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Appeals court flip-flops on Missing Middle, striking down ordinance once again
The Virginia Court of Appeals has withdrawn a recent decision reinstating Arlington’s “Missing Middle” ordinance, once again striking it from the books as judges reconsider arguments. In a ruling that adds yet another layer of complexity to the legal fight over the controversial zoning change, the appeals court agreed on Tuesday to reassess a judgment that the court handed down just last month. While the previous decision had effectively reinstated the county’s Expanded Housing Options for procedural reasons, the new ruling strikes the ordinance down once again.
Preliminary injunction hearing likely July 25 to keep Ken Cuccinelli from UVA BOV seating
A Fairfax County Circuit Court judge will likely hear a preliminary injunction motion July 25 by Virginia Senate Democratic leaders to keep Ken Cuccinelli from sitting on the next UVA Board of Visitors meeting. That word from the counsel representing the plaintiffs. . . . The Governor’s Office and State Attorney General Jason Miyares have opined Cuccinelli, and seven other Governor Youngkin appointees as members of George Mason and VMI boards that the Senate Privileges and Election Committee denied confirmation to, can continue to serve until there’s been a full floor session in which they could be considered.
Student leaders weigh the future of self-governance after Ryan's departure
Student leaders say the University is at a tipping point for protecting student self-governance following University President Jim Ryan’s decision to resign June 27 after facing pressure from the Trump administration. Many urged renewed attention to a core tradition they fear could be threatened during this period of transition. The University has a historical tradition of student self-governance, which allows students to take part in decision-making processes — major self-governance groups include the Honor Committee, University Judiciary Committee, Student Council and Class Councils.
Education Department probes George Mason University for hiding DEI practices
The Education Department has launched a federal civil rights investigation into Virginia’s George Mason University for renaming rather than removing its diversity, equity and inclusion program and staff. In a Thursday news release, the agency cited a complaint filed with its Office for Civil Rights by “multiple professors at GMU who allege that the university illegally uses race and other immutable characteristics in university policies, including hiring and promotion.” Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said the complaint belies administrators’ public claims that the private Fairfax campus “does not discriminate on the basis of race” by favoring minority candidates, which the Trump administration forbids.
Trump administration investigating George Mason over report of discrimination
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating George Mason University for possible racial discrimination, the latest move by President Donald Trump’s administration to eradicate DEI from American colleges and punish colleges that don’t comply. A group of professors at the university in Fairfax County filed a report asserting that university leadership illegally uses race as a factor in hiring and promotions. The complaint alleges that the school’s president, Gregory Washington, instructed administrators to consider how an applicant would improve the school’s diversity, ...
Governor: CNBC's 'new subjective metric' dropped Virginia on 'Best States' business list
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is faulting what he called “a new subjective metric” that saw Virginia drop its crown as CNBC’s top state for business – a major political calling card for his administration. In the latest version of its annual “25 Best States for Business” report released July 10, CNBC dropped Virginia to No. 4 on the list. North Carolina, which has been in a battle for the top spot with Virginia in recent years, reclaimed that spot, with Texas and Florida taking the second and third positions, respectively.
Norfolk wants protection from future flooding. Agreeing on how isn’t easy.
After residents of Norfolk’s historic Freemason neighborhood objected to proposed floodwalls snaking through their community, blocking river views, potentially depressing property values and leaving condominium buildings exposed, staff members from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers walked the planned path with local leaders in January. ... As details about the plan to protect the city from major storms and hurricanes have become clear to residents, the cost has risen and the beginning of construction has been pushed back, clouding the future of the project.
Navy reservist announces campaign to unseat Rep. Jen Kiggans
With congressional midterms still more than a year away, Democrat James Osyf is the latest candidate to announce intentions to challenge Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. Osyf, a first-generation Ukrainian-American and a Navy reservist who served on the USS Norfolk submarine, announced his candidacy Thursday. “I think running for Congress, at least for me, boils down to one fundamental, and that’s really to help Virginia’s veteran and working class families who are being left behind,” said Osyf, a 40-year-old who works at Lockheed Martin as a defense innovation executive.
Virginia lawmakers to learn of strides, challenges in Chesapeake Bay clean up
The Chesapeake Bay is one of Virginia’s top economic drivers and premiere recreational sites. The commonwealth, as well as surrounding states, have taken strides to clean up the waters over the last decade. But as the estuary faces new, climate change-fueled challenges, researchers will provide critical information and recommendations to lawmakers this weekend on how to meet the obstacles head on. . . . Virginia has achieved 84% of its 2009-2025 reduction goal for nitrogen, 91% of its reduction goal for phosphorus and 100% of its reduction goal for sediment, according to Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Stefanie Taillon.
Candidates running for late Rep. Connolly’s seat in Va. weigh in on key issues
In two months, some Virginians will head to the polls to pick a candidate to fill the Congressional seat vacated by the late Rep. Gerry Connolly. Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a special election will be held on Sept. 9. Connolly died in May following a battle with esophageal cancer. He served Virginia’s 11th congressional district, which includes Fairfax City and most of Fairfax County. James Walkinshaw, a longtime Connolly staffer and Fairfax County supervisor, won the Democratic primary. Stewart Whitson, a former FBI agent and Army combat veteran, is the Republican candidate.