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Republican group dumps $2 million into Virginia attorney general race
The Republican Attorneys General Association is pouring $2 million into the Virginia Attorney General race between Republican incumbent Jason Miyares and Democrat Jay Jones. The RAGA says the investment is more than any GOP committee in a statewide Virginia race in 2025. The race between Miyares and Jones is one of the top ones to watch in Virginia as the state elects a new governor, Lt. governor, and members of the House of Delegates.
Appeals court flip-flops on Missing Middle, striking down ordinance once again
The Virginia Court of Appeals has withdrawn a recent decision reinstating Arlington’s “Missing Middle” ordinance, once again striking it from the books as judges reconsider arguments. In a ruling that adds yet another layer of complexity to the legal fight over the controversial zoning change, the appeals court agreed on Tuesday to reassess a judgment that the court handed down just last month. While the previous decision had effectively reinstated the county’s Expanded Housing Options for procedural reasons, the new ruling strikes the ordinance down once again.
Preliminary injunction hearing likely July 25 to keep Ken Cuccinelli from UVA BOV seating
A Fairfax County Circuit Court judge will likely hear a preliminary injunction motion July 25 by Virginia Senate Democratic leaders to keep Ken Cuccinelli from sitting on the next UVA Board of Visitors meeting. That word from the counsel representing the plaintiffs. . . . The Governor’s Office and State Attorney General Jason Miyares have opined Cuccinelli, and seven other Governor Youngkin appointees as members of George Mason and VMI boards that the Senate Privileges and Election Committee denied confirmation to, can continue to serve until there’s been a full floor session in which they could be considered.
Student leaders weigh the future of self-governance after Ryan's departure
Student leaders say the University is at a tipping point for protecting student self-governance following University President Jim Ryan’s decision to resign June 27 after facing pressure from the Trump administration. Many urged renewed attention to a core tradition they fear could be threatened during this period of transition. The University has a historical tradition of student self-governance, which allows students to take part in decision-making processes — major self-governance groups include the Honor Committee, University Judiciary Committee, Student Council and Class Councils.
Education Department probes George Mason University for hiding DEI practices
The Education Department has launched a federal civil rights investigation into Virginia’s George Mason University for renaming rather than removing its diversity, equity and inclusion program and staff. In a Thursday news release, the agency cited a complaint filed with its Office for Civil Rights by “multiple professors at GMU who allege that the university illegally uses race and other immutable characteristics in university policies, including hiring and promotion.” Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said the complaint belies administrators’ public claims that the private Fairfax campus “does not discriminate on the basis of race” by favoring minority candidates, which the Trump administration forbids.
Trump administration investigating George Mason over report of discrimination
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating George Mason University for possible racial discrimination, the latest move by President Donald Trump’s administration to eradicate DEI from American colleges and punish colleges that don’t comply. A group of professors at the university in Fairfax County filed a report asserting that university leadership illegally uses race as a factor in hiring and promotions. The complaint alleges that the school’s president, Gregory Washington, instructed administrators to consider how an applicant would improve the school’s diversity, ...
Governor: CNBC's 'new subjective metric' dropped Virginia on 'Best States' business list
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is faulting what he called “a new subjective metric” that saw Virginia drop its crown as CNBC’s top state for business – a major political calling card for his administration. In the latest version of its annual “25 Best States for Business” report released July 10, CNBC dropped Virginia to No. 4 on the list. North Carolina, which has been in a battle for the top spot with Virginia in recent years, reclaimed that spot, with Texas and Florida taking the second and third positions, respectively.
Norfolk wants protection from future flooding. Agreeing on how isn’t easy.
After residents of Norfolk’s historic Freemason neighborhood objected to proposed floodwalls snaking through their community, blocking river views, potentially depressing property values and leaving condominium buildings exposed, staff members from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers walked the planned path with local leaders in January. ... As details about the plan to protect the city from major storms and hurricanes have become clear to residents, the cost has risen and the beginning of construction has been pushed back, clouding the future of the project.
New “Blue Envelope” program in Virginia aims to ease traffic stops for drivers with autism
A new initiative across Virginia is working to make traffic stops less stressful for people on the autism spectrum. It’s called the Blue Envelope Program, and it’s now available at DMV customer service centers statewide. The envelope is designed to help bridge communication gaps between drivers with autism and law enforcement officers during traffic stops. . . . The Blue Envelope acts as a signal to officers that the person they’re interacting with may communicate in a different way — and that a little extra patience can go a long way.
Support for Trump policies coincides with Virginia’s drop in business rankings
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has consistently backed former President Donald Trump’s policies, even as reports suggest those policies have harmed Virginia’s economy. Despite growing concern, Democratic leaders have urged Youngkin — along with Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares, to break their silence and challenge the administration’s approach, warning that continued support could further damage the commonwealth’s economic outlook. On Thursday, a key economic indicator—one Youngkin has previously cited as a benchmark of success — delivered more evidence that Trump’s policies are taking a toll on Virginia’s economy. CNBC’s annual list of Top States for Business was released Thursday morning, and Virginia fell from first place last year to fourth this year.