Briefs
More allegations against Dan Snyder and more Va. headlines
• Federal prosecutors in Virginia are reportedly looking into a $55 million bank loan the Washington Commanders received without the approval of owner Dan Snyder’s minority partners in the franchise. Arbitration documents obtained by ESPN also show Snyder “arranged for the franchise to pay him a total of $4.5 million for having the team logo emblazoned […]
New study finds Central Appalachian miners at highest risk of dying from lung diseases
Central Appalachian coal miners including those in Virginia are over eight times more likely than men in the general population to die from respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and black lung, according to recent research. “This higher mortality has also worsened over time with modern miners facing greater risk than their predecessors,” wrote […]
Bagby wins firehouse primary for Richmond seat and more Va. headlines
• Del. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, won Sunday’s firehouse primary for a Richmond-area state Senate seat by a wide margin. But he could face another primary in the new version of the district in just a few months.—Richmond Times-Dispatch • Gov. Glenn Youngkin said President Joe Biden should be going to Ohio to visit the community impacted by […]
General Assembly ‘skinny budget’ fills school funding shortfall caused by Dept. of Ed error
While the General Assembly has been unable to make a deal on changes to Virginia’s two-year budget, lawmakers agreed Saturday to appropriate millions to Virginia’s public schools to address a $201 million error as part of a stopgap budget. The spending plan includes $132.7 million for the current school year and $125.8 million for the […]
No completed budget and more Va. headlines
• “Democrats were still counting votes on Sunday night in a three-way primary for the party nomination to run for the 9th District Senate seat that Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, will vacate when she is sworn in as a member of Congress to succeed the late Rep. Donald McEachin, D-4th, who died suddenly on Nov. 28.”—Richmond […]
Combative texts from controversial UVA appointee and more Va. headlines
• The General Assembly won’t have a budget deal before its scheduled adjournment Saturday, but lawmakers leading the negotiations say they hope they can work something out for next week.—Richmond Times-Dispatch • Text messages released under the state Freedom of Information Act show the combative approach of UVA Board of Visitors member Bert Ellis, an appointee of […]
Virginia lawmakers approve bill limiting emergency restrictions on houses of worship
Legislation heading to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk would prevent future Virginia governors from issuing any emergency orders that would shut down church services and other religious gatherings while leaving businesses and other secular facilities open, a proposal that grew out of frustration with COVID-19 shutdown orders. As originally drafted and approved by the GOP-led House […]
Group plans to seize Arlington scooters on private property and more Va. headlines
• An activist group whose founder has ties to the fossil fuel industry is working to stop solar projects in Virginia and rural areas in several other states.—NPR • Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, a disbarred lawyer, abstained from a vote on a bill advancing in the General Assembly that would give disbarred lawyers more avenues to get […]
Two former classmates war over VMI’s future and more Va. headlines
• “At VMI, two classmates — one Black, one White — war over school’s future.”—Washington Post • Gov. Glenn Youngkin participated in a history discussion about the origins of slavery that was broadcast to classrooms throughout Virginia. “It’s really important history starting in 1619, where the first Africans were brought to this country as slaves,” Youngkin said. […]
McClellan beats Benjamin in special election for Virginia congressional seat
State Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, defeated Republican pastor Leon Benjamin in Tuesday’s special election for a Richmond-centered seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, a victory that will make her Virginia’s first Black congresswoman. McClellan, a corporate attorney who has championed progressive causes like abortion access and curbing climate change over 17 years in the […]
Special election to fill McEachin’s seat today and more Va. headlines
• Federal authorities are trying to seize money in the prison account of the white supremacist behind the 2017 car attack in Charlottesville. In court filings, prosecutors say they want to use the money James Alex Fields Jr. is receiving behind bars to pay off the $81,600 he owes in victim restitution and fines.—CBS News • Voters […]
Norfolk 6-year-old brings gun to school and more Va. headlines
• Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration says it’s reviewing a proposed AP African American studies course for high schoolers after Florida officials objected to aspects of the curriculum dealing with contemporary political topics. A Youngkin spokeswoman said the governor has asked education officials to review the course’s compliance with his executive order banning “inherently divisive concepts” associated […]