeal to children. The city could go further by requiring distributors who sell items with small amounts of 7-OH to register and by subjecting products to testing.

“Science is moving along so fast, we struggle to capture it,” City Solicitor Stephen Buoniconti said, calling the market for synthetic drugs “a little like the Wild West.” He noted the city has already received letters threatening lawsuits after passing the synthetic marijuana ordinance.

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This article was adapted from an original report published on masslive.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

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– “Police Investigate After Three Men Allegedly Rob New Haven Vape Shop at Gunpoint”
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