1. “House votes to legalize medical marijuana in Pennsylvania” i

2. HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A bill to let Pennsylvania patients who suffer from a list of ailments obtain marijuana for therapeutic purposes easily passed the state House on Wednesday, leaving only approval by the Senate, which overwhelmingly passed a similar bill last year. The House voted 149-43 for legislation that would set standards for growers, dispensaries and physicians. Patients could take the drug in pill, oil or liquid form, but would not be able to obtain marijuana they could smoke. Supporters said it would help relieve the suffering of sick people. Opponents argued the Legislature should not be approving a drug that is illegal under federal law. The bill would allow people to buy marijuana from a dispensary after they have been certified by a medical practitioner to have one of the 17 enumerated conditions. Those conditions include cancer, epilepsy, autism, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, glaucoma and chronic or intractable pain. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who has urged passage of legalized medical marijuana, released a statement that applauded the House vote and predicted the bill would provide "essential help" to patients.

3. In Other News  First lady Michelle Obama is due to leave the White House when her husband's term ends in January 2017, and she said she has no intentions of going back. "I will not run for president. No, nope, not going to do it," Obama said. She indicated a desire to be free from partisan controversy while still serving the public, saying she wanted to "impact as many people as possible in an unbiased way.” She also cited her children as a reason not to seek the office. "They've handled it (the presidency) with grace and with poise, but enough is enough," Obama said.  The killer whales currently in SeaWorld's care will be the last generation of the mammals enclosed at the water parks. "Why the big news? SeaWorld has been listening and we're changing. Society is changing and we're changing with it," the company said. "SeaWorld is finding new ways to continue to deliver on our purpose to inspire all our guest to take action to protect wild animals and wild places.” The company has come under fire for its treatment of killer whales since the 2013 CNN documentary "Blackfish." That film profiled one of its whales, Tilikum, who has been involved in the deaths of three people. It has been announced that the company is partnering with the Humane Society of the United States to advocate for ocean wildlife protection  The killer whales currently in SeaWorld's care will be the last generation of the mammals enclosed at the water parks. "Why the big news? SeaWorld has been listening and we're changing. Society is changing and we're changing with it," the company said. "SeaWorld is finding new ways to continue to deliver on our purpose to inspire all our guest to take action to protect wild animals and wild places.” The company has come under fire for its treatment of killer whales since the 2013 CNN documentary "Blackfish." That film profiled one of its whales, Tilikum, who has been involved in the deaths of three people. It has been announced that the company is partnering with the Humane Society of the United States to advocate for ocean wildlife protection.