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C’ville residents: Comparing 2017 white supremacist rally to pro-Palestinian campus protests unfair
Rabbi Tom Gutherz of Congregation Beth Israel, Charlottesville’s only synagogue, says it’s “political theater” to compare the campus protests against U.S. involvement in the war in Gaza to the white supremacist rallies that took place in Charlottesville in August 2017 — which is what former president Donald Trump did last week. On April 24, after a day in a felony criminal trial in Manhattan, Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of college protests by comparing them to the violent events in 2017, including the car attack by a neo-Nazi on counter-protesters that killed Heather Heyer and critically injured others.
Metro budget includes ‘modest’ service cuts, fare increases
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority last week passed its $4.8 billion Metro budget for the upcoming fiscal year with “modest changes” in service and fare increases, avoiding the drastic cuts previously proposed as the transit agency faced a $750 million shortfall. Beginning July 1, a 12.5% fare increase across all modes of transit will take effect to “keep fares in line with inflation,” a Metro press release said. ... This means bus and base rail fares will increase from $2 to $2.25, and maximum rail fares — those that apply to most trips from Loudoun County — will increase from $6 to $6.75.
Virginia’s Planned Parenthood seeing more clients as Florida ban goes into effect
The Virginia League Planned Parenthood is trying to gauge how many patients will now head north. Virginia is now the only southern state that has not imposed additional restrictions on abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, said Paulette McElwain, Chief Executive Officer of Virginia League for Planned Parenthood.
Demonstrators take to streets in Richmond
Two days after police and pro-Palestinian protesters clashed at VCU, demonstrators took to the streets on Wednesday night. Demonstrators gathered at Abner Clay Park in the Jackson Ward neighborhood around 7 p.m. A group of about 60 marched from the park to VCU Police Headquarters at Broad and Third streets, and then returned to the park. A few hours later, a few people on bicycles briefly tried to block law enforcement vehicles near Madison and Clay streets before police turned on their sirens and lights.
Montgomery County manufacturer to invest $1.6M to increase capacity
ESS Technologies, which specializes in packaging line design, equipment manufacturing and integration for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic and consumer packaging goods industries, will invest $1.6 million to increase capacity at a new facility in Montgomery County, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday.
D.C.-area senators try to stop more flights at Reagan National Airport
A group of Washington-area Senate Democrats who oppose adding more longer-distance flights in and out of DC’s Reagan National Airport — which was included in a bipartisan FAA bill released this week — are pressing for an amendment vote to strip it out of the legislation, which is being debated on the floor now. “The proposal flies in the face of known safety concerns and known congestion concerns so we are going to push very hard for this amendment,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland who warned that he and the other local senators may oppose the bill in the end if they don’t get a vote.
CEO of free clinic serving Appalachia saw pay package nearly double over 2 years, tax forms show
The director of the Health Wagon, a nonprofit free clinic that serves one of the poorest and medically underserved areas in the state, earned $520,000 in 2022, a pay package that nearly doubled over the last two years and was 12 times that of the average income of the people she serves. The increase places her compensation well beyond that of comparable executives in wealthier regions of Virginia, who are paid between $100,000 and $200,000.
Early voting starts Friday for June primaries; 13 on ballots in 7th District
Early voting starts Friday for the June 18 primary elections, which feature a crowded field of candidates. Seven Democrats and six Republicans are in the running for the 7th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat from Henrico County, has held the post since 2018 and is running for Virginia governor in 2025.
Investigation into missing PTA funds leads to Staunton School Board chair resigning position
Natasha McCurdy has resigned as chair of the Staunton School Board, effective April 30. The board held a called meeting Wednesday and unanimously accepted McCurdy's resignation. The vote was 4-0. McCurdy wasn't in attendance. ... As reported by The News Leader on April 19, McCurdy and her twin sister, Felecia Neil, are both under investigation after money reportedly went missing from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at Staunton's A.R. Ware Elementary School.
Virginia District 7 Republican candidate for Congress pledges to join House Freedom Caucus
One of the top Republican candidates for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District has pledged his fealty to the House Freedom Caucus if elected to office in November. Cameron Hamilton made his pledge to join the U.S. House Republicans' far-right wing during a podcast interview and on X, formerly Twitter, in March.