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Spanberger says she would not sign a full repeal of right-to-work law
Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, says she would not sign a full repeal of Virginia's right-to-work law, under which union membership may not be a condition of employment. In a television interview with WRIC Channel 8 on Thursday, Spanberger noted that no member of the General Assembly "even submitted a bill to repeal the right to work," this year, but then said, "I support labor, I support our strong Virginia economy, but no — I don't support a full repeal of our current right-to-work statute."
Democrats reach historic goal: A full slate in Virginia House races
For the first time in recent memory, Virginia Democrats have candidates running in all 100 House of Delegates districts — a milestone party leaders and grassroots organizers say reflects rising momentum as President Donald Trump’s second term continues to galvanize opposition. Rocco DeBellis, a 57-year-old chef, Bronx native, and Cape Charles resident, filed this week to run in House District 100, making it the final district to be contested and completing the Democrats’ full slate.
Death of Virginia Beach Autistic Boy Renews Questions About the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Schools
The week before he died, Josh Sikes had problems at school. He overturned his desk and broke a teacher’s glasses on Halloween. Amid a long behavioral episode on Oct.31, he was restricted to a “safe” or “calming” area in a classroom overseen by Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs, a regional consortium serving eight communities in Hampton Roads. What happened in that area is now the subject of multiple investigations. Josh was 11, a fourth-grader on the autism spectrum, with ADHD and an intellectual disability. He attended Pembroke Elementary School in Virginia Beach, but he was a student within a SECEP classroom, taught by special education teachers and learning among other children.
A Salacious Saga Engulfs the Virginia G.O.P. and Weakens Youngkin
When Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia found out that Republican research had linked the G.O.P.’s nominee for lieutenant governor to a blog featuring photos of naked men, he tried to save his party from an embarrassing situation. Mr. Youngkin called the candidate, John Reid, a longtime conservative talk radio host in Richmond, and told him he needed to abandon his campaign because the website was certain to be discovered and would tank the party’s entire ticket. ... Then a funny thing happened. Mr. Reid did not quit. Instead, he posted a five-minute video to social media noting that he is gay and explaining that he had watched pornography and had one-night stands in the past. The Republican base in Virginia quickly rallied around him.
New James Madison University president talks DEI, research funds in first interview
JMU’s soon-to-be President James “Jim” Schmidt will inherit a university still raw from uncertainty stemming from the federal level — including diversity, equity and inclusion cuts and changes to federal funding. Schmidt, who’s the current University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire chancellor, sat down with The Breeze to discuss JMU’s current state and the responsibilities he will take over with his title come July 1. When discussing JMU’s decision, Schmidt referenced the Feb. 14 “Dear Colleague” letter released by the Department of Education, which affirmed U.S. schools’ commitment to nondiscrimination based on race. Schmidt said this letter provided a framework for many public institutions’ decisions to dismantle their DEI divisions.
Will politics keep Canadians away from Virginia Beach? The local tourism industry hopes not
With U.S. destinations reporting double-digit drops in Canadian tourists amid political tensions, Virginia Beach is hoping to keep its largest group of international travelers from looking elsewhere. Tuesday, President Donald Trump and Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney met at the White House to try and simmer down tensions between the neighboring countries related to ongoing trade disputes and "51st state" rhetoric from Trump. At least on the U.S. side of things, the fallout has been swift in recent months, with double digit percentage drops in Canadian tourism to many American destinations in protest of U.S. politics.
Prison lieutenant gets 1-year sentence for Petersburg death in custody
Wade Scott Walters died in a suicide watch cell in a Petersburg federal prison. His death, in precisely the type of cell where a prisoner should be keenly observed, caused an inquest within the Bureau of Prisons. According to a video described by prosecutors, Walters, a vulnerable adult who could not speak for himself, banged his body against the walls of his cell at least 23 times. His cause of death was ultimately ruled to be a broken skull. Federal prosecutors pursued criminal charges against a handful of staff involved. On Wednesday, Shronda Covington, a 16-year-veteran of FCI Petersburg, was handed her punishment for her role in Walters' death.
Richmond school system, bus drivers clash over alleged strike and firing of five employees
Tensions between Richmond Public Schools and the union that represents its bus drivers are at an all-time high after the division fired five drivers earlier this month over what it says was an unlawful strike that led to the cancellation of afterschool activities for thousands of students. Chris Hollins, the assistant business manager with LiUNA Local 804, on Sunday said the union plans to file a lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court over the firings, as well as a federal lawsuit against RPS for infringing on the workers’ freedom of speech and freedom of assembly rights.
Miyares breaks silence, says he will campaign with lieutenant governor nominee John Reid
Attorney General Jason Miyares commented for the first time on the controversy surrounding his running mate, Republican lieutenant governor nominee John Reid, in an exclusive interview with Virginia Scope on Tuesday. Miyares had remained silent since Gov. Glenn Youngkin called Reid on April 25 and asked him to withdraw from the race. That request followed the discovery of a Tumblr account featuring nude photos of men that shared a username with Reid’s private Instagram account. “Sure,” Miyares responded when asked if he plans to campaign with Reid on the trail as he seeks a second term in office.
Subramanyam Hears Concerns Over Potential Medicaid Cuts
U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) on Saturday gave constituents a chance to voice their concerns about potential Medicaid cuts during a town hall meeting at Leesburg Elementary School. Those concerns arose from a resolution by House Republicans that directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to find $880 billion in savings over the course of 10 years—looking for a way to offset lost tax revenues resulting from efforts to retain tax cuts made during President Donald J. Trump’s first term. A Congressional Budget Office study found that Medicaid accounts for 93% of the committee’s spending outside of the mandatory Medicare expenditures.