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A “Trip” That Can Cure DepressionDrugsHealthPsychedelics

A “Trip” That Can Cure

Growing evidence about the benefits of psychedelics on mental health

Writer Kim Whiting details new discoveries in the study of psychedelic drugs for mental health treatment. She says an increasing amount of studies show that small doses of psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms," can help people struggling with drug-resistant depression, anxiety and PTSD. They could also help treat addiction and eating disorders. "If only they were legal," Whiting says.

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Kim Whiting
May 21, 2026
Reefer Madness BusinessDrugsEconomyMinnesotaNational

Reefer Madness

Rapidly changing regulations in the cannabis industry are leaving small businesses behind, and their customers are frustrated.

For a budding market, the recreational cannabis industry in the U.S. has hit some major roadblocks. Small businesses across the country trying to capitalize on the legalization of marijuana in their states now find themselves struggling to stay afloat. New rules, new taxes, a major shift in marijuana's federal classification, and a tightening of hemp regulations have licensed dealers irate. As a result, some pot users are turning back to the black market, where the unlicensed product is more affordable—and more dangerous.

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Olivia Hines
January 28, 2026
A Novel Approach to Critical Thinking Book ReviewsDrugsMurderRace Relations

A Novel Approach to Critical Thinking

Real life murder used to explore racial, education concerns in rural South

Based on the real-life murders of a young wife and her toddler in rural Texas several decades ago, John Yearwood’s new novel Jar of Pennies explores the region’s culture and racial complexities. We've got exclusive excerpts and reporter Kim Whiting talks with the author to better understand his keen racial awareness and critical thinking.

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Kim Whiting
April 24, 2023
From the Brink to the Bench Book ReviewsDrugsHealth

From the Brink to the Bench

The astounding transformation of a methamphetamine junkie turned federal judge

"In 2014, twenty years into my sobriety, I zipped up my judge’s robe and looked in the mirror. I smiled at myself..." In her new memoir From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, Mary Beth O'Connor recounts how she went from injecting methamphetamine regularly to almost three decades of sobriety and success.

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Kim Whiting
January 11, 2023
Psychedelic Microdosing DrugsHealthPsychedelicsPublic Safety

Psychedelic Microdosing

Mushrooms shown to provide "magical" mental health benefits

An increasing number of people are using psilocybin mushrooms unsupervised, obtaining them through a legal loophole. These "magic mushrooms" can cause anxiety-filled or highly emotional trips--imagine popcorn kernels trying to eat you. However, studies have proven small doses could help people experiencing mild depression and anxiety.

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Kim Whiting
July 28, 2022
When Solving One Problem Creates Another DrugsHealthPublic Safety

When Solving One Problem Creates Another

New restrictions reducing availability of opioids leave seniors in pain

"When we think about the more than 68-thousand people who overdosed last year, we often imagine young heroin addicts found dead in their cars, or veterans over-medicated on OxyContin. We rarely think of Grandma with her bad back and doctor-prescribed pain pills," Carol Larson writes. She shares how new policies attempting to curb the opioid epidemic leave seniors grappling with extreme pain.

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Carol Larson
September 5, 2019
Driving While High CrimeDrugsPublic Safety

Driving While High

As legal weed grows, so do stoned driving concerns 

Government studies estimate that nearly 2.5 million people in the U.S. have become regular marijuana users in the past few years since states began legalizing the drug. At the same time, questions and concerns are being raised at every turn, including the issue of "stoned driving," or "driving while high."

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Mari Grigaliunas
January 4, 2016
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