Missouri finalizes $458M deal in opioid epidemic lawsuit

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri will get $458 million to help victims of the opioid epidemic as part settlement with the three biggest U.S. drug distribution companies and the drugmaker Johnson & Johnson. Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced the final settlement Friday. Schmitt says it’s the biggest “victim-centric” settlement ever in Missouri. The money…

Billionaire donates $20M to Irvin bid for Illinois governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Billionaire Ken Griffin has made his support for a Republican governor official. Griffin on Monday contributed $20 million to Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s bid to run against Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Griffin had previously expressed admiration for Irvin’s background as a military veteran, litigator and Aurora’s first Black mayor. As for…