Smell that? It’s the winds of change, maybe.
Not only will Ohio be deciding the future of abortion access in the state this November, but recreational marijuana will now appear on the ballot. South of the Ohio River, Eric Deters made a harsh pivot by canceling “Freedom Fest” once Trump backed out (he’s a little busy at the moment) of the Northern Kentucky conservative picnic for “patriots.” And a local artist is fed up with people supporting Shein, especially after the retail Goliath set up a pop-up shop in Cincinnati that drew thousands of shoppers.
Take a deep breath in, hold it and try not to cough; this is your news roundup.
Proposed Recreational Marijuana Law is Headed to the November Ballot in Ohio A proposed recreational marijuana law will be on Ohio’s November ballot after all.
The Secretary of State’s office verified 4,405 additional valid petition signatures — bringing the grand total to 127,772, Secretary of State Frank LaRose said Wednesday in a letter to the campaign. 124,046 signatures were needed. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol’s statute initiative would legalize and regulate the cultivation, manufacturing, testing and sale of marijuana to Ohioans 21 and up. It would also legalize home grow for Ohioans 21 and up with a limit of six plants per person and 12 plants per residence and impose a 10% tax at the point of sale for each transaction. The proposed marijuana statute will be on Nov. 7’s ballot alongside the reproductive rights amendment. Read CityBeat‘s story about about how recreational weed made its way to the November ballot.
Eric Deters: Trump No Longer Coming to “Freedom Fest” Former President Donald Trump has pulled out of Eric Deters’ 2023 “Freedom Fest” in Northern Kentucky, causing the entire festival to be canceled, organizers announced on Aug. 13. Deters, a conservative YouTuber, podcaster and former candidate for Kentucky governor, said Trump will instead be campaigning in Iowa in a video posted to Facebook. “It was a tough call,” Deters said. “But you had all these people who bought tickets and everything based on Trump coming.” The suspended lawyer has organized multiple “Freedom Fests” at his home farm in Morning View, Kentucky, about 30 miles south of Cincinnati. The now-canceled 2023 event was the first time Trump has ever RSVP’d “yes” to one of Deters’ “patriotic political” festivals. Trump faces four different indictments across multiple jurisdictions. The most recent indictment was filed on Aug. 14 in Fulton County, Georgia, where Trump and more than a dozen of his associates face 41 counts for election fraud, racketeering and other charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Read CityBeat‘s story about Deters’ decision to cancel “Freedom Fest” 2023.
Sex Abuse Advocates Call on Ohio AG to Investigate Ohio’s Catholic Churches National, state and local advocacy groups are calling on Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to start a grand jury investigation into possible sex crimes within the state’s six Catholic dioceses. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), Ohioans for Child Protection and Greater Cincinnati Voice of the Faithful made the announcement during an Aug. 16 press conference at the Ohio Statehouse. Ohioans for Child Protection have pointed to similar investigations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois where hundreds of priests were found to have credible allegations of sexual abuse from more than a thousand victims spanning decades. Read CityBeat‘s story for a local case that put a Cincinnati priest behind bars.
Cincinnati Artist Creates Statement Photography in Response to Shein Pop-Up at Kenwood Mall Shein’s recent pop-up at Kenwood Towne Centre has ignited a fervorous response, not only from shoppers and fast-fashion critics, but also from local photographer Samuel Greenhill, who wants you to boycott the retail Goliath. Shein, which is normally only available online, is regarded as one of the world’s biggest fast-fashion producers. Numerous media reports point to allegations against Shein involving human rights violations, slave labor, environmental damage and unsafe materials used in the company’s products. Greenhill sought to highlight these allegations in a piece of protest art titled “The Birth of Shein,” an evocative play on “The Birth of Venus” by Italian artist Sandro Botticelli. Greenhill’s rendition of the Renaissance masterpiece depicts a Shein customer atop a pile of clothes at the edge of a river; despondent garment workers lean towards her, one holding a sewing machine, the others tossing or enveloped in fabric. Read CityBeat‘s story about Greenhill’s process producing the final photo.
Covington Korean-Inspired Pub Chimaek Closes Permanently Korean-inspired pub Chimaek abruptly closed its doors last Friday. The restaurant posted notice of the closure to its Facebook page, but didn’t offer a reason, only saying it will work on rebranding a different idea. “Thank you for all the support and love we’ve received till today. A new concept will be coming shortly. Thank you!!” the owners wrote. The restaurant first opened on Scott Street in November, where it served up fried chicken wings and tenders, crispy vegetable tempura, an array of Korean side dishes, beer and cocktails. Read CityBeat‘s story about the sudden closure.
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This article appears in Aug 9-22, 2023.