Search
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.
Spanberger Rallies Warren County Democrats at Apple House Event in Linden
Democratic nominee for governor Abigail Spanberger made a lively and well-attended stop at the Apple House in Linden on Friday morning, addressing a packed house as part of her eight-day bus tour across Virginia. The tour, which is taking her to all corners of the Commonwealth, aims to connect directly with voters and share her message of affordability, safer communities, and stronger public schools. Spanberger, who served as U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 7th District from 2019 to 2025, is the Democratic Party’s nominee in the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election, running against Republican nominee and current lieutenant governor Winsome Earle-Sears.
Sperry: Federal spending bill would sever ‘vital link’ for health care
As a family physician who has practiced in Hampton Roads for more than 17 years, I’ve had the privilege of caring for thousands of families — from newborns to grandparents. Time and again, I’ve seen how access to health care saves lives. And for many in our community, Medicaid is the vital link that makes that care possible. In 2019, Virginia took a monumental step forward by expanding Medicaid. More than 630,000 Virginians gained insurance — many for the first time. ... But now, that progress is under threat. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that 7.6 million Americans could lose Medicaid coverage under the House-passed budget reconciliation bill.
UVA President’s Resignation Reflects a New Front in Trump’s Bid to Remake Higher Education
The Trump administration is ramping up its battle against DEI practices at universities—and the University of Virginia’s president was the first big casualty. UVA President James E. Ryan told the school community Friday that he had resigned amid tension with the Trump administration. Ryan had come under scrutiny over what the Justice Department said was his refusal to dismantle the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs, according to a person familiar with the matter. . . . The Trump administration’s pressure on UVA reflects a broadening of the government campaign to remake higher education, moving beyond accusations of antisemitism into a wider attack on DEI.
Outside of DOJ official’s CNN appearance, Republicans largely mum on Ryan resignation
Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for Civil Rights and herself a UVA law graduate, defended the Department of Justice’s aggressive posturing that led to the resignation of University of Virginia president Jim Ryan on Friday. Appearing on CNN for an interview with Jake Tapper on Friday evening, Dhillon said the university was not responsive to DOJ requests for confirmation that it was in compliance with federal law and indicated she believed Ryan was largely responsible for that.
Univ. of Virginia president resigns amid Trump administration inquiry into diversity initiatives
The president of the University of Virginia is resigning following pressure from the Trump administration to step aside amid a Justice Department investigation into the school’s diversity practices. James E. Ryan convened a meeting with his senior leadership Friday and announced that he would be stepping down, according to a source who attended the UVA Board of Visitors meeting.
Lawmakers, UVa faculty blame Trump admin's 'gross overreach' for Ryan resignation
University of Virginia President Jim Ryan has resigned after the Trump administration Department of Justice led an unprecedented pressure campaign against UVa’s chief executive. The DOJ faulted Ryan for not dismantling the diversity, equity and inclusion programs he established during America’s yearslong racial reckoning. Further, DOJ officials claimed Ryan misrepresented UVa’s efforts to eliminate DEI on Grounds — rebranding those initiatives instead of removing them. ... U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, estimated Friday that UVa has already lost $400 million in federal funding since President Donald Trump took office.
Metro begins Better Bus Program, biggest change to system in half-century
Metro began its Better Bus program Sunday morning, it’s the biggest overhaul of the road-based transit system in 50 years. Hundreds of bus routes, route names and times have changed. “This is the first time in decades that we are making comprehensive changes to the bus,” said Metro General Manager Randy Clarke. . . . The system also has all-new route names, using regional letter prefixes for improved navigation. For example, routes with an “A” stand for Arlington/Alexandria, “M” are for Montgomery County, “D” is for downtown D.C. and “C” is for crosstown routes. “F” is for Fairfax City, Fairfax County, and Falls Church. Limited-stop routes are indicated by an “X” at the end of their names.
Warner: Trump bill will be ‘political albatross’ for Republicans
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said Sunday that President Trump’s megabill will be a “political albatross” for Republicans back at home. In an interview on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” moderator Margaret Brennan noted that the GOP tax and spending bill, which just cleared a key hurdle in the Senate on Saturday night, includes some policies that Democrats have championed. “You can put as much lipstick on this pig as you want. This will be a political albatross for the Republicans,” Warner said, suggesting the individual policy add-ons don’t justify supporting the bill overall.