VaNews
December 2, 2020

Today's Sponsor:


** VPAP's Annual Survey
------------------------------------------------------------

How are we doing? VPAP's annual customer satisfaction survey is just 10 quick questions. Tell us what you think! Start Survey ([link removed])
* Read Online ([link removed])
* 10 Most Clicked ([link removed])
* Refer a Friend ([link removed])

Top of the News


** Campbell County passes resolution opposing Gov. Northam's recent executive orders ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By SARAH HONOSKY, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Campbell County has passed a resolution rejecting Virginia's recent executive orders, declaring itself a "first amendment sanctuary," and directing the county to express its opposition to the governor's new safety guidelines that limit the size of gatherings, among other restrictions. Governor Ralph Northam's executive order, issued earlier this month, caps indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 25 people in an effort to suppress the spread of COVID-19 as cases climb locally and nationally.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Christian health care leader urges churches to meet virtually to help slow virus ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By SARAH WADE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

The leader of a large Christian health care association recommended Tuesday that churches stop meeting in person as the area’s COVID-19 case count continues ballooning. Dr. Michael Chupp is the CEO of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA), a Bristol Tennessee-based organization for Christian health care professionals with more than 20,000 members throughout the U.S. and around the world, according to its website.
------------------------------------------------------------


** EVMS board votes “no confidence” in study pushing merger with ODU ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

school with Old Dominion University and a spin off of its medical group with Sentara Healthcare. The school’s board of visitors held a vote of no confidence in a consultant who would recommend to Gov. Ralph Northam the school be absorbed by ODU. The restructuring would call for the EVMS board to be dissolved and the school be run by the university, while its clinical faculty merged with Sentara Medical Group.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Va. political leaders name 8 legislators who’ll serve on new redistricting commission ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By GRAHAM MOOMAW, Virginia Mercury

The group of eight Democratic and Republican legislators who will serve on Virginia’s new redistricting commission will be made up of five men and three women, including two senior members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. The legislative members, who will wield significant power over how legislative and congressional districts are redrawn when new U.S. Census data comes in next year, come from districts that touch most regions of the state, ensuring some level of geographic diversity in the process.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Transit system service cuts proposed in Congress’s backyard elicit calls for more funding ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JUSTIN GEORGE, LORI ARATANI AND MEAGAN FLYNN, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

From coast to coast, transit agencies are planning for layoffs and pared-down service as the coronavirus pandemic decimates budgets and a federal stimulus package remains stalled in Congress. In New York, the nation’s largest transit system is preparing to cut subway service by 40 percent while it considers a nearly $3 billion loan from the Federal Reserve. Boston is proposing to eliminate ferry service and shorten hours of operation on its rail system. And in the nation’s capital, Metro on Monday announced plans to eliminate weekend rail service to bridge a nearly $500 million gap in next year’s operating budget — equivalent to one-quarter of what the transit agency typically spends annually to run the system.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Controversial power line across James River had no better alternative, Corps of Engineers review says ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

The hard look that conservation groups said the government should have made before approving Dominion Energy’s high voltage line across the James River found there’s no better alternative to prevent rolling blackouts on the Peninsula. The Corps of Engineers launched a formal Environmental Impact Statement review of the Skiffes Creek-Surry transmission line last year after conservation groups sued it, challenging its decision to permit the line.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia to hire its first environmental justice director, despite budget constraints ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By WHITNEY PIPKIN, Bay Journal

Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality plans to fill a new environmental justice director position by early 2021 — despite budget shortfalls that will leave a few dozen other hoped-for positions unfilled for now. DEQ Director David Paylor said the agency had to scrape together funds for the position in a fiscal year reshaped by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Full Report
49 articles, 23 publications
* Read Online ([link removed])
* 10 Most Clicked ([link removed])
* Refer a Friend ([link removed])


** FROM VPAP
------------------------------------------------------------


** VPAP Visual Turnout in 'Trump Elections' ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

The Virginia Public Access Project

Unusually high voter turnout was a hallmark of the four November elections that took place during the administration of Republican President Donald Trump. Turnout in this year's presidential election hit a modern record of 74.6% this year. Perhaps most astonishing was the off-off year state legislative elections of 2019 in which voter participation rivaled that of a gubernatorial election.
------------------------------------------------------------


** From VPAP Maps, Timeline of COVID-19 in Virginia ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

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 10:30 a.m.


** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
------------------------------------------------------------


** Lawmakers named to redistricting commission ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The eight legislators who will make up half of Virginia’s newly created redistricting commission have been formally named to their roles, as the selection of the eight citizen members who will work alongside them moves ahead. Virginia’s legislative leaders on Tuesday finalized their selections for the four Democrats and four Republicans who will sit on the commission, which will be tasked in 2021 with redrawing the state’s political districts for the House of Delegates and Virginia’s U.S. House seats.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Loudoun Supervisors Ask State Legislators to Restore Transportation Funding ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By RENSS GREENE, Loudoun Now

County supervisors are once again this year asking the General Assembly to restore funding for the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, which funds hundreds of millions of dollars a year in transportation projects in the region. In Loudoun, the authority has been a major funder of a number of projects, including on Northstar Boulevard, Loudoun County Parkway, Shellhorn Road, Evergreen Mills Road at Watson Road, the Rt. 7/Battlefield Parkway interchange, and others.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Dischley seeks general district court judgeship ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DON DEL ROSSO, Fauquier Now

After serving as a prosecutor in Fauquier and Loudoun counties, he heads a three-attorney practice in Manassas that handles the gamut of criminal and civil cases. David J. Dischley thinks his resume and a host of intangibles equip him to succeed Fauquier County General District Court Judge J. Gregory Ashwell, whose retirement from the bench will take effect Jan. 1.


** STATE ELECTIONS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Norfolk City Council member Andria McClellan to run for Virginia lieutenant governor ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By LAURA VOZZELLA, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Norfolk City Council member Andria P. McClellan joined the crowded 2021 race for Virginia lieutenant governor on Tuesday, billing herself as a "pragmatic progressive" intent on both expanding the economy and addressing climate change. An independent on the nonpartisan council, McClellan, 50, is running as a Democrat. She is the 11th candidate and seventh Democrat to formally get into the race.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Norfolk council member launches run for lieutenant governor ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Norfolk City Council member Andria McClellan on Tuesday launched a bid to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor, entering a crowded primary for the Democratic nomination. McClellan was first elected to the council in 2016 to represent the 6th Superward, focusing heavily on regional development and coastal resiliency.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
------------------------------------------------------------


** Company accused of preying on immigrants agrees to $425,000 settlement with Va. regulators ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MICHAEL E. MILLER, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

A company long accused of preying on undocumented immigrants has agreed to pay $425,000 to settle an investigation by a Virginia agency that also imposed severe restrictions on the ability of Libre by Nexus to operate in the state where it was founded. The Virginia State Corporation Commission’s order last week caps an inquiry by the state’s Bureau of Insurance, which had claimed that Libre was acting as an unlicensed insurance agent.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Advocacy group, inmates and their families allege abuse at Virginia prison ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By FRANK GREEN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

A Black prisoner says he was beaten by white officers at Red Onion State Prison on May 19 and attacked again that same day after he was driven across Wise County to Wallens Ridge State Prison. Benjamin Forrest Carter, 25, said it started when an officer at Red Onion called him a racial slur. In response, Carter said, "I knocked him out." Prison officials said the officer was severely injured, requiring numerous surgeries.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Hampton Roads Regional Jail superintendent leaving after less than a year in the job ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MARGARET MATRAY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The superintendent of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail will retire at the end of the year, giving the facility its seventh head in about four years just as it begins a major overhaul under an agreement with federal authorities. In a court action filed this year, the U.S. Justice Department alleged the jail had long failed to provide adequate medical and mental health care for prisoners, overused solitary confinement and failed to properly train staff.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Fredericksburg courts close due to coronavirus ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By TAFT COGHILL JR., Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Fredericksburg Circuit Court and General District Court will be closed on Wednesday because of issues related to COVID-19, according to the city’s website. The courthouse building will undergo a deep cleaning. The status of the courts for the rest of the week will be updated Wednesday evening.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Advocates Call for Permanent Children's Cabinet ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ALAN RODRIGUEZ ESPINOZA, WCVE-FM

Children’s advocates in Virginia are pushing to make the Children's Cabinet a permanent fixture in the state. The cabinet was put together by Gov. Ralph Northam in 2018 to focus on children’s issues, but because it was formed by executive order, it will end with his administration. The cabinet is chaired by First Lady Pamela Northam and includes Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and the secretaries of education, agriculture and forestry, health and human resources, and public safety and homeland security.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Medical cannabis facility could come to Albemarle ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ALLISON WRABEL, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Albemarle County officials have given their support to Holistic Virginia, a company that wants to operate a medical cannabis facility on Avon Street Extended. Both the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and Economic Development Authority sent letters of support to a committee with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy for an application for Holistic Virginia LLC to operate a pharmaceutical processing facility in Albemarle.


** CONGRESS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Warner, Spanberger help lead push for $908 billion COVID relief package ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, have moved to the forefront of a bipartisan push for Congress to deliver emergency relief to Americans struggling to survive the intensifying COVID-19 public health crisis. Warner and Spanberger helped fashion a $908 billion framework for emergency COVID-19 relief unveiled Tuesday by a coalition of centrist lawmakers from both political parties and chambers of Congress.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine calls stimulus relief bill his top priority before Congress goes to recess ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By PARKER COTTON, Martinsville Bulletin (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

A bipartisan group of senators presented a stimulus proposal worth about $908 billion on Tuesday morning in an attempt to provide emergency federal relief before Congress goes into recess in the middle of December. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, speaking with reporters via Zoom on Tuesday, said passing the bill, or some similar version of it, is currently his highest priority given the state of the nation as COVID-19 cases continue to surge.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Loosening distributed solar laws, long sought by the industry, requires rethinking the electric grid ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By SARAH VOGELSONG, Virginia Mercury

A chicken in every pot, a car in every garage — and a solar panel for every roof? For many years, that notion would have been unthinkable in Virginia, where fairly competitive electric rates, a lack of incentives and what one solar developer described as “extreme utility control of the legislature” made most companies think twice before putting down stakes.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Northern Virginia's first medical marijuana dispensary opens in Manassas ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By STAFF REPORT, Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

BEYOND / HELLO in Manassas officially opened Tuesday, making it the first medical marijuana dispensary in Northern Virginia and only the third in the state. The store's name is the trade name for Dalitso, LLC, which holds a state pharmaceutical processor permit for Prince William, Loudoun, Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Fate of the Mountain Valley Pipeline? ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ROBBIE HARRIS, WVTF

It wasn’t that long ago that Virginia was slated for not one, but two, new natural gas pipelines. Dominion Energy recently scrapped its plan for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, citing high costs and a pivot to more renewable energy in its portfolio. And that has people wondering about the fate of the Mountain Valley Pipeline as construction delays mount and costs rise.


** TRANSPORTATION
------------------------------------------------------------


** How Metro’s Proposed Cuts Could Impact The Economy, Schools And Restaurants In The Region ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JORDAN PASCALE, MARTIN AUSTERMUHLE, MARGARET BARTHEL, JENNY GATHRIGHT, DEBBIE TRUONG, RACHEL KURZIUS, MATT BLITZ AND NATHAN DILLER, DCist

Metro’s proposed sweeping budget cuts in the face of the ongoing pandemic will leave the rail and bus system operating vastly different than ever before. The proposal includes no weekend train service, closing the system at 9 p.m. with trains running only every 30 minutes on weekdays and cuts to several bus routes. It turns a mass rapid transit system into essentially a commuter rail system. The proposed cuts would be in effect from July 2021 until June 2022, leading to wide-ranging effects on everything from students getting to school on time to employees commuting to work.


** HIGHER EDUCATION
------------------------------------------------------------


** VCU Health laying off 635 employees as it outsources billing and collections ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JACK JACOBS, Richmond BizSense

VCU Health System is farming out its billing and collections services, trimming 635 people from its payroll in the process. However, the vast majority of those workers found new employment with the outside firm — Ensemble Health Partners....In an email, VCU Health spokeswoman Laura Rossacher said that more than 90 percent of the workers affected by the layoff have arranged to transfer to Ensemble.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Student Council releases ‘Guide to Being Not-Rich at U.Va.,’ pushes for resources for FGLI students ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By LAUREN O'NEIL, Cavalier Daily

Student Council’s Financial Accessibility committee released its Guide to Being Not-Rich at U.Va. Nov. 11 to provide a collection of resources for low-income and first-generation students at the University. ...8.5 percent of the University’s undergraduate population identified as low-income this fall, while 13.2 percent were first-generation college students, according to deputy University spokesperson Wes Hester.


** CORONAVIRUS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia COVID-19 cases rise 2,228 from Monday ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By STAFF REPORT, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The Virginia Department of Health reported Tuesday that the state’s cumulative total for COVID-19 cases during the pandemic is now up to 240,063 — an increase of 2,228 from Monday. The 240,063 cases consist of 212,916 confirmed cases and 27,147 probable cases. There have been 4,093 COVID-19 deaths in Virginia — 3,750 confirmed and 343 probable. That’s an increase of 31 from the 4,062 reported Monday.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Roanoke area prepares for COVID-19 vaccine distribution ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Regional plans are underway to deliver the COVID-19 vaccines to the “right people at the right time” once it becomes available later this month, a local health director said. “I do want to emphasize that it’s not going to be available to the general public for quite some time,” Dr. Cynthia Morrow, director of the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts, said Tuesday during her weekly media briefing.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Chesterfield nursing home sees more than 100 COVID cases in November ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By SABRINA MORENO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The Laurels of Bon Air, a Chesterfield County nursing and rehabilitation center, reported more than 100 COVID-19 cases in November as the Richmond area braces for an anticipated surge that could strain testing capacity and hospital systems post-Thanksgiving. The Chesterfield Health District was notified about the initial case on Nov. 5, with the majority of cases following within the next two weeks.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Poquoson nursing home sees number of coronavirus cases triple within a week ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By LISA VERNON SPARKS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A nursing home in Poquoson is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases which have tripled in the past seven days. Bayside Nursing Home on Vantage Drive has reported 50 positive cases, which includes both patients and staff, Virginia Department of Health spokesman Bernard Hill said Tuesday. Last week, the 60-bed facility reported it had 14 positive cases.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Ballad reports record cases, set to announce 'several major measures' ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

Ballad Health is expected to announce “several major measures” to further address a COVID-19 crisis today after establishing a new record for inpatients Tuesday. The announcement is planned during the health system’s weekly news briefing, which will be streamed live on Ballad’s Facebook page at 11 a.m., according to a written statement.


** LOCAL
------------------------------------------------------------


** Supervisors vote down Candland's resolution to stop 'defunding' the police ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JARED FORETEK, Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

Gainesville District Supervisor Pete Candland’s attempt to pre-emptively stop the county from considering reallocating any police funding in its 2021-2024 strategic plan fell at the hands of the Board of County Supervisor’s Democratic majority Tuesday night. The county’s strategic planning development team had presented a sampling of some of the community feedback it received from citizens in the early strategic planning stages at a previous board meeting. Included among them were suggestions from community members that the county reallocate some police funding to other social services.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Richmond launches survey of residents on resort casino ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By HOLLY PRESTIDGE, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Richmond residents can weigh in on a possible resort casino within city limits by taking an online survey now through Dec. 14. The survey will shape and guide the competitive process to select a resort casino operator and site, and outline the expectations for the city and its residents during the process.
------------------------------------------------------------


** 17,000-seat arena in Henrico part of planned multi-use project ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JESS NOCERA, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

After the Richmond City Council officially killed the contentious Navy Hill development project in February, developers attached to the project did not waste time finding its successor a new home. Henrico County had recently put a piece of land on the market. Developers snatched up the opportunity, giving the former project a facelift: a new name and a new funding source.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Isle of Wight County schools delay youngest students’ return to in-person learning five days a week ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By NOOR ADATIA, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Because of an increase in the number of coronavirus cases across the country, Isle of Wight County school officials have decided to halt plans for pre-K to third grade students to return to in-person learning five days a week. Isle of Wight was one of the first localities to have students return to classrooms on a hybrid model. At a school board meeting held a few weeks ago, Superintendent Jim Thorton originally said these students could return to the classroom five days a week starting Dec. 7. The board will now revisit this possibility early next year.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Smithfield may consider live-streaming meetings ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By NATE DELESLINE III, Smithfield Times (Paywall)

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, Smithfield Town Council has shifted to conducting socially-distanced in person meetings — but hasn’t broadcast them online or on social media platforms. Mayor Carter Williams and one town council member said they feel that approach is working OK, while another council member said live streaming meetings is “something we should probably take a look at.”
------------------------------------------------------------


** Culpeper County sets aside $730,000 for one-time payments to parents ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JOSH GULLY, Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

Culpeper County has budgeted $730,000 to make one-time payments to parents whose income has been affected by increased childcare costs and homeschooling responsibilities related to the coronavirus pandemic. The payments, approved at the Board of Supervisors' Dec. 1 meeting, are available to parents of students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The amount given out per payment will be based upon the number of successful applicants. County Attorney Bobbi Jo Alexis estimated that there will be between 2,000-4,000 applicants
------------------------------------------------------------


** Stanley denied permits for Christmas Parade ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By RANDY ARRINGTON, Page Valley News

...Late Monday afternoon, the Town of Stanley posted the following on its Facebook page: “We are sorry to say we had to cancel the Stanley Christmas Parade. Unfortunately, due to the Governor’s mandate, we were unable to get a parade permit. Due to the fact that VDOT owns and maintains all streets within the Town limits, we are required to obtain a permit from them for all events, along with permission from the Virginia State Police. Due to the COVID restrictions, neither are able to sign the permit. The Town thanks everyone for their support and understanding with this issue.”
------------------------------------------------------------


** Healthcare workers and nursing home residents to get first shots ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By BRYAN MCKENZIE, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is not like getting a flu shot: It won’t be first-come, first-served, it will likely come in two doses and it could take months to get. Federal officials are pushing those most likely to come into contact with COVID and those most likely to die or suffer from it to the front of the line for the vaccines, one of which is expected to be made available this month.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia’s new policing laws follow Harrisonburg’s lead on some policies ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By RANDI B. HAGI, Harrisonburg Citizen

While local and regional activists have applauded law enforcement reforms the state legislature passed in October, those new measures might not change much for officers and residents in the Harrisonburg area because similar policies are already in place. “As I go over it, many are things I see we as an agency are fortunate to be ahead of,” said Gabriel Camacho, interim chief of the Harrisonburg Police Department.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Spectators will not be allowed at Seminole District winter events ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By BEN CATES, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

For now, high school sports in Lynchburg and surrounding counties are a go to return in December, but the Seminole District will not allow spectators to attend any sporting events this winter. Heritage High athletic director Dennis Knight told the Lynchburg City School Board on Tuesday evening that the district's eight schools — Amherst, Brookville, E.C. Glass, Heritage, Jefferson Forest, Liberty, Liberty Christian and Rustburg — all have agreed fans will not be allowed this winter after Gov. Ralph Northam's order last month capped indoor and outdoor gatherings to 25 individuals. That order included high school sporting events.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Roanoke County School Board leader hospitalized for 8 days with COVID-19 ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By RALPH BERRIER JR., Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Roanoke County School Board Chairman Mike Wray spent eight days in the hospital with COVID-19. Wray said Tuesday that he was admitted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial on Nov. 22 after contracting coronavirus in a community setting, according to a news release from the county schools system.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Pulaski County school employees test positive for COVID-19 ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By SAM WALL, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Five Pulaski County school employees recently tested positive for COVID-19, according to Superintendent Kevin Siers. Four were employees at Pulaski Elementary School and one at the high school, he wrote in an email Tuesday morning. The county has seen an uptick in cases over the last two weeks with a high of 57 new cases on Nov. 24. The recent surge in cases caused the school system to move to an all-virtual model on Nov. 23, according to a letter to parents on the school system’s website.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Danville expects $15M casino payment to come by next week as council hears timeline for Caesars project ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JOHN CRANE, Danville Register & Bee

Caesars Entertainment has begun the process of selecting an architect for an in-depth design of its Caesars Virginia project slated to open in Danville in 2023. Steven Gould, an attorney with Byrnes Gould Law in Danville representing Caesars, provided a timeline for development of the project through 2023. "This is a project our entire community will be able to be proud of," he told Danville City Council during its regular meeting Tuesday night.

Today's Sponsor:


** VPAP's Annual Survey
------------------------------------------------------------

How are we doing? VPAP's annual customer satisfaction survey is just 10 quick questions. Tell us what you think! Start Survey ([link removed])


** EDITORIALS
------------------------------------------------------------


** How (not) to run a legislature ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Daily Progress Editorial (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Recently in this space (Nov. 22), we discussed the rare circumstance in which Virginia finally completed one budget just barely before being called upon to begin fine-tuning its successor. That anomaly (which some say was due to undisciplined political leadership) was among the consequences of last spring’s General Assembly session, when lawmakers reasonably decided to wait until August to receive updated economic figures to finalize the budget — a delay necessitated by fiscal uncertainty caused by the COVID crisis — but then failed to expeditiously complete that budget.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Southwest and Southside residents should apply for redistricting commission ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Are you a resident of Virginia? Have you voted in at least two of the last three general elections? If you answered “yes” to both of those, then you’re still in the running. Now, for the next questions: Do you hold, or have you ever held or sought a partisan elected office or any political party position? Are you employed by, or ever been employed by, the General Assembly or Congress?
------------------------------------------------------------


** Redistricting the newer, fairer way ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Free Lance-Star Editorial (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

With the successful Election Day passage of Amendment 1 to the Virginia Constitution, which sets up an independent and bipartisan Redistricting Commission, attention is now focused on the five retired circuit judges who will choose eight Virginia citizens to help eight members of the General Assembly draw legislative and congressional districts for the next ten years.
------------------------------------------------------------


** The U.Va. football game that wasn’t ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Instead of taking the field against the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday in Tallahassee, football players from the University of Virginia spent the evening lounging poolside when the game was postponed after the Cavaliers had traveled to Florida. Chalk it up to another weird moment in a year of coronavirus, but don’t overlook the dunderheaded policies that landed both teams, as well as their families and fans, in this situation and the very real costs resulting from it.
------------------------------------------------------------


** COVID-19 won’t stop the long-term economic impact of public transit ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Of all the corners of public life most disrupted by COVID-19, public transit is high on the list. Locally, data from PlanRVA, the Richmond region’s planning district commission, shows the ridership roller coaster sparked by the public health crisis. From the beginning of March to the end of September, overall GRTC Transit System travel was down 18.6%. Specialty services including the Pulse bus (-43.9%) and express routes (-78.9%) faced even steeper declines.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Extend the CARES Act deadline ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

When Congress passed the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act package in March, the bill was met with bipartisan support. Just two weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers saw the forthcoming struggle for households and businesses across the country.


** OP-ED
------------------------------------------------------------


** Petersen: Next step in campaign reform – limiting 'supersize” donations ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By J. CHAPMAN PETERSEN, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

A few weeks ago, Virginia voters approved an amendment to the state Constitution on the issue of redistricting. As a result, a new bipartisan commission will draw the legislative districts in 2021. That unprecedented outcome resulted from a unique sequence of events in Richmond, beginning with a lame duck Republican majority in 2019 that sought to protect itself followed by a Democratic plurality in 2020 that felt the need to keep its word.

Petersen, D-Fairfax City, represents the 34th District in the Virginia Senate.
------------------------------------------------------------


** McClanahan: The Reason for a Gubernatorial Debate at Appalachian School of Law ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ELIZABETH MCCLANAHAN, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The Editorial Board of the Roanoke Times recently advocated for a 2021 gubernatorial debate in Southwest Virginia. The editorial pointed out that very few such debates have taken place in this oft-neglected corner of the Commonwealth. We agree and offer this additional reason why there should be a debate in this region and, in particular, at its only law school.

McClanahan is retired president and of the Appalachian School of Law
------------------------------------------------------------


** Greer: COVID cases can decline by following rules ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ARLET GREER, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

As one of the school board members, who are desperately trying to get the in-person students back in the classroom at least 4 days per week, I am asking our Franklin County citizens, business leaders, and our school family to: (1) Be diligent in wearing a facial covering when out in public places and in large gatherings. (2) Avoid large gatherings as much as possible. (3) Keep safe distances from others. (4) Wash hands or use hand sanitizer often.

Greer represents the Blackwater District on the Franklin County School Board.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Sabet: Pot legalization would come at a cost for Virginia ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KEVIN SABET, published in Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A new report from the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission argues that Virginia lawmakers should legalize marijuana in the upcoming legislative session. The report claims that Virginia could “use legalization to address prior disproportionality in marijuana enforcement.” Sounds pretty good. If only it was true.

Sabet served as a senior drug policy advisor to the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations. He currently serves as president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana in Alexandria.


** Invite Friends to read VaNews
------------------------------------------------------------
Invite two friends to read VaNews and you'll receive VaViews, a weekly compilation of commentary from a variety of viewpoints.
b96c18c0-73d7-4f80-ba25-a96795413390.png
You don't have any referrals yet.
Share VaNews with a friend ([link removed])

Or use your personal referral link:
[link removed]

For questions email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
Participation in the VaNews Referral Program constitutes your acceptance of the VPAP Terms and Conditions of Use ([link removed]) .
------------------------------------------------------------
Donate ([link removed]) Subscribe ([link removed]) Content Policy ([link removed]) Privacy ([link removed])

============================================================

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Virginia Public Access Project . P.O. Box 1472 . Richmond, VA 23218 . USA