Author
A look at Virginia’s new Women’s Monument in Capitol Square: ‘No pedestals, no weapons, no horses’
By Susan Shibut/ Capital News Service The nation’s first monument created to showcase remarkable women of Virginia now stands on Capitol Square. Hundreds watched the unveiling Monday of the Virginia Women’s Monument, which features seven statues honoring women from different parts of the commonwealth. Mary Margaret Whipple, vice chair of the Women’s Monument Commission, said […]
Uptick in student absentee ballots might indicate higher turnout
By Imani Thaniel/ Capital News Service In addition to hitting the books this fall, more Virginia college students may hit the polls next month. Virginia Department of Elections data show that 10,923 students in Virginia have applied for absentee ballots this year. That’s more than double the number of absentee ballot applications (4,878) received in 2015, […]
Virginia ranks among states with lowest crime rates, FBI data shows, though with some homicide hotspots
By Jaclyn Barton/ Capital News Service Virginia had the fourth lowest violent crime rate and 13th lowest property crime rate in the United States last year, according to new data from the FBI. The commonwealth had 200 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2018, the data showed. Only Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire had a lower […]
Immigrant bond funds launch in Virginia amid growing ICE detentions
By Georgia Geen/Capital News Service When Eva Solano returned home after spending 28 days in immigration detention, she knew she wasn’t going to go back to her normal life and pretend nothing had happened. “I told my lawyer, ‘I need to do something,’” Solano said. “It’s not about me. I’m the lucky one.” Solano joined […]
Suburban Richmond race becomes first to top $1 million in TV ads
By Rodney Robinson/ Capital News Service A competitive race in District 12 — which includes parts of Henrico and Hanover counties — has become the first Senate race in Virginia to spend over $1 million in broadcast TV ads. Democratic candidate Del. Debra Rodman is running against Republican incumbent Siobhan Dunnavant, both from Henrico. A […]
State health department confirms first vaping death in Virginia
By Georgia Geen/ Capital News Service One person has died in Virginia from a lung injury associated with vaping, as the number of illnesses linked to e-cigarette use increases in the state and across the country, the Virginia Department of Health announced Tuesday. The death was reported by Cone Health in Greensboro, North Carolina, on […]
More Virginians are home-schooling their children
By Judi Dalati/ Capital News Service About 1.3 million students across Virginia went back to school after summer vacation. But for Alison Hatter’s three children, that didn’t require getting on a bus or even going outside. Instead, their classroom is the kitchen of the family’s home in Floyd County. “We usually wake between 6-7 a.m., […]
Kehinde Wiley’s ‘Rumors of War’ unveiled in Times Square ahead of Richmond debut
By Morgan Edwards / Capital News Service NEW YORK — Artist Kehinde Wiley unveiled his monumental statue “Rumors of War” in Times Square on Friday — his response to the Confederate sculptures scattered throughout the South, especially in Richmond, which eventually will serve as its permanent home. The statue is closely modeled after the statue of […]
Same-sex unions make up 4 percent of Virginia marriages
By Patricia Cason / Capital News Service Same-sex couples have made up 1 of every 26 marriages in Virginia since such unions were legalized in the commonwealth in 2014. In a half-dozen localities — ranging from cities such as Richmond and Norfolk to rural communities like Buena Vista — same-sex couples represent approximately 1 of […]
Southwest Virginia looks to rock climbing for revenue boost
By Jeff Raines In light of dwindling coal resources and shrinking populations, eco-tourism is becoming an alternative source of revenue in the coalfield counties of Southwest Virginia as residents seek to diversify their economies. The Southwestern Virginia coalfields — comprised of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell and Wise counties, alongside the city of Norton […]
Population expected to shrink in rural Virginia
By Emma North “More and more people are relocating to Highland County, Virginia, everyday!” the county’s website says. Online, local officials offer resources and encouragement for people to relocate to Highland County, the most sparsely populated in Virginia. A brochure urges readers to consider Highland’s “elevated lifestyle.” But Highland County faces an uphill battle in attracting new residents. […]
Voter registration up in Democratic strongholds
By Kelly Booth Over the past four years, voter registration has grown more in Virginia localities that tend to vote Democratic than in localities that usually go Republican. That could spell trouble for the GOP heading into November’s elections. Between August 2015 and August 2019, voter registration increased 9% in the state’s Democratic strongholds but […]