VaNews
June 5, 2020

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** In victory for civil rights activists, statue of Robert E. Lee will come down, Gov. Northam says ([link removed])
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By MARIE ALBIGES, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday he was taking steps to remove the Richmond statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee following several days of unrest and protests in the city and across Virginia. The statue, which stands along Richmond’s popular Monument Avenue with four other Confederate statues, is owned by the state. Northam said it will be placed in storage until officials can find another place for it, and the community will help decide where to put it.
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** Reactions to Northam's decision to remove Lee statue in Richmond ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

It’s coming down. Gov. Ralph Northam made the official announcement Thursday that the Robert E. Lee statue on Richmond’s Monument Avenue, the most recognizable Confederate iconography in the former capital of the Confederacy, will be taken down “as soon as possible.”
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** Norfolk lawmaker to propose removing Byrd statue from Capitol Square ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

The Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue isn’t the only state-owned memorial that could soon come down. Del. Jay Jones, D-Norfolk, said Thursday that he would introduce legislation for the 2021 General Assembly session to take down the statue of former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd Sr. from Capitol Square. Byrd, a Democrat, was one of the most vocal proponents of segregation.
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** The number of people on unemployment in Virginia begins slight decline ([link removed])
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By NED OLIVER, Virginia Mercury

For two straight weeks, fewer people have filed for weekly unemployment insurance benefits in Virginia than the week prior. Ongoing unemployment claims began rising mid-March as the coronavirus pandemic spread to Virginia, peaking on May 10, with a record 403,557 people seeking weekly jobless benefits, which now include an extra $600-a-week in pandemic relief.
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** Nursing home COVID-19 data now posted online ([link removed])
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By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Thursday released data on COVID-19 cases for most of the nation’s 15,400 nursing homes. Administrator Seema Verma said in a call with reporters that 88% of the homes had complied with the mandate to provide information, and had reported 95,000 confirmed cases and 32,000 deaths.
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** Private guards who protect Norfolk’s courthouse accused of stealing, sleeping on duty and watching porn on the job ([link removed])
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By JONATHAN EDWARDS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Capt. Stuart Terry was fed up. With guards sleeping on duty. With one watching porn on courthouse computers. With valuables disappearing — including a judge’s computer from his chambers. For years, Terry watched deputies working under him protect judges, lawyers and the public in Norfolk’s eight-story, $123 million courthouse.
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** Friday Read When She Hears a Crying Bride, ‘It’s All Over’ ([link removed])
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By TAMMY LA GORCE, New York Times (Metered Paywall - 1 to 2 articles a month)

Earlier this spring, Teresa Clayton’s husband got nervous every time the phone rang. “He said, ‘The second you hear a crying bride, it’s all over,’” said Ms. Clayton, an owner, along with her husband Steve, of Glencliff Manor, a 50-acre wedding venue in Rustburg, Va. “And he’s right.” Ms. Clayton’s weakness for brides’ stories about wedding plans toppled by the coronavirus eventually gave way to what has been the busiest May in Glencliff’s history.
The Full Report
55 articles, 26 publications

Read Online ([link removed]) 10 Most Clicked ([link removed])


** 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

Our COVID-19 dashboard makes it easy to track the latest available data for tests performed, infections, deaths and hospital capacity. There's a filter for each city and county, plus an exclusive per-capita ZIP Code map. Updated each morning around 10:00 am.


** EXECUTIVE BRANCH
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** Northam orders Lee statue to be removed 'as soon as possible' ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

In a rebuke of Confederate glorification, Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday called for the swift removal of a bronze statue depicting Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond’s Monument Avenue, a response to recent local and nationwide protests over systemic racism and police brutality.
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** Northam says Virginia will remove Lee monument in Richmond ([link removed])
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By GREGORY S. SCHNEIDER AND LAURA VOZZELLA, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

It was earlier this week, on a day when the capital boiled with fresh rage over the gassing of peaceful protesters at the feet of Robert E. Lee, that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) decided to act. Lee was coming down. The 60-foot monument that has towered over Richmond for 130 years will topple into history as soon the state can line up contractors and make space in a warehouse, Northam announced Thursday, the seventh straight day of mass protests over police violence against African Americans.
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** Herring, 17 AGs sue to stop Title IX changes ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring on Thursday sued the U.S. Department of Education, claiming the agency’s controversial new Title IX rules “undo years of progress” on college campuses. The 119-page lawsuit, filed in federal court, says that the new guidelines would make students feel less safe on campus and reduce the reporting of sexual violence incidents.


** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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** Legislation Could Make Fencing Mandated by 2026 ([link removed])
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By JJESSICA WETZLER, Daily News Record (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

It was an unusually warm day for the beginning of February in Richmond — a high of 72 degrees, making it a nice day for maintenance work on a farm. But instead of spending the day outdoors, more than 30 farmers from across the commonwealth waited inside the General Assembly building, sporting green stickers saying “Oppose SB 704” and doing something most farmers aren’t used to: sitting still.


** FEDERAL ELECTIONS
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** Overlooked GOP Primary for U.S. Senate ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL LEE POPE, Connection Newspapers

Don’t look now, but Virginia is in the closing days of a primary. You might not have heard about it because of the global pandemic and the economic crisis. But buried beneath all the headlines about police brutality and racial injustice, Republicans are about to decide which candidate they want to appear on the ballot this November against incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark Warner.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
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** Supreme Court: Masks required to enter Virginia courthouses ([link removed])
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By PETER VIETH, Virginia Lawyers Weekly (Subscription required for some articles)

The Supreme Court of Virginia has finally spoken on the courthouse mask issue as the justices extended the state’s judicial emergency to June 28. The high court says masks are required for everyone over the age of 10 entering a state courthouse, including judges and lawyers.


** CONGRESS
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** Riggleman Responds to Removal of Lee Statue and Protests Over the Death of George Floyd ([link removed])
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By SANDY HAUSMAN, WVTF

While Democrats cheered Governor Ralph Northam’s decision to take down a statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman attacked the decision as symbolism over solutions. Fifth District Congressman Denver Riggleman admits he didn’t hear what the governor said in announcing plans to remove confederate statues in the capital, but he didn’t like the idea.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** New jobless claims slightly down in region as coronavirus reopening continues ([link removed])
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By DANA HEDGPETH, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

The number of new unemployment claims fell slightly last week in the District, Maryland and Virginia, the latest sign that the economic damage caused by the coronavirus shutdowns is starting to bottom out. More than 1.3 million jobless claims have been filed in the greater Washington region since social distancing measures shut down much of the economy in March, and the number of people out of work remains high.
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** Dominion takes key step in its offshore wind push ([link removed])
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By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Dominion Energy has set down foundations for its two-unit offshore wind turbine project in deep waters, 27 miles off the Virginia Beach shore. It marks a key step in its push into offshore wind power. The electric company expects to erect the 600-foot-tall turbines themselves later this month.
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** Massive solar power plant targeted for Stephens City area ([link removed])
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By MICKEY POWELL, Winchester Star (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The Frederick County Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday night to recommend that county supervisors grant a conditional use permit (CUP) for the construction of an enormous solar power plant near Stephens City. Richmond-based Urban Grid, representing Foxglove Solar LLC of Stevensville, Maryland, plans to spend about $101 million to develop the facility on approximately 669 acres in the vicinity of Hites, Marlboro, Klines Mill, Clark and Vaucluse roads in the county’s Back Creek District.
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** Dominion commits $5M to social justice nonprofits, businesses ([link removed])
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By SYDNEY LAKE, Va Business Magazine

As protests over the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis have spread into a nationwide movement against systemic racism and injustice, the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation announced Thursday that it will donate $5 million to nonprofits and minority-owned and small businesses within Dominion Energy Inc.’s 20-state footprint.
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** Claims for unemployment aid ease up in Hampton Roads, Virginia ([link removed])
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By STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Nearly 1.9 million people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, the ninth straight decline since applications spiked in mid-March, a sign that the gradual reopening of businesses has slowed the loss of jobs. The diminishing pace suggests that the job market meltdown that was triggered by the coronavirus may have bottomed out as more companies call at least some of their former employees back to work.
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** Luray Caverns reopens Friday to visitors ([link removed])
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Page Valley News

Luray Caverns, one of Virginia’s premiere attractions, has announced a re-opening date of Friday, June 5 with Phase II of the Forward Virginia Plan. As the multiple facilities open for guests, the U.S. Natural Landmark has re-imagined all operational and safety protocols. The Shenandoah Valley icon has unveiled a new health and safety plan, Clean from the Ground Up.
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** Prison to posh: DC’s Lorton Reformatory transforms into stylish suburban development ([link removed])
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By NEAL AUGENSTEIN, WTOP

If those walls could talk, the bricks of the former Lorton Reformatory would likely express surprise. What was once an overcrowded, violent penitentiary for prisoners from the District is now a desirable suburban development — and in the midst of becoming a thriving urban village. After 91 years of housing D.C. inmates, before closing in 2001, and being returned to Fairfax County, Virginia, developers of Liberty are proudly heralding Lorton prison’s before and after.


** TRANSPORTATION
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** ‘Do not sit’: Virginia commuter trains designate social distancing seating onboard ([link removed])
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By LUZ LAZO, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Your next ride on a Virginia commuter train will feel and look different. Virginia Railway Express is restricting where passengers can sit and stand to maintain social distancing. Decals on trains will direct riders to take a window seat in every other row to ensure proper distancing, VRE said.
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** Mass transit, driving down during pandemic, data shows ([link removed])
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By JEFF STURGEON, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Travel restrictions during the pandemic have depressed transportation statistics across the board, with air, rail, bus and a large local highway all showing lower use in the region. Just 917 passengers flew out of Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport in April, down 97% from 29,416 in April 2019, the airport reported.


** HIGHER EDUCATION
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** UVa’s Ryan forms racial equity task force ([link removed])
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By STAFF REPORT, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

A new task force at the University of Virginia will gather, solicit and prioritize recommendations about racial equity, UVa President Jim Ryan announced Wednesday. The task force will send its recommendations to Ryan, who apologized Wednesday for an earlier statement about recent days of protests and the death of George Floyd that students and faculty said failed to address the racial injustices driving the demonstrations.
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** UVA to waive ACT, SAT requirement for admissions in response to COVID-19 ([link removed])
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By JUSTIN MATTINGLY, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

The University of Virginia is waiving its ACT and SAT requirements for next year’s applicants. The university announced Thursday that it will not require applicants to submit standardized testing as part of their application “for at least the next application cycle.” UVA made the move because of the “uncertain prospect of universally accessible, reliable and equitable” testing, according to a news release.
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** UVa to go test-optional for fall applicants, rename education building ([link removed])
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By KATHERINE KNOTT, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

The University of Virginia will not require students to take either the SAT or ACT when applying this fall. Provost Liz Magill said that with the COVID-19 pandemic, this was an easy call for officials, and one other universities have made in recent weeks.


** CORONAVIRUS
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** First detailed data released on Northern Virginia nursing homes with COVID-19 cases ([link removed])
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By BRUCE POTTER, Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

Nursing homes in Northern Virginia have had 903 positive or probable cases of coronavirus among patients and 241 deaths caused by the disease, with a home in Annandale reporting 27 deaths and five other facilities reporting at least 10 deaths apiece, according to new data released by the federal government on Thursday. The data provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provide the first detailed look at COVID-19 statistics for individual nursing homes in Virginia, as the Virginia Department of Health has declined to release that information. However, the data is self-reported, and appears to have errors.
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** Federal survey: More than 95,000 COVID-19 cases, 32,000 deaths in nursing homes ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

A new federal survey shows almost 32,000 deaths from COVID-19 in nursing homes across the country, including 481 in Virginia, but the numbers don’t reflect the full damage the coronavirus pandemic has done in long-term care facilities in the state.
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** Health officials will use antibody tests to estimate how many Virginians have had coronavirus ([link removed])
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By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

How close is Virginia to having “herd immunity” to the coronavirus? That’s one question state public health officials will investigate through a project that will collect blood from 5,000 Virginians. Called the COVID-19 Serology Project, the survey will help the Virginia Department of Health get a better idea of how widespread COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, is throughout the state’s population.
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** Two Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail inmates quarantined after testing positive for the coronavirus ([link removed])
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Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily (Metered paywall - 3 articles per month)

Two inmates at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail tested positive for the coronavirus after “point prevalence” testing last week. Officials said the Virginia National Guard conducted the testing for both the jail staff and inmates last week.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
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** Protesters celebrate plans for removal of Confederate statues as they continue demonstrations ([link removed])
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By C. SUAREZ ROJAS, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Black Lives Matter and anti-racist protesters are celebrating plans for the removal of Confederate monuments in Richmond, but are still protesting in the streets against police brutality against African Americans. On Thursday, hundreds of people set out from Monroe Park to the police department’s 4th Precinct in North Side to continue protesting for equal justice and an end to unjust police violence against African Americans
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** Demonstrators lay outside Richmond police building during seventh night of protests honoring George Floyd ([link removed])
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By EDUARDO ACEVEDO, HANNAH EASON AND ANDREW RINGLE, Commonwealth Times

Demonstrations sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody after an officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes, continued in Richmond for a seventh night on Thursday. Protesters started in Monroe Park at 6 p.m. before marching downtown toward the Richmond Police’s Fourth Precinct building. Some laid on their stomachs with their hands behind their backs –– representing Floyd’s position in the video that captured his death –– covering Chamberlayne Avenue outside the police building.
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** Black activists, allies call Lee statue removal a big win ([link removed])
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By SARAH RANKIN AND ALAN SUDERMAN, Associated Press

Wes Bellamy, a former Charlottesville city councilman, said that when he first started raising the issue of removing Confederate monuments, black and white people alike across Virginia told him he was just causing trouble. Several years — and death threats — later, Bellamy said Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s announcement Thursday that one of the nation’s most iconic tributes to the Confederacy would be taken down feels like divine intervention.
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** Majority of Richmond City Council affirms support for removing Confederate monuments ([link removed])
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By MARK ROBINSON, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

The Confederate statues lining Monument Avenue are poised to come down. All of them. For a majority of the Richmond City Council, it’s a matter of when and how. Not if. On the day Gov. Ralph Northam announced the state would remove the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee from Monument Avenue, six members of the nine-member council signaled support for removing four other city-controlled monuments on the strip.
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** In Virginia’s Confederate statue debate, change came slowly — then all at once ([link removed])
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By GRAHAM MOOMAW, SARAH VOGELSONG, NED OLIVER AND KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury

During a history discussion at a book festival in Charlottesville eight years ago, a local official floated an idea that, at the time, seemed shocking. After a speech by historian Edward Ayers, then-City Councilor Kristin Szakos asked if it was time to start talking about removing Confederate statues or balancing out the message they represent.
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** Campaign to tear down Confederate memorials resonates overseas ([link removed])
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By CHRISTOPHER VONDRACEK, Washington Times

A longtime campaign to take down statues memorializing the Confederacy, many of which were erected decades after the Civil War, is gaining newfound momentum amid protests over the death of George Floyd. Anti-racism sentiments driving the campaign have pushed U.S. elected leaders in several cities and states to remove Confederate monuments and apparently have inspired Belgians to reconsider their country’s colonial past.
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** Lee statue’s historical designations shouldn’t block removal, state official says ([link removed])
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By ALI SULLIVAN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Though the Robert E. Lee statue is listed on national and state historic registers, such designations shouldn’t block its removal from Richmond’s Monument Avenue, a state official said.
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** Peaceful endings in Virginia Beach as pair of protests call for police reform ([link removed])
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By JANE HARPER, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Dozens of young people gathered Thursday to call for police reform at two separate protests in Virginia Beach, with both events ending peacefully. The first began shortly after 5 p.m. at Utopia Feni, an art gallery, studio and gift shop near the intersection of Kempsville and Indian River roads.
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** Virginia Beach Police Memorial vandalized overnight ([link removed])
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By JANE ALVAREZ-WERTZ, WAVY

Virginia Beach Police confirm someone vandalized the police memorial sometime early Thursday morning. Spokesperson Linda Kuehn said they received a call at 3:48 a.m. about graffiti painted on the memorial, which is located along 35th Street at the Oceanfront.
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** Demonstrators maintained a peaceful protest in Hampton, but police say violence broke out ([link removed])
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By JESSICA NOLTE, JOSH REYES, MATT JONES, LISA VERNON SPARKS AND PETER DUJARDIN, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Protesters in Hampton marched up and down Mercury Boulevard, blocked the interstate and congregated in Peninsula Town Center on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning. It was the second demonstration in Hampton since the death of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. For most of the night, the protest activities were without major incidents or conflict with the police.
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** Portsmouth protesters shut down city’s only Chick-fil-A over alleged discriminatory work practices ([link removed])
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By MARIE ALBIGES, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

It was an eerie feeling, seeing the drive-thru lanes of the Portsmouth Chick-fil-A barren of the dozens of cars that normally snake through around lunchtime on a weekday. But to the mostly black protesters who stood at all of the entrances to the fast food restaurant with signs, chairs and megaphones, it was a welcome sight.
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** Hundreds gather to remember George Floyd in Williamsburg area ([link removed])
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By JESSICA NOLTE, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Hundreds of people laid down in the roadway Thursday evening outside Williamsburg to remember George Floyd, the man killed by Minneapolis police last week. Many chanted, “I can’t breathe!” — echoing some of Floyd’s last words as a police officer knelt on his neck. “There are people burning themselves on hot asphalt right now... because we can’t breathe,” a woman could be heard saying in a Facebook Livestream.
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** About 50 gather in Spotsylvania for protest ([link removed])
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By SCOTT SHENK AND KEITH EPPS, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

For the first time amid recent unrest, demonstrators gathered in Spotsylvania County on a steamy Thursday afternoon to protest police violence against African Americans. In the wake of the death of George Floyd during his arrest by Minneapolis police, protests have popped up on a regular basis across the country, world and in Fredericksburg and Stafford County.
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** Protest of Floyd's death draws hundreds in Orange ([link removed])
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By HILARY HOLLADAY, Orange County Review

Young and old, black, white and brown, many in masks, hundreds of people marched in Orange on Thursday evening. “Black lives matter!” “What’s his name?” “George Floyd!” “No justice!” “No peace!” Signs aloft, their voices rising, many of the protesters on Madison Road clearly were angry.
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** More protest-related arrests announced, curfew in place Thursday ([link removed])
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By RACHEL MAHONEY, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

The Lynchburg Police Department announced arrests of two more people in relation to protests that have turned violent over the past few days. Deputies with the Campbell County Sheriff's Office took a 14-year-old boy into custody Wednesday on charges of possessing a firearm as a felon, discharging a firearm in a public place and reckless handling of a firearm.
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** Promoting unity in time of national crisis, Danville faith leaders urge residents to step up, speak out ([link removed])
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By CALEB AYERS, Danville Register & Bee

Standing in front of a group of more than 40 community officials, law enforcement officers, religious leaders and community members on the steps of the Danville Municipal Building, Sharon Motley, a pastor at The Life Church, talked about the importance of speaking up. “I want to speak to my white brothers and sisters … you’ve got to stand up,” she said.


** LOCAL
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** Fairfax County’s top prosecutor implements criminal justice reforms ([link removed])
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By MEGAN CLOHERTY, WTOP

Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano wants to make changes he contends are needed to improve the criminal justice system. In a video posted to social media, Descano outlines three reforms he plans to implement to improve how his office works and takes a hard look at data that may reflect biased or antiquated practices.
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** Loudoun Co. supervisor: Sheriff’s office needs more accountability ([link removed])
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By JOHN DOMEN, WTOP

Protests and demonstrations happening across the U.S. following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota are leading to a renewed push for more police accountability measures at local and national levels — including Virginia’s Loudoun County. In Loudoun, the sheriff’s office faces accountability every four years, when voters choose who their next sheriff is going to be. And at least one supervisor said that process may be outdated.
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** Battlefield High School baseball coach 'no longer an employee' after racist social media posts ([link removed])
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Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

An assistant baseball coach at Battlefield High School in Haymarket is no longer an employee of the Prince William County school system following racist posts on social media, Principal Ryan Ferrera said Thursday. The school system did not detail the posts in question, but screen shots sent to InsideNoVa.com showed remarks on the Bleacher Report's Facebook page in which the coach wrote "I'd put a knee on his neck too."
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** Henrico supervisor calls for creation of police review board, renaming of Confederate Hills Recreation Center ([link removed])
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By C. SUAREZ ROJAS, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

As protests against systemic racism and police violence continue around the country, the Henrico County Board of Supervisors will consider measures to improve citizen oversight of county police. In addition to calling for a new civilian review board and policing reform, Supervisor Tyrone Nelson also asked the board to rename Confederate Hills Recreation Center.
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** Drive-through service: Beach clerk uses old bank to work during pandemic ([link removed])
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By PETER VIETH, Virginia Lawyers Weekly (Subscription required for some articles)

Under pressure to maintain in-person services for people seeking concealed carry permits and marriage licenses despite COVID-19 restrictions, one Virginia court clerk hit on a novel solution. She adapted an unused bank building to allow drive-through services behind the building’s glass window.
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** Virginia Beach awards more than $1.3 million to small businesses ([link removed])
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By STACY PARKER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

When the coronavirus pandemic forced Jesse Wykle to serve only to-go orders at his Oceanfront restaurant, he needed more employees even though he was bringing in less money. “There are so many pieces to the puzzle that go into building a to-go bag,” said Wykle, who owns Aloha Snacks at 501 Laskin Road. A pick-up window on the side of his building helped his business stay afloat, and he was able to hire greeters to meet people in the parking lot.
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** Fredericksburg to remove controversial slave auction block this month ([link removed])
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By CATHY JETT, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Removal of Fredericksburg’s controversial slave auction block will finally go ahead this month after being delayed by lawsuits and COVID-19. A city staff team reconvened Wednesday to update plans for excavating the auction block from the corner of William and Charles streets so it can be loaned to the Fredericksburg Area Museum.
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** Roanoke judge eases city council ballot requirements, saying 'this is not an ordinary election' ([link removed])
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By AMY FRIEDENBERGER, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

A Roanoke judge lowered the petition signature threshold for city council candidates to appear on the November ballot and extended the filing deadline, citing the “extraordinary circumstances” candidates face during the coronavirus pandemic. Circuit Judge Onzlee Ware ruled Thursday that candidates would need 50 signatures, rather than 125, to qualify for the ballot and extended the deadline from June 9 to June 23.


** EDITORIALS
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** Focus on protesters’ calls for equality ([link removed])
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Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

People upset with the violence, property destruction and looting seen in the streets during the recent protests should understand that for many in our community, the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a police officer was the last straw in a long, long line of abuse and injustices. Of course, destroying property is not the way forward. But neither is destroying lives.
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** Monumental action ([link removed])
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Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Symbols matter. They convey a particular message, created during a certain time and place. The Robert E. Lee statue on stately Monument Avenue was erected in 1890 — the first of five sculptures dedicated to Civil War heroes as part of the Lost Cause veneration that swept the South.
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** The unintended consequences that led to Lee coming down ([link removed])
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Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Isaac Newton figured out physics, but one of his most famous discoveries applies to politics, as well: For every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction. Consider the chain of events that has led to Gov. Ralph Northam’s announcement that the state will take down the statue of Robert E. Lee on Richmond’s Monument Avenue:


** OP-ED
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** Brush: With COVID-19, avoid the illusion of certainty ([link removed])
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By DR. JOHN E. BRUSH, published in Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

COVID-19 is terrifying, but it is its uncertainty that is so frustrating. The pandemic has suddenly made life very unpredictable. We are even uncertain about how long we will have to live with this uncertainty. In a recent U.S. Senate hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci said, “I am very careful, and hopefully humble in knowing that I don't know everything about this disease. And that's why I'm very reserved in making broad predictions." Spoken like a true scientist and an experienced physician.
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** Farrell: For a healthy Chesapeake Bay, trees are the answer ([link removed])
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By ROB FARRELL, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

This week is Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week, the perfect time to focus on the many ecological contributions of Virginia’s forests. Forestland has long been recognized as one of the best land covers for protecting water quality and an important strategy for helping the commonwealth meet the targets of its Chesapeake Bay Watershed Improvement Plan.

Farrell is state forester of Virginia
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** Mercer: A monumental step toward healing ([link removed])
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By MARSHA MERCER, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

In a week of peaceful protests, violent riots and widespread looting, the removal Tuesday of a Confederate monument in Alexandria might seem almost inconsequential. No one was hurt or died, and the “Appomattox” monument — nicknamed “Appy” — wasn’t defaced or toppled. It was scheduled for removal next month, anyway. The Washington Post tucked the news on page B-4 of Wednesday’s paper. But Appy’s sudden exit was a sign the long-simmering controversy over Confederate symbols had finally boiled over.

Marsha Mercer writes from Washington
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** Turnbull: The media: A too convenient scapegoat ([link removed])
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By CHRIS TURNBULL, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Last Friday, as demonstrations erupted across the country in response to the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, at least half a dozen journalists were detained or attacked while doing their jobs. For too many people, “the media” have become the most convenient scapegoats in our highly politicized environment.

Turnbull is the President of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
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