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Survey reveals Virginia schools banned over 220 library books since 2020
A report presented to a group of Virginia legislators Monday reveals that school boards have removed over 220 books from their schools' libraries since 2020. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission survey asked Virginia's 131 school divisions if they have school library book removal policies and the number of books currently banned. The survey found that almost two-thirds of the participating divisions hadn't removed any books for content-related purposes. The survey revealed that a significant portion of the increase in banned books is attributed to a misinterpretation of a 2022 law.
Judge rules in favor of Norfolk city attorney in feud with commonwealth’s attorney
The Norfolk city attorney’s office earned a win in its ongoing feud with Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi over which office has the authority to prosecute misdemeanor cases. A Norfolk Circuit Judge Joseph Lindsey ruled last week the city attorney’s office could continue to prosecute a misdemeanor city code violation appeal. The case involves a man who was charged with being in a park after sunset, a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Norfolk judge rules the city attorney can prosecute some misdemeanors in court
Last week, a Norfolk Circuit Court judge ruled the city’s charter allows the City Attorney’s office the authority to prosecute violations of local ordinances in that court. It’s the latest round in a turf spat between Norfolk City Attorney Bernard Pishko and Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi. Fatehi has sought to prohibit such a decision. The legal ruling stems from an appeal of Virginia Beach resident Jared Fuller's conviction in the General District Court for being in Northside Park after dark at 7:06 p.m. on Nov. 6, a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
FBI mum, but all signs point toward exit of well-regarded Richmond FBI executive
The FBI won’t say it, but others will: Stanley Meador, who headed up the Richmond FBI operations for four years, appears to have been quietly sidelined from his prominent position as top cop of the bureau’s Richmond field office. ... other signs confirm an exit that was first reported by The New York Times in June. The New York Times credited anonymous sources, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch has not been able to independently confirm their report. Meador is said to have upset conservatives with a 2023 memo issued by the Richmond field office. The so-called “Richmond Memo” discussed the threat of domestic terrorism from “radical-traditionalist” Catholics and was inspired by a case investigated in Henrico County.
As international threats mount, Norfolk’s NATO commands play a key role
NATO’s footprint in Hampton Roads is expected to expand in the coming years, despite President Donald Trump’s criticism of member nations' military spending levels. The two major NATO commands in Norfolk – Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and the more recently established Joint Force Command – have played a key role in bolstering the alliance’s strength against Russian aggression. The Joint Force Command in Norfolk, established in 2019, has grown from 100 to 250 personnel this year and could double its force tomorrow if its building at the Norfolk Naval Station had the space, Vice Adm. James Morley told VCIJ.
Virginia unemployment claims continue to pace ahead of last year
Unemployment claims are up 33% compared to this time last year, according to the latest numbers from Virginia's workforce development agency. Terry Clower at George Mason University says the Virginia economy is about to come to a fork in the road. "And then we have this what most of us are thinking will be a surge of new claims come in the fall as those folks who chose to take the early retirement or the separation packages," Clower says.
Report: Virginia school divisions incorrectly cited state law in book removals
Virginia school divisions are removing books from library shelves with minimal state guidance — in some cases, while incorrectly citing state law — according to a report issued by the General Assembly’s research arm Monday. Thirty-two school districts removed 223 books from libraries a combined 344 times between July 2020 and March 2025, according to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission report. While 72% of school divisions responded, representing about 84% of Virginia’s K-12 students, the report and its presentation noted a number of inconsistencies across the state due to a lack of state guidance.
Spanberger highlights law enforcement experience in Virginia governor’s race ad
Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s (D-Va.) gubernatorial campaign launched a new ad on Tuesday highlighting her background in law enforcement. The 30-second ad, which is narrated by Spanberger’s father, Martin Davis, will be broadcast in the Richmond and Norfolk media markets and statewide on digital platforms. The Hill was the first outlet to view the ad. Davis notes Spanberger’s background working as a federal agent investigating child predators, narcotics cases and arresting drug dealers, as well as her record as a CIA officer working on counterterrorism cases.
State cited Hopewell for inoperable equipment months before massive sewage spill into James River
Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the City of Hopewell’s wastewater treatment plant for eight discharges of raw wastewater six months prior to Friday night’s massive discharge of raw sewage into the James River and Gravely Run Creek. DEQ said in the NOV it had reason to believe the plant was in violation of the State Water Control Law. The plant, called Hopewell Water Renewal, treats raw sewage from the City of Hopewell, but also industrial wastewater from nearby companies like AdvanSix-Hopewell, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP, Smurfit WestRock and Virginia American Water Company, according to DEQ records.
Some Virginia school divisions inaccurately citing 2022 state law to remove books from libraries
A new state report has found that some school divisions in Virginia have been inaccurately citing 2022 state law as justification for removing books from school libraries. “This is an interesting circumstance where there’s a law in place that has been used, but the law was never really intended for that use in the first place,” Justin Brown, Associate Director of the non-partisan Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, or JLARC, told 8News.