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Friday Read Potomac River catfish are no match for Ernie the Hog Snatcher
In a secret spot on the banks of the Potomac River, just past Georgetown, a fishing rod has begun to twitch. Then it arcs with the weight of what has become Ernest Robinson’s catchphrase: “Big takedown!” “Oh. Oh my God,” says Robinson, an urban fisherman, as the catch puts up a fight. “This joker is not ready to come.” Everything about Robinson, 34, is big. There’s his social media following: Around half a million people watch him fish on both Instagram and TikTok. … Then there are his big takedowns: big blue catfish, which he pursues year-round in these waters because “catfish is the biggest fish that we’ve got in the Potomac,” he says.
Cannabist Co. opening 11th Va. dispensary in eastern Henrico
The Cannabist Company will open its 11th Virginia dispensary in eastern Henrico County, the group announced this week. The store will be called Cannabist Richmond and will be available to medically approved patients. Cannabist Richmond will open at 4320 S. Laburnum Ave. in the Laburnum Park shopping center near Interstate 64. “The company’s commitment to patient access, education and community engagement remains at the forefront of its expansion efforts,” said Jesse Channon, its president.
Virginia Hasn’t Backed a Republican for President in Two Decades. Is It About to Flip?
Whether Virginia backs Donald Trump or Joe Biden shouldn’t even be a discussion. The state hasn’t backed a Republican for president since George W. Bush in 2004. But early polls showing Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, cutting into the Democratic president’s lead have served as a wake-up call for Virginia Democrats, who acknowledge headwinds with voters dissatisfied with Biden’s leadership. Republicans say that if Virginia is even remotely on the table for Trump, Biden is in serious trouble in traditional battleground states such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Chesterfield County backs secrecy in police records case
“Undercover.” The meaning of the word strikes at the heart of a public records fight regarding public access to basic police payroll information: the names and salaries of law enforcement employees. To Freedom of Information Act lawyer Andrew Bodoh, the word pertains to the type of police work seen on prime-time TV: disguised officers with assumed identities, names and cover stories. To Chesterfield County Attorney Jeffrey Mincks, the word includes every lay officer on the Chesterfield Police Department’s payroll: from the most grizzled detectives down to newly sworn-in cadets.
$12 million agricultural campus set to rise between Bristol and Abingdon
Rolling green pastures between Bristol and Abingdon are set to evolve over the next few years into an expansive $12 million agriculture campus for Appalachian Sustainable Development. On Thursday afternoon, officials with the nonprofit unveiled their plans for the more than 17 acres of land, which they plan to use as a regional hub that will champion agriculture by teaching people how to grow in more innovative, efficient and profitable ways. The goal is to create new agriculture and food businesses, more efficient and successful farms, a stronger regional workforce, and better access to nutritious food and positive health outcomes, according to ASD officials.
Virginia Senate to convene Tuesday to discuss military tuition program
The Virginia Senate will reconvene Tuesday to address recent changes to a state program that covers higher education costs for some military families, Senate Democrats announced in a release. In the recently approved budget, lawmakers scaled back the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program to lighten the cost burden on state colleges and universities after program participation increased exponentially over the last four years.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin visits Suffolk, touts signing of 31 mental health-related bills
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin paid a visit to Hampton Roads Thursday, promoting 31 bills recently signed into law, all with the goal of improving mental health care. He touted the 31 bipartisan bills during a ceremony at the Western Tidewater Community Services Board facility in Suffolk. Among them is the newly-signed “Irvo’s Law,” named after Irvo Otieno, 28, who died in custody last March after a mental health crisis. Otieno’s mother, Caroline Ouko joined the ceremony Thursday, saying Gov. Youngkin “kept his promise” in establishing legislation after her son’s death.
Trump backs Hogan in Md., teases Va. Gov. Youngkin as potential running mate
Donald Trump said he will support longtime critic Republican Larry Hogan in the Maryland Senate race, putting to rest speculation that the former president would attack Hogan — and delighting Democrats eager to keep the must-win seat in their hands. When asked about Hogan, Trump told Fox News on Thursday that Republicans have “got to take the majority” and that he would “like to see him win. … When asked in the same Fox interview with Aishah Hasnie about Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), Trump said he “could consider” making Youngkin his running mate — though it was in breezy comments that he contradicted ...
Loudoun approves first all-affordable multifamily via fast-track pilot
Loudoun County on Wednesday approved rezoning for a 100% affordable multifamily project, part of a pilot program aimed at fast-tracking review of applications that promise attainable homes. The project calls for 80 below-market rate attached units on 3.1-acres in Sterling. The property is near the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Magnolia Road adjacent to Northrop Grumman’s campus.
Warren County Democrats Host Sen. Kaine, 6th District Candidate at Pre-Primary Event
You may be a minority in your home community, but in statewide and national elections every vote is very important. That was one of the messages conveyed by Virginia’s U.S. Senator Tim Kaine during a luncheon gathering ...