From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jim Howard.President Obama is touring drought-stricken parts of California this evening.He's also announcing a 160-million-dollar aid package for farmers.The financial assistance includes 100 million dollars in livestock disaster aidand another 60 million dollars to bolster food banks.Farmers are welcoming the aid,but say much more needs to be done to address the state's ongoing water problems.The president is also saying he'll ask Congress to fund a one-billion-dollar program aimed at addressing issues of climate change.The plan to be included in the budget he'll send to Congress next monthwould pay for the new technologies to help communities deal with the wider effects of the climate change.Federal regulators issued guidance today to banks for working with legal marijuana businesses.As member station KPLU Gabriel Spirizer reports,the change could give those businesses access to banking services for the first time.Up to now, banks would be breaking the law by doing businesses with marijuana growers, processors and sellers.And technically they still are,but the new US treasury's guidelines tell banks how to work with these businesses without getting in trouble.Congressman Denny hack, represents the district in Western Washington State,one of the two states to legalize recreational marijuana.He's been a local advocate for reforming the bank regulations."This is a giant step forward in the effort by Washington state to stand up a well regulated marijuana market".Without access to banks, marijuana businesses generally have to deal entirely in cash.Hack says that scenario invites problems like tax evasion and organized crime.
