TEXAS — The Federal Trade Commission announced its “Operation Donate with Honor,” Thursday. It’s an effort to crack down on fraudulent charities that falsely claim their donations will help veterans and service members. The operation has led to more than 100 actions taken against fraudulent charities.

“Americans are grateful for the sacrifices made by those who serve in the U.S. armed forces,” FTC Chairman Joe Simons said. “Sadly, some con artists prey on that gratitude, using lies and deception to line their own pockets. In the process, they harm not only well-meaning donors, but also the many legitimate charities that actually do great work on behalf of veterans and service members.”

The FTC is also partnering up with National Association of State Charity officials to help consumers recognize scams and identify legitimate charities.

A member of the Texas Better Business Bureau will be on Capital Tonight at 7 to discuss steps consumers can take to make sure they’re not being taken advantage of when giving to charities.

-----------------------

Push to legalize hemp farming in Texas

Austin – Hemp advocates told a Texas House Committee on Agriculture this week they want to see the crop grown across Texas.

They say Texas farmers are well-positioned to be top producers of the crop, but state lawmakers have to give them the green light first.

Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant, but it has low, or untraceable amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana users a high.

Gene Hall of the Texas Farm Bureau said his group supports Texas legalizing hemp farming. He discusses the potential cash crop hemp could be for Texas farmers at 7.

Hear more about these stories and others on Capital Tonight at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News.