VaNews
January 14, 2021

Today's Sponsor:


** Suzette Denslow, Clerk of the House of Delegates
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Thanks to VPAP for providing VaNews during the 2021 short session!
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Top of the News


** Northam calls for end to death penalty, addressing racial equity as lawmakers return to Richmond ([link removed])
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By GREGORY S. SCHNEIDER AND LAURA VOZZELLA, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam urged state legislators to abolish the death penalty and amend the state's constitution to restore voting rights for felons as part of an ambitious slate of proposals kicking off the 2021 General Assembly session. In his State of the Commonwealth speech late Wednesday, the first day of the General Assembly's regular session, Northam (D) called on the legislature to take those and other actions in part to address racial inequity. Over its long history, Virginia has executed more prisoners than any other state, and Northam reminded lawmakers that the ultimate penalty has not been applied equally for Black and White defendants.
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** Speaker Filler-Corn removes Republicans from committees for asking Pence to nullify Virginia's election results ([link removed])
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By AMY FRIEDENBERGER, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn removed three Republicans from committees Wednesday in response to a letter they sent to Vice President Mike Pence last week asking him to overturn Virginia's electoral votes. Dels. Ronnie Campbell of Rockbridge, Mark Cole of Spotsylvania and David LaRock of Loudoun asked Pence to reject the “certificate of ascertainment” that was submitted to formally cast Virginia’s electoral votes.
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** Dunnavant, Morrissey, Petersen to introduce budget amendment requiring schools to open in person to receive state funds ([link removed])
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By KENYA HUNTER, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Three Virginia lawmakers say schools hoping to receive state dollars next year should be required to open for in-person learning in the fall. At the Science Museum of Virginia on Wednesday, state Sens. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond; Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico; and Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, announced their intention to introduce a budget amendment this week to make state school funding contingent on a plan to welcome students back to classrooms, regardless of COVID-19 spread.
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** Virginia approaches nearly a million COVID vaccines distributed ([link removed])
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By SABRINA MORENO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Virginia is approaching nearly a million COVID-19 vaccines distributed, making it one of the top states in the country when it comes to number of available doses. But it’s also 46th among states for the percentage of total shots given, ranking lower than it did last week at 38, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the 10 states with the highest number of shots distributed, all but Virginia, California and Georgia were at or above the national average of 34%. Virginia is at 24%.
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** 2 Rocky Mount police officers who were in Capitol during riot face federal charges ([link removed])
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By MIKE ALLEN, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Federal authorities have charged two Rocky Mount police officers with misdemeanors resulting from their presence inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots. A federal arrest warrant unsealed Wednesday afternoon charges K9 unit officer Jacob Fracker and his supervisor, Sgt. Thomas “T.J.” Robertson, with knowingly entering a restricted building without authority to do so and knowingly engaging in conduct that disrupts government business. The warrant also charges Robertson and Fracker with engaging in disruptive conduct in the Capitol in order to interfere with a session of Congress.
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** Chesapeake doughnut shop finds itself at center of Capitol coup social media fire ([link removed])
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By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

“I hope your businesses burn and rot in hell,” said the caller on the voicemail recording to Amazing Glazed doughnuts in Chesapeake. That was Thursday afternoon, the day after a violent break-in at the U.S. Capitol building by Trump supporters. The caller, and many other people, had seen a screenshot of a Facebook photo, linked to the shop’s owner, of four men posing in a parking lot under the caption: “So proud of these four guys for traveling to DC to support our President!” He had assumed they played a part in the riot that day.
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** As session opens, Virginia Senate pays tribute to late Sen. Ben Chafin ([link removed])
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By AMY FRIEDENBERGER, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The General Assembly opened its 2021 regular session on a somber note Wednesday by remembering Sen. Ben Chafin, R-Russell, who died Jan. 1 from complications of COVID-19. “Southwest Virginia is a much better place because of Ben,” Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Washington, said on the Senate floor during a tribute to his friend and colleague.
The Full Report
61 articles, 23 publications
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** FROM VPAP
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** From VPAP Correction: Visual on House candidates running for statewide office ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

A data visualization about an unusually large number of House candidates making a bid for statewide office this year stated incorrectly that in most years delegates who run for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General put their House seats at risk. That is not the case. A state law passed in 2004 gives candidates seeking nomination to statewide office the option of having their names printed on the ballot for two offices in the same primary election. So, unless some candidates were operating under the same false assumption that underpinned VPAP's visual on Wednesday, the prospect of staggered primary elections this year (statewide in June; House in August) has nothing to do with the fact that a record nine delegates are running for statewide office.
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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. We've added a link the VDH vaccination data. There's also a filter for each city and county, plus an exclusive per-capita ZIP Code map. Updated each morning around 10:30 a.m.


** EXECUTIVE BRANCH
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** Northam calls for generosity in Virginia's State of the Commonwealth address ([link removed])
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By GABRIELLA MUÑOZ, Washington Times

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam outlined Wednesday evening his top proposals for his final year in office in his annual State of the Commonwealth address. Calls for unity and generosity amid the coronavirus pandemic were uppermost in Mr. Northam’s speech, as the Democratic governor urged patience and vowed to expedite the state’s roll out of the vaccine. “While we have just come through a tough year that brought everyone pain and sacrifice, I’ve seen something remarkable over and over again. I have seen you taking care of one another,” he said.
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** Northam urges Virginians to look forward amid hardship ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Looking back at a chaotic year and at further hardship ahead, Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday sought to encourage hope and resiliency among Virginians, vowing to lead the state out of difficulty in his last year in office. Northam delivered his annual State of the Commonwealth address before a nearly empty House chamber that in other times would have been filled to the brim for an occasion of pomp and ceremony.
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** Northam outlines priorities to lawmakers as session begins ([link removed])
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By ALAN SUDERMAN AND SARAH RANKIN, Associated Press

Virginia’s state lawmakers kicked off the 2021 legislative session away from the state Capitol because of the surging coronavirus pandemic. The session started Wednesday at noon, with the House of Delegates meeting remotely while the state Senate gathered at an event center more than 2 miles (3 kilometers) away. This will be the second year in which Democrat are in full control of the General Assembly since flipping the chamber in the 2019 elections. Major issues they are set to address this year include COVID-19 relief efforts and legalizing marijuana.
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** Northam calls for ending the death penalty, legalizing marijuana, giving teachers raises ([link removed])
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By ANA LEY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

With Democrats in control of Virginia’s General Assembly for a second year, Gov. Ralph Northam called Wednesday for ambitious policy changes that would continue to steer this historically conservative state in a liberal direction. In his annual State of the Commonwealth address at the start of this year’s regular legislative session, Northam urged lawmakers to end the death penalty, legalize marijuana, give teachers raises and automatically restore civil rights for ex-felons.
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** Virginia moving to legalize marijuana sales, Northam says in proposed bill ([link removed])
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By SALEEN MARTIN, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Virginia took one step closer to legalizing marijuana sales Wednesday due to legislation proposed by Gov. Ralph Northam’s team. Backed by state Sens. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, the legislation would allow licensed people 21 and older to sell the drug starting on Jan. 1, 2023. License-seekers will have five types to choose from: cultivation, processing, distribution/wholesale, retail and testing.
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** Legal marijuana sales in Virginia could start in less than 2 years under Northam’s new proposal ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Gov. Ralph Northam's administration on Wednesday unveiled legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Virginia, proposing a 21% state tax on the drug and a licensing program meant to ease entry for people harmed by the disparate enforcement of marijuana laws. Following years of activism by civil rights groups, Northam threw his support behind legalization in November, hailing it as a step forward for racial equity and a profitable endeavor for the state, which would become the first in the South to legalize the drug.
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** Northam says state revenue increase bodes well for teacher raises ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Virginia’s revenue collections soared in December, increasing the possibility that the General Assembly will have more money to spend on budget priorities — including raises for teachers — in the session that began on Wednesday. A 15% increase in revenues in December, compared with the same month a year ago, includes an additional payroll day for income tax collections, but state revenues were up by $788 million for the first six months of the fiscal year compared with the same period last year.


** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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** Filler-Corn strips three GOP delegates of key committee assignments for backing overturning election results ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR AND MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Tensions over many Republicans’ unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the presidential election spilled into the Virginia Capitol on Wednesday, when House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn stripped three GOP lawmakers of key committee assignments due to their vocal support for overturning the election’s results. On the first day of the legislative session, Del. Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania, was stripped from his seat on the elections panel, which he chaired for years when his party held the majority. Del. Dave LaRock, R-Loudoun, was stripped of his seat on the transportation panel, and Del. Ronnie Campbell, R-Rockbridge, was stripped of his seat on the courts panel.
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** GOP delegates stripped of committee assignments over letter casting doubt on election ([link removed])
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By GRAHAM MOOMAW, Virginia Mercury

Democratic leaders in the Virginia House of Delegates have stripped three Republicans of some committee assignments after they signed a letter casting doubt on the results of the presidential election and urging Vice President Mike Pence to block the lopsided Democratic victory in Virginia. House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, stripped Dels. Dave LaRock, R-Loudoun, Ronnie Campbell, R-Rockbridge and Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania, of one committee assignment each. They were not booted from all their committee seats.
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** Virginia Legislative Black Caucus rolls out 2021 agenda ([link removed])
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By GABRIELLA MUÑOZ, Washington Times

Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus kicked off the new General Assembly session Wednesday by announcing their plans to secure economic and criminal justice priorities. “We take hold of our opportunity to make a significant difference, whether that’s healthcare, access to the ballot box, whether that’s justice reform, education — you name it,” Chairman Lamont Bagby said at a press conference. . . . The caucus released an outline of its legislative proposals and endorsements Wednesday, which highlight its plans to invest in historically Black colleges and universities, request racial impact statements for new bills and declare racism a public health crisis.
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** Bills supported by Northam to end death penalty in Virginia introduced in House and Senate ([link removed])
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By FRANK GREEN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Identical bills supported by Gov. Ralph Northam that would end the death penalty in Virginia were introduced in the House and Senate on Wednesday. Del. Mike Mullin, D-Newport News, is carrying House Bill 2263 and Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, is carrying Senate Bill 1165, both of which would abolish the death penalty and change the death sentences of the two men remaining on Virginia’s death row to life in prison without parole.
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** McClellan, Torian Propose Foreclosure Protections For Virginians ([link removed])
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By ROBERTO ROLDAN, WCVE-FM

Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) filed a bill late Wednesday that would provide more protections for people facing foreclosure. Under Virginia’s current foreclosure law, a mortgage company only has to give 14 days notice before it auctions off someone’s home. McClellan’s bill would increase the notice requirement to 60 days. It would also require companies to educate homeowners about legal aid and financial resources to avoid a foreclosure auction. Del. Luke Torian (D-Dumfries) will carry the House version of the bill.
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** GOP senator seeks religious exemption for vaccination during public health emergencies ([link removed])
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By ALEXANDRA MALONEY, EMMA PHELPS, DIEGO RAYAS AND BEN WASSERSTEIN, Capital News Service

Amid a steady increase in coronavirus cases throughout the state, two local Republican legislators are sponsoring bills to allow religious exemptions for vaccinations during public health emergencies. Sen. Mark J. Peake, R-Lynchburg, filed SB 1117 to amend a related 2006 bill and would allow parents and guardians to refuse vaccinations for their children during emergencies or epidemics. The bill would apply to the current coronavirus pandemic and any future public health crises, Peake said. . . . Del. Mark L. Cole, R-Fredericksburg, sponsored HB5070, which would have provided similar religious exemptions. It was tabled by the Health, Welfare and Institutions committee a week after it was introduced.
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** Protesters Call for Voting, Healthcare Reform as Senate Opens ([link removed])
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By ROBERTO ROLDAN, WCVE-FM

A coalition of progressive activist groups rallied outside of the Science Museum of Virginia on Wednesday, where the state Senate met for the first day of the General Assembly session. While the protest chants might have been similar to those of years past, most everything else about this legislative session has changed because of the pandemic. Along Broad St., demonstrators stood on marked X’s on the sidewalk spaced six feet apart. They demanded an extension to eviction protections, automatic voter rights restoration for felons and access to affordable healthcare for undocumented Virginians.
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** Sunday hunting bill stopped in its tracks ([link removed])
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By SARAH VOGELSONG, Virginia Mercury

A bill to allow Sunday hunting on public lands was dealt a swift death on the first day of the 2021 session by the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee. The proposal, which was carried by Del. James Edmunds, R-Halifax, failed 16-6, with both Democratic and Republican committee members split on the issue.
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** Capitol Square and surrounding streets to close ahead of 'possible civil unrest' ([link removed])
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By ALI ROCKETT, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Richmond police and the state department that oversees Capitol Square are closing the grounds and streets surrounding the Virginia Capitol as precautions ahead of Monday’s Lobby Day and other demonstrations expected next week. Citing “possible civil unrest,” the Department of General Services announced Wednesday that Capitol Square would be closed Thursday through at least Thursday, Jan. 21.
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** In wake of Capitol riot, gun supporters will descend Monday on Richmond — and likely stay in their vehicles ([link removed])
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By JOANNE KIMBERLIN, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Despite the violence in Washington and threats nationwide of more next week, a gun rights group still intends to hold its annual lobby day Monday in Richmond, where armed throngs usually descend on the white-columned capitol building. But two things will drastically alter this year’s event: the pandemic and a fast move pulled by the opposition, which snapped up all permits available that day for Capitol Square.
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** Del. LaRock lashes out at critics amid growing calls to resign ([link removed])
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By NATHANIEL CLINE, Loudoun Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Virginia Del. Dave LaRock does not plan to step down after calls for his resignation following his questioning of the recent presidential election and his response to the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. Over the last few days, several local leaders and groups — the NAACP Loudoun Branch, Loudoun County Democratic Committee and two county supervisors — have called for his resignation, claiming he is continuing to spread misinformation about the 2020 presidential election.
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** Virginia delegate defends mob march, faces calls for ouster ([link removed])
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By MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press

Loudoun County’s top elected official is calling for the removal of a Virginia state delegate who participated in the mob march on the U.S. Capitol and then attacked his critics for failing to focus on “the needs of the colored community.” Del. Dave LaRock represents western Loudoun County and is the only Republican remaining in northern Virginia’s House of Delegates delegation. He describes himself as a “constitutional conservative.”
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** Amid calls for resignation, Virginia delegate regrets ‘colored’ remark ([link removed])
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By NEAL AUGENSTEIN, WTOP

Amid calls for resignation from Loudoun County supervisors and the NAACP, Virginia Del. Dave LaRock said he regrets using the word “colored” when he suggested that his critics focus on the business of the county and its minority community. On Wednesday, LaRock, who represents portions of Loudoun, Clarke and Frederick counties, sent a fundraising email and posted on Facebook and Twitter a column entitled: “Dems want me out — NAACP says RESIGN! What say you?” Referring to Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall, Supervisor Juli Briskman, and NAACP Loudoun Branch President Michelle Thomas, LaRock wrote: “Rather than focusing on the business of Loudoun County and the needs of the colored community, they are wasting their time and taxpayer resources to attack me.”
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** Pro-Trump Republican picked for Va. redistricting commission tweeted about ‘rigged’ election, used slurs for female celebrities ([link removed])
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By GRAHAM MOOMAW, Virginia Mercury

A Fredericksburg-area Republican picked for one of the citizen seats on Virginia’s new redistricting commission previously made vulgar or degrading online comments about President Donald Trump’s detractors, calling Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn a “bimbo” and actress Jane Fonda a “b*tch c**t.” Before the November election, Jose Feliciano Jr., a 52-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran who listed his current job as an agent in the Federal Communications Commission’s public safety bureau, tweeted a photo of a pro-Trump highway caravan and said the only way the president could lose was a “rigged election.”


** STATE ELECTIONS
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** Progressive Jennifer Carroll Foy says she raised over $1.9M in Virginia governor's race ([link removed])
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By JULIA MANCHESTER, The Hill

Former Virginia state Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy's (D) campaign said in a memo released on Wednesday that she has raised over $1.9 million last year in her gubernatorial campaign. Foy's campaign is beginning 2021 with $1.3 million cash on hand. Additionally, Foy's campaign said 94 percent of the donations raised were less than $100, while 77 percent gave $25 or less to the campaign.
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** Virginia Republicans disagree on whether Northam is 'playing politics' in 38th District ([link removed])
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By ELIAS WEISS, Chatham Star Tribune

Gov. Ralph Northam yesterday made the executive and strategic decision to leave Virginia's 38th State Senate District without representation during the General Assembly session that starts today and will adjourn Feb. 27. Under §24.2-216 of the Code of Virginia, the governor is charged with setting the special election date when a vacancy occurs in the General Assembly absent of the General Assembly being in session.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
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** Former ODU student awaiting release from prison after governor’s pardon tests positive for COVID-19 ([link removed])
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By JANE HARPER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Matthew Rushin, a former Old Dominion University student set to be released from prison in March after being granted a conditional pardon from the governor, has tested positive for COVID-19, according to his mother. Rushin was informed of the result Monday, four days after the test was administered, Lavern Rushin said.


** CONGRESS
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** Virginia's delegation divides on party lines in impeachment vote ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Virginia's congressional delegation divided by party line on Wednesday in the historic vote to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, charging him with inciting an insurrection by supporters who stormed and ransacked the U.S. Capitol last week. Overall, 10 Republicans joined the Democratic majority in a 232-197 vote to impeach Trump.
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** Virginia congressional delegation split on impeachment vote ([link removed])
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By AMY FRIEDENBERGER, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Reps. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, and Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, joined the majority of House Republicans in voting against impeaching President Donald Trump for his role in inciting a violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol one week ago while Congress certified President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Many Republicans have called for unity after joining in a divisive attempt to overturn the results of the presidential election, culminating in Trump exhorting supporters to attack the Capitol.
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** How Fredericksburg-area representatives voted: Spanberger backs impeachment, Wittman opposes ([link removed])
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By STAFF REPORT, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

The Fredericksburg-area’s two congressional representatives split on impeaching President Donald Trump, with 7th District Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanburger voting for removal and 1st District Republican Rep. Rob Wittman voting against.
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** Wittman votes against impeachment, while Wexton, Connolly join effort to remove Trump ([link removed])
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By DANIEL BERTI, Prince William Times

Rep. Rob Wittman was among the 197 House Republicans who voted against the impeachment of President Donald Trump Wednesday in the wake of the Jan. 6 pro-Trump riot at the U.S. Capitol that left five dead. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 232-197 to impeach Trump, with 10 Republicans voting in favor along with all Democrats, including Reps. Gerald Connolly (11th) and Jennifer Wexton (10th), who represent parts of Prince William County.
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** Hampton Roads’ congressional delegation displays strong feelings about votes on impeachment. ([link removed])
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By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

When the impeachment of Bill Clinton landed on his desk 22 years ago as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Newport News, called a political scientist at U.Va. with a question: what were the grounds, really, for impeachment? “He said, ‘You’re asking the wrong question,’” Scott recalled, pausing for a few moments before headed to the House of Representatives’ chamber to vote to impeach Donald J. Trump for the second time.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** Housing cost pressures for low-income N. Va. families were highest in U.S. even before Covid-19 hit, report finds ([link removed])
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By ALEX KOMA, Washington Business Journal (Subscription required for some articles)

High housing costs are squeezing the budgets of Northern Virginia’s low-income families at rates unparalleled throughout the rest of the country, a new report shows. And the latest numbers have yet to account for the devastating effects of Covid-19. The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s new research center, Insight Region, found that rents in the region were so high last year that Northern Virginia outpaced even Silicon Valley and New York City in measures of economic strain for low-income households.
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** Pulaski Co. Planning Commission recommends approval of large solar farm ([link removed])
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By SAM WALL, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Hecate Energy is one step closer to building a 2,700-acre solar farm on agricultural land in Pulaski County after the planning commission voted in favor of the proposed project. On a 4-2 vote Tuesday night in front of approximately 100 residents, the commission recommended the county Board of Supervisors approve the special use permit the Chicago-based renewable energy company needs to move forward with one of the state’s biggest solar farm projects on land that is currently zoned for agricultural use.


** HIGHER EDUCATION
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** Virginia Tech earns an 'F' for governing board accountability, advocacy group says ([link removed])
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By HENRI GENDREAU, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Virginia Tech earned a failing grade as the result of a study of how transparent its governing board is to the public. A report released Wednesday by the nonprofit Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust analyzed 15 public universities in Virginia for the accessibility of information such as board meeting minutes, policies and bylaws, and contact information for board members. Five universities received an “F” grade, with the highest grade a B+, in an assessment that college presidents pushed back on in a letter to the nonprofit based in Washington, D.C.
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** U.Va. receives nearly 48,000 applications for class of 2025 ([link removed])
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By LAUREN O'NEIL AND ANNABEL LI, Cavalier Daily

Despite a year of virtual programming and Zoom events instead of the typical in-person panels and tours offered to prospective students and parents, the University received 47,827 total applications for its target of 3,800 spots in the Class of 2025 — a 17 percent increase from last year. The University also offered admission to 968 early decision applicants, a 33 percent acceptance rate. This year, roughly 61 percent of applicants opted to apply for early action admission, 6 percent applied through the early decision option and 16,025 applicants applied for regular decision admission.


** CORONAVIRUS
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** Virginia hospitals report 16% more beds filled with COVID patients since start of the year ([link removed])
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By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The number of COVID-19 patients in area hospitals continued to rise during the past week as the effects of exposure over the holidays have taken their toll locally and across Virginia. The number of Virginia's hospital beds filled with COVID patients has gone up 16% since the start of the year. Gov. Ralph Northam plans at 2 p.m. Thursday to provide updates on the virus surge and the vaccine rollout.
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** Virginia website no longer discourages Spanish readers from getting the coronavirus vaccine ([link removed])
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By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A Spanish translation on the Virginia Department of Health website telling people they don’t need the coronavirus vaccine has been fixed, state representatives said Tuesday evening. The revision comes a day after The Virginian-Pilot reported the language problem, a mistake that could have confused Spanish-speaking Virginians about the importance of COVID-19 immunizations in stopping the virus’ spread. The error may have had unintended consequences among a group known to be at higher risk of getting COVID-19 and of becoming severely ill from it.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
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** Two Virginia police officers, man in ‘Camp Auschwitz’ sweatshirt arrested in Capitol riot ([link removed])
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By SPENCER S. HSU, RACHEL WEINER AND HANNAH KNOWLES, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Federal authorities announced several new charges Wednesday against people allegedly involved in last week’s riot at the Capitol, including a man said to have worn a pro-Nazi sweatshirt, a five-time Olympic medalist and two police officers from southwest Virginia. Many of the those charged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Wednesday face misdemeanors and were released without bond, with prosecutors asking only that they be temporarily barred from Washington.
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** Authorities: Man in ‘Camp Auschwitz’ shirt at riot arrested ([link removed])
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By BEN FINLEY AND DENISE LAVOIE, Associated Press

A man photographed wearing a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt during the U.S. Capitol riot was arrested Wednesday in Virginia, authorities said. Robert Keith Packer, 56, was arrested in Newport News, where he lives. He was charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and unlawfully entering a restricted building.
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** Man who wore ‘Camp Auschwitz’ shirt at Capitol riot arrested in Newport News ([link removed])
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By PETER DUJARDIN, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

At the riot at the U.S. Capitol last week, media footage captured a man wearing a sweatshirt referring to a Nazi concentration camp. “Camp Auschwitz,” read the black shirt, just above a skull and the World War II death camp’s notorious gate inscription: “Work Brings Freedom.”
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** 2 people from Mathews County arrested, face federal charges in Capitol riot ([link removed])
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By JESSICA NOLTE, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A man and a woman from Mathews County were arrested this week on federal charges stemming from the riot at the U.S. Capitol last week. Cindy Sue Fitchett, 59, of Cobbs Creek; Douglas Sweet, 58, of Grimstead; and Robert Keith Packer, 56, of Newport News were arrested on federal charges this week by the FBI Norfolk Joint Terrorism Task Force, according to FBI spokeswoman Christina Pullen. They are the only three arrests the Norfolk office has made in connection with the riot.
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** Richmond gang member could be executed Thursday ([link removed])
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By FRANK GREEN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Time could be running out for a former Richmond gang member who murdered seven people in 1992 and is scheduled to be executed Thursday in Indiana. However, as of late Wednesday, a stay of execution was still in place for Cory Johnson, 52, who has COVID-19, and fellow death row inmate Dustin Higgs, 48, who is set to die Friday and who also has the virus.


** LOCAL
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** Fairfax County to Receive $34 Million for Emergency Rental Assistance ([link removed])
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By FATIMAH WASEEM, Reston Now

Fairfax County will receive an additional $34 million to provide emergency rental assistance to residents experiencing economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During a budget policy committee meeting Tuesday, Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget Director Christina Jackson told the county board of supervisors that the department has submitted a certification for the award, and the amount is expected to be confirmed Wednesday.
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** Fairfax Co. schools to open COVID-19 vaccine appointments for employees ([link removed])
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By ABIGAIL CONSTANTINO, WTOP

Employees of Virginia’s largest school system can start getting vaccinated against the coronavirus as early as Saturday. Some Fairfax County Public Schools staff can begin scheduling appointments Thursday. The school system detailed a timetable of when staff can get their vaccine.
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** Northern Va. police agree to investigate each other’s officer shootings, but not Fairfax or Loudoun ([link removed])
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By TOM JACKMAN, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

A group of 11 Northern Virginia police departments said Tuesday it has launched a Critical Incident Response Team to handle the investigations of police shootings, in-custody deaths and officer suicides in one another’s departments, allowing a group of detectives unrelated to the involved department to take an independent look at each case. But three of the largest law enforcement departments in Northern Virginia — the Fairfax County police, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Alexandria police — declined to join the response team. Fairfax said it had confidence in its detectives’ ability to be fair and transparent, and Loudoun and Alexandria said they work with the Virginia State Police when a deputy or officer is involved in a serious use-of-force incident.
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** In Hanover, 1,261 more students request to come back to school for the second semester ([link removed])
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By HOLLY PRESTIDGE, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Hanover County schools Superintendent Michael Gill put it best Tuesday night when he called the school division’s choice plan, which allows parents to choose between virtual and in-person learning, a “massive jigsaw puzzle” — one with 16,346 moving parts. School leaders told the Hanover School Board on Tuesday night that for the second semester, which begins Feb. 3, they’ve received 1,261 requests for students to come back to school from virtual learning. On the flip side, 179 students who were in school have requested to move to virtual learning.
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** Virginia Beach students to return for in-person classes in February if positive rate declines ([link removed])
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By PETER COUTU, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Virginia Beach schools Superintendent Aaron Spence tweaked his proposal that would have started bringing students back to school next week, and now plans to bring back most students Feb. 1 as long as coronavirus cases start declining. The updated reopening plan also would stop using strict coronavirus testing thresholds as the determining factor for whether students attend school in person or learning virtually. Nearly all students have been learning remotely since Nov. 16, when cases first started to increase throughout the region.
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** By appointment only: Hampton shifts many business transactions back to online ([link removed])
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By LISA VERNON SPARKS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

With coronavirus cases escalating, many city offices are open for business by appointment only, officials said Tuesday. Hampton will facilitate as many transactions as possible online, via telephone or with dropboxes for paperwork, a city release said. The move is to ensure people won’t need to wait in long lines.
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** Students with dyslexia face challenges in virtual learning. One former teacher is making it her business. ([link removed])
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By MATT JONES, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities. The International Dyslexia Association estimates 15-20% of the population could have some symptoms. A neurological condition that makes reading more difficult, some of the most effective strategies to help students include using hands-on tools and one-on-one instruction. It can’t be cured, but students can learn tools to overcome it. But the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated that.
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** Instead of trying to force the sheriff to give up his jail, Portsmouth may build him a new one ([link removed])
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By MARGARET MATRAY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The city of Portsmouth will drop its court case against the sheriff over the future of the city jail, ending a legal battle that has dragged on for 18 months. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to end a lawsuit asking a judge to force the sheriff to send inmates to the Hampton Roads Regional Jail.
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** Winchester teachers group urges 2-week pause in in-person classes as COVID cases rise ([link removed])
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By ANNA MEROD, Winchester Star (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The Winchester Education Association asked the city's School Board on Monday night to pause in-person instruction for two weeks as COVID-19 rates continue to rise in the area. "With infection rates across the Commonwealth increasing, with positive cases still increasing in our health district and with a significant number of Winchester public school teachers, staff and students out with illness or under quarantine, the WEA would like to call for a two-week pause to buy us time to get some of this under control," said Mike Siraguse, president of the WEA and a teacher at Handley High School.
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** Economic incentive being considered to lure businesses to Waterloo ([link removed])
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By MICKEY POWELL, Winchester Star (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Clarke County is proposing an economic incentive to get businesses to locate in the Waterloo commercial district. Sewer availability fees would be partially waived for firms committing to occupy vacant properties there. That could save them thousands of dollars. The proposal was presented during a Clarke County Board of Supervisors work session on Monday.
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** South Hill clears away roadblock at Microsoft site ([link removed])
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South Boston News & Record

South Hill Town Council held a brief meeting Monday to address pressing issues, including a time-sensitive rezoning of industrial park land purchased by Microsoft. Due to the spike in the number of coronavirus cases in and around South Hill, attendance at Monday night’s monthly meeting was limited to Mayor Dean Marion, Council members, Town Manager Kim Callis and clerk Anna Cratch.

Today's Sponsor:


** Suzette Denslow, Clerk of the House of Delegates
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Thanks to VPAP for providing VaNews during the 2021 short session!


** EDITORIALS
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** A bipartisan push to end school disparity ([link removed])
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Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

A little more than a half-century ago, conservative Democrats — back then there were such things — wrote a loophole into the state constitution that had the effect of legalizing the disparities between the state’s poorest schools and its most affluent ones. That breed of Democrat is no more but strangely there’s been a bipartisan agreement in the General Assembly to preserve their constitutionally approved inequities.
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** Middle ground on mandatory minimums ([link removed])
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Free Lance-Star Editorial (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly are forging ahead with their agenda to “reform” the commonwealth’s criminal justice system, including proposals to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences on 224 crimes listed in the Virginia Code—including 162 felonies, such as child rape, assault on a police officer and drunken driving—and allow inmates sentenced under mandatory minimum laws to ask for resentencing.
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** A welcome condemnation from nation’s military leaders ([link removed])
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Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

It is no small thing — and worth special mention in our community — that the leaders of the American military on Tuesday issued a stern condemnation of last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. While Hampton Roads shouldn’t be surprised to see such leadership, their words should resonate here, where so many active duty service members, their families, veterans and others associated with the Department of Defense live and work.
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** Year-round school is worth exploring ([link removed])
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Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

This past week, Gov. Ralph Northam raised an intriguing possibility to help students counter any learning losses caused by the global coronavirus pandemic: year-round schooling. “Our children have suffered from COVID-19, as [have] our families,” Northam said during his most recent coronavirus press briefing. “One of the things we are entertaining is perhaps year-round schooling for the next year.
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** Please submit your resignation, Rep. Good ([link removed])
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Danville Register & Bee Editorial

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.” Today we ask that you, U.S. Rep. Bob Good, R-5th District, to resign your position representing the 5th Congressional District and the people of Danville and Pittsylvania County. We would extend this to your colleagues Morgan Griffith, Ben Cline and Rob Wittman, as well, if they represented us.


** COLUMNISTS
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** Schapiro: The outside world intrudes on Virginia politics — again ([link removed])
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By JEFF E. SCHAPIRO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

For presidential inaugurations, it wasn’t unusual that television sets were rolled onto the floor of the Virginia Senate and into the lounge of the House of Delegates so the worthies could take a break from their state duties to watch the swearing-in of the nation’s new chief executive.


** OP-ED
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** Compton: Make nurse practitioners permanent solution to health care access in Virginia ([link removed])
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By BECKY COMPTON, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Last April, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Ralph Northam recognized the value of nurse practitioners when he issued Executive Order 57. The Executive Order allowed NPs with at least two years of clinical experience to practice without a written or electronic practice agreement in the category in which they are certified and licensed until the end of the public health emergency.

Compton is the president of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners.
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** Bestpitch: Cline should work with Biden ([link removed])
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By BILL BESTPITCH, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Shortly after he assumed office, I heard 6th District Representative Ben Cline decry the intense partisanship in Congress. He stated that he was accustomed to seeing Republicans and Democrats work more closely together on many issues in the Virginia General Assembly. His blind allegiance to the worst president in America’s history and his fellow Republicans soon dashed my hopes of seeing him reach across the aisle to achieve consensus in the best interests of our nation.

Bestpitch is a member of Roanoke City Council


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