Search
Richmond’s new top watchdog has ‘deep concerns’ about predecessor’s firing, email shows
Richmond’s interim inspector general says he has “deep concerns” about the firing of the city’s former top watchdog, Jim Osuna, according to correspondence obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. In a Tuesday email sent to 8th District Councilwoman Reva Trammell, interim Inspector General Foster Curtiss wrote that he and Osuna “shared a vision about what this office should be.” “I believe we may be headed in a different direction after his departure,” Curtiss wrote in the message to Trammell. “My overarching concern is for the employees of the OIG who are demoralized.”
Read the texts: Richmond mayor found out about city’s fluoride discharge from Henrico county manager
Staff at Richmond’s water treatment plant never informed their boss, Department of Public Utilities Director Scott Morris, that excess fluoride had been discharged into the region’s drinking water on April 23, text and email correspondence between officials shows. Instead, Morris found out about the incident four days later from the Virginia Department of Health. And Morris didn’t notify Mayor Danny Avula, the correspondence shows. Avula found out when Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas sent him a frustrated text message regarding the situation — to which Avula replied that he had not even heard about it.
New Virginia clean slate law will create high demand for legal aid, experts say
A new “clean slate” law set to take effect next year will shield some past crimes from public viewing. Advocates say that matters for people whose convictions haunt them for years after they’ve served their time. And legal experts say there’s much to be done to prepare for the influx of people who will want to have their previous convictions sealed. Attorney Scott Surovell, a Democratic state senator representing Fairfax, said people were already lining up to take advantage of the new law.
From VPAP New Episode: The Virginia Press Room Podcast
In the latest episode of the podcast from VaNews and VPM, Michael Pope is joined by Olivia Diaz of the Associated Press, Charlotte Rene Woods of the Virginia Mercury, and Brad Kutner of Radio IQ. They discuss the week's top headlines: DEI and the GOP, the House clerk vetoes the governor's vetoes, and nontraditional candidates. Tune in for insights and analysis on Virginia politics. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Earle-Sears calls for more school ‘options’ at Fishburne Military School graduation
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears' admiration for her father is evident. Speaking with the News Virginian after delivering the commencement speech to the Fishburne Military School class of 2025 on Saturday, the Republican candidate for governor reflected on her father's journey from Jamaica to America and his journey, once stateside, to see his children educated. ... Earle-Sears said she wants to offer Virginia parents as many options as possible when it comes to their own children's education. That includes more charter schools.
Democrats fight for nominations in five Richmond-area House primaries
A June 17 primary will decide which Democrats run in five Richmond-area contests for the House of Delegates. Around the state there are five more Democratic House contests and eight Republican House primaries. The nomination contests set up the fall elections in which all 100 House seats are up for election. Democrats currently hold a 51-49 edge in the chamber. In the Richmond area, nine of the 11 hopefuls running in the five primary contests are seeking the chance to take on Republican incumbents.
Two Virginia House of Delegates races have double primaries this year. One is in Hampton Roads.
One of Virginia’s most competitive races in this year’s House of Delegates elections is in Hampton Roads. House District 89, which encompasses parts of Chesapeake and Suffolk, is up for grabs as one-term incumbent Baxter Ennis, a Republican, isn’t seeking reelection. Chesapeake represents nearly 70% of the overall district. It’s one of two districts in the state that will have a Republican and Democratic primary June 17. [The other is House District 49 in the Danville area.]
Columbia Gas will roll back part of October rate hike
Columbia Gas‘ residential customers in Virginia will get a break on their bills as the State Corporation Commission rolls back part of the 11.68% increase the utility began charging in October. A settlement between the company, SCC staff and major customers will still leave residential rates 8.14% above where they were before the interim increase went into effect in October. The full commission formally approved the agreement [last] week.
Pharrell’s canceled movie about Virginia Beach childhood never sought $12M in state incentives
Shortly after Pharrell Williams began production on a musical biopic about his upbringing in the Atlantis apartment complex in Virginia Beach, Virginia offered the project more than $12 million in state incentives aimed at enticing producers to shoot it in the state. However, Williams’ production team never submitted documentation for the incentives, according to state officials. The project, originally called “Atlantis,” filmed scenes in Richmond and at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. But the project was canceled during post-production, Variety reported in February.
Fort Eustis’ Army training headquarters to relocate to Texas
The Army Training and Doctrine Command headquarters is set to move to Austin, Texas, after more than a decade at Fort Eustis. The plan is part of a larger reorganization effort by the Defense Department which will see several bases around the country consolidate and combine with the Army Transformation Command — which was created during the first Trump administration and operates in Austin — to create a new Army Transformation and Training Command. . . . Roughly 10,000-13,000 soldiers and civilians live on the Army base. It remains unclear how many soldiers will leave under the transformation plan.