Walmart agreed to pay $50 million to settle allegations that its pharmacies illegally filled thousands of opioid prescriptions, and other controlled drugs. This was according to both the Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Justice.
Walmart was accused of violating Controlled Substances Act in the government’s complaint. The original filing, at the end President Donald Trump’s first term, and the amended version during the term of former president Joe Biden, were filed by the federal government.
In a press release, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward stated that the settlement “proves our commitment to put Americans’ well-being first.” The Congress passed laws that promote accountability and responsibility for those who distribute controlled substances in order to protect Americans.
This department won’t hesitate to enforce the obligations of pharmacies in order for them to adhere with these protections. We will ensure that profits can never be used as an excuse to aid our nation’s epidemic.
As a US attorney, I see the horrifying toll of Fentanyl up close; Congress must act now
Walmart was accused of filling prescriptions that were invalid with knowledge from its pharmacists and compliance team. This complaint dates back to June 2013.
The DOJ reported that some Walmart pharmacists had reported the alleged criminal activity, through “refusal to fill” forms and other means, such as thousands of them.
The DOJ stated that “the compliance team prioritized other objectives over CSA Compliance.”
As one compliance director acknowledged via email, instead of analyzing refusal-to fill reports, compliance team members viewed “[]adding sales and increasing patient awareness” as being a ‘far better use’ of Market Managers and Directors’ time.
WALMAR CHANGES THE WAY MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS PAY AT THE CHECKOUT
According to the DOJ, pharmacists also filled prescriptions with red flags such as prescriptions for dangerous “cocktails” of non-opioid and opioid drugs, repeated requests to fill frequently abused medications early or opioids in high doses.
WMT WALMART INTL., 103.09 +0.46 %
The DOJ stated that Walmart entered into an arrangement to create a hotline where employees and patients could report any suspected illegal activities.
It is also important that the company monitors pharmacy dispensing trends.
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Walmart has not responded to FOX Business’ request for comment.

Here’s where to buy this weekend. From Osprey back packs and Merrell hiking shoes to Nemo camping chairs and REI Cooperative gear.
Kasey Cainiti
USA TODAY
Last updated Aug. 28, 2020, 8:24 pm ET
REI’s Labor Day Sale is the Best Outdoor Gear Event of the Season
Labor Day is here and you can get some great deals on items that aren’t just random clearance. We’re witnessing rare discounts of up to 60 percent on hiking gear, camping essentials, outdoor clothing, and travel accessories from top brands that shoppers like me actively seek out, such as Osprey Jetboil Patagonia Keen REI Co-op.
This event will run from August 28 to September 7 with up to 50% discount on clearance and REI Co-op member discounts.
These are the REI offers I would recommend purchasing first if you want to prepare for fall camping, hiking, or other outdoor activities before it gets cooler.
Shop for Labor Day Deals at REI
Labor Day is a great time to consider joining REI Co-op
Members of REI Co-op get 20% extra off on one Outlet item using code Labor Day26
REI Co-op Membership
The current REI Cooperative membership promotion is a great time to join if you buy outdoor, hiking, camping or cycling gear regularly.
This $30 card can cover your membership costs, and the annual rewards as well as member benefits provide value. How to obtain a $30 Bonus Card
Major REI Co-op membership perks
Only $30 for a one-time membership
New members eligible for $30 Bonus Card
Exclusive member offers
Spend on Eligible Products to Receive Rewards
All orders qualify for free shipping
Labor Day Promotions
Labor Day Savings Exclusive to Members
Rei Outlet: Extra 20% on one item using code LaborDay26
Extra 25% off qualifying bike installation services
Shop first for the 12 best REI Labor Day Deals
1. Nemo Stargaze Evo-X Folding Reclining Camp Chair
Nemo Stargaze Evo-X Folding Reclining Camp Chair
The Nemo Stargaze is more than just a camping chair. It allows you to recline, relax and swing in comfort at the end of a day spent outdoors.
Labor Day offers a great opportunity to purchase this luxury upgrade. REI offers 44% off
2. Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove System
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove System
The Jetboil Basecamp System is designed for campers looking to bring home-like conveniences into the great outdoors.
This compact and powerful camping stove is one of the best deals on the market. Rei offers 25% off your order
3. REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie – Men’s
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie – Men’s
The Sahara Shade Hoodie is one of REI’s best-selling layers for warm weather, providing lightweight sun protection.
This Labor Day sale is the perfect excuse to add this item to your packing list. REI offers 50% off
4. Men’s Arc’teryx Atom insulated Hoody
Arc’teryx Atom insulated Hoody for Men
Arc’teryx Atom Hoody is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts, hikers and travelers because of its warmth and lightweight.
This is one of the best Arc’teryx deals at the REI Labor Day Event. Rei Labor Day Sale: Save 25%
5. REI Co-op Comfort Cot
REI Co-op Comfort Cot
The REI elevated cot is the most comfortable way to sleep at your campsite. This sturdy design will lift you up and provide excellent support on overnight trips.
This Labor Day sale is a great option if you are tired of spending your nights outside. Rei offers 25% off
6. Osprey Daylite Expandable Travel Pack 26+6
Osprey Daylite Expandable Travel Pack 26+6
The Osprey travel backpack is a popular choice among frequent travelers thanks to the expandable design.
The Labor Day Sale is a good time to update your travel equipment, whether you are planning a long weekend trip or an extended fall vacation. Rei offers 25% off your purchase
7. Merrell Moab 3, Hiking Shoes for Men
Merrell Moab 3, Hiking Shoes for Men
The Merrell Moab 3 is often referred to as one of the best hiking shoes available. It offers comfort and grip right from the start.
This Labor Day sale is hard to miss if you are gearing up for the fall hiking season. REI offers 25% off
8. Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover – Women’s
Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover – Women’s
Patagonia’s Snap-T Fleece is an autumn staple, and for good reason. It’s lightweight, cozy, and has endless versatility. Perfect for camping, weekend adventures, and cool mornings.
This Labor Day sale is particularly attractive because Patagonia offers discounts rarely. Rei offers 50% off
9. REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants for Men
REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants for Men
These convertible pants are a great choice if you want a pair that will handle travel, hiking and weather changes.
Labor Day offers the greatest savings on REI essentials. REI: Save 25%
10. Keen Newport H2 Sandals – Men’s
Keen Newport H2 Sandals – Men’s
Keen Newport H2 is a versatile pair of outdoor shoes that combines a sandal and a hiking shoe.
Save up to 26% at REI. REI offers up to 26% off.
11. prAna Halle Pants – Women’s
prAna Halle Pants – Women’s
PrAna Halle is a popular choice for trail to town versatility, thanks to the durable fabric and flattering fit.
This practical item is now even more affordable during REI’s Labor Day Sale. REI Labor Day Sale: Save up to 33%
12. Hoka Clifton Road Running Shoes for Women
Hoka Clifton Road Running Shoes for Women
Hoka Clifton shoes are a popular choice for runners and walkers. They offer a plush, all-day cushioned comfort.
This sale is a great opportunity to get a discount on one of the best-selling products. REI offers 35% off.
What is the Labor Day Sale for 2026 at REI?
REI will host its Labor Day 2026 sale on Friday, August 28, through Monday, Sept. 7, offering discounts on clothing, travel accessories, and outdoor gear. The retailer will not have another major sale until its famous holiday event in November, just before Black Friday.
REI Outlet Flash Sales could be better
REI will run an Outlet promotion with discounts up to 60%.
Customers should be especially vigilant:
The 31st of August through the 1st September
From September 3 to September 4.
REI Deals for Today
What can you expect to save at the Labor Day 2026 REI sale?
Rei Co-op Clothing and Gear up to 25% Off
Jetboil accessories and cookware are 25% off
Big Agnes Copper Tents on Sale!
The North Face Wawona Tents are 25% Off
All prAna hike bottoms are 25% off
Danner Shoes: 25% Discount
Darn Tough socks are 25% off
All Keen shoes are 25% off
Select Osprey duffels and packs are 25% off
Sea to Summit Gear: 25% Off
REI Outlet: Up to 60% Off
Is there a discount for REI members?
Yes. REI Co-op Members receive exclusive benefits, such as an extra discount on selected Outlet Products and additional member-exclusive savings.
Join REI Co-op Today
USA TODAY shopping is constantly covering the latest deals, so sign up to receive text updates, visit us on Flipboard or TikTok and sign up to our newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram.
Our editors choose independently our recommendations. Our editorial decisions are independent, even though some content was produced using paid support. The USA TODAY Network could earn commissions if you purchase through one of our links. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. has struck a deal to gain majority control over more than 65 billion bbls. of crude oil in Venezuela, as war with Iran is causing global turmoil.
In a social media posting, Trump claimed that this agreement, which he called “THE LARGEST OIL DEAL EVER IN HISTORY”, comes at “no cost” to the U.S. tax payers.
According to Trump, the agreement has more than doubled U.S. reserves of oil. Department of Energy figures released in early February showed that oil reserves within the Strategic Petroleum Reserve had reached lows last seen in the 1980s.
Trump’s agreement with Venezuela comes after the U.S. attack in January on Venezuela. The strike captured Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores. They were Venezuela’s former president.
Trump stated in a social media posting that U.S. officials had coordinated with Venezuelan government leaders. He said they also used a “partnership,” with an unnamed business, to seal the deal.
Trump’s post stated that “this transaction will strengthen already-growing relationship between Venezuelan and United States.”
Trump made his announcement as energy prices spiked ahead of the midterms, when it will be decided if Trump’s Republican Party retains control in Washington.
Trump claimed that the Venezuela agreement should lower prices. According to AAA, the average cost of a gallon in the U.S. was $4.09, which is a 27 percent increase over last year.
This week’s West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices dropped 4%, the first time in the past three weeks that the price has fallen. Prices have still risen by more than 24 percent since the U.S. began its war against Iran.

According to an official with knowledge of the investigation, two air traffic controllers may be terminated for leaving their towers at New York’s LaGuardia Airport an hour earlier on the evening that an Air Canada plane crashed into a truck driving across the runway and killed both pilots.
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the crash of March 22, and the official spoke with The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity on Friday.
Two controllers had left early the night before, leaving only two in the tower. They were left to deal with an unexpected flurry flights and an emergency on a plane at the airport. Officials said that the controllers could have been a vital backup if they stayed at the airport to the end of their work shift because they were supposed to stay there after the accident.
A government official confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration will take disciplinary measures against two early departures of controllers, including firing them.
In a press release, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association stated that it “actively discusses these allegations with FAA Leadership.”
It is common for people to leave the airport before the required break at the end of their shift. This is known as “early pushing”. The FAA has also begun negotiating a contract with air traffic controllers that will hopefully include a model of scheduling.
In a press release, the FAA stated that it “will not compromise safety or the efficiency of the National Airspace System.”
Transport Secretary calls out early departure timecard fraud
Tom Linter, who spent decades at the FAA and worked as an air traffic controller in LaGuardia before overseeing all investigations related to air traffic control, said that early departures should not be tolerated.
No excuses are given for the fact that you should be at work for 8 hours if you have been paid to do so. Linter stated that seven and a 1/2 hours does not count.
Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that this is time card fraud and will not be tolerated.
Duffy stated in a press release that “the vast majority of air traffic controllers are patriots. They show up to work, finish their shift and then come back again and repeat the process.” We have to take action when some individuals abuse the American taxpayers and unfairly increase the workload of their co-controllers.
The Wall Street Journal reported for the first time Thursday that two controllers were facing disciplinary actions after they left early.
The crash investigation is likely to continue well into the next year
NTSB refused to make any comment about reports that the controllers had left early. It expects all organizations involved in an inquiry to keep quiet while experts try to figure out what happened and prevent future tragedies. Air Canada, as well as union representatives across the aviation industry, did not answer any questions.
Investigators immediately raised concerns about the staffing of the tower. However, they also found that there were other contributing factors to the accident. It won’t become clear what caused the crash until after NTSB releases its final report. This is likely to happen next year.
According to an April NTSB preliminary report, the firefighters who collided their truck with the plane did not know the purpose of the air traffic controller’s warning.
A controller cleared the firetruck to cross the runway just seconds before, but it started moving as warning lights, which act as stop signs for traffic crossing, were still on.
The emergency trucks tried to get the plane which declared an emergency
The April NTSB reported that because the truck did not have a transponder a surface-monitoring system at the control tower could not reliably determine the position of the vehicle, and “didn’t predict a possible conflict” with an aircraft landing, nor generated a visual or audio alert.
The report stated that after the initial warning from the air traffic controller, the driver of the turret on the firetruck heard him say “Truck 1, Stop, Stop, STOP” and realized he meant to tell the truck to stop. The truck had already been parked on the runway when Air Canada Express Flight 8646 landed and was speeding towards it.
A fire engine was at the head of a convoy that included four other fire engines, a police vehicle, and a staircase truck. They were responding to an incident involving a foul odor which was causing flight attendants aboard United Airlines’ departing jet to feel sick.
Only two Air Canada pilots died in the crash
Air Canada’s CRJ900 regional plane from Montreal was carrying 76 passengers. Antoine Forest (30) and Mackenzie Gunther (24), both pilots, were fatally injured. This was the first fatal crash to occur at LaGuardia Airport in over 34 years.
Six people, who were described as being seriously injured, were also taken to hospital. After being discharged from hospital, the two members of the fire truck crew recovered at their homes.
After being thrown on the tarmac, a flight attendant who was still strapped into her seat managed to survive.
Weather delays have caused an increase in airport traffic
Cirium, a firm that analyzes aviation data, says LaGuardia airport was more busy than normal the night before the accident. Weather-related delays caused the arrivals and departing flights to be double the scheduled number.
The crash occurred around 11:45 pm. This level of staffing occurs on overnight shifts that begin at midnight.
The planes were arriving every few minutes. Twelve flights arrived between 11 pm and the time of the accident, which occurred less than forty minutes later. The controllers were forced to change their roles due to an emergency response for the United flight’s odor problem.
___
This story was written by Chris Weber, Rio Yamat and other Associated Press journalists.

Grok, Elon Musk’s generator of non-consensual deepfake sexual behavior that is not based on consent, has been in legal trouble again.
A new complaint, filed this week, claims that Musk’s xAI Grok has been trained in child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Musk’s xAI chatbot Grok has been under fire for the past couple of months, after Musk promoted Grok’s nudifying photos in his X profile. This led to a renaissance among online perverts who created millions of sexually explicit deepfakes that were distributed without consent. The majority of nudification victims are children.
Several government investigations, individual lawsuits and at least 3 class actions followed. Musk was forced to restrict who could access the feature and put it behind paywalls in order to make more money. However, the “spicy” mode is still accessible, although more limited. In a recent twist, xAI sued itself two users for using the tool to make CSAM. The company claimed in that lawsuit to have assisted at least 244 people who had created or distributed CSAM via Grok.
All the lawsuits filed against Grok to date have focused on holding xAI responsible for not putting in place safeguards which its competitors already do. The latest suit is the first time that the company has been accused of using its CSAM to train models.
The plaintiff in the proposed class-action lawsuit, Jane Doe (as she is known), is a former victim of child pornography, and is being tracked by Child Exploitation Notification Program of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The plaintiff claims that CSAMs of her from her childhood were used by Grok to create more CSAMs of herself and other victims.
In a recent press release, Sarah London, the plaintiff’s attorney and a lawyer at Girard-Sharp, stated that “xAI is responsible for knowingly exposing its models to images of abuse, including the images of abuse suffered by her and other survivors in the same class.”
The lawsuit alleges that xAI deliberately designed Grok so that it would respond to users’ requests to generate sexual content. This was done to “entice” more people to use both X as well as Grok.
The complaint states that “as long as Grok is able to create this type of content, harm will not be resolved simply because images have been removed from the site or the content has no longer been made public.” If such materials were used in training, their influence would likely persist, contributing to further abuse. This could exacerbate the trauma of survivors as their images or likenesses can be reproduced at large scales and transformed.
The plaintiff wants the court to give damages to other victims whose pictures were allegedly used in the creation of CSAM. She also requests the destruction all Grok generated CSAMs, including those that exist publicly and any others that may be used for training its models.
Possession of CSAM, production of CSAM, and distribution are all crimes. In a press release, Margaret E. Mabie, another plaintiff’s attorney, of Marsh Law Firm said that xAI had done all three. There is no exception for artificial intelligence to the federal laws protecting children, and xAI will have to face its consequences.