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Former Richmond employee spent $840,000 at company registered to his house, records show
A former Richmond Fire Department employee spent at least $839,357.15 at a company registered to his own home between 2017 and 2024, according to records obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Reginald Thomas, a former management analyst for RFD, used his city credit card, purchase orders and invoices to spend the funds at RPM Supply Co., LLC, which is registered to a house on Stevens Street in Henrico County, State Corporation Commission documents show. Henrico property records show Thomas and his wife are the owners of that home.
Fairfax leaders angered at being left out of funding for future Va. transportation projects
Fairfax County leaders believe they and other Northern Virginia leaders are getting an unfair deal when it comes to state transportation funding. The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday (May 13) to send a letter to Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller III, expressing concern about being passed over in the latest round of “Smart Scale” funding for transportation improvements. The state program allows localities to submit proposals, which are then scored to see how they meet designated criteria. Final approval is given by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB).
Salem to implement AI weapons detection system at high school
Salem City Schools will soon begin piloting a security system at Salem High School that uses artificial intelligence to detect weapons. The system works by using AI to monitor the school’s existing camera feeds for any sign of weapons. If a threat is detected, the system notifies a designated group of staff and administrators, as well as members of the Salem Police Department. Anyone who receives the alert can review the footage on their phone and assess the situation.
Professor, civil rights icon Owen Cardwell, who desegregated E.C. Glass, dies
Owen Cardwell Jr., who joined Lynda Woodruff as the first two Black students to attend previously all-white E.C. Glass High School in 1962, died Monday at the age of 78. The son of a top official with the local chapter of the NAACP, Cardwell, at the age of 14, was one of the students picked when a call went out for Dunbar High School students interested in participating in a desegregation lawsuit in Lynchburg.
McClellan, Virginia Democrats warn of dire impact to state if proposed Medicaid cuts materialize
U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, said she had been awake over 36 hours by the time she joined a call with members of the media on Thursday to discuss GOP lawmakers’ plan to slash $625 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next decade. The lack of sleep didn’t disturb her, she said, but her Republican colleagues’ advancement of Medicaid overhaul proposals that could leave over 630,000 Virginians and millions of Americans without health insurance, however, did.
After Virginia clerk says Youngkin vetoes aren’t valid, a defiant governor digs in
Gov. Glenn Youngkin insisted Thursday that he properly stripped three items from the state budget despite a finding by the clerk of the House of Delegates that his “purported vetoes” violate the state constitution. The Republican governor, up against a General Assembly fully but narrowly under Democratic control since the midpoint of his four-year term, has racked up more than 400 vetoes — more than any of his predecessors. Democrats have never mustered the supermajority needed to override any of them.
Republicans prioritize data centers in attempt to flip House seat in Prince William County
With just a little more than a month left in their primary election campaigns, Sahar Smith and Gregory Lee Gorham are focusing their campaigns on data centers and taxes in an attempt to represent Republicans come November and flip Prince William County-based House District 21, one of the few Virginia House of Delegates swing districts in the region. ... State Del. Joshua Thomas currently represents this district and is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for his second term.
Supporters of Loudoun County theater teacher ask Virginia attorney general to investigate his removal
Supporters of Rock Ridge High School theater teacher Tony Cimino-Johnson are asking the Office of the Virginia Attorney General to investigate why he was placed on leave from his job by Loudoun County Public Schools April 1, and to investigate alleged wrongdoing by LCPS. In a May 12 letter to Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares, a Republican, supporters say Cimino-Johnson's removal from class was retaliation for actions he has taken. Cimino-Johnson has taught at the school in Loudoun Valley Estates since 2014.
Sparks fly during Hopewell City Council meeting over recent city terminations
Tensions flared at Tuesday evening’s Hopewell City Council meeting, as protesters were escorted out by sheriff’s deputies and one councilman voluntarily left. The contention stems from the terminations of former city clerk Brittani Williams and former city manager Dr. Concetta Manker, from a 4 to 3 council vote on May 1. Two rallies were held ahead of Wednesday night’s meeting featuring local and national activists.
Yancey: 5 things the Virginia committee investigating impact of federal cuts didn’t hear (but maybe should have)
When the House of Delegates “emergency committee” on federal government cuts met in Wytheville earlier this week, legislators didn’t hear a lot of specifics. Impacts on international tourism? Too soon to tell, said Virginia tourism chief Rita McClenny. Impacts on agriculture? Too soon to tell, said Jason Grant of the Center for Agricultural Trade at Virginia Tech. Impacts of tariffs on economic development? Too soon to tell, said Virginia economic development chief Jason El-Koubi.