NEWS TO KNOW
Virginia Press Association investigating VMI student paper award and more headlines
• The Virginia Press Association says it’s investigating whether a student newspaper at VMI should’ve been given a prestigious journalism award for its coverage of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives amid allegations the paper is partially controlled by alumni who oppose DEI.—Washington Post • “Virginia Democrats Tim Kaine and Jennifer McClellan aren’t happy with the White House for not alerting them of […]
Judge orders release of Loudoun sexual assault report and more Va. headlines
• A judge ordered Loudoun County Public Schools to release a report it commissioned on its own handling of a pair of high-profile sexual assaults that became an issue in the 2021 gubernatorial campaign. Attorney General Jason Miyares was seeking the document, arguing it was not protected by attorney-client privilege as Loudoun school officials have claimed.—WUSA9 […]
Debt ceiling deal would complete Mountain Valley Pipeline and more Va. headlines
• The federal debt ceiling deal includes surprise approval of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline project that would cross through Virginia.—POLITICO • Six Virginia newspapers owned by Lee Enterprises announced they’re cutting print publication to three days a week and sending readers their papers through the regular mail.—Cardinal News • The legal battle over admissions at Virginia’s Thomas […]
‘Catfish cop’ presented himself as detective in California and more Va. headlines
• Former Virginia law enforcement officer Austin Lee Edwards presented himself as a “detective” to trick a California family into cooperating with him before he killed three people and tried to abduct a 15-year-old girl, according to a relative who spoke to him on the day of the killings.—Los Angeles Times • The Washington County Board of […]
A ‘Tesla Tunnel’ plan for a Commanders stadium and more Va. headlines
• A Florida man arrested for allegedly trespassing at a Northern Virginia preschool had an AK-47 in his vehicle and said he was “making his way to the CIA,” according to police.—NBC News • Myrna Morrissey has officially filed for divorce from Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, in a court filing that alleges the lawmaker had sex with […]
Thomas Jefferson High School’s admissions policy ruled non-discriminatory and more Va. headlines
• In a 2-1 ruling, a federal appeals court ruled the new, diversity-focused admissions policy at Northern Virginia’s elite Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology doesn’t discriminate against Asian-American students. The case appears to be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.—Washington Post • A former DEA agent will be Virginia’s new public safety […]
Possible youth curfew in Lynchburg and more Va. headlines
• A flaw in Virginia ABC’s ostensibly random lottery system for rare bottles of bourbon led to some entrants winning multiple bottles, despite astronomical odds against that outcome occurring naturally.—Washington Post • Roanoke officials are trying to figure out how to keep the neon lights lit up on the Mill Mountain Star.—Roanoke Times • Lynchburg […]
Origin of bare breast on state flag revealed and more Va. headlines
• Former congressman Tom Garrett won the GOP nomination for a central and Southside Virginia seat in the House of Delegates five years after he stepped down from the U.S. House of Representatives to deal with alcoholism.—Cardinal News • Vape and smoke shops are everywhere in Virginia. Given the continued absence of recreational pot dispensaries, […]
Relatives in ‘catfish cop’ case prepare to sue Virginia agencies and more headlines
• Lawyers representing relatives of the California family killed by the former Virginia law enforcement officer dubbed the “catfish cop” have signaled their intent to sue, “citing gross negligence by the state and local law enforcement agencies that hired him.”—Los Angeles Times • Amid the debt ceiling battle in D.C., U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Prince William, is […]
Virginia becoming outlier in South for abortion access and more headlines
• A porn industry group says it’s still reviewing its options for responding to a new Virginia law requiring adult websites to verify that visitors are 18 or older. The organization, Free Speech Coalition, is already suing Utah over a similar law.—WRIC • Virginia is becoming an outlier in the South as a state that hasn’t passed […]
Commanders hoping for big incentives from Virginia and more state headlines
• Xuan Pham, the Fairfax County man who authorities say used a baseball bat to attack two staffers in the office of U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly, is also facing hate crime charges for allegedly chasing a woman shortly before going to Connolly’s office. According to Pham’s father, Pham is schizophrenic and has been struggling with mental […]
Man with baseball bat attacks Rep. Connolly staffers and more Va. headlines
• A man with a baseball bat allegedly assaulted two staffers for U.S. Rep. Gerald “Gerry” Connolly, D-Fairfax, in the congressman’s Fairfax County office, according to police. The man was taken into custody and the staffers were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.—Washington Post, Associated Press • Gov. Glenn Youngkin will deliver a commencement speech today at Virginia Military Institute […]