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The ongoing rise in antisemitism should rally Virginians to action
Religious freedom and tolerance for others’ beliefs are foundational principles in the United States, and stem from a philosophy enshrined in Virginia law 238 years ago. The Statute for Religious Freedom, authored by Thomas Jefferson, states “all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion.” Ensuring that right has never been easy, and it’s especially difficult lately as a virulent strain of antisemitism afflicts the nation and our commonwealth. In a week that people around the world remember victims of the Holocaust, it’s more important than ever for Hampton Roads to stand up to hate and defend our Jewish family, friends and neighbors from attacks.
UVa. president, other leaders defend steps that led to arrests at protest
University of Virginia and police officials defended actions that led to the arrests of more than 25 pro-Palestinian protesters on campus grounds over the weekend, even as faculty members and others criticized what they saw as an overly aggressive response. In a virtual town hall Tuesday, Tim Longo, chief of police at U-Va., said that officials offered to let demonstrators stay if they took down their tents and that authorities moved in Saturday only when they refused. James E. Ryan, the university’s president, said that police were met with “physical confrontation and attempted assault” and that officials then called in Virginia State Police.
Loudoun Supervisors Ratify County’s First Collective Bargaining Agreement with Firefighters
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday ratified a tentative collective bargaining agreement between the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3756 and the county government. The 8-0-1 vote of approval came nine days after the agreement was ratified by union members.
As new Roanoke recovery house opens, advocates say many more are needed
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that has flooded the United States and driven a surge in deadly drug overdoses. It’s also ballooned the demand for treatment and recovery services. Roanoke marked National Fentanyl Awareness Day Tuesday by dedicating a new recovery house. Before organizers and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin cut the ribbon on the Four Truths Recovery house on Staunton Avenue they laid out the troubling facts—Roanoke has one of the highest fatal overdose rates in the state, according to the Virginia Department of Health. And a recent study found the region needs more than 900 recovery program beds.
Loudoun Schools to Launch New Pathways Lab with George Mason, NOVA
George Mason University is partnering with Loudoun County Public Schools and the Northern Virginia Community College to launch a lab school to increase help for at-risk students as they transition from high school to college and on to high-demand careers. The Accelerated College and Employability Skills Academy, to be known as ACCESS, will be inside some Loudoun high schools with funding provided by the Virginia Board of Education. Chief Academic Officer Ashely Ellis said the partnership happened quickly, with GMU reaching out to the division about partnering with them.
Virginia health officials launch ‘surveillance system’ for kids sickened by cannabis
Virginia officials are instructing health care providers to start keeping track of “adverse events” involving children and teens being exposed to cannabis products. In an April 24 letter to clinicians, State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton said her agency had received enough reports of minors getting sick from products containing CBD and THC, chemical compounds found in cannabis, that the state was establishing a “special surveillance system” to keep tabs on the issue.
Russell County votes to close 2 schools to afford raises for teachers
Russell County School Board members said they voted Tuesday night to close two small elementary schools because they felt it came down to a difficult choice between keeping the buildings open or giving teachers much-needed raises. The school system’s teacher salaries are the lowest in this region and at or near the bottom across the state. Over two years, the system has lost 51 teachers to other school systems that pay more, according to Superintendent Kimberly Hooker. As a cost-savings move, she recommended the closings of Swords Creek and Copper Creek elementary schools after this school year.
UAE plans diplomatic compound in McLean after paying $55M for 3 lots
The United Arab Emirates paid a staggering $55 million for 18 acres overlooking the Potomac River in McLean, where the government now plans to build three diplomatic residences and a nearly 11,500-square-foot “exercise structure.” The UAE acquired 1019, 1049 and 1079 Crest Lane in September 2022 in a single off-market transaction that was never recorded with the area’s listing service, but does appear in public records.
Virginia eviction filings surpass pre-pandemic highs
Eviction filings continue to climb, according to an analysis from researchers with Virginia Commonwealth University. The report, which analyzed eviction cases from the last quarter of 2023, identified nearly 42,000 eviction filings across the state of Virginia — a 15.6% increase from the prior quarter. Eviction filings now stand at 125% of pre-pandemic levels, according to VCU’s RVA Eviction Lab. The lab studies publicly available data and issues quarterly reports on housing instability. ... Eviction filings do not translate directly to executed evictions.
UVa president: ’Necessary to rely on assistance from the Virginia State Police’ to clear encampment
The organizers of an encampment in support of Palestine at the University of Virginia knew that pitching tents could trigger action against their protest. University officials made that clear when they first gathered Tuesday afternoon. What they and the faculty members who were helping them communicate with police and administrators did not anticipate was the force with which that action would come. Instead of citations and facilities management taking down the tents, they were met with a multi-agency, coordinated police action with officers wearing riot gear and military-grade equipment.