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Rep. Don Beyer buzzes to spelling bee win
“Stygian” means having the characteristics of death, but the word kept a lawmaker alive in a spelling competition Wednesday night. Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., got it correct to move on to the final round of the National Press Club’s Press & Politicians Spelling Bee, where he squared off against Jessica Mendoza, a podcast co-host at The Wall Street Journal. Mendoza spelled “caryatid” right, while Beyer missed “espalier” to start the round. But then Mendoza stumbled on “trichinosis,” knocking her out of the contest altogether and leaving Beyer as the last speller standing.
Kaine: Attacking Iran needs congressional approval
From the start of his time in the U.S. Senate, Tim Kaine has tried to convince presidents that it’s up to Congress to declare war. Now, he’s trying again, hoping to remind President Donald Trump that he needs to go to Congress before attacking Iran. Before last week’s attack, Kaine filed a resolution saying “Congress hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.”
Warner demands cost analysis for HUD move to Alexandria, concerned about displaced National Science Foundation
Senator Mark Warner is demanding a full cost-benefit analysis of the federal government’s decision to relocate the Department of Housing and Urban Development to Alexandria, expressing skepticism about claimed taxpayer savings and concern for displaced National Science Foundation employees. The Virginia Democrat, speaking during a media availability Thursday (June 26), said he has not seen any cost evaluation for the move that will displace approximately 1,800 NSF employees from their headquarters at 2415 Eisenhower Ave.
New regulation requires impact offsets on some Virginia solar projects
Solar developers face new rules to get certain projects approved in Virginia after the enactment of a new regulation earlier this month — part of an ongoing discussion about how to meet Virginia’s growing energy needs. The new regulation, set in motion by a 2022 state law, would require projects under 150 megawatts that impact enough prime farmland or forestland would be required to mitigate those impacts, either through on-site work or off-site conservation easements.
Youngkin visits Franklin County farm to mark Virginia Agriculture Week
Gov. Glenn Youngkin stopped by Bowmont Dairy Farm in Franklin County on Thursday afternoon to celebrate Virginia’s farmers. Youngkin told a large crowd that gathered in a field overlooking the farm in Boones Mill that agriculture is the biggest industry in Virginia. ... Youngkin said 95% of the farms in Virginia are family farms, and that is the heart and soul of this sector.
Youngkin signs law expanding school transportation options
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin was in Botetourt County Thursday, to sign a bill into law. The signing okays a pilot program allowing small school divisions to use forms of student transportation other than buses, such as passenger vans. This comes during a shortage of CDL-trained bus drivers.
ACLU considers legal action after ICE detentions at Virginia courthouses
The American Civil Liberties Union is investigating reports of immigration officials detaining people in Virginia courthouses. "The right to access the courts is a fundamental one, because all other rights depend on it — but Virginians who rely on the protection of the courts will be forced to go without it if ICE's presence means Virginia courthouses are no longer safe," ACLU of Virginia executive director Mary Bauer said in a statement on Thursday.
Spanberger stumps in Fredericksburg
Democratic nominee for Virginia governor Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA case officer turned congresswoman, visited Fredericksburg Thursday during her “Span Virginia Bus Tour.” In the 7th District representative’s gubernatorial run versus GOP candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Spanberger has been traveling the state since Saturday and will make more than 40 stops in various localities during the tour. On Thursday, Spanberger stopped by several businesses in downtown Fredericksburg during her stop.
Trump Justice Department Pressuring University of Virginia President to Resign
The Trump administration has privately demanded that the University of Virginia oust its president to help resolve a Justice Department investigation into the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, according to three people briefed on the matter. The extraordinary condition the Justice Department has put on the school demonstrates that President Trump’s bid to shift the ideological tilt of the higher education system, which he views as hostile to conservatives, is more far-reaching than previously understood.
Virginia Democrats target Trump in race to replace Gerry Connolly in Congress
Democrats vying to succeed the late Rep. Gerry Connolly in a deep-blue northern Virginia district are zeroing in on one issue: who can best take on President Donald Trump. In his announcement video, former Connolly chief of staff and Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw said Trump officials threatened to throw him in jail, referring to letters sent to local officials in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions last December that threatened jail time for supporting and enforcing sanctuary laws. State Sen. Stella Pekarsky’s launch video touts her Greek heritage, which she said helps her “stand up to Donald Trump.” And state Del. Irene Shin said Democrats are running the “same old tired plays” while Trump is “dismembering and defunding our government.”