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Earle-Sears offers GOP vision following Dem primary
Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears spoke before a revved-up crowd at the Hippodrome in downtown Richmond Tuesday night. The candidate for governor aims to keep Virginia’s executive branch red, taking over for Republican Glenn Youngkin who is term limited. Earle-Sears opened her stump speech with some Youngkin-led wins, including a lab school program, keeping Virginia one of the best states for business and billions in tax breaks.
Candidates face sprint to nomination in special election for Connolly’s seat
Candidates in the Virginia special election to succeed the late Democratic Rep. Gerald E. Connolly are facing a sprint, especially compared with their counterparts looking to fill other open House seats this year. While those running for a vacant seat in Arizona will have had months to campaign before their July primary, the Democrats who’ve announced bids to complete Connolly’s term have less than a month to officially campaign for their party’s nomination for Virginia’s 11th District ahead of a September special election.
Hashmi, Jones join Spanberger on statewide Democratic ticket
The statewide Democratic ticket is set for the November election as state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi and former Del. Jay Jones won their primaries for lieutenant governor and attorney general Tuesday night. They will join former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, on the general election ticket. Hashmi, a Democrat from Chesterfield County, beat five opponents in a six-way primary for lieutenant governor on Tuesday. She is the first Muslim and first Indian-American nominated to statewide office in Virginia.
Dougherty wins Democratic nod in House District 75 race
A former Democratic nominee will get another shot at trying to unseat a Republican House of Delegates incumbent, ... In the 75th House District, Lindsey Dougherty won a three-way primary to oppose Republican incumbent Carrie Coyner. The two women faced off in 2019 with Coyner coming out on top with 55% of the vote.
Child care costs squeeze Virginia families
The cost of child care in Virginia and around the nation is skyrocketing, with a new report finding that it's outpacing overall inflation. Rising child care costs put a huge financial strain on families, Axios' Emily Peck reports. They can force some parents — typically women — to either ratchet back their working hours or leave the labor force entirely. For single parents, the calculus can be even more painful. The average annual cost of daycare tuition in Virginia for two children — one toddler and one infant — rose to $30,680 last year, according to data from Child Care Aware, an advocacy group.
Hashmi declares victory in race for lieutenant governor; Stoney has not conceded
State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi declared victory Tuesday night in the six-way Democratic primary race for Virginia's lieutenant governor nomination. Less than an hour later, the Democratic Party of Virginia congratulated Hashmi on her victory. The Associated Press says the race is still too close to call, however, and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who is right behind Hashmi, has not conceded. As of 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Elections results page has Hashmi in the lead by roughly 4,000 votes.
Can AI identify safety threats in schools? Loudoun County wants to try.
Loudoun County schools will use an artificial intelligence system to help identity fights, bullying or other potential safety threats on campuses. The system, from local tech company VOLT AI, will use AI to monitor video footage from the school district’s existing security cameras to spot incidents that might require staff intervention, such as the presence of weapons or other safety threats or medical emergencies. The cameras are used only in common areas, not bathrooms or locker rooms.
HRBT’s 2nd tunnel nears completion as project remains on schedule, within budget
Since moving its completion date back significantly last spring, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project has remained on schedule and its total budget has not changed. The project’s contractor, Hampton Roads Connector Partners, asked for an 18-month extension in March 2024, citing unforeseen cost and schedule effects. The project is still slated to reach substantial completion — the point when motorists will be able to use the new infrastructure — by February 2027 and final completion by August 2027, according to Ryan Banas, director of the expansion project.
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s race: Fatehi holds off strong challenge from Butler
Incumbent Ramin Fatehi held off a spirited and well-backed challenge from former federal prosecutor John Butler to win a second term as the city’s top prosecutor. Late Tuesday night, Fatehi had a decisive lead over Butler, with 52% of the vote in the Democratic Primary. Butler called Fatehi shortly before 10 p.m. to concede. Because there are no Republicans, Independents or other party members in the race, the winner of Tuesday’s primary became the city’s next commonwealth’s attorney.
Loudoun County supervisor says 25 people have been taken from Sterling Immigration Court in past month
Loudoun County Supervisor Juli Briskman sharply criticized the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office for working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a press release as tensions rise nationwide. While 10 people were detained and arrested at Sterling Immigration Court last week, Briskman alleged that ICE agents confronted two more people who were watching. One person was "manhandled" outside of the building by plain clothes officers, according to a press release. The officers also pushed away the other person's phone, she wrote.