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Prince William school system, local union reach updated bargaining agreement
Prince William County Public Schools and the Prince William Education Association announced Thursday the two sides had solidified negotiations for the 2024-2025 collective bargaining agreement, the school division announced in a news release. The two sides have agreed to the implementation of six weeks paid parental leave, coupled with a new short-term disability leave program that allows for up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birthing parent. The new leave program will also guarantee the educator’s position remains available upon return to their school following the use of the leave options.
University of Lynchburg to cut 17 programs, dozens of faculty and staff positions
The University of Lynchburg announced Thursday it will eliminate 12 undergraduate and five graduate programs, phasing them out over the next few years as students complete those programs. The announcement is the private university’s latest move to cut costs at a time when small colleges are in intense competition to attract new students. The reduction will impact about 5% of undergraduate students and 4% of graduate students.
Prince William Co. teachers get parental leave under ‘historic’ agreement
The Prince William Education Association, the union representing over 11,000 Prince William County public school teachers, finalized their negotiations for a historic collective bargaining agreement Thursday with the county school district. The finalized negotiations include more flexibility for staff leave, more support for staff transitioning to different grade levels and more compensation for staff acting as club leaders.
Executive director named for Virginia Commission on Electric Utility Regulation
Virginia’s commission tasked with reviewing energy-related legislative proposals now has an executive director, after announcing the hiring of a Virginia Department of Energy member to fill the position. Carrie Hearne, of Richmond, will begin as executive director of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation next month. She will take the role after five years at Virginia Energy, where she was the director of affordability and competitiveness.
State budget provides $4.9M to tackle invasive species
About a decade ago, Charlottesville landowners Rod and Maggie Walker realized that Asiatic bittersweet, a vining plant invasive in the eastern United States, had overtaken about 15 acres of their land. The vines climb over native trees, blocking sunlight, hogging nutrients and water, and weighing down branches. Like other invasives, they don’t have to deal with the predators and diseases from their native range in China, Japan and Korea — and local organisms aren’t able to fill those gaps.
Virginia’s members of Congress respond to verdict in Trump hush money trial
Virginia's Congressional delegation appeared split along party lines in their response to the conviction of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Congressional Republicans railed against the verdict and lashed out at the Democratic Party as they issued their support for the former president on social media. Democrats noted that, though the decision was a somber reminder that no one is above the law, justice had been served.
Family of Central State Hospital patient repeats call for federal prosecution
The family of a mental patient who died in law-enforcement custody last year at Central State Hospital is re-stressing its call for U.S. Justice Department involvement after Dinwiddie’s top prosecutor downgraded charges against the remaining three defendants from second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter.
She Made an Offer on a Condo. Then the Seller Learned She Was Black.
Perched on a hill with a view of the Atlantic Ocean, the condo in Virginia Beach was just what Dr. Raven Baxter wanted. It had a marble fireplace, a private foyer and details like crown molding and wainscoting in its three bedrooms and three bathrooms. At $749,000, it was within her budget, too. She offered the asking price, which was accepted, and sent over a down payment. And then when she was in escrow earlier this month, her broker called her late at night on May 17, a Friday, with some bad news. The seller wanted to pull out of the deal. Why? “You could hear the fear and disbelief in his voice,” Dr. Baxter said, recalling what her broker told her next. “He said, ‘I don’t know how to tell you this, but she doesn’t want to sell the home to you, and it’s because you’re Black.’”
Another near collision at DCA reignites Warner, Kaine ire over new flights
For the second time this spring, two planes nearly collided at Reagan National Airport, prompting Virginia's two senators to again criticize plans to add more long-haul flights at DCA. Around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, air traffic control at DCA told American Airlines flight 2134 bound for Boston to abort its ongoing takeoff procedure as it was about to cross paths with a private plane — call sign 0-AA or zero-alpha-alpha — that had already landed on an intersecting runway.
Virginia GOP condemns Trump verdict; Dems say no one is above the law
Many Virginia Republicans reacted with fury Thursday to former President Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts in the New York hush money case. Some said it will only further their determination to elect Trump in November. Virginia’s Democratic officeholders asserted that no one is above the law. Meantime, two Virginia law professors — Ilya Somin of George Mason University and Carl Tobias of the University of Richmond — said Trump remains eligible to hold the presidency again.