Briefly speaking – week of 4/17

Global

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced a bill April 13 that would legalize recreational marijuana use. If the bill passes, Canada will be the second country, after Uruguay, to completely legalize marijuana. Bill Blair, Toronto’s former police chief and the lawmaker whom Trudeau appointed to manage the legislation, said the government hoped to have legal sales by mid-2018.

On Wednesday, three people died in Venezuela during protests against President Nicolás Maduro. According to human rights groups, National Guard troops and government-aligned militias used tear gas, rubber bullets and weapons against the demonstrators. Despite the deaths, thousands still took to the streets, and opposition leaders have called for more rallies.

National

Fox News host Bill O’Reilly was forced out of the network on Wednesday after the disclosure of sexual harassment allegations against him. The allegations came to light on April 1 when The New York Times published an article saying O’Reilly and Fox had settled with five women who had complained about him. Afterwards, more than 50 advertisers pulled out of his show and women’s rights groups called for him to be fired.

Ex-Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez was found dead in his jail cell Wednesday morning. Hernandez was serving a life sentence for the 2013 death of Odin Lloyd, and he was acquitted for a double murder April 14.

Local

The 11th annual Tennis-a-thon will occur April 28 and 29 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the Eagles Landing Tennis Center near the high school. The proceeds will go to the tennis program and Foundation For Allen Schools. To sponsor a student, go to schoolpay.com.

The Escadrille will host its third annual mattress sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 29. The sale will be in the PAC, and all mattresses are new with full factory warranties. Mattress delivery will be available.