VaNews
June 2, 2020

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** ‘Bruised and broken:’ As nation reels from unrest, Virginia leaders begin search for solutions ([link removed])
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By GRAHAM MOOMAW, Virginia Mercury

As Del. Delores McQuinn spoke about the “explosion” of civil unrest gripping her hometown and cities across the country, she said her 6-year-old granddaughter offered an apt summary of what’s been happening. As a TV played news coverage of George Floyd’s death and its aftermath, McQuinn, a longtime Democratic leader from Richmond, said she didn’t think the little girl was paying attention.
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** A white police chief confronts black doubts as Richmond leaders plead for peace and protests continue ([link removed])
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By GREGORY S. SCHNEIDER AND LAURA VOZZELLA, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

The black mayor choked back tears. An African American state delegate thundered her sorrow. Black preachers preached, a vocalist sang, and then — with the crowd wrung out after three days of protests and mayhem over police violence against blacks — the white police chief took the podium. “I stand before you today humbled and ashamed,” Chief William C. Smith began, speaking at the foot of a slavery reconciliation statue. But his microphone cut off and he was quickly drowned out by angry protesters.
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** Downtown Richmond houses of worship vandalized during weekend destruction ([link removed])
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By HOLLY PRESTIDGE AND JOHN BOYER, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

The thunderous bells at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church tolled dozens of times Monday afternoon, a slow deliberate cadence that rang throughout the nearly-empty streets of downtown Richmond before giving way to an eerie silence. An auditory symbol meant to invite all who heard to pay attention, to remember, to mourn the lives lost to COVID-19, those ringing bells underscored a pandemic of another kind.
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** After protest ended violently, Police and protesters are at odds over who is to blame ([link removed])
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By ROBYN SIDERSKY, PETER COUTU AND JANE HARPER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

When Taniiaah Lewis got to the Oceanfront around 8 p.m. Sunday, she was a little nervous. She heard there would be a protest happening and was going by herself. It would be her third of the weekend, after ones in Norfolk and Hampton.
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** Arlington Officers Ordered to ‘Immediately Leave D.C.’ ([link removed])
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ArlNow

Arlington County police officers who were assisting U.S. Park Police during protests in D.C. have been ordered “to immediately leave,” County Board Chair Libby Garvey tweeted Monday night. Officers in ACPD helmets could be seen in photos and video assisting with the forceful removal of protesters from around St. John’s Church, an action the involved the deployment of tear gas. Shortly thereafter, President Trump walked to the church and held up a bible, a move dismissed as a photo opportunity by critics and criticized as “antithetical to the teachings of Jesus” by the Episcopal bishop of Washington.
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** Virginia launches workplace safety investigations into seven employee deaths from COVID-19 ([link removed])
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By NED OLIVER, Virginia Mercury

Virginia occupational safety inspectors have opened investigations into seven employee deaths related to COVID-19 and four hospitalizations, according to the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. The department said more investigations are forthcoming following reports of three additional COVID-19 related employee deaths.
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** Dominion Energy seeks extension of electric disconnection freeze ([link removed])
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By DAVE RESS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Dominion Energy Virginia is seeking a four-month extension of a state-ordered freeze on disconnections that expires June 15. The electricity monopoly said it is also introducing a more generous payment plan to help customers who are having trouble keeping up with their power bills during the pandemic.
The Full Report
38 articles, 16 publications

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** FROM VPAP
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** From VPAP Maps, Timeline of COVID-19 in Virginia ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

VPAP has redesigned its COVID-19 dashboard to include timeline showing tests performed and charts with statewide hospital capacity. Also includes a timeline of COVID-19 cases, a statewide map showing the number of cases per 100,000 people and an exclusive per-capita ZIP Code map. Updated each morning around 10:00 am.


** EXECUTIVE BRANCH
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** Schilling, Tobey's owner file lawsuit over governor's mask order ([link removed])
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By TYLER HAMMEL, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

An Albemarle County lawsuit appears to be the first in the state targeting Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive order requiring most people to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces. Filed Monday, the suit argues that Northam’s order contradicts a section of state code that makes it a felony to wear a mask except in certain circumstances.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
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** State tax payments due, as health crisis turns tax season upside down ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Virginia income tax payments were due on Monday, as the state tries to figure out how big the hole will be in its budget when the fiscal year ends on June 30. The state tax deadline normally lags the date for filing federal income taxes, but the coronavirus crisis has turned the filing season upside down for taxpayers and the accountants who advise them.
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** Virginia Natural Gas files rate request with the Virginia State Corporation Commission ([link removed])
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WAVY

Virginia Natural Gas filed a rate request today with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (VSCC) seeking to eliminate bill-payment transaction fees and improve customer service. Customer service improvements include a proposal to improve customer call-waiting times and interactive assistance by establishing a virtual call center, creating employment opportunities for individuals who may prefer to work from home, including disabled veterans and military spouses, who are among the region’s most underemployed residents.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** Dominion urges extension of voluntary utility disconnect ban ([link removed])
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By SARAH RANKIN, Associated Press

Dominion Energy Virginia asked state regulators Monday to give utilities the option to suspend service disconnections for another four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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** Virginia’s biggest payday loan firm is leaving as state crackdown looms ([link removed])
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By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Virginia’s largest payday lender is pulling out of the state ahead of stricter new regulations that will take effect next year. Advance America surrendered its payday and title loan licenses last week, said Joe Face, commissioner of the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions.
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** Online auto retailer Carvana cancels plans for huge reconditioning center in Chesterfield ([link removed])
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By SEAN GORMAN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Online used auto retailer Carvana Co. has scrapped plans to build a maintenance and vehicle storage facility on a wooded tract along Interstate 95 in Chesterfield County.
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** During construction hiatus, MVP changes plans for Roanoke River crossing ([link removed])
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By JEFF STURGEON, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Builders of the Mountain Valley Pipeline can bore under the Roanoke River to set the pipe at that location instead of an earlier plan to dam the water and dig a trench, energy regulators say. Mountain Valley cannot currently undertake the river crossing in eastern Montgomery County, however, because of a lack of federal authorizations. Construction began in 2018 but has been on hold since fall.
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** On Day One of Reopening, Customer Leaves $1,000 Tip at Reston Restaurant ([link removed])
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By FATIMAH WASEEM, Reston Now

A customer at a local Reston restaurant left a big welcome gift on Northern Virginia’s first day of reopening on Friday (May 29). The customer left a $1,000 tip for Founding Farmers’ opening day team in Reston Station (1904 Reston Metro Plaza). The order’s total was $213.59. “Congrats on re-opening. We have missed you,” the customer wrote. “Please share with re-opening day team.”


** HIGHER EDUCATION
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** Germanna sees enrollment surge, moves fall classes online ([link removed])
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Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Germanna Community College’s classes will go almost entirely online this fall, enabling students’ education to advance while they stay safe at home, the school says. As many U.S. colleges worry about enrollment because of public concerns about COVID-19 and economic uncertainties, Germanna has seen its summer enrollment rise by 30 percent over last year.
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** Black Liberty U. alums rebuke Falwell after blackface tweet ([link removed])
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By ELANA SCHOR AND SARAH RANKIN, Associated Press

Nearly three dozen black alumni of Liberty University denounced school President Jerry Falwell Jr. on Monday, suggesting he step down after he mocked Virginia’s mask-wearing requirement by invoking the blackface scandal that engulfed the state’s governor last year.


** CORONAVIRUS
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** COVID-19 cases in Virginia increase by 791 ([link removed])
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Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

The Virginia Department of Health reported Monday that the statewide total for COVID-19 cases is 45,398, an increase of 791 from the 44,607 reported Sunday. While overall case numbers have gone up with more testing, VDH data show the percent of positive results are continuing a decline that started in the middle of April.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
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** 'Appalled: Arlington County pulls police from D.C. after Trump's visit to vandalized church ([link removed])
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By DAVE BOYER, Washington Times

“Appalled” Arlington County officials ordered the county’s police to immediately pull out of the District of Columbia Monday night after law-enforcement authorities cleared peaceful protesters near the White House for President Trump’s visit to a burned church. Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey, a Democrat, tweeted, “We ordered @ArlingtonVaPD to immediately leave DC. Appalled mutual aid agreement abused to endanger their and others safety for a photo op.”
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** Police apologize for early tear gas on protesters ([link removed])
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By C. SUAREZ ROJAS AND K. BURNELL EVANS, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Authorities in Richmond used tear gas Monday evening to disperse a peaceful demonstration at the statue of Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue shortly before the 8 p.m. curfew. The department apologized on Twitter nearly two hours later and promised discipline for officers caught on video aggressively pursuing and spraying people with tear gas.
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** Police Tear Gas, Charge Crowd Before Curfew Begins ([link removed])
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By DAVID STREEVER, WCVE

Richmond Police tear-gassed hundreds of protesters gathered around the Robert E. Lee Monument Monday night, roughly 20 minutes before an 8 p.m. curfew. After conflicting explanations, the department apologized through a Tweet. According to the statement, after reviewing video from the protest, Police Chief William Smith said the officers involved took "unwarranted action" and would be disciplined for violating department "protocols and directions given."
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** More than 200 arrested Sunday as protests swept Richmond after curfew ([link removed])
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By ALI ROCKETT, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Authorities arrested 233 people in Richmond overnight Sunday and into Monday during protests that carried on for the third straight night and past an 8 p.m. curfew imposed on Sunday. At a news conference in front of City Hall on Monday, Police Chief William Smith said those arrested were mostly from outside the city and engaged in looting or vandalizing property, rather than peacefully protesting.
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** Advocates Criticize Curfew Arrests; Question Jail Procedures ([link removed])
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By YASMINE JUMAA, WCVE

Richmond Police Chief William Smith said they arrested about 230 people during a third night of protests on Sunday. This comes after the mayor and governor declared a city-wide curfew between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. In a press conference on Monday recorded by CBS-6, Chief Smith said curfew violation was the primary charge, but people were also arrested for firearms violations, burglary, and vandalism.
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** Business owners clean up in wake of Oceanfront protest ([link removed])
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By ROBYN SIDERSKY, JANE HARPER AND STACY PARKER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

What began as a peaceful protest at the Oceanfront Sunday night turned into a confrontation as some protesters vandalized businesses and city police unleashed canisters of tear gas. Now the city is left cleaning up in the aftermath.
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** Fearing riots and looting, Lynnhaven Mall shuts down early ([link removed])
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By JONATHAN EDWARDS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Amid fears of rioting and looting, Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach shut down early on Monday. Managers for Chicago-based Brookfield Properties, which owns the mall, saw talk on social media about people threatening violence at the shopper center, Virginia Beach Police Department spokeswoman Officer Linda Kuehn said.
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** Dozens of Carytown merchants board up windows to prevent destruction after three were broken into ([link removed])
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By LANE KIZZIAH, ALI SULLIVAN, ELIZABETH BELL AND JOHANNA ALONSO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Dozens of merchants in Carytown boarded up their storefronts and closed early Monday in advance of protests scheduled for that evening. The scene was a stark contrast to Friday’s Phase One reopening, which brought steady business to many Carytown businesses over part of the weekend.
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** Stoney backs 'Marcus Alert' as calls for police reform grow ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney on Monday backed a change in how city police respond to people suffering from a mental health crisis, having law enforcement tap mental health professionals to be the first responders. He also said he wants the city to explore an independent civilian review board.
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** Protests continue in Fredericksburg region ([link removed])
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By KEITH EPPS, SCOTT SHENK AND ADELE UPHAUS-CONNER, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

A showdown on the Falmouth Bridge between protesters and members of the Stafford Sheriff’s Office ended Monday evening with some burning eyes but no serious injuries. It was one of at least three demonstrations in the Fredericksburg area Monday and was the third straight day of protests spurred by the death of George Floyd during a police arrest in Minneapolis.
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** Volunteers gather downtown following Sunday's protest to clean up, be together ([link removed])
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By ADELE UPHAUS–CONNER, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Volunteers carrying trash bags, brooms and grabber tools walked the streets of downtown Fredericksburg Monday morning, both wanting to help clean up the city and trying to process what happened Sunday night.
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** Lynchburg declares a local emergency, institutes curfew ([link removed])
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By SARAH HONOSKY, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Lynchburg officials declared a local State of Emergency for the city Monday and implemented a curfew in the aftermath of a Sunday night protest that led to the destruction of property and the injury of several Lynchburg Police Department officers.
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** Confederate statues vandalized with anti-police graffiti ([link removed])
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By RANDY ARRINGTON, Page Valley News

Early Monday morning, two Confederate statues in Luray were vandalized with profane anti-police graffiti spraypainted onto the base of the stone structures. “It’s frustrating…that several cops allegedly…well the video speaks for itself,” Luray Police Chief C.S. “Bow” Cook said Monday morning of the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn.
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** Hundreds gather for peaceful protest in Blacksburg ([link removed])
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By HENRI GENDREAU, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Several hundred people on Monday marched through Blacksburg, calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism in an echo of protests nationwide sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The mostly young and racially mixed crowd gathered at Henderson Lawn on Virginia Tech’s campus about noon and walked through the streets to the Blacksburg Police Department.
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** Virginia Dems blame 'volunteer' for tweet praising rioters after night of mayhem across America ([link removed])
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By GREGG RE, Fox News

The Fairfax, Virginia Democratic Party is claiming that a "volunteer" was responsible for posting a message to the party's official Twitter account on Sunday afternoon praising riots as an "integral part of this country's march towards progress." The tweet, which the Democrats deleted on Monday morning amid intense scrutiny, came after a night of chaos across America that injured dozens of federal officers and saw civilians beaten, churches torched, and stores looted.
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** Video: Richmond Police Pepper Spray Man In His Home Through Window ([link removed])
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By ALAN RODRIGUEZ ESPINOZA, WCVE

Video footage over the weekend shows Richmond police officers pepper spraying a man who was in his apartment, shortly after having sprayed three other people on the street. No verbal warnings are given on the clip, and the man says the video was shot pre-curfew in the early a.m. hours of Sunday. Although Richmond Police have not responded to VPM’s request for comment, a spokesperson for the department told CBS 6 they are aware of the video and are investigating the incident.


** LOCAL
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** Richmond School Board Adopts New K-8 Math, Reading Curricula ([link removed])
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By MEGAN PAULY, WCVE

Monday night, Richmond’s school board voted to approve new K-8 reading and math curricula. They took two separate votes to approve each individually, and added an amendment – when voting to adopt the reading curriculum – to clarify that teachers can delay implementation another year if necessary. That may answer one point of contention: How does the district expect teachers to learn new material during a pandemic? “Will there be remote teaching support for those teachers who may struggle?” asked board member Pat Sapini.
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** Portsmouth judges will stop hearing major civil cases involving city government ([link removed])
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By MARGARET MATRAY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The Portsmouth Circuit Court judges have decided they will no longer hear major litigation involving the city of Portsmouth. In a phone interview Friday, Chief Judge Kenneth Melvin said the four judges have noticed an increase in the number of cases involving the city.
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** Restaurants adapt public spaces for outdoor seating, sparking broader conversation for the future ([link removed])
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By SUKAINAH ABID-KONS, Harrisonburg Citizen

After expanding outdoor seating to the adjacent parking lot, Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint and Billy Jack’s Shack have hosted more guests outside while maintaining six-feet of distance between tables. And, in the process, it’s inspiring a wider conversation about reimagining public spaces in downtown Harrisonburg through the pandemic and beyond.
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** Roanoke council candidates sue election officials, saying ballot requirement is burden during pandemic ([link removed])
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By AMY FRIEDENBERGER, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Two Roanoke City Council candidates have sued state and local elections officials to reduce the petition signature threshold to appear on the November ballot. Roanoke attorney John Fishwick filed the lawsuit Monday on behalf of Cesar Alberto and Kiesha Preston, who argue that collecting the necessary signatures to qualify for the ballot is unsafe and impracticable during the coronavirus pandemic.
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** Montgomery and Pulaski counties close public water parks for summer ([link removed])
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By YANN RANAIVO, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Montgomery and Pulaski counties will keep each of their small water parks closed for the summer, according to a joint announcement from the two New River Valley localities Monday.


** EDITORIALS
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** What we learned from Virginia's vote-by-mail municipal elections ([link removed])
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Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Did the three candidates who won election to Salem City Council on May 19 win in a rigged election? It’s a preposterous question but just for the record — no, these elections weren’t rigged.
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** Build a foundation of trust ([link removed])
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Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

For nearly three days, Hampton Roads residents set an example through their participation in protests calling for racial justice and an end to police brutality.
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** The aftermath of Richmond's riots ([link removed])
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Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

As cleanup continues across downtown Richmond in the aftermath of the weekend’s riots, we have to wonder where local and state leaders are. Are City Council members consoling business owners who saw their investments destroyed as storefronts were shattered and merchandise stolen? Are other elected officials walking the streets where buildings were burned and covered with obscenity-laced graffiti? Are they making their presence felt? If not, they need to show their support for local businesses and others who suffered losses.


** OP-ED
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** Harrigan: Businesses should beware fraud prosecutions ([link removed])
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By ERIN HARRIGAN, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Attorney General Mark Herring recently sent more than 100 warning letters to businesses in response to more than 500 price gouging complaints stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The warning letters are just the tip of an emerging state and federal law enforcement spear targeting the activity of businesses during this crisis. Unfortunately, many businesses might not be prepared for the scrutiny they could soon find themselves facing.

Harrigan previously served as an assistant United States attorney in the Western District of Virginia and now is a criminal and government investigations partner at Gentry Locke in Richmond.
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** Warner and Lewis: A solution to end LGBTQ+ young adult homelessness ([link removed])
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By CLAIBORNE MASON WARNER AND TED LEWIS, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

The reality of LGBTQ+ young adult homelessness doesn’t always align with the public’s perception. For many of these marginalized young people — who often become homeless due to an untenable family situation— homeless means having no place to go except for a friend or relative’s couch or spare mattress. While these temporary stays provide a short-term respite, eventually these vulnerable young people end up where they began: back out on the street.

Claiborne Mason Warner is president of Virginia Home for Boys and Girls. Ted Lewis is executive director of Side by Side.
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