Virginia could be the first Southern state with a legal marijuana market under advancing bill

CNN Newsource on March 20, 2026

By Scott Gelman

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    Virginia (WTOP) — A plan to create a legal marijuana market is sitting on Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk, ending a yearslong saga to end what lawmakers have described as an existing black market for cannabis in the state.

Despite numerous changes made during the final moments of the 2026 General Assembly session, the proposal advanced through the House of Delegates and Senate.

Spanberger is expected to sign the measure. Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the idea.

While Virginia state lawmakers have previously allowed adults to legally have up to an ounce of marijuana and created a path to grow up to four plants inside homes, there hasn’t been a pathway to a legal marketplace.

The plan would allow the retail market to start operating Jan. 1, 2027, giving oversight responsibilities to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. Anyone 21 and older would be able to buy marijuana, and there would be 350 retail stores statewide.

Customers will have to show their IDs to get inside and when they buy something, Del. Paul Krizek said. The plan includes a 6% statewide tax on cannabis, and local jurisdictions would be able to include an extra tax, between 1% and 3.5%.

“The status quo right now is broken,” Krizek told WTOP. “We legalized cannabis five years ago, but sales remain unregulated. There’s no testing. It lacks testing, it lacks safety standards, there’s no oversight.”

If Spanberger signs the legislation, Krizek said legal marijuana products will have clear labeling, secure packages and procedures in place to ensure it stays out of the hands of minors.

The current medical marijuana pharmacies will be eligible to become adult use businesses too, he said.

The measure doesn’t enable localities to be able to opt out of hosting retail stores. Previous attempts to create a retail market during the Youngkin administration included the ability for jurisdictions to hold a referendum to opt out of participating in the marketplace, a step Krizek said was intended to encourage Youngkin to sign the measure.

Is January enough time?

“We’re thrilled to see this happen for Virginia,” said Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of Marijuana Justice. “It offers a safer, regulated market for cannabis consumers, as well as a sustainable industry for small businesses to hopefully enter in a way that can also create more economic drive for the Commonwealth.”

However, Wise said there’s concern about the possible Jan. 1 start date, because the plant takes about six months to grow and that “really is going to put somebody’s Virginia businesses a year or two years out.”

Krizek said the January data is a “magic date,” but he anticipates it may take two or more years to have a “mature market.”

Spanberger, Krizek said, may consider “even pushing back the date a few months just to give the Cannabis Control Authority a little bit more time to get established, and also giving the small businesses a little bit more time to grow their product and to get established themselves.”

A Spanberger spokesperson told WTOP the governor is currently reviewing all legislation on her desk. In media interviews, she’s previously indicated support for a legal cannabis retail market in Virginia.

Some studies have found a legal marketplace could produce about $100 million annually, Krizek said.

Rodney Holcombe, vice president of public policy and communications at LeafLink, said the shift in policy could mean “a lot of folks who maybe did not have a chance to have a business before will be able to have a legal business, or you have operators who have wanted to long enter the cannabis space, they now have this opportunity.”

A successful marijuana retail sales framework, Krizek said, would ensure the black market is eradicated and the anti-monopoly provisions in the legislation are effective.

“It’s a long process,” Krizek said. “But it’s nice that we’re to the end. This will be good for Virginia. Virginia will be the first state in the South with a legal market.”

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Crossing guard resigns days after brutal assault outside Delaware County school

CNN Newsource on March 20, 2026

By WPVI News Staff

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    DARBY, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — The crossing guard who was brutally attacked outside a Delaware County school has resigned from her job, Action News has learned.

The incident occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Monday outside Walnut Street Elementary School in Darby during dismissal as students looked on.

Authorities say the guard was assisting children crossing the street when a man got out of his car, chased her down the sidewalk and punched her in the face.

Surveillance video captured the assault, showing the guard falling to the ground after being struck. She told police she was knocked unconscious as the man ran back to his car and sped off.

Investigators believe the suspect became impatient after the guard stopped traffic for students boarding a school bus.

The guard suffered swelling to her face. Police say she regained consciousness, walked home and then called authorities.

Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, who was driving a gold Nissan Altima. The vehicle did not have a license plate but had a paper tag in the window.

Pennsylvania State Sen. Anthony Williams has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

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Kansas City considers changing mural, street name honoring Cesar Chavez after sexual assault reports

CNN Newsource on March 20, 2026

By Isabella Ledonne

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    KANSAS CITY (KSHB) — Allegations against labor rights activist Cesar Chavez that have surfaced this week have many across the country calling for accountability.

Chavez is accused of sexually abusing girls and women during his era, leading the United Farm Workers. The union’s co-founder, Dolores Huerta, said he sexually assaulted her in an interview with The New York Times.

The news has been especially troubling for many in Kansas City, as the area has multiple dedications honoring Chavez, especially on the Westside.

23rd Street, which runs through Kansas City’s Westside, was renamed Avenida Cesar Chavez in 1994. It followed numerous other cities and states dedicating portions of their city to the late union rights leader.

Along Avenida Cesar Chavez sits a mural depicting Chavez and other figures honoring Latino history. Both the mural and street name could be getting replaced or changed following the reports.

City leaders, including Mayor Quinton Lucas, explained they still want to find a way to honor the Latino movement.

“It was always about a movement,” Lucas said, quoting Dolores Huerta. “Not one man, not one person.”

Huerta’s words are echoing among Kansas City leaders as they work through the process of changing the street’s name.

“Given those allegations, those are the types of things that don’t lead you to want to continue to honor someone,” Mayor Lucas said. “Cesar Chavez has many honors in Kansas City.”

Changing the street’s name is a process that requires the city council and the community. Councilman Crispin Rea is working through those plans with Westside neighborhood leaders.

“I think we should know what we’re changing the street name to before we make any moves,” Rea said.

23rd Street was changed to Avenida Cesar Chavez more than 30 years ago. Changing it now can take weeks.

Lucas explained that the city is considering other influential leaders in the Latino movement.

“We call out heinous offenses. We absolutely call out and denounce in the clearest terms all that Mr. Chavez is reported to have done,” Lucas said. “But that doesn’t mean we discard the movement.”

The mural sits on city park property and was funded through city dollars. Rea explained changes moving forward will center around community and Latino voices.

“We support those who have been harmed, we uplift their voices, we empower them, and we fight for them,” Rea said. “That is what I sense is happening, and I’m proud of how our community is responding.”

Changing the street name and mural can take weeks. Kansas City is expected to release more information soon.

“It absolutely ensures that there is no honor for someone who abused children and young women,” Lucas said.

U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver also announced his support for a street name change.

“I have seen the deeply disturbing allegations involving Cesar Chavez, and I want to be clear: abuse, coercion, and the mistreatment of any individual – particularly children and those in vulnerable positions – are unacceptable and must be confronted with honesty and accountability,” Cleaver said in a statement. “During my time as mayor, I supported efforts to recognize the contributions of Latino leaders, including the designation of Avenida Cesar Chavez in Kansas City’s historic Westside. That decision reflected the understanding we had at the time. As new information emerges, it is appropriate for communities to revisit these decisions and have thoughtful, transparent conversations about those we choose to honor in public spaces. I believe this moment certainly demands that. I also want to acknowledge the bravery of my longtime friend, Dolores Huerta. Dolores is a force – her strength, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice has shaped generations. She has carried not only the weight of a movement, but also the very personal burdens that come with being abused by someone in a position of power. I hold her in the highest regard, and like all survivors, she deserves to be heard, believed, and supported without hesitation. This moment calls for reflection – not just on one individual, but on how we ensure that power is never used to harm others, and that our communities remain committed to truth, justice, and dignity for all.”

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DNA from zip ties leads to charges in 2008 murder case

CNN Newsource on March 20, 2026

By KJRH Digital

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    TULSA, Oklahoma (KJRH) — Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office said DNA evidence on zip ties led to charges against Alonzo Johnson in the 2008 death of Frederick Wilson.

Alonzo Johnson is currently serving two life sentences after convictions related to the contract killing of Tulsa businessman Neal Sweeney. He has been officially charged with Wilson’s murder as well.

During a press conference, Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado said that Johnson was connected to the crime early in the investigation, but the technology wasn’t there to connect him to the murder.

“I can’t commend our detectives and cold case unit enough for not letting this case be forgotten,” said Regalado. “There are a lot more cases that need to be tended to, and we tend to them every day, but we were finally able to break through on this one.”

Wilson’s mother, Sandra Wilson, thanked everyone who helped identify her son’s killer.

“Just because time has passed, doesn’t mean that justice can’t occur,” said Regalado.

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Man’s heart defect sparks life-saving change

CNN Newsource on March 20, 2026

By Brendan King

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    SUTHERLAND, Virginia (WTVR) — The Dinwiddie Sports Complex is equipped with two new mobile AEDs to provide life-saving tools and protection for young athletes.

The Automated External Defibrillators, a medical device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, were installed through a partnership with Dinwiddie County Parks and Recreation, Virginia Department of Health, the American Heart Association, and the Justin J. Davis Heart Foundation.

Justin and his mother, Karen Brown-Davis, founded the nonprofit in 2017 when he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect after going into heart failure while having pneumonia.

“When I was diagnosed, I just went into a mode of how can I help somebody else? Or how can I take the stress off of me and make it a joyful experience or a positive experience for somebody else,” Justin said.

The young athlete received a new heart two years ago and continues to serve the community through food distributions and raising awareness about cardiovascular disease.

“All I could think of if something had happened while he was out there. Did I even know CPR? Would we have an AED to save him?” Karen said.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation said 89 percent of young athletes who experienced an emergency where an AED was used survived.

“We wanted this AED to make sure that the citizens, the kids, can make sure that they feel safe again. To know that it’s only a couple of steps away and that it’s a timely solution to actually save somebody’s life,” said Quinell Henderson, the county’s parks and recreation director.

Henderson said assistant director Chris Walters spearheaded the effort to get the devices installed in the popular sports complex.

“We just want the message to be you are safe. Your kids are safe. Anybody that comes to Dinwiddie Sports Complex is safe because of the new AED station here at our football field, and also our soccer field on the other side of the complex,” Henderson said.

The foundation hopes to raise funds to install a third AED at the complex’s basketball court.

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Man accused of transporting a family from Canada to New York on a raft

CNN Newsource on March 20, 2026

By WKBW News Staff

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    BUFFALO, New York (WKBW) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that 27-year-old Andres Carrillo-Hernandez, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with alien smuggling.

Carrillo-Hernandez is accused of transporting a man, woman and child on a raft from the Canadian shoreline at Boyers Creek to near a residence on West River Road on Grand Island on March 15.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Carillo-Hernandez admitted to being paid $2,000 to help the family cross the Niagara River into the U.S.

According to the criminal complaint, the family was from the UK and Ireland. They were also arrested for illegal entry into the U.S.

Carillo-Hernandez was charged with alien smuggling, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of three years in prison and a max of 10. He made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was held pending a detention hearing on March 24.

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Man accused of embezzling $400K from 82-year-old

CNN Newsource on March 20, 2026

By Joseph Buczek

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — A Mid-Michigan man is accused of embezzling more than $400,000 from an 82-year-old man who had suffered a traumatic brain injury, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said.

Phillip Lee Sprague, 62, of Farwell, was arraigned Tuesday, prosecutors said.

Sprague is charged with one count of embezzlement of $100,000 or more by an agent — a 20-year felony — and two counts of embezzlement of $50,000 or more but less than $100,000 by an agent—both 15-year felonies.

Of the $400,000 that authorities allege was embezzled, state prosecutors say more than $300,000 was obtained by the victim through changes to his will and trust that benefited Sprague rather than his children and grandchildren.

“While the majority of caregivers support adults in their care, my office will not tolerate those who steal from the very people they are meant to protect from such exploitation,” said Michigan Attorney General Nessel in a statement. “We remain committed to seeking justice for vulnerable victims and their families.”

Sprague’s probable cause conference has not been set.

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Neighbor describes “bomb-like” blast as he pulls woman from rubble after Lake Dallas home explosion

CNN Newsource on March 20, 2026

By Trevor Sochocki, Sergio Candido, Uly Romero

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    LAKE DALLAS, Texas (KTVT) — A Lake Dallas neighbor is describing the moments he pulled an injured woman from the wreckage of a home that exploded Thursday night, as investigators continue working to determine what caused the blast.

Jacob Sahl said he had just gotten home from work and was sitting on his couch when he heard a loud explosion around 7 p.m. in the 600 block of Moseley Street.

“It sounded like a bomb,” Sahl said. “I go outside and I see my neighbor and I’m like, ‘What happened?’ and she’s like, ‘My neighbor’s house blew up.'”

Sahl, who lives two houses away, ran toward the scene and said the home was already leveled.

As he and others approached, he said they heard someone crying from within the debris.

Sahl said they began moving debris, lifting doors and pieces of the roof, until they found the woman trapped inside. They pulled her out and dragged her to the street moments before the fire intensified.

“As soon as we got her to the street, the whole house just went,” he said.

Sahl said the woman appeared to have serious injuries, including broken bones and burns, but was conscious and able to speak. He said they helped her contact family members before she was taken to the hospital. Her dog also made it out safely.

Authorities have not released an update on her condition as of Friday morning.

Investigation ongoing as neighbors describe chaotic scene Firefighters responded shortly after the explosion Thursday and expanded the perimeter, evacuating several nearby homes as a precaution.

Roads around Moseley Street remained closed Friday morning as crews continued to secure the area and investigate.

Officials have not confirmed the cause of the explosion, though natural gas is one of the possibilities being examined. Atmos Energy crews are assisting at the scene.

Sahl said he did not initially smell gas, describing instead the odor of burning materials.

Others in the neighborhood also described a powerful blast that shook nearby homes and sent residents running outside to see what happened. One neighbor said, “It felt like an airplane hit my house.”

The explosion comes just days after two separate natural gas line strikes elsewhere in Lake Dallas prompted evacuations and road closures near City Hall.

Atmos Energy has not confirmed any connection between those incidents and Thursday night’s explosion.

The company said it responded around 7:45 p.m. and was working with fire crews and emergency officials as the investigation continues.

Officials are expected to examine whether natural gas played a role.

Doug Myers contributed to this report.

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Loyola student fatally shot while walking near lakefront in Chicago

CNN Newsource on March 20, 2026

By Elyssa Kaufman, Jermont Terry, Sabrina Franza, Lauren Victory

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — An 18-year-old Loyola University student was shot and killed near the lakefront in the Rogers Park neighborhood early Thursday morning.

Chicago police said Sheridan Gorman was walking with a group of friends on Pratt Boulevard near the lakefront around 1:30 a.m. when a masked man walked up and fired shots.

Police said she was shot in the head and died at the scene. Investigators said it appears to have been a random shooting.

Loyola University President Mark C. Reed confirmed in a message to the university that Gorman was a student at the school and was a native of Yorktown, New York.

“This is a tragic loss, and our hearts go out to Sheridan’s family, loved ones, and all who knew her,” Reed wrote.

Her family said in a statement, “We want people to know that Sheridan was wonderful, and the kindest soul that ever was. She was so so loved and cherished, and will be missed by all whose lives she touched.”

Gorman was a freshman at Loyola University Chicago. Students said she had just returned from spring break and was taking a walk on the pier with three other friends when she was killed.

“I just heard the screaming. They were saying, ‘Come help us. We’re over here.’ Since then, I couldn’t go back to sleep. It was something I never thought would happen in the community here,” said one student who asked to remain anonymous.

The student, a junior at Loyola, said he believes some of Gorman’s friends hid in the grassy area near the pier as the shooter fled.

“I didn’t know if it was a Loyola student at the time, but I had my suspicions, so I started listening to police radio,” he said. “I just find it be terrible tragic to send your daughter to school and find them to be dead.”

Audio from police radio obtained by CBS News Chicago shows officers reporting a 911 caller described the shooter as “a man in a ski mask wearing all black.” Loyola University sent out a campus safety alert, notifying students of the fatal shooting. The alert also said the shooter covered their face.

Neighbors were in shock while talking to CBS News Chicago about the shooting.

“Why an 18-year-old girl? I can’t imagine what this is like for the family,” Rogers Park resident David Fisk said.

There have been increased police patrols in the area of Loyola University and the pier on Thursday.

“There’s a lot of light, and things that we do for safety, but we try to minimize now, so they’re not as bright in people’s rooms,” said 49th Ward Ald. Maria Hadden. “But obviously, whenever we have a safety concern we do reviews, we look to see if there’s something else that could be there.”

There are no cameras on the pier. Hadden said more security is on the table.

“We always consider it,” she said.

Chicago police said their investigation is ongoing and no one was in custody on Thursday.

A sense of sadness hung over the campus Thursday night as the Loyola family came together to pause, pray, and try to wrap their minds around Gorman’s death.

“Just holding everyone close to our hearts,” Loyola junior Natalia Waksmundzki said. “It’s scary to think that something so tragic happened so close to our campus.”

Dozens filed into the Madonna della Strada Chapel on Thursday night for a prayer vigil, because prayer was one thing giving them some peace, considering the shooter has not been caught.

“The reality kind of hit that you never know what could happen, and especially since she’s a freshman, that’s what really got to me, because, I mean, she was 18 years old, and no one should have to worry about things like this at that age,” Loyola junior Sophie Buthion said.

While Gorman’s time in Chicago was short, the campus was determined to let her family know her presence is missed.

“I hope that they feel supported by our school community, because I know everyone wants to be there for them,” Buthion said.

“We just honestly wanted to come pay our respects to not only her but anybody else this has affected. As we know, a lot of things like this happen in Chicago,” Waksmundzki said.

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Baptist church with ties to Underground Railroad celebrates 200 years of faith

CNN Newsource on March 20, 2026

By Wakisha Bailey

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — A Philadelphia church rooted in history and known for its deep commitment to community is celebrating a major milestone.

Monumental Baptist Church is marking 200 years of service, a legacy that stretches back generations — long before emancipation and just decades after the nation’s founding.

For nearly two centuries, the church has opened its doors week after week — adding up to more than 10,000 Sunday services, each one connecting the past to the present.

Inside the current church at 50th and Locust streets in West Philadelphia, the celebration is filled with praise and reflection.

“Can you believe that for 200 years this congregation has been praising the Lord?” said Rev. Dr. Jesse Wendell Mapson, the church’s senior pastor.

Founded on March 24, 1826, Monumental Baptist Church stood through some of the most defining moments in American history—including the era of slavery.

Mapson says the church has always been more than a place of worship—it’s been a place of action.

The church’s history is preserved throughout the building, including a space dedicated to those who came before. Photographs dating back centuries line the walls, alongside original documents, and deeds from earlier locations.

Among the powerful stories are connections to the abolitionist movement.

One leader, William Jackson, worked alongside Frederick Douglass. In one case, church members helped a man escape slavery after he was captured by slave catchers—disguising him and guiding him to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

It’s just one example of how the church has long stood on the front lines of justice and service.

“We’ve always sought to address the issues that affect our people,” Mapson said.

While the building may have changed over time, the mission has remained the same.

“Look where the Lord has brought us from—it’s been a monumental journey,” Mapson said.

As Monumental Baptist Church celebrates 200 years, the focus is not just on the past—but the future.

Reverend Mapson says the key to the church’s longevity is investing in the next generation—making sure the legacy continues for years to come.

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