VaNews
January 5, 2021

Today's Sponsor:


** Andrew McRoberts, of Sands Anderson PC
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Cheering on Sands Anderson's local and state government clients as they organize, open, and gavel their public bodies into a new year!
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Top of the News


** Only 20% of more than 450,000 vaccine doses have administered in Va ([link removed])
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By SABRINA MORENO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Vaccinations in Virginia continue to lag as the state approaches half a million doses distributed and the percentage of people testing positive climbs to nearly 16%, a first since early May. Data from the Virginia Department of Health on Monday showed that fewer than 90,000 vaccines have been administered, which is barely 20% of the state’s current shipments. This falls below the national rate of almost 30% reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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** Franklin health department closes after 2 employees test positive ([link removed])
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By SIERRA JENKINS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The Franklin Health Department office will close for several days after two employees tested positive Monday for COVID-19, a Virginia Department of Health spokesperson said. Health officials are contacting patients and other staff members about possible exposure to the virus.
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** Chafin’s seat will go unfilled at start of upcoming session ([link removed])
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By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

There will be an empty chair when the Virginia Senate convenes for the 2021 session because there isn’t time to determine a replacement for Sen. Ben Chafin, who died Friday of complications from COVID-19. Gov. Ralph Northam doesn’t have the authority to appoint a temporary replacement to the state General Assembly, unlike a vacancy in a U.S. Senate seat.
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** After fueling a blue tide, Democrats in changing Virginia suburb aim high for more influence ([link removed])
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By ANTONIO OLIVO, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Four years ago, Prince William County fueled a historic tide of Democratic victories in Virginia that led to the party’s takeover of the state legislature. Now, with the 2021 election season kicking into higher gear, several state lawmakers who were part of that blue wave are seeking to expand their imprint in Richmond. Last week, Del. Lee J. Carter (D-Manassas) announced his bid for the party’s nomination for governor, joining former delegate Jennifer D. Carroll Foy (D-Prince William) in this year’s primary election.
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** ‘Progressive prosecutors’ want Virginia to end the death penalty, cash bail and mandatory minimums ([link removed])
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By MARGARET MATRAY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A handful of self-described “progressive” Virginia prosecutors — including four from Hampton Roads — called Monday for state lawmakers to make dramatic changes to the state’s criminal justice system, including ending the death penalty, cash bail and mandatory minimum sentences and changing the “three strikes” law. In a letter Monday to state leaders, the Virginia Progressive Prosecutors for Justice group said the changes would “help keep our communities safe while producing more equitable outcomes in our courts.”
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** Wittman says he'll join GOP challenge of electoral college vote declaring Biden's victory ([link removed])
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By DANIEL BERTI, Prince William Times

Rep. Rob Wittman will join dozens of other congressional Republicans in objecting to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral college victory Wednesday as part of President Donald Trump’s continued effort to overturn his re-election defeat. Wittman said Monday morning on social media that he is “in full support of objecting to electors in order to debate and examine election results in states where Constitutional questions have been raised.”
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** Veto override means Fort Lee will get a new name ([link removed])
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By BILL ATKINSON, Progress Index (Metered paywall - 10 articles a month)

With Congress' override of the president's veto of the $741 billion defense budget bill also comes the news that soon, a new name will be assigned to Fort Lee. What is the process for that? Actually, it's not going to be quickly done because the language in the legislation calls for the renaming to take place over a three-year period. A special commission will oversee all of the procedure, from soliciting and vetting names to making the final recommendations.
The Full Report
45 articles, 25 publications
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** FROM VPAP
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** VPAP Visual Analyzing Campaign Donations of 62 Redistricting Finalists ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

VPAP has updated its profile of the 62 finalists for eight seats on the Redistricting Commission to include links to their campaign donations. With one exception, legislative leaders nominated people who are not major political donors.
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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 10:30 a.m.


** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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** Prince William commonwealth’s attorney joins call to abolish the death penalty in Virginia ([link removed])
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By DANIEL BERTI, Prince William Times

Prince William County was once ranked second in the country for sending people to death row. Now, the county’s Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth and 11 other Virginia commonwealth’s attorneys are calling for an end to the death penalty in Virginia. The Virginia Progressive Prosecutors for Justice, a group of commonwealth’s attorneys who advocate for criminal justice reforms, published a letter to General Assembly leaders on Monday outlining the reforms they’re supporting for in the upcoming legislative session, which begins on Jan. 13.
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** Representing the underdogs: Republican House leader aims to be ‘voice of reason’ ([link removed])
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By KATE ANDREWS, Va Business Magazine

Although it’s hard to think way back to January 2020, a time before a year of social unrest, pandemic and economic peril, that’s when Virginia’s legislature and executive branch became majority-Democrat for the first time since 1993. However, even if some Virginians forgot about this significant shift, Republican lawmakers have not. Just before Thanksgiving, Virginia Business spoke to the House of Delegates’ minority leader, Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah.
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** Virginia’s naturopathic doctors are continuing a 15-year fight for licensure ([link removed])
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By KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury

For the past 15 years, Virginia’s naturopathic doctors have been on a quest for licensure by the state’s Department of Health Professions — a step that’s been taken by 23 other states and would allow them to diagnose and treat patients like many other medical providers. . . . Amid an ongoing global pandemic that’s led to significant revenue losses for many primary care providers, Virginia’s naturopathic doctors plan to carry their fight for licensure into 2021, arguing they could play a critical role in expanding access to care for patients.
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** Constituents Will Have Some Access to Lawmakers Despite COVID-19 Risks ([link removed])
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By WHITTNEY EVANS, WCVE-FM

The Pocahontas building, where state lawmaker’s offices are located, will remain closed to the public during the upcoming legislative session. Republican Sen. Bill DeSteph filed a lawsuit last month to keep the building open so constituents could talk to their legislators in person. The complaint named Senate Rules Chair Sen. Mamie Locke, House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and others. Legislative leaders decided to limit building access to lawmakers and their staff based on the advice of state health officials.


** STATE ELECTIONS
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** Terry McAuliffe raises a record $6.1 million in bid to reclaim Executive Mansion ([link removed])
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By LAURA VOZZELLA, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Democrat Terry McAuliffe announced Monday that he has raised more than $6 million for his comeback bid for Virginia governor, far surpassing what previous gubernatorial hopefuls have raised at similar points in their campaigns. It was not immediately clear how McAuliffe’s fundraising compares with that of his Democratic and Republican rivals, with the filing deadline for campaign finance reports about two weeks away.
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** Can Lee Carter Bring Socialism to Virginia’s Executive Mansion? ([link removed])
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By BEN PAVIOUR, WCVE-FM

On Monday, Del. Lee Carter’s nascent gubernatorial bid got a boost from an unexpected supporter: Marianne Williamson, Oprah Winfrey’s spiritual advisor and a former Democratic presidential candidate, urged her Twitter followers to “help him win!” It was the latest development in what is already an unconventional campaign from Carter, a former Marine and self-described socialist who is the fifth Democrat to enter the governor’s race. Carter said he was running in part because other Democrats were too beholden to the “corporate establishment,” whose donations he said he’ll refuse.
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** Dominion donates $5K to Candi King as Possum Point residents await decision on coal ash ([link removed])
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By DANIEL BERTI, Prince William Times

Dominion Energy has donated $5,000 to Democrat Candi King in the run-up to Tuesday’s special election for the Virginia House of Delegates 2nd District, which is home to Dominion Energy’s Possum Point power station and its coal ash ponds that border the Potomac River. The power company is required to clean up about 5 million tons of toxic coal ash at the power plant as a requirement of a new state law passed in 2019 by either recycling the ash or moving it to a lined landfill. The company has not yet decided which option it will choose, or when it will begin the cleanup process.
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** Wiley already on campaign trail ([link removed])
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By STAFF REPORT, Winchester Star (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Del. Bill Wiley, a Republican from Winchester who was elected in a Nov. 3 special election to fill an unexpired term in the House of Delegates, has announced that he is seeking re-election to the 29th District seat in the upcoming November general election.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
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** Billions in federal relief on its way to Virginians, state and local programs ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

More than $8 billion in federal emergency relief is on its way to Virginians and crucial state services, including education, unemployment insurance, housing, child care, transportation and even funeral costs for the families of more than 5,000 people who have died from COVID-19 since the public health emergency began 10 months ago.
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** Supreme Court kicks prosecutor discretion case ([link removed])
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By PETER VIETH, Virginia Lawyers Weekly (Subscription required for some articles)

The Supreme Court of Virginia has refused to consider whether Arlington County circuit judges improperly curbed prosecutors’ discretion to drop criminal charges. The decision arose from the tension in some Virginia courts between progressive prosecutors determined not to pursue minor marijuana charges and judges who believe prosecutors lack the authority to disregard certain criminal laws.


** CONGRESS
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** For 2nd time, Spanberger passes on Pelosi for House Speaker ([link removed])
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By ALLISON BROPHY CHAMPION, Culpeper Star Exponent (Metered Paywall - 20 articles a month)

U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, on Sunday began her second term in Congress representing the people of Central Virginia, including Culpeper County, according to a release from her office. On the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in a rare Sunday session on Jan. 2, 2021, Spanberger, for the second time, did not definitively vote to reelect Nancy Pelosi for House Speaker. She instead cast a “present” vote while others voted yes or no.
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** Good hires wife of 5th District GOP Chair ([link removed])
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By STAFF REPORT, WCAV-TV

Republican Bob Good is getting ready to head to Washington, D.C. to take up the U.S. House of Representatives seat for the Fifth Congressional District of Virginia. Good defeated incumbent Representative Denver Riggleman, a Republican from Nelson County, in a drive-through convention in Campbell County....One of those new staff members is Sandy Adams, who is the wife of the Fifth District Republican Committee's chairman, Melvin Adams. Sandy Adams served as a financial assistant for Good's general election campaign and will now be his District Director.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** Genworth Financial's planned merger with a China-based company now on indefinite hold ([link removed])
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By JOHN REID BLACKWELL, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

After more than four years, Genworth Financial Inc.’s plan to merge with a China-based company has been put on indefinite hold, in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic, though both companies said Monday that they still may be able to complete a deal. In the meantime, Henrico County-based Genworth, an insurance company with thousands of employees in Virginia, said it is focusing on pursuing a contingency plan to pay its debts that could include a partial, initial public offering of stock for its U.S. mortgage insurance business.


** TRANSPORTATION
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** GAO study examines impact of long-distance flight limits at National Airport ([link removed])
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By LORI ARATANI, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

A new report from the Government Accountability Office examines the current and potential effects of changes to a long-standing rule that limits the number of long-distance flights out of Reagan National Airport. The report cited a mix of impacts, noting that allowing more long-distance flights has resulted in larger aircraft operating out of National. That, in turn, has fueled passenger growth at the airport, leading to concerns about traffic, whether there is enough space to accommodate the additional people and whether that growth comes at the expense of National’s sister airport, Washington Dulles International.
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** Norfolk is the next Virginia city to tackle a bus route redesign ([link removed])
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By WYATT GORDON, Virginia Mercury

After Virginia’s capital city overhauled its bus routes in 2018, the resulting 17 percent annual growth in ridership made the city’s sole public transportation provider —the Greater Richmond Transit Company — a rare example of success at a time when systems across the country had been losing passengers for years. Norfolk took note and launched a year-long public process that produced a new bus network this month which aims to overhaul the face of public transportation in a region that recorded 18,653 scheduled buses that never arrived in one year alone.


** HIGHER EDUCATION
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** Virginia Tech is asking students to take these 2 coronavirus precautions before they return ([link removed])
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By ALEXUS DAVILA, WSLS-TV

With winter break almost over, thousands of students will return to Blacksburg next week. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, Virginia Tech is asking its students to take certain precautions before returning. . . . Virginia Tech is asking students to self-quarantine for 10 days before they step on campus, which includes practicing social distance and wearing a mask.


** CORONAVIRUS
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** Virginia reports 3,771 new COVID-19 cases ([link removed])
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Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Virginia reported another 3,771 COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the state’s cumulative total during the pandemic to 367,536, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The percentage of positive results from testing also continues to rise. On Monday, it was at 15.8%, up from 15.3% on Sunday and 14.8% on Saturday. There have been 5,132 COVID-19 deaths in Virginia, an increase of eight from Sunday.
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** Ballad Health sets new record of COVID-19 patients ([link removed])
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By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

As 2021 begins, Ballad Health continues to treat record numbers of COVID-19 patients in its hospitals. On Monday, the regional health system reported a one-day record of 349 inpatients, which shattered the previous mark of 339, set Saturday and tied Sunday. The previous record of 335 patients was established Dec. 21 and then tied on Dec. 31.
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** Vaccine reporting delays cited in D.C. region amid sluggish start to distribution ([link removed])
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By GREGORY S. SCHNEIDER, MICHAEL BRICE-SADDLER AND ERIN COX, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Coronavirus vaccinations are off to a sluggish start across the greater Washington region, with only a fraction of allotted doses being administered in the past three weeks. Delays in reporting might make the problem look worse than it is, officials said. In Maryland, less than one-quarter of the state’s initial batch of 273,875 vaccines has been used, according to state data released Monday. In Virginia, only one-fifth of the state’s allotment of 451,075 doses, or 89,326 vaccinations, had been administered, according to state figures.
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** More than 10,000 Fairfax County Residents Receive COVID-19 Vaccine ([link removed])
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By ANGELA WOOLSEY, Reston Now

10,565 Fairfax County residents have now received a dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for distribution as of Sunday (Jan. 3). That is by far the most vaccine doses that have been administered in a single locality in Virginia, according to a Virginia Department of Health dashboard, which shows that no other locality has administered more than 5,000 doses.
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** Expecting a baby this year? Public health officials recommend getting coronavirus vaccine ([link removed])
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By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Virginia public health officials say coronavirus vaccines should not be withheld from women expecting a baby this year. Though safety data on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy aren’t available yet, there is also no evidence the vaccines would be hazardous, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Individuals who intend to get pregnant and meet the criteria for vaccination also should not hesitate to get the shots when they’re eligible, the agency said.
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** Jail dealing with COVID-19 outbreak ([link removed])
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By EVAN GOODENOW, Winchester Star (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

About six weeks before the coronavirus was declared a pandemic in March, regional jail officials began planning on how to handle a major outbreak. The outbreak became a reality last month. As of Monday, 42 inmates at the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center in Frederick County had been diagnosed as well as 40 staff — including about 25 corrections officers, according to jail Superintendent Clay Corbin. He said none of the inmates or staff have exhibited serious symptoms or been hospitalized.
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** Lynchburg, Bedford schools together report 70 new cases of COVID-19 following winter breaks ([link removed])
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By JAMEY CROSS, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Schools in the Lynchburg area resumed classes Monday and schools in Lynchburg and Bedford County reported 70 new positive cases of COVID-19 following their two-week winter breaks. Lynchburg City Schools and schools in the Campbell, Bedford, Amherst and Nelson county school divisions have reported a total of 474 positive COVID-19 cases since their school years began.
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** Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gov. Ralph Northam will join public talk on coronavirus with Virginians ([link removed])
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By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

If you have a burning question for Dr. Anthony Fauci about COVID-19, this might be your rare opportunity. The nation’s top infectious disease expert will join Gov. Ralph Northam at a virtual event for Virginians to discuss facts and myths about the coronavirus and vaccine this Friday. The event will focus on how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic communities and address misinformation about the virus.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
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** Clarke has no plans to rename Byrd, Mosby highways ([link removed])
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By MICKEY POWELL, Winchester Star (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

There are no plans to change the names of Clarke County's portions of two major highways, officials say, despite a neighboring county's plans to do so. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors recently directed its staff to start planning to rename the county's stretches of Harry Flood Byrd Sr. Highway (Va. 7) and John Mosby Highway (U.S. 50), the Loudoun Times-Mirror reported.


** LOCAL
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** Parent suing Virginia school system over lack of in-person learning options ([link removed])
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By LEX JUAREZ, WFXR-TV

The Arlington Public School System will soon be facing a lawsuit over the lack of in-person learning options. This comes almost 300 days after schools stopped offering in-school learning. Russell Laird is the parent filing the lawsuit. He says this lawsuit is a long time coming, after parents like himself have felt ignored by the school board while watching their kids’ learning experience suffer.
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** As most NOVA schools go virtual, Prince William continues in-person learning ([link removed])
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By JILL PALERMO, Prince William Times

As COVID-19 cases surged over the holiday break, nearly every school division in Northern Virginia paused or suspended in-person learning during the first several days immediately following winter break. The lone exception is Prince William, where operations continued as usual Monday despite the county’s highest-in-the-region COVID-19 numbers. In Prince William, Mondays are all-virtual instruction days for most students. But so far, there’s been no change in plans to reopen schools for in-person instruction to about 5,000 students Tuesday morning.
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** Stoney says he will focus on social justice ([link removed])
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By CHRIS SUAREZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Setting the tone for his second four-year term, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said he intends to focus on social justice and equity after taking the oath of office on Monday. “We must continue to fill the potholes, pave the streets, pick up the trash and issue permits on time, but my priority will always be serving as a champion for Richmonders burdened by generational poverty, who have been subject to the stifling nature of systemic racism,” he said.
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** Virginia Beach will allow winter sports despite COVID-19 metrics remaining high ([link removed])
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By GREG GIESEN AND LARRY RUBAMA, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Virginia Beach City Public Schools decided Monday to hold a winter sports season despite previously saying it would cancel the season if the COVID-19 metrics remained in the red/red category. “After extensive research, discussion and consideration, Virginia Beach City Public Schools has decided to hold a varsity winter sports season in accordance with the protocols and health mitigations published by the Virginia High School League in its 2020-2021 Guidelines for Return to Participation. Tryouts will begin as soon as Wednesday, Jan. 6,” the district said a release.
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** City of Williamsburg switches back to teleworking ([link removed])
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By STAFF REPORT, WVEC

City workers in Williamsburg are going back home. The city is switching back to teleworking -- at least when it's possible -- for the next three weeks, City Manager Andrew O. Trivette announced Monday. This is how the city operated during the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic.
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** Got overdue books? Some local libraries will waive late fees. ([link removed])
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By SALEEN MARTIN, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

If you’ve got overdue items from the Virginia Beach, Hampton and Portsmouth Public Libraries, now’s your chance to turn them in and get late fees waived. According to the Portsmouth Public Library’s director, Todd Elliott, they are not charging fines for late items through March 2021.
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** Charlottesville pauses city manager search ([link removed])
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By NOLAN STOUT, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Charlottesville has temporarily suspended its search for a city manager to evaluate “next steps to stabilize the organization,” the City Council said in a statement Monday. Last month, the city signed a $42,500 contract with Ralph Andersen & Associates of Rocklin, California, to find a successor to former City Manager Tarron Richardson.
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** City Schools Chief Has Not Decided On Vaccine Mandate ([link removed])
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By MEGAN WILLIAMS, Daily News Record (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

All 10 of the nurses working for Harrisonburg City Public Schools have received the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine, Superintendent Michael Richards said, and they will receive the second round soon. Also soon, teachers and staff will receive the vaccine as well. School nurses were classified as priority 1a, which includes health care workers and caregivers.
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** Roanoke to consider banning guns from municipal building ([link removed])
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By RALPH BERRIER JR., Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Roanoke’s city council may soon ban guns from city hall, thanks to a new law passed last year by the Virginia General Assembly. The council scheduled a public hearing for 7 p.m. Jan. 19 as it considers an ordinance to prohibit people from carrying guns inside the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, a goal of present and past council members for at least four years.
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** Danville may reconsider casino-delayed sales-tax referendum for city schools ([link removed])
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By JOHN R. CRANE, Danville Register & Bee

The idea of adding a 1-cent sales tax in Danville to fund school construction projects remains a possibility. Although the city expects to receive $34 million in annual revenue from a Caesars Virginia casino, a ballot question about the tax, approved a year ago by the Danville City Council, could return so that a stable amount of cash could be generated more quickly, officials said.
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** Henry County Schools officials: ‘It’s not safe to compete right now’ in high school sports ([link removed])
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By CARA COOPER, Martinsville Bulletin (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Winter sports teams at Magna Vista and Bassett High Schools will have to continue waiting to compete in games, Henry County Public Schools Director of Student Support Services Matthew Woods said by phone Monday. Girls and boys varsity basketball teams were scheduled to begin playing games on Monday, and other winter sports teams also had events scheduled for this week, however Woods said HCPS has postponed all of those for an undecided amount of time. HCPS is following the Virginia Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control health metrics for the area, which say that there is currently a high risk for transmission of COVID-19.
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** Tazewell County Supervisors cancel January meeting ([link removed])
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By STAFF REPORT, Richlands News-Press

Citing concerns about the rise in Coronavirus cases the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors has canceled its Jan. 12 meeting. County Administrator Eric Young’s office released a statement Jan. 4 saying the action was based on an informal poll of the board members. Young, County Attorney Chase Collins and other members of the county staff have dealt with the virus in recent days.
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** McGlothlin, Stacy named Bristolians of the Year for efforts to bring casino to city ([link removed])
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By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

Two prominent leaders best known for business acumen and benevolence teamed to deliver a transformational project to the city and region and — for their efforts — have been named co-Bristolians of the Year for 2020. ...The two long-time coal barons assembled the team and invested some two years convincing state lawmakers to allow casino gaming in Virginia by building a coalition that shepherded the enabling legislation through the General Assembly and onto the November ballot where local voters responded with an overwhelming 71% majority approval.

Today's Sponsor:


** Andrew McRoberts, of Sands Anderson PC
------------------------------------------------------------

Cheering on Sands Anderson's local and state government clients as they organize, open, and gavel their public bodies into a new year!


** EDITORIALS
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** Ben Chafin's legacy ([link removed])
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Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

If you’ve somehow made it this far through the pandemic without knowing anyone who has passed away due to the virus, now you do. State Sen. Ben Chafin, R-Russell, passed away Jan. 1 due to complications from COVID-19. He was 60 and just a few weeks ago was a healthy, vital man taking part in the General Assembly’s prolonged special session. This virus is a cruel thing, passing over some, sickening others only mildly, but then striking down others for apparently no reason.
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** Virginians respond selflessly in applying to redistricting commission ([link removed])
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Daily Progress Editorial (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Be grateful that so many Virginians want to serve their commonwealth. More than 1,200 citizens applied to serve on Virginia’s first bipartisan redistricting commission — despite the fact that the commission’s work will be difficult and possibly contentious. These 1,200 Virginians are willing to face that challenge in order to help correct the state’s long reliance on political gerrymandering in the creation of voting districts.
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** JLARC report slams special ed failures ([link removed])
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Free Lance-Star Editorial (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

A report released last month by the Joint Legislative and Audit Commission was highly critical of how many school divisions in Virginia are failing to comply with federal special education mandates—and how the Virginia Department of Education has also failed to provide adequate oversight. “Federal law requires public schools to provide students with disabilities specially designed instruction and services to ensure that their education is appropriately ambitious in light of the student’s particular circumstances,” the report noted.
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** Want a safe 2021? Get your COVID-19 shot, and vaccinate the kids ([link removed])
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Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

While 2020, sadly, was the year of COVID-19, the good news is 2021 should be the year of the coronavirus vaccine. While we’re at it, let’s make it the year for childhood immunizations, too. The COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out for certain health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities. Immunizing health care workers does double duty: They need to be protected from the infection risk while caring for those who are sick with COVID-19.


** OP-ED
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** Bibbins: EVMS critical to tackling region’s health needs ([link removed])
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By DR. BETTY B. BIBBINS, published in Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Being a proud product of Hampton Roads, I owe much to Norfolk General Hospital where I worked as a nurse and to Eastern Virginia Medical School where I earned my medical degree. My years-long involvement in both gives me a unique perspective on the role each ought to play in our community. Studies in the 1960s demonstrated that complex regional health needs were not being adequately addressed but could be met by creating our own medical school in coordination with established regional health care programs and facilities.

Bibbins is a member of the EVMS Board of Visitors and an EVMS graduate.


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