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Evictors in Richmond often are local
Monay Leon grew accustomed to seeing the “pay or quit” notice taped to her apartment door whenever she was late on her rent. Her complex was sold in 2022. Its new owner, John B. Levy and Co., hoped to convert 129 units in the complex into condos. In the process, John B. Levy became one of the most prolific eviction filers in the city — bringing 128 cases to Richmond General District Court in 2023. A sliver shy of filing one case for every unit, Leon’s new landlords notched one of the highest filing rates in the city, according to an analysis of public records data by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Lake Anna bacteria levels safe, Va. says; E.coli outbreak cause unclear
Tests of Lake Anna show that the water meets benchmarks for safe swimming, Virginia public health officials said Friday, after at least 25 people were diagnosed with E. coli infections following visits last month to the popular recreation spot. Results of samples collected this week show that “all fecal bacteria concentrations were well below a public health level of concern,” officials said in a news release Friday evening. They also said there is no indication that contaminated food caused the illnesses.
Woodley: With a nudge from above, Virginia takes a step toward racial reconciliation
The civil rights movement has always been deeply spiritual. The Black church and its ministers — from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the Rev. L. Francis Griffin in Prince Edward County — were both the foundation and the nonviolent spearhead. There was a palpable sense of divine companionship that traced its roots back to liberation passages in both the Old and the New Testament. It gave many the faith and courage to risk their lives. That spiritual lighthouse still shines on the often rocky coast of endeavor.
Simonds: New investments in child care will help working families
At a recent breakfast to raise funds for an early childhood center, a mother told a heartbreaking story about what it means to not have child care in today’s economy. Through tears, she said the only way she could make ends meet was doing online food deliveries with her baby tucked in a car seat. When she finally found high-quality child care for her baby, she got a better job in the health field and, in the end, it changed her life. As a delegate representing part of Newport News in the General Assembly, I know that child care continues to be top of mind for my constituents.
ODU-EVMS merger set to usher in a promising era for regional health
Tackling the persistent and chronic health ills that ail a community requires a unified, coordinated effort imbued with ambition and the determination to make a lasting difference in the care available to residents. All evidence suggests that’s what Hampton Roads can expect from the pending merger of Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School. With Norfolk State University as an academic partner, and additional support from Sentara Health, the resulting effort should bring about a needed revolution in regional health care that will change the landscape for the better.
Online pathway to teacher licensure showing promise one year after approval by Virginia Board of Education
With the latest data from the Virginia Department of Education showing the commonwealth is short of more than 3,600 teachers, a year-old program designed to tackle that shortage is showing promise. The program called iTeach is a newly approved pathway to teacher licensure. It’s billed as an online, affordable way for potential teachers to fast-track their journey to the classroom.
Schapiro: Secondary factors defining primary day
A Who’s Who of big-shot politicians — from across the country and the state — is making Virginia’s congressional primaries more about them than the Democrats and Republicans they’re supporting for the House of Representatives and Senate nominations. Ahead of Tuesday’s contests — actually, balloting has been underway for 45 days because of Virginia’s coronavirus-era early voting provision — voters in several regions seemingly are hearing more about these marquee surrogates than the primary candidates themselves.
Va. Legislative Black Caucus condemns Miyares’ push to modify DEI standards for law schools
A group of Black lawmakers are condemning a recent decision by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares to join a push asking to end diversity and inclusion standards for law schools. The members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus said Thursday that they “strongly oppose” Miyares signing a letter asking the American Bar Association to modify its DEI standards for higher institutions.
State drops Ferrum College lab school application; president says no explanation offered
Ferrum College President Mirta Martin says she was taken by surprise when State Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera called last month to inform her that the state Board of Education had scrapped the college’s lab school application. Martin and her staff had been working on the proposal for months. “My heart sunk for the children this grant could help,” she said during an interview in downtown Richmond on Thursday afternoon.
Virginia’s governor went from GOP darling to low on Trump VP list
Donald Trump’s short list for vice president has been in the spotlight of speculation, as the political rumor mill churns and voters wait for an official announcement from the former president. Lurking somewhere between serious contender and no-way-whatsoever: Glenn Youngkin. It’s an awkward place for the 57-year-old Virginia Republican governor. Once touted as a great hope for the Grand Old Party and even as a possible Trump primary rival in 2024, Youngkin has been overshadowed in the VP race by the majority of Republican lawmakers seemingly competing to prove themselves to Trump and his base.