CDC: More teens smoke marijuana than cigarettes

CDC: More teens smoke marijuana than cigarettes

ATLANTA

A government survey shows more teens are now smoking pot than cigarettes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday that 23 percent of high school students said they recently smoked marijuana, while 18 percent said they had puffed cigarettes. The survey asked teens about a variety of risky behaviors.

For decades, the number of teens who smoke has been on the decline. Marijuana use has fluctuated, and recently rose. At times, pot and cigarette smoking were about the same level, but last year marked the first time marijuana use was clearly greater.

An earlier survey by the University of Michigan also found that pot smoking was higher. A Michigan expert said teens today apparently see marijuana as less dangerous than cigarettes.

Tornado touches down in Wyoming

DENVER

Storms have brought a tornado and 2-inch hail to Wyoming, a day after thunderstorms pummeled parts of Wyoming and Colorado with golf-ball-sized hail and heavy rain.

Wyoming officials say three homes were heavily damaged by the tornado Thursday, and 10 to 12 other structures also have damage.

Speaking for the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, local radio-station owner Kent Smith says the injured person was treated at the Wheatland hospital for a cut on the head.

National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Trudel says the tornado touched down briefly near Wheatland, north of Cheyenne. Meanwhile, hail the size of golf balls was reported in the Wheatland area, and 2-inch hail was reported in Laramie.

On Wednesday, about five tornadoes touched down in Colorado. No serious damage was reported.

Child-porn ring busted by feds

INDIANAPOLIS

Investigators have busted a child-pornography ring spread across the U.S. and Europe that produced and distributed sexually explicit images of babies and toddlers online, federal prosecutors in Indianapolis said Thursday.

Seven American men have been convicted and sentenced on various charges in the case, including three who were sentenced in federal court in Indianapolis on Wednesday, the U.S. attorney’s office said. Two more who pleaded guilty are awaiting sentencing.

“This operation uncovered a dangerous and depraved group of criminals who were devoted to trading sexually explicit images of children under the age of five,” Assistant U.S. Attorney General Larry Breuer said in a statement.

Texas considers 85 mph speed limit

HOUSTON

Transportation officials in Texas are testing a new 41-mile segment of highway to see whether it would be safe to post the state’s first 85 mph speed limit, setting it on a path to have the highest posted speed limit in the U.S.

The Texas Department of Transportation is considering the move on a portion of state Highway 130 that would run north-south between Austin and Seguin, a town just east of San Antonio, spokesman Mark Cross said Thursday.

The agency is looking at the toll road’s topography, checking what speed most drivers are traveling on existing parts of the highway and ensuring the access points and cross-sections still would be safe with an 85 mph speed limit, Cross said.

Associated Press