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Indivisible Lynchburg rallies with ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ protest for civil rights
Over a hundred passionate and concerned voters gathered at Lynchburg's Miller Park to march in protest against what they call an attack on civil and human rights from the Trump Administration. Indivisible Lynchburg hosted the 'Good Trouble Lives On' protest and march on Thursday night. According to the group, the Good Trouble Lives On movement pays homage to the late Congressman John Lewis, who fought for the protection of human and civil rights.
Immigration arrests have surged 470% in Virginia so far this year — with majority now having no criminal record
Immigration arrests have skyrocketed across the DMV region since President Donald Trump's inauguration, and a new WUSA9 analysis shows an increasing share of those arrests are of people with no criminal history beyond their status in the country. Arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Maryland have jumped 290% year-over-year, while Virginia has seen a staggering 470% increase, according to WUSA9's analysis of ICE data from the Deportation Data Project. Washington D.C. has also experienced rising numbers, though not to the dramatic extent seen in Maryland and Virginia.
‘Good Trouble Lives On’ protests across Hampton Roads in honor of John Lewis
Thursday marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Congressman and Civil Rights Leader John Lewis. In his honor, across the nation, tens of thousands of people participated in what they are calling "Good Trouble Lives On" protests. "Good trouble is giving somebody a ride to the polls. Good trouble is registering a voter, talking to a young person about why it's important for them to have a voice in the government that is over them. That's good trouble," said Leslie Rinaldi, chairwoman of the Suffolk Democratic Committee.
U.S. DOJ launches employment discrimination probe into George Mason University
The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday said it had launched an employment discrimination probe into George Mason University in Virginia, making it the latest college to be targeted by the Trump administration. The civil rights probe will examine whether George Mason, a state university, "is engaged in discriminatory practices" based on race and sex, the department said. It said the investigation was spawned by comments made by George Mason's president and policies "which indicate that race and sex are motivating factors in faculty hiring" in order to achieve diversity goals.
Newport News, Hampton and Franklin residents no longer qualify for free toll trips
Free trips through the Downtown and Midtown tunnels are no longer available to residents living in three municipalities after changes were made to the state’s toll relief program. Initially, the state’s two-year budget signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin allowed drivers making less than $50,000 a year and living in either Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth or Franklin, to sign up for up to 14 free trips each week with Elizabeth River Crossings, the operators of the tunnels. ... However in May, when Youngkin signed the amendments to the budget, Newport News, Hampton and Franklin were removed.
Youngkin touts Va. record in Iowa, land of presidential hope
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) made a campaign-style visit to the Iowa state GOP Thursday night — a logical first step toward a 2028 presidential run, though he insisted his full attention is focused on finishing his term as governor. “The invitation is humbling. … It is just a wonderful Iowa trait for you all to be so warm in the way you greeted me,” Youngkin said to a crowd of several hundred as the featured guest speaker for the Iowa Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Dinner. With its traditional first-in-the-nation Republican caucuses every four years, Iowa usually plays a leading role in selecting the party’s presidential contenders.
Trump administration expands scrutiny of George Mason University
The U.S. Justice Department announced an investigation into the alleged use of race in hiring and promotions at George Mason University on Thursday, adding to a recent string of Trump administration probes into the institution. The investigation is the third launched by the administration in recent weeks into the policies and practices at the Northern Virginia university, and the first inquiry into the school led by the Justice Department. The escalating scrutiny follows a pattern that recently played out at the University of Virginia and comes amid the administration’s broader efforts to reshape American higher education.
N. Va. business leaders report impacts from federal spending cuts in new survey
Despite continued concerns about inflation, federal worker layoffs and other issues, business leaders in Northern Virginia are feeling more upbeat about their own economic prospects and those of the region than they were this spring, a new survey found. The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC) worked with the marketing firm Pinkston to survey 135 corporate executives and business owners about their experiences with the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government, their expectations for the near-future and their policy priorities.
Youngkin and Framatome leaders officially open $50 million Lynchburg expansion
Framatome celebrated the opening of its $50 million expansion in Lynchburg Thursday, a development that promises to bring 500 new jobs to the area. Governor Glenn Youngkin and Framatome leaders spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Governor Youngkin emphasized the significance of such expansions for the state's economic growth.
Warner: Trump’s foreign aid cuts hand China global influence ‘for pennies on the dollar’
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) sharply criticized the Trump administration’s successful effort to cut $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, warning that the reductions will damage America’s global influence and national security interests. Speaking to Virginia media Thursday (July 17), Senator Warner said the Senate’s late-night passage of what’s known as a rescission package represents a dangerous retreat from decades of American leadership worldwide. The legislation strips about $8 billion from foreign assistance programs and more than $1 billion from public broadcasting.