Wynk brings THC Seltzers to Midwest and South with strategic expansion

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With its presence already established in Illinois, Wynk is becoming a familiar name in a fast-evolving space of cannabis culture.

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SNS - As cannabis culture continues to gain ground across the United States, one brand is carving out its niche with a low-key, socially friendly twist. Wynk, a hemp-derived THC-infused seltzer brand, is expanding its distribution footprint once again, this time into Wisconsin, Kentucky, Alabama, and Arkansas. The move signals the brand’s growing influence in the alternative beverage market, particularly in regions new to cannabis-derived drinkables.

Photo courtesy Wynk/PR Newswire

With its presence already established in states like Georgia, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, Florida, and Connecticut, Wynk is becoming a familiar name in a fast-evolving space. The brand’s core appeal lies in its approachability: low-dose THC, zero calories or sugar, and a flavor-forward lineup that includes Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, Juicy Mango, and Tangerine.

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Since the 2018 Farm Bill expanded the legality of hemp-derived products under certain THC thresholds, the market for these beverages has grown rapidly.

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This latest regional rollout comes on the heels of key distribution partnerships. Wynk has aligned with Sarene in Kentucky, C&M Sales in Arkansas, United - Johnson Brothers in Alabama, and Beechwood Sales & Service in Wisconsin. These relationships are helping bring the product to grocery chains, liquor stores, and independent retailers alike.

In Kentucky, for example, Wynk is now stocked at well-known outlets like Total Wine and Liquor Barn, while Alabama consumers can find the brand at Piggly Wiggly. Arkansas residents are seeing the product pop up in cities such as Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and Harrison. And in Wisconsin, Wynk becomes the first THC beverage in the Sheehan Family of Brands portfolio.

Part of Wynk’s appeal is rooted in science. Thanks to nano-emulsification technology, which breaks THC into particles that are absorbed faster by the body, consumers can feel the effects in as little as 10 minutes—offering a more predictable and palatable experience than traditional edibles. That consistency, coupled with social flexibility and the absence of alcohol, has helped drive demand.

Since the 2018 Farm Bill expanded the legality of hemp-derived products under certain THC thresholds, the market for these beverages has grown rapidly. Many brands have entered the space, but few have captured the blend of taste, control, and accessibility that Wynk seems to prioritize. Available locally at Binny’s Beverage Depot for $23.99 per 12-pack (with store card), the product represents a new frontier in casual, cannabis-adjacent consumption.

As more consumers seek alternatives to alcohol for social occasions or wellness reasons, Wynk’s growth reflects a broader shift in behavior—especially in communities where traditional cannabis use has been slower to gain mainstream traction. With this latest expansion, Wynk is placing a firm foothold in new territories and giving consumers more choices in how they unwind.

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Danville ceremony honors fallen VA worker on Workers Memorial Day

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Danville’s memorial gets an update 54 years in the making: James Cooper's name joins others lost while serving others. On May 13, 1970, Cooper was shot and killed in his office at the Danville V.A. Hospital while speaking to his wife on the phone.

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DANVILLE - Nearly 55 years after his death, a former Marine and Veterans Affairs hospital worker who was killed on the job will finally be recognized alongside others who died while serving their communities.

On Saturday morning, the name of 45-year-old James Cooper will be added to the Workers Memorial Day monument during a ceremony at 9 a.m. outside Kruger-Coan Funeral Home in Danville. Illinois State Sen. Paul Faraci is scheduled to speak at the event, which joins hundreds of similar Workers Memorial Day observances taking place nationwide.

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Dale Cooper and his wife Kathryn at a social gathering

Photo provided

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For Jeff Cooper, it’s a moment long overdue. His father’s name was mistakenly omitted from the memorial years ago, even though the circumstances of his death are as stark a reminder as any of the dangers workers can face, even in places presumed safe.

On May 13, 1970, James Cooper was shot and killed in his office at the Danville V.A. Hospital while speaking to his wife on the phone. A former patient walked in unprovoked and opened fire, also killing the hospital chaplain, Rev. Gerhard Leverenz, and laundry superintendent Bessie Mealer before taking his own life following a police chase. Both Leverenz and Mealer have long been memorialized at the Danville site. Cooper’s name will now finally join theirs.

“Mr. Cooper was an American hero who served our country overseas and continued to serve here at home,” said Kevin Sage, President of the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council. “His death was an absolute tragedy and adding his name to this memorial is something that is long overdue.”

James Cooper had devoted his postwar life to helping others, first in military service in the Pacific during World War II and later as Director of Volunteer Services at several VA hospitals. He had just moved to Danville with his wife and three sons the year before his death, hoping to be closer to family.

“Dad came from a humble background and believed in helping people, especially those in need,” Jeff Cooper said. “He was a wonderful father and husband.”

Jeff, now in his 60s, was only 13 when his father died. His older brother Steve was serving in the Navy at the time. The brothers still live nearby, and Jeff often passes the memorial where their father’s name will soon be etched.

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In 2023, more than 5,200 workers died from on-the-job injuries in the United States, and an estimated 6,000 others suffer injuries or illnesses each day due to unsafe conditions.

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The ceremony comes as part of a broader effort to renew attention to worker safety and the legacy of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which was signed into law on April 28, 1971. That law, won through years of labor activism, was intended to guarantee every worker a safe job.

Yet despite decades of progress, dangers persist. In 2023, more than 5,200 workers died from on-the-job injuries in the United States, and an estimated 6,000 others suffer injuries or illnesses each day due to unsafe conditions. Labor advocates point to chronic underfunding of job safety agencies and legislative threats to reduce protections as ongoing concerns.

In Danville, the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council recently assumed stewardship of the memorial after a period of inactivity. The group aims to restore the monument’s role as a place of remembrance and education — not only honoring lives lost, but urging continued vigilance in the fight for safer workplaces.

For those who gather Saturday, the event is not just about the past. It’s about a promise — that no sacrifice in service to others is forgotten, and that every worker deserves to come home safely.

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