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Univ. of Virginia president resigns amid Trump administration inquiry into diversity initiatives
The president of the University of Virginia is resigning following pressure from the Trump administration to step aside amid a Justice Department investigation into the school’s diversity practices. James E. Ryan convened a meeting with his senior leadership Friday and announced that he would be stepping down, according to a source who attended the UVA Board of Visitors meeting.
Beyer announces reelection bid, pledging to wield influence to keep fighting Trump
Rep. Don Beyer is pursuing another term in office, promising to keep fighting “abuses of power” while his party plots strategies to take back Congress. The Democrat representing Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, which includes all of Arlington, acknowledged to ARLnow that his party has struggled to resist dramatic policy changes under President Donald Trump while Republicans control the legislature.
Mark Warner decries ‘outrageous’ ouster of University of Virginia president
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said Sunday the Trump administration was “doing damage to our flagship university” after the University of Virginia’s president resigned after pressure from the White House over the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. James E. Ryan, who had served as the university’s president since 2018, announced his resignation Friday amid the Justice Department’s ongoing probes into DEI practices at schools around the nation. Speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Warner defended Ryan and predicted that other universities will not be exempt from the administration’s goals.
Warner: Trump bill will be ‘political albatross’ for Republicans
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said Sunday that President Trump’s megabill will be a “political albatross” for Republicans back at home. In an interview on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” moderator Margaret Brennan noted that the GOP tax and spending bill, which just cleared a key hurdle in the Senate on Saturday night, includes some policies that Democrats have championed. “You can put as much lipstick on this pig as you want. This will be a political albatross for the Republicans,” Warner said, suggesting the individual policy add-ons don’t justify supporting the bill overall.
Metro begins Better Bus Program, biggest change to system in half-century
Metro began its Better Bus program Sunday morning, it’s the biggest overhaul of the road-based transit system in 50 years. Hundreds of bus routes, route names and times have changed. “This is the first time in decades that we are making comprehensive changes to the bus,” said Metro General Manager Randy Clarke. . . . The system also has all-new route names, using regional letter prefixes for improved navigation. For example, routes with an “A” stand for Arlington/Alexandria, “M” are for Montgomery County, “D” is for downtown D.C. and “C” is for crosstown routes. “F” is for Fairfax City, Fairfax County, and Falls Church. Limited-stop routes are indicated by an “X” at the end of their names.
Documents show Richmond has spent $230K defending $250K whistleblower lawsuit
Records obtained by The Times-Dispatch show that city officials have spent $234,111.35 defending the wrongful termination lawsuit brought by Connie Clay, a former Freedom of Information Act officer who in 2024 was fired by former city spokesperson Petula Burks. That’s only $15,888.65 less than Clay is seeking in her filing. And with the two sides yet to go to trial, the legal fees are all but certain to increase.
Fairfax City considers expanding ban on guns in public places
Four years after voting to prohibit firearms on public property, the Fairfax City Council is contemplating whether to expand those restrictions. At a city council meeting on Tuesday (June 24), Fairfax leaders took a preliminary look at the 2021 ordinance and planned further discussion for another meeting on July 22. The adopted ordinance prohibits the possession, carrying or transportation of firearms and ammunition in City buildings or facilities, public property or permitted events.
Henrico Doctors' Hospital settles with 4 more families in NICU abuse case
A judge in Salem has approved settlements for four additional victims who suffered injuries as newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit of Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. David Carson, a judge in Salem Circuit Court, approved two settlements Thursday and two Friday. Since last week, the hospital has agreed to pay nine children and is arranging settlements for two more. Carson has allowed the financial value of the settlements to remain private.
Henrico parents push to extend elementary school recess time to 45 minutes
“Just 15 more minutes!” More than 500 Henrico parents and community members are calling on Henrico Schools to extend elementary-schoolers’ 30-minute daily recess by another 15 minutes – a small change that they say will have significant positive impacts. At the June 12 Henrico School Board meeting, several parents spoke out in favor of establishing a 45-minute recess for all elementary schools countywide starting this upcoming fall. A petition supporting the change also has 524 signatures from community members.
State lawmakers explore parole changes amid abuse claims at Red Onion
Two state lawmakers floated potential changes to Virginia’s parole system on Tuesday after discussing their recent visits to Red Onion State Prison, a facility in Wise County facing claims of deteriorating conditions and prolonged lockdowns. Virginia abolished discretionary parole for felonies committed since Jan. 1, 1995. The General Assembly’s efforts to bring back parole in Virginia have been rejected, although the Legislature has restored some eligibility. Sens. Dave Marsden (D–Fairfax) and Danny Diggs (R–York County) said they backed a study to examine how Virginia could modify parole, but stressed it would take time.