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Documents show Richmond has spent $230K defending $250K whistleblower lawsuit
Records obtained by The Times-Dispatch show that city officials have spent $234,111.35 defending the wrongful termination lawsuit brought by Connie Clay, a former Freedom of Information Act officer who in 2024 was fired by former city spokesperson Petula Burks. That’s only $15,888.65 less than Clay is seeking in her filing. And with the two sides yet to go to trial, the legal fees are all but certain to increase.
Fairfax City considers expanding ban on guns in public places
Four years after voting to prohibit firearms on public property, the Fairfax City Council is contemplating whether to expand those restrictions. At a city council meeting on Tuesday (June 24), Fairfax leaders took a preliminary look at the 2021 ordinance and planned further discussion for another meeting on July 22. The adopted ordinance prohibits the possession, carrying or transportation of firearms and ammunition in City buildings or facilities, public property or permitted events.
Henrico Doctors' Hospital settles with 4 more families in NICU abuse case
A judge in Salem has approved settlements for four additional victims who suffered injuries as newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit of Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. David Carson, a judge in Salem Circuit Court, approved two settlements Thursday and two Friday. Since last week, the hospital has agreed to pay nine children and is arranging settlements for two more. Carson has allowed the financial value of the settlements to remain private.
While SCOTUS punts on birthright citizenship case, Virginia AG Miyares pushes back on citizenship question
As the nation's highest court weighs a landmark birthright citizenship case, Virginia's Attorney General is pushing back on questions about his mother's citizenship status. When asked if Attorney General Jason Miyares qualified as a birthright citizen, Miyares said he’s tired of people questioning his citizenship and the legal status of his mother. “There’s been a lot of speculation in the media, I think erroneously, I think irresponsibly, that somehow indicated my mother was not legally allowed to be in this country," he told Radio IQ at an event earlier this month.
State lawmakers explore parole changes amid abuse claims at Red Onion
Two state lawmakers floated potential changes to Virginia’s parole system on Tuesday after discussing their recent visits to Red Onion State Prison, a facility in Wise County facing claims of deteriorating conditions and prolonged lockdowns. Virginia abolished discretionary parole for felonies committed since Jan. 1, 1995. The General Assembly’s efforts to bring back parole in Virginia have been rejected, although the Legislature has restored some eligibility. Sens. Dave Marsden (D–Fairfax) and Danny Diggs (R–York County) said they backed a study to examine how Virginia could modify parole, but stressed it would take time.
Yancey: Senate Democratic leader warns University of Virginia not to pick a new president ‘anytime soon’
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax County, warned the University of Virginia’s governing board Saturday not to pick a new president “anytime soon” in the wake of President James Ryan’s resignation under pressure from the Trump administration, because Democrats could install a new majority on the board if Abigail Spanberger wins this fall’s governor’s race. “There will be a different ideological majority come next July 1,” Surovell said. He also warned that if the board allows former Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, whose appointment to the board is now the subject of a court case, to take his seat, that would give a future Democratic governor grounds to remove board members for “malfeasance.”
Federal judge grants request to keep Job Corps open amid lawsuit, but program’s future remains uncertain following Supreme Court ruling
A federal judge in New York this week extended a temporary restraining order against the federal government’s attempt to shut down Job Corps centers across the country — including two in Virginia — but a subsequent U.S. Supreme Court ruling raises questions about whether the order will stand. The National Job Corps Association, along with contractors who administer Job Corps sites, sued the U.S. Department of Labor after it ordered the closure of 99 federally contracted sites across the country, including the Blue Ridge Job Corps Center in Marion and the Old Dominion Job Corps Center in Amherst.
Federal overreach will not end with President Ryan
Throughout the last months, the Department of Justice has pressured University President Jim Ryan to step down, alleging that the University had violated a federal order to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This was an unprecedented and invasive ultimatum — lose vital federal funding for the University, or resign. Yesterday, Ryan submitted his resignation to the Board of Visitors, putting an end to his tenure of seven years and choosing to put the longevity of the institution and the security of its students above his own job. As the six students who make up this Editorial Board, we mourn the resignation of an iconic University leader and condemn the unprecedented circumstances which forced him into it.
Yancey: Trump administration forces out the UVa president; 7 things to know (or wonder about)
The president of Virginia’s flagship university is leaving, pushed out by the Trump administration. The actual facts available are few. Let’s review what little we do know, then focus on what we don’t know. The background: President Donald Trump came into office vowing to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and started on day one by signing the first in a series of executive orders. Over the coming weeks, multiple colleges in Virginia moved to eliminate their DEI offices.
Spanberger, other Democrats vying for office draw hundreds at Williamsburg campaign stop
The Democratic nominees for statewide office stopped near Williamsburg on Saturday as part of an eight-day, 40-stop campaign tour of Virginia. Abigail Spanberger, candidate for governor; state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, who is vying to be the commonwealth’s next lieutenant governor; and Jerrauld “Jay” Jones, who is running for attorney general; were joined by Jessica Anderson, who is seeking to represent Virginia’s House of Delegates District 71. The event, hosted by the Historic Triangle Democrats at Lafayette High School in James City County, drew approximately 400 attendees.