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Former Va. superintendent Lisa Coons to receive over $100,000 in severance
Former Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons, who resigned in March, is receiving more than $100,000 in severance payments from the state, according to information obtained from the governor’s office through a public records request. Before Coons resigned as chief executive of the Virginia Department of Education on March 14, the department had violated state procurement laws, failed to publish teaching materials for the new history standards that the department promised to teachers last year, and hemorrhaged longtime staffers since Coons’ arrival two years ago.
Trump nominates Gilbert for U.S. attorney post
President Donald Trump has nominated former House Speaker Todd Gilbert of Shenandoah County to be the next U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia — the top federal prosecutor for the western half of the state. Gilbert had been one of two attorneys recommended to the president by Virginia’s two Democratic U.S. senators, which is the standard procedure for such positions.
State’s first-ever audit of campaign finance report leaves many questions unanswered
Virginia’s inaugural audit of campaign finance reports raises almost as many questions about state oversight than it does in answering how accurately a group of seven randomly selected candidates listed their contributions and expenses. In a report to the General Assembly released Tuesday, the Department of Elections suggested changes to the audit law, providing more time to complete future reviewing and updating the agency’s computer systems. The document warns that the post-election review following statewide elections this November will be a far bigger — and much more expensive — undertaking.
Faculty members express deep concern over President Ryan’s resignation
Faculty members across the University expressed their shock and concern after the resignation of University President Jim Ryan last Friday, pressured by Trump’s Department of Justice. At the time of publication, around 160 faculty members have signed an open letter condemning political interference and urging the Board of Visitors, the University’s highest governing body, to resist pressure from the federal government. “The forced installation of a new president under these circumstances would impede the exchange of ideas, set a dangerous precedent for the destruction of academic freedom, and cast a shadow on the integrity of the research and teaching conducted at the university,” the faculty wrote.
Trump administration keeps FBI headquarters in D.C., upending planned move
The Trump administration announced plans Tuesday to move the FBI headquarters from the crumbling J. Edgar Hoover Building to the sprawling Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center three blocks west in D.C., reversing decades of planning to relocate the agency to the suburbs and leaving some regional leaders infuriated. . . . The decision heightens regional acrimony over how federal assets are divided among the city, Northern Virginia and Maryland, with D.C. leaders celebrating the FBI staying put and suburban leaders incredulous that President Donald Trump snatched away a long-sought economic development prize.
Newman: Cuts to Medicaid will worsen health outcomes
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act being considered by Congress will cut the Medicaid budget substantially and cause millions to lose health insurance coverage. Without access to good primary care and preventive measures, many more people will present to overloaded emergency departments with health disasters such as heart attacks and strokes that are much more expensive to treat. The net effects are a greater cost to society and personal catastrophe for those affected. Data from the Commonwealth Fund show the United States has poor health outcomes by nearly every measure relative to 10 other wealthy nations; this is because we are the only country of these that does not insure all our citizens.
Hoos your daddy, Virginia? (Hint: It ain’t Youngkin)
If you look closely, you can see the tail tucked between Jim Ryan’s legs. During an impromptu rally on Friday in support of the University of Virginia’s emasculated president, a few hours after submitting his resignation at the behest of President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice, Ryan made his way to the front lawn of his on-campus residence to address the crowd that had gathered.
Relocating HUD from D.C. to Northern Virginia will come at a cost
It’s certainly possible that the relocation of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development personnel to Virginia could be a boon to the commonwealth. Gov. Glenn Youngkin argued as such in making the announcement last week that HUD staff would move across the water from the District of Columbia to offices in Alexandria. Absent in the governor’s announcement, however, was any mention that HUD’s new digs are occupied by the National Science Foundation, whose 1,800 personnel will be unceremoniously evicted from space they’ve used since 2017. As the Trump administration continues to undermine the United States’ advances in science, research and innovation, Virginia should work to ensure NSF remains headquartered in the commonwealth.
Cousins and Oliver: Congress seems content to let Virginians go hungry
Food insecurity remains a harsh reality for too many Virginians. Now, we are facing federal funding cuts that threaten the progress we have made to ensure that no Virginian goes hungry. In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unceremoniously canceled a $21 million grant that makes it possible for Virginia farmers to supply schools and food banks with fresh produce. No reason for the cut was given, little time was provided to prepare, and Virginians who counted on this program were not offered any alternatives.
Accreditor puts Emory & Henry on probation over fiscal concerns
Emory & Henry University has been placed on probation by its accreditor due to concerns about its fiscal responsibility. The private institution in Emory remains accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges but will spend the next 12 months on “probation for good cause.”