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Accident – Death – Obituary News : Cardinal News: Then & Now Reflects on a Year of Political News
As the year comes to a close, Cardinal News takes a moment to look back at the stories that made headlines in 2023. In this edition of Then & Now, we focus on the political landscape in Southwest Virginia and the struggles faced by rural Democrats. Let’s delve into the updates on these stories.
Searches of Cannabis Stores in Southwest Virginia
Then: In September, law enforcement officers conducted a series of searches at cannabis-related stores, financial institutions, and homes in nine counties across Southwest Virginia. The searches were part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of money laundering and illegal narcotic distribution. Cardinal News had previously reported on the proliferation of these stores in the region, highlighting the confusion surrounding Virginia’s marijuana laws.
Now: In December, search warrants were executed at seven shops in Wise County that sell CBD products. It is unclear whether these searches are related to the September operation. The investigation began over six months ago, and some of the shops were found to be illegally selling marijuana in violation of state law. Despite the searches, most of the cannabis stores in Washington County continue to operate. However, some have shifted their focus to promoting CBD, kratom, and other products instead.
No arrests have been made in connection with the searches, and law enforcement officials remain tight-lipped about the investigation. The Virginia State Police stated that the investigation is still ongoing, and no new information can be released at this time. The court records related to the searches remain sealed, leaving many questions unanswered.
Rural Democrats’ Struggle to Make the Ballot
Then: Trudy Berry and Jasmine Lipscomb, two rural Democrats, faced challenges in making it onto the ballot this year. Lipscomb, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was denied the Democratic nomination in the 49th House of Delegates District due to issues with voter signatures and filing fees. She sought assistance from the Virginia State Board of Elections and filed a formal complaint with the Democratic Party of Virginia. Berry, the Democratic nominee in Virginia’s 9th Senate District, was denied ballot access due to an email error. She criticized the state party’s leadership for not rectifying the mistake.
Now: The Democratic Party of Virginia reviewed Lipscomb’s complaint and concluded that the nominating committee in House District 49 had fulfilled its role as defined in the party plan. The issues raised by Lipscomb were deemed not to be violations of the party plan, leading to the dismissal of her complaint. Lipscomb plans to submit her nomination to be the chair of the Danville Democratic Committee and remains open to running for the legislature again in the future.
After being denied ballot access in the 9th Senate District, Berry ran as a write-in candidate against Sen. Frank Ruff and garnered only a small percentage of the votes. However, Berry’s plans took an unexpected turn when Ruff announced his resignation due to health reasons. Berry became the first Democrat to announce her candidacy for the vacant seat. Unfortunately, she was defeated in a firehouse primary by Tina Wyatt-Younger, a former member of the South Boston Town Council.
School Board Members’ Donations to Lynchburg City Schools
Then: In November, the Lynchburg City School Board rejected a $10,000 grant from the It Gets Better Project, intended for the E.C. Glass High School Gender and Sexuality Alliance. The board members expressed interest in funding the grant themselves but wanted to ensure it wouldn’t be a conflict of interest. In December, the board rejected another grant, this time for volleyball equipment, to treat each grant equally.
Now: In a letter to the board, the city’s commonwealth’s attorney, Bethany Harrison, clarified that donations from school board members to Lynchburg City Schools are not considered a conflict of interest. However, board members must recuse themselves from voting on any personal contributions they review for approval. The board will discuss its funding options, including board members’ personal contributions, at its upcoming meeting in January.
As 2023 comes to an end, Cardinal News will continue to bring you updates on the people and issues that shape our community. Stay tuned for more news and analysis in the coming year.
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