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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.
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.
Judge rules Norfolk Electoral Board member can stay in her position
A Norfolk Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of a Norfolk Electoral Board member. Judge Everett Martin, in an opinion released Wednesday, allowed Norfolk Electoral Board Vice Chair Marianne McKay to retain her position. The order comes after several Norfolk election officials attempted to remove McKay, alleging she failed to perform her job duties and betrayed the nonpartisan nature of the office.
In Charles City County, a data center and financial strain upset residents
For Charles City County, which has had to borrow money to pay its bills, the promise of a financial windfall has butted up against citizens’ fervent opposition to a proposed data center — and for many, a deepened lack of trust in government. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday decided to delay voting on the request from Kansas-based developer Diode Ventures to let it use 515 acres of land zoned for agriculture in the northwestern corner of the county. But feelings in the county, 20 miles east of Richmond, are running high, and not just because of the data center.
In Chesterfield, ICE does its job – stoking fear for political gain
Whatcha gonna do? The bad boys showed up at the Chesterfield County courthouse last week as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) descended on RVA, snatching more than a dozen immigrants as they made their way out of General District Court. It just wasn’t altogether clear who the villains were — the federal agents, faces covered, refusing to identify themselves or their purpose, or the unsuspecting “illegals” who showed up to court voluntarily for misdemeanors and mostly minor criminal offenses.
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.
Coggin: To tackle sea level rise, Hampton Roads needs NOAA
Since Hampton Roads was settled, it has fought a tug-of-war with its surrounding waters. Nowhere is this more evident than at Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval base. Naval Station Norfolk, home to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, supports 75 ships and 134 aircraft including five of the Navy’s 12 aircraft carriers. Sea level rise threatens its operational readiness. ... Yet, President Donald Trump’s White House proposes to cut NOAA’s fiscal year 2026 budget by 25%, severing a lifeline of weather and climate data and services for Hampton Roads. Now, NOAA’s fate is in the hands of Congress as it considers the Trump-endorsed “big, beautiful” budget bill.