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Chesapeake Bay health grade dips after hottest year on record and extreme rainfall patterns
The health of the Chesapeake Bay declined in an annual report card on the nation’s largest estuary released Tuesday, with scientists noting the effect of extreme rainfall patterns during the hottest year on record. The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science gave the bay a C grade in its report card. That compares to a C-plus grade the bay received last year, which was the highest grade it had received since 2002.
At Youth for Tomorrow’s Henrico ribbon-cutting, Youngkin touts Virginia’s behavioral health ‘transformation’
Collaboration between public and private agencies, volunteers and other stakeholders has transformed Virginia’s ability to provide immediate behavioral health services to people in need statewide, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Youth for Tomorrow location in Henrico’s West End Tuesday. Bipartisan efforts have resulted in the investment of about $1.5 billion into the system during Youngkin’s time in office, and the implementation of his administration’s “Right Help, Right Now” initiative has paid significant dividends, he told those gathered at the YFT location at 2810 North Parham Road, near Tucker High School.
Two Roanoke Democrats vie for chance to face Del. McNamara in 40th House District
A race between two Roanoke women with differing experiences on their resumes will determine the Democratic nominee in the 40th state House District. Donna Littlepage is recently retired as the chief financial officer of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. It’s her first run for elected office. Kiesha Preston is an activist, actress, consultant and domestic abuse survivor who has used the difficulties she’s faced to seek change, she said. She ran as an independent for Roanoke City Council in 2020, finishing sixth in an eight-way race for three seats. The winner of next Tuesday’s primary will face Del. Joe McNamara, R-Roanoke County, in the general election Nov. 4. McNamara had held the seat since 2018. It has historically trended Republican.
Spanberger expands fundraising advantage over Earle-Sears
Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, has expanded her commanding fundraising advantage over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in their historic race to become the first woman elected governor in Virginia, with nearly five times more cash to spend in the final five months of the campaign. Spanberger, a Henrico County resident who stepped down this year after three terms in Congress to run for governor, raised $6.5 million in just over two months, compared with $3.5 million for Earle-Sears, whose campaign spent more money than it collected from April 1 to June 5.
A short history of long ballots in Virginia
With six candidates on the ballot, the June 17 Democratic contest for lieutenant governor is the second most-crowded statewide primary in modern Virginia history. If history is any guide, a congested primary can generate uncertainty and makes it possible that someone can claim the nomination with considerably less than a majority of votes cast. Here’s a quick review of five statewide primaries since 1997 where the nominee won less than 40%.
With removal looming, DNC Vice Chair David Hogg endorses in Virginia special election
As the Democratic National Committee eyes a vote to oust Vice Chair David Hogg, the 25-year-old Parkland shooting survivor has thrown his support behind a candidate in an upcoming special election in Virginia. Hogg’s progressive group Leaders We Deserve announced Tuesday it was backing state Del. Irene Shin in the special election in Virginia’s 11th District, calling her “an incredible progressive leader” who is “running to take on a corrupt and broken system.” His group’s endorsement comes as DNC leaders have voiced their frustrations with the young progressive since his initial election to party leadership.
Youngkin details mental health reform efforts
As Virginia’s effort to transform an overwhelmed behavioral health system moves from tackling the biggest gap — help for people in a crisis — to helping them before things get bad, a foundation that offers walk-in therapy is moving into Richmond. The Youth for Tomorrow facility in western Henrico County is the latest step in a continuing quiet buildout of Virginia’s Right Help Right Now behavioral health reform, said Gov. Glenn Youngkin, at a ceremony marking the nonprofit’s addition of a Richmond center to its eight Northern Virginia counseling centers.
Va. lawmakers reject latest Youngkin appointees to university boards
Senate Democrats rejected several appointees to Virginia’s governing boards at various colleges on Monday, including former Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli and former state commerce and trade secretary Caren Merrick. The Monday vote by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee removed all eight appointees made by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The move, which Democratic leaders attributed to differences in political values, now puts the decision to find replacements in the governor’s hands once again.
After big changes in Virginia’s child care industry, candidates for governor offer more fixes
Parents know getting child care is a challenge, even as Virginia takes steps to improve the system. And while accessibility and quality have both increased thanks to record state spending, the two candidates for governor have their own ideas to meet persisting challenges. “We listen to our friends talk about how much they’re paying for child care and it's an extra mortgage," Tamisha Williams told Radio IQ as she balanced her baby daughter on her lap. "So, we just pause.”
Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor face off for Virginia Attorney General Democratic nomination
Former delegate and attorney Jay Jones of Norfolk and Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor are locked in a spirited Democratic primary contest, both setting their sights on unseating incumbent Republican Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares in November. While their immediate focus is on the June 17 primary election, both campaigns are taking a strong stance against President Donald Trump's policies and Miyares' refusal to challenge them.