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Yancey: Natural Bridge Zoo legal saga escalates as two baby giraffes missing, state alleges threats, harassment
On the afternoon of April 7, three people showed up at the Natural Bridge Zoo to conduct a random inspection of the giraffes that the state had seized last year, but which remained at the zoo until they could be moved. There are many complications to moving a giraffe, but two of these three giraffes had a special one: They were pregnant, and moving a pregnant giraffe was deemed too dangerous. Even though a jury had ruled that the state could seize 71 animals from the zoo after it found the animals had been neglected and abused, it was agreed that pregnant giraffes should stay at the zoo until it was safe to move them. In the meantime, the court order directed the zoo to cooperate with the state and allow random inspections.
Fisher: Connolly built the trail to post-Trump progress. Who will hike it?
The largest structure in downtown Washington is a huge government building named for Ronald Reagan, which would be a heck of a joke except that it’s true: The man who won the presidency by crusading against government bloat is memorialized with a hulking symbol of public largesse, a nearly billion-dollar pile of limestone housing a slew of government agencies. Gerry Connolly, the congressman from Northern Virginia who died Wednesday, lived long enough to see his name attached to a public project, too. It’s a hiking trail, more than 40 miles across Fairfax County, through rural, suburban and urban patches, and it’s as beloved as the Reagan Building is derided. The Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail couldn’t be a more apt recognition of its namesake.
‘All hands on deck moment’ as Virginia faces federal challenges
Virginia budget leaders delivered a blunt challenge to Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday about the economic threats that residents of Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads face as President Donald Trump slashes the government workforce and spending. Meantime, Youngkin joined 19 other Republican governors in a letter to Trump, endorsing his package of big tax cuts and spending cuts, which the president is urging congressional Republicans to pass.
1 of 4 election fraud charges dismissed in Blacksburg case
One of four election fraud charges against Blacksburg Town Council member Liam Watson was dismissed by a Circuit Court judge Tuesday. The grand jury indictment in question alleged that Watson listed a false address on official paperwork that certified his qualifications as a candidate in the Nov. 7, 2023, election for a seat on the council.
Gerber: UVA should set the standard for true equality in education
I received my Ph.D. and J.D. from the University of Virginia. I loved my time at UVA but I’m concerned the university has become an institution of indoctrination rather than education. On April 29, UVA’s Board of Visitors resolved to strengthen efforts to ensure that the university is an inclusive and welcoming community where everyone can freely express their ideas. In March the board had pledged to dismantle UVA’s diversity, equity and inclusion apparatus. History matters at Thomas Jefferson’s university, and UVA’s recent history is disturbing.
Spanberger shares priorities to lower healthcare, prescription drug costs
Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger stood in front of a crowd at a Mechanicsville drug store Wednesday, announcing how she looks to lower drug costs and make healthcare more affordable for Virginians. The Democratic nominee for Virginia governor announced her main priorities at the Mechanicsville Drug Store — a family-owned pharmacy that opened in 1957 — on Wednesday, May 21, saying she aims to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs for seniors and working families.
Long waitlist for subsidized child care to continue into next fiscal year
Virginia’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year does not include funding requested by a coalition of lawmakers, business owners and advocates to fully fund slots for thousands of children currently waitlisted for subsidized child care programs in the commonwealth. State officials estimate about 4,000 children will be able to move off a waitlist for the Child Care Subsidy Program in the new fiscal year (which runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026), but thousands of additional families will remain waitlisted.
VDH issues changes to harmful algal bloom reporting
The Virginia Department of Health has announced a change in how it will issue swim advisories due to harmful algal blooms, and a Smith Mountain Lake group is saying it may reduce protections for public health. This summer, advisories will be issued based solely on the toxin levels of the harmful algal blooms.
Northern Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly dies at 75
Gerry Connolly, a longtime Democratic member of Congress from Northern Virginia known for his advocacy of the federal workforce, died Wednesday. He was 75 years old. The longtime lawmaker’s death was announced by his family via a statement from his congressional office. “We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years because that was his joy, his purpose, and his passion,” the family said in its statement. “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations.” ... The former chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors represented a Virginia district that was heavy on government workers, and he never flagged in his support for them.
Gerry Connolly, congressman who protected federal workforce, dies at 75
Gerry Connolly, a Democratic congressman who played a large part in Northern Virginia’s transformation from a bedroom community into a thriving technology hub and who steadfastly defended federal workers’ rights in the face of Trump-era rollbacks, died May 21 at his home in Fairfax County. He was 75. His staff director, Jamie Smith, confirmed the death. Mr. Connolly announced in November that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, just days after winning reelection to his ninth term in the House of Representatives.