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Former campaign treasurer for Kaine and Warner admits to embezzlement
A former campaign treasurer for Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark R. Warner of Virginia and other Democrats pleaded guilty this week to embezzling more than $840,000 in political contributions to finance a trip to Italy, a private suite for an Elton John concert, a chartered yacht tour and other luxury expenses. Katherine M. Buchanan, 59, was the campaign treasurer for the two senators and former U.S. representative Stephanie Murphy of Florida and held the same job at several political-action committees supporting the three Democrats’ electoral efforts. She pleaded guilty Monday to embezzling funds from those entities and evading taxes.
Heaphy: What the University of Virginia Should Have Done
On Friday, Jim Ryan stood on the lawn of Carr’s Hill, the residence of the president of the University of Virginia, alone in the center of a crowd of supporters. He offered brief remarks about his inability to fight the forces arrayed against him, including the Trump administration. No one stood alongside him — it was just the university president, Mr. Ryan, explaining why he had made the difficult decision to quit. The moment perfectly illustrated how Mr. Ryan was abandoned by the same people who were supposed to protect the university.
GOP nominee for lieutenant governor recalls meeting Ronald Reagan in Lynchburg
John Reid, the long-time conservative talk radio show host in Richmond who is now the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, had a feature on his show called “Reid on the Road” where he would take his listeners on journeys across the state. On one of his trips, Reid did a live show from the Craddock Terry Hotel in downtown Lynchburg where he reminisced about his visits to Liberty University. One of his best memories was from 45 years ago when he was only 9 years old and got to meet former California Gov. Ronald Reagan who was running for president, Reid recalled in an interview with The News & Advance.
With a big British backer, a Southside Virginia mine reopens
A $3.6 billion London-based investment firm has brought a Southside Virginia mine back to life — and with it, a processing plant that will secure a U.S.-based supply chain of critical minerals. The Atlantic Strategic Minerals mine straddling the Dinwiddie-Sussex county line has resumed producing ilmenite and zircon, from what the company believes is the richest deposit of zircon around. Both minerals are mainly imported now, but a new focus on ensuring that supplies of such critical minerals aren’t interrupted by political conflict makes what Dominic Raab, the former deputy prime minister of Great Britain and head of global affairs at Appian Capital Advisory LLP, calls “a strong business case.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Henrico parents push to extend elementary school recess time to 45 minutes
“Just 15 more minutes!” More than 500 Henrico parents and community members are calling on Henrico Schools to extend elementary-schoolers’ 30-minute daily recess by another 15 minutes – a small change that they say will have significant positive impacts. At the June 12 Henrico School Board meeting, several parents spoke out in favor of establishing a 45-minute recess for all elementary schools countywide starting this upcoming fall. A petition supporting the change also has 524 signatures from community members.
Documents show Richmond has spent $230K defending $250K whistleblower lawsuit
Records obtained by The Times-Dispatch show that city officials have spent $234,111.35 defending the wrongful termination lawsuit brought by Connie Clay, a former Freedom of Information Act officer who in 2024 was fired by former city spokesperson Petula Burks. That’s only $15,888.65 less than Clay is seeking in her filing. And with the two sides yet to go to trial, the legal fees are all but certain to increase.