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A guide to the Republican primary in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District
Republicans in Northern Virginia may have had a sleepy few months during primary election season, but that’s about to change: There’s a set of special primaries this week to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D). Connolly’s death in May after his esophageal cancer returned has opened up a deep-blue seat representing much of Fairfax County — and unleashed a high-velocity set of primaries on both sides of the aisle ... The GOP nominee will face a steep uphill climb to flip Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, which elected Kamala Harris for president last fall by more than 34 points. But that hasn’t gotten in the way of a crowded race with longtime party activists and some newer faces seeking to jump in.
Schools in Hampton Roads region brace for potential federal cuts, explore block grants
As the federal government considers transitioning from using a funding formula to dole out money to public schools nationwide to providing block grants instead, the proposition is stirring debate among Virginia lawmakers and education leaders. A House of Delegates committee and school leaders convened last week to talk about the possible shift in education funding and the continued impacts of federal funding cuts statewide. Supporters of block grants, or large sums of federal funding, argue that they would give states more flexibility to address individual issues. Critics, meanwhile, are concerned about whether the block grants would be appropriately and equitably distributed, including to English learners and at-risk students from low-income families.
Jumper: Funding cuts threaten a life-changing college grant program
For the last 25 years, GEAR UP Virginia has helped more than 20,000 students, mostly from low-income families, fulfill their academic and career goals. Unfortunately, discussions are underway in Washington, D.C., to cut funding for the program. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded grant program that increases the number of students from low-income communities who successfully transition to and through postsecondary education. It is a coordinated effort between the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and local school divisions.
Friday Read Hampton Roads citizen scientist makes ‘significant’ astronomical find
Most people might not seek out an empty soccer field in the dead of night, but that’s often where you can find Van Ruckman, a James City County resident who made a significant astronomical discovery earlier this year. Ruckman, 78, lives in Kingsmill on the James and contributes to a global network of citizen scientists who provide near-continuous monitoring of outer space. In January, Ruckman made a remarkable discovery on Kingsmill’s soccer field when he observed a distant asteroid and its moon, a feat that electrified the worldwide astronomical community.
Same-sex marriage in Virginia would be banned without Obergefell
Virginia is one of 32 states where same-sex marriage would immediately be banned if the Supreme Court overturned the federal ruling that legalized it a decade ago. The state is in the middle of a multiyear process to repeal its own ban through a constitutional amendment. If passed, it would cement marriage equality in Virginia regardless of future Supreme Court decisions. Obergefell v. Hodges, the federal ruling that makes Virginia's constitutional ban unenforceable, marked its 10-year anniversary Thursday. But access to marriage equality faces increasing opposition.
VCU lobbying for additional state support for military tuition waivers
Virginia Commonwealth University is continuing to lobby for more state funding to help pay for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program as more students are expected to enroll in the tuition waiver program for qualifying veteran dependents and spouses this fall. VCU officials said during Wednesday’s board of visitors meeting that they expect around 1,500 students to enroll in the program for the upcoming fall semester, up from 1,006 students in the 2023–24 school year. This reflects a statewide trend of continued program growth, according to Lee Andes, finance director with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. He said that’s likely due to a number of factors, including increased program awareness.
A guide to the Democratic primary in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District
If you were already tired of elections in Virginia, buckle up: There is a set of special primaries this week to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D). Connolly’s death in May after his esophageal cancer returned has opened up a deep-blue seat representing much of Fairfax County — and unleashed a crowded, high-velocity set of primaries on both sides of the aisle, with 10 Democrats and seven Republicans seeking their respective party’s nomination in just a matter of weeks. The Democrats’ race will test voters’ appetite for breaking from the establishment at a time when their party is caught in a tailspin over questions of age and experience.
Spanberger pushes back against Mamdani comparisons
Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee in Virginia’s gubernatorial race, pushed back against attacks from the state GOP linking her to Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s probable Democratic candidate for mayor. “That’s a pretty ridiculous linkage, but I’ll say that I don’t begin to pretend like I know anything about New York politics,” Spanberger told reporters after a full day stumping in northern Virginia on Thursday. “Because I’m a Virginian and I’m focused on Virginia, and so I’ve been traveling across the commonwealth talking to voters about the issues that matter.”
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.
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.