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Loudoun considers delayed-start days to give teachers training time

By KARINA ELWOOD, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Loudoun County schools is considering delaying the start of classes by two hours on some days in the next academic year to help free up time to offer training for new teaching standards required by the state. The 16 delayed start days would be spread out throughout the year. Dismissal would occur at the same time, district leaders said, meaning students could lose about 32 hours of classroom instruction over the year.

VaNews May 16, 2024


Virginia State University presidential debate imperiled as Biden rejects commission’s plans

By DAVE RESS AND ANDREW CAIN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

President Joe Biden on Wednesday rejected the fall schedule proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debates, imperiling Virginia State University’s chance to host a presidential debate in October. … The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates in November announced that it had chosen VSU for the site of the second presidential debate, on Oct. 1. The school in Ettrick … said it would be the first historically Black college or university to host a general election presidential debate.

VaNews May 16, 2024


Loudoun parents, activists question need for SROs in elementary schools

By EVAN GOODENOW, Loudoun Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Some parents and liberal groups have pushed back on a panel’s recommendation to place security guards or police officers at each of the county’s 61 public elementary schools. Several activist organizations, including the Loudoun Democratic Committee, endorsed a May 13 statement that said stationing police officers, known in this context as “school resource officers,” in schools does not make students safer.

VaNews May 16, 2024


Colonial Williamsburg archaeologist uncovers Revolutionary War barracks

By KEVIN CHEEK, WAVY-TV

A revolutionary discovery has been made at Colonial Williamsburg. Archaeologist have uncovered evidence of a Revolutionary War barracks on foundation property near the regional visitor center. According to 18th-century maps and other documents, a barracks was constructed in 1776-1777 to accommodate up to 2,000 soldiers and 100 horses. The barracks are believed to have been destroyed by fire in 1781 by General Cornwallis’ troops.

VaNews May 16, 2024


Racism, hate speech, harassment evident on baseball team, Virginia Beach school system says

By BRENDAN PONTON AND CONOR HOLLINGSWORTH, WTKR-TV

The Kempsville High School boys varsity baseball team is forfeiting the rest of the season due to an investigation into allegations of racism, hate speech, and harassment, according to a message from the school’s principal.

VaNews May 16, 2024


For Luna Innovations, another delay in financial reporting

By TAD DICKENS, Cardinal News

Luna Innovations Inc., already behind on 2023 financial reports, has reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission that it will not have its 2024 first quarter report ready any time soon. The Roanoke-based publicly traded technology company, which has parted ways with its chief executive officer and chief financial officer this year, had previously determined that its revenue recognition was irregular and that accounting errors affected its 2022 reports, as well.

VaNews May 16, 2024


Craigsville granted $3.8 million by newly passed state budget

By LYRA BORDELON, News Leader (Metered Paywall - 3 to 4 articles a month)

Craigsville’s infrastructure debt and incorporation woes are over. Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed Virginia’s 2024-2026 biennial budget just hours after it was passed by the General Assembly Monday. Craigsville has waited through the entire process, with residents and Mayor Richard Fox nervous about the town's incorporation and debt payments.

VaNews May 16, 2024


GOP senators push to use skill games to help pay for schools

By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

A pair of Republican senators are looking ways to legalize electronic skill games and use the state revenues they generate to pay for school construction. Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, and Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, want to take advantage of the General Assembly remaining in session to act on potential revenue bills as a way to overcome a political roadblock from Gov. Glenn Youngkin. (The legislature did not adjourn after it passed the budget on Monday.)

VaNews May 16, 2024


Earned sentence credit expansions, new parole board operations to take effect this year

By CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS, Virginia Mercury

Eligible incarcerated people in Virginia will be able to further reduce their sentences through an earned sentence credit program beginning this July. While expansions to the program stemmed from a 2020 law, it had a delayed start date in 2022 that was later blocked by Gov. Glenn Youngkin through language in a previous state budget. A renewed attempt by the Youngkin administration to block the expansions this year did not make it through final negotiations in the budget that the governor and lawmakers agreed on this week.

VaNews May 16, 2024


The Post’s choices in Northern Virginia’s U.S. House primaries

Washington Post Editorial (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Two Democratic congresswomen in Virginia who defeated Republican incumbents in 2018 have opted not to seek reelection this year: Rep. Jennifer Wexton of the 10th Congressional District suffers from a rare neurological disorder; Rep. Abigail Spanberger of the 7th District is running for governor in 2025. Nineteen Democrats are vying to succeed them in the state’s June 18 primaries. Ten Republican contenders are also running for their party’s nominations that day.

VaNews May 16, 2024