Good morning, Modesto.

Local cannabis shop owner Jason David said the state raised the cannabis excise tax from 15% to 19%, which forced him to sell a location and his home to cover rising costs.

Legal experts warn that the higher tax will raise prices—potentially pushing medical patients toward unregulated markets.

Del Campo Jr. Cougars Youth football and cheer program saw its fireworks stand broken into over the weekend as more than $34,000 in inventory was stolen—leaving the team owing Phantom Fireworks and urging community support at 5800 Madison Avenue.

On July 1, police arrested Jaspreet Singh Chohan, 39 — a Modesto resident, after seizing nearly 500 pounds of illegal fireworks from Rolling Oak Court in Ceres at about 10:30 a.m., and a second man was cited as officers reminded residents to use only approved fireworks.