VaNews
February 19, 2021

Today's Sponsor:


** The Virginia Lottery
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Circumstances change, but their mission doesn’t, giving back 595 million dollars to Virginia’s K through 12 public schools last year. Learn more at valottery.com/givingback ([link removed])
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Top of the News


** Hiccups as Virginia lawmakers adapt to legislating by Zoom ([link removed])
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By SARAH RANKIN AND DENISE LAVOIE, Associated Press

The coronavirus pandemic is again upending the daily routines of the tradition-bound Virginia General Assembly. The body that traces its lineage back more than four centuries to 1619 has been working under extraordinary circumstances, legislating to a substantial degree by video conference. The situation has led to persistent technical difficulties, an uncharacteristically profane hot mic situation and more serious complaints from lawmakers and advocates alike. Critics say legislating over Zoom has limited transparency, stifled public participation and diluted the democratic process.
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** Senators kill legislation aimed at increasing diversity within Virginia’s elite public high schools ([link removed])
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By KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury

A Senate committee voted Thursday to kill legislation aimed at expanding diversity in Virginia’s governor’s schools — a hot-button issue that’s sown debate at some of the state’s elite public institutions. Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, made the motion to table the bill indefinitely over strong objections from Black and minority lawmakers including Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth — the chamber’s president pro tempore and the first woman and African American to hold that role. Several other Democrats, including Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, Sen. Lynwood Lewis, D-Accomack, and Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, joined Republicans in voting against the bill after a heated committee argument along the same lines of debate that have unfolded elsewhere in the state.
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** Tenant, homeowner protections heading to Northam’s desk after General Assembly passage ([link removed])
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By MARK ROBINSON, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

A bill that would expand Virginia renters’ right to settle outstanding balances and keep their housing and another measure that would expand foreclosure protections are headed to Gov. Ralph Northam’s desk. Thrust into housing insecurity with the clock ticking toward the expiration of federal protections related to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of households around the state remain at risk of losing their shelter.
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** Eviction is big business for this law firm. Tenants say it buries them with unfair fees. ([link removed])
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By KYLE SWENSON, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

The bright-pink notice was stuck to the apartment door. Could have put it under the welcome mat, Jennifer Lord thought as she pulled it down and entered her apartment. Now the whole building knew her business. It was September 2019, and that business, laid out in the notice’s fine print, felt to Lord like a free fall. The single mother and warehouse worker had hit some financial problems, putting her behind on her monthly rent at Frontier Apartments, a complex in Roanoke.
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** Some assembly required? Va. GOP sorts out nomination process ([link removed])
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By MATTHEW BARAKAT AND SARAH RANKIN, Associated Press

Virginia Republicans hoping to break a 12-year losing streak in statewide elections face an additional self-imposed obstacle this year: They still have no idea how they’ll choose their nominees. Plans right now call for a statewide convention May 1 to choose nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. The problem, though, is that mass gatherings are still banned because of the coronavirus pandemic. And party leaders can’t agree on how to adjust. The confusion is such that Amanda Chase, a Donald Trump acolyte who has been the bane of the state’s GOP establishment, sued the Republican Party of Virginia over its inaction.
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** Short of Vaccine, States Find Hidden Stashes in Their Own Backyards ([link removed])
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By SHARON LAFRANIERE, SHERYL GAY STOLBERG AND ABBY GOODNOUGH, New York Times (Metered Paywall - 1 to 2 articles a month)

When tiny glass vials of coronavirus vaccine began rolling off production lines late last year, federal health officials set aside a big stash for nursing homes being ravaged by the virus. Health providers around the country figured as well that it was prudent to squirrel away vials to ensure that everyone who got a first dose of vaccine got a second one. Two months later, it is clear both strategies went overboard. ...[I]n Virginia, Dr. Danny Avula, the state’s vaccine coordinator, said he has been “wheeling and dealing like on a trading floor” to free up tens of thousands of doses for the general population.
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** Black cook fired by T.C. Williams could replace him as high school namesake ([link removed])
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By JIM MCELHATTON, Alexandria Times

On Valentine’s Day 1962, Alexandria’s school board waded through dozens of proposed names for its new high school that included U.S. presidents, military generals, astronauts and the plain, old sounding name “Alexandria High School.” Instead, the board decided to honor the city’s outgoing superintendent of schools, Thomas Chambliss “T.C.” Williams. A brochure handed out at the high school’s dedication praised Williams, who had helmed Alexandria’s schools for 29 years, “for his humility, kindness and keen intelligence.”
The Full Report
51 articles, 26 publications
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** FROM VPAP
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** From VPAP Maps, Timeline of COVID-19 in Virginia ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

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 to 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.


** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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** General Assembly Votes To Expand Foreclosure Protections ([link removed])
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By ROBERTO ROLDAN, WCVE-FM

The General Assembly has approved a bill providing more protections for people at risk of losing their home. A bill from Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) and Del. Luke Torian (D-Prince William) bars courts from seizing someone's primary residence to satisfy a non-housing related debt of less than $25,000. The bill also requires mortgage companies to give homeowners 60 days notice ahead of an impending foreclosure auction. Virginia’s currently foreclosure laws only provide for two weeks notice. The bill passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support.
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** Democratic-led panel kills bill to boost diversity at Governor's schools ([link removed])
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By KENYA HUNTER, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

A Democratic-led Senate committee on Thursday effectively killed a bill to diversify Virginia governor’s schools that was introduced by Del. Roslyn Tyler, D-Sussex, and endorsed by state Secretary of Education Atif Qarni. The proposal met a swift end on the motion of Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, whose district includes a prestigious regional magnet school where fewer than 5% of the more than 1,800 students in attendance are Black or Latino.
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** School equity bill in Virginia killed; SWVA lawmakers left frustrated ([link removed])
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By ANGELIQUE ARINTOK, WCYB

SJ 275 in Virginia is a proposed constitutional amendment, mandating equitable educational funding and opportunities for children in public school systems. "That may mean that wealthier localities get a little less from the state than they're getting today. And that localities that are struggling, get a little more than what they're getting today, if that's what it takes to ensure the Southwest Virginia students have the same opportunities as those in wealthier parts of Virginia," said Del. Israel O'Quinn (R - Bristol). . . . The piece of legislation Wednesday afternoon failed to move forward from a house committee. The vote largely drawn by party lines, with most Democrats against the move and Republicans for it.
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** Va. House slows down bill that would allow Dominion to profit off electric school bus program ([link removed])
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By PATRICK WILSON, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Democrats and environmental groups want Virginia to transition from diesel to electric school buses to improve children’s health and protect the environment. There are options for how to do that. One is a program run by Dominion Energy that would allow the utility to charge ratepayers for the buses and their batteries, and collect a profit. A bill for this option passed the state Senate this year.
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** Medical marijuana dispensaries get permission from General Assembly to sell un-processed flower ([link removed])
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By NED OLIVER, Virginia Mercury

Medical cannabis producers in Virginia will be allowed to sell the plant’s unprocessed flower for the first time under legislation that’s quietly made its way through the General Assembly with broad, bipartisan support. The industry and its supporters in the legislature pitched the move as an effort to make the products more affordable to patients than the highly processed oils, tinctures and edibles that producers are currently permitted to sell. “Botanical cannabis remains the most popular formulation among consumers and among older consumers in particular,” said Jenn Michelle Pedini, executive director of Virginia NORML, the state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform Marijuana Laws.
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** Bill to ban ‘cyber flashing’ in Virginia fails in Senate committee ([link removed])
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By GRAHAM MOOMAW, Virginia Mercury

Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, D-Virginia Beach, decided there was a problem that needed fixing after hearing what was happening to her fellow real estate agents, whose work requires publicizing a cell phone number. Because the state already has a law against indecent exposure, she thought, there should be an equivalent ban on “cyber flashing” so women don’t have to see unsolicited photos of male genitals pop up on their screens. . . . Her legislation making it a misdemeanor offense to send unsolicited sexual photos sailed through the House of Delegates on a 99-0 vote. But it met an abrupt end in the Senate Wednesday after legislators warned against an overbroad criminalization of nude images.
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** Virginia lawmakers ban release of non-biodegradable balloons ([link removed])
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Associated Press

Virginia lawmakers approved legislation Thursday that would ban the intentional release of all nonbiodegradable balloons and slap offenders with a civil fine of $25 per balloon. The legislation was backed by environmentalists and residents who live along the state’s shoreline and regularly complain about litter from foil and latex balloons on beaches and the potential harm to marine animals by ingesting balloon remnants.
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** Lawmakers agree to gold mining study but strip out temporary ban ([link removed])
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By SARAH VOGELSONG, Virginia Mercury

Legislation requiring Virginia to study gold mining and its effects on health and the environment is headed to the governor, but without an earlier provision that would have banned any large-scale gold mining of over 10 acres in the state until July 2023. On Thursday, the House of Delegates agreed to the modified version of the bill that cleared the Senate Tuesday. The Senate Committee on Rules removed the temporary moratorium on gold mining Feb. 12 with little discussion after Weyerhaeuser, a forest products company that owns land in Buckingham County where Canadian company Aston Bay Holdings is conducting exploratory drilling for gold, and the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance testified in support of the study but opposed the ban.
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** In ‘sleeper’ environmental bill, Virginia lawmakers eye carbon sequestration possibilities ([link removed])
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By SARAH VOGELSONG, Virginia Mercury

After putting in motion efforts to reduce emissions from the power and transportation sectors as a way to slow climate change, Virginia lawmakers are looking to chip away at the carbon problem by examining ways it can be sequestered in forests, waters and soils. “Once we get rid of all our carbon-producing vehicles and plants and houses and what have you, we’re still stuck with a lot of carbon in the air that isn’t going anywhere until you sequester it. And that is critical,” said Sen. Dave Marsden, D-Fairfax, during a committee hearing this month. “We have to realize that we can win the battle and lose the war if we don’t really hit this mitigation or sequestration of carbon issue pretty hard.”
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** Petersburg, Richmond among the big winners in proposed shift of local health department funding ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Richmond and Petersburg would be among the big winners in a proposed shift in state funding for local health departments, but there would be losers, too, after a one-year respite in the budget Gov. Ralph Northam introduced before Christmas. Northam is proposing the first reset of the funding formula for local health districts in almost 60 years, while including more than $10 million in the budget to hold harmless localities that would have to shoulder a larger share of the funding burden under the biennial review of their ability to pay.
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** How Will Opioid Settlement Dollars Be Used? ([link removed])
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By JAHD KHALIL, WVTF-FM

Virginia won millions of dollars from pharmaceutical consultants for the damage done by the opioid epidemic. It’s probably getting much more from the drug makers themselves. . . . The opioid settlements are looking like they’re going to be huge. Virginia already got $13 million from the controversial consultants McKinsey. And more’s probably coming soon, like from OxyContin’s Purdue Pharma and Teva, which makes fentanyl.


** STATE ELECTIONS
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** Chase, McAuliffe lead gubernatorial races, Wason Center poll finds ([link removed])
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By KATE ANDREWS, Virginia Business

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and state Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, lead the packs in pursuit of their parties’ gubernatorial nominations, according to a poll released Friday by the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University. McAuliffe, who has outraised other Democrats in campaign funds, leads the field with 26% of the vote — although 49% of Democratic voters surveyed said they are undecided. Chase has a narrower lead of 17% among likely Republican voters polled. On the GOP side, 55% say they’re undecided.
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** Virginia governor candidate builds supporter list off Limbaugh's death ([link removed])
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By ALEX ISENSTADT, Politico

Virginia gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin devised a unique way of building his supporter list this week: appealing to conservative sorrow over Rush Limbaugh’s death. Youngkin, a wealthy investment executive and political newcomer, sent out a campaign email Wednesday just hours after Limbaugh’s passing inviting readers to sign a “sympathy card” for Limbaugh. A link in the email directed recipients to a page where they were asked to fill out their name, email address and phone number — data that Youngkin’s campaign will presumably be able to use to reach supporters in the future with solicitations for donations, volunteer efforts and other campaign asks.
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** Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidate Pete Snyder leading #OpenOurSchools campaign ([link removed])
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By BROOKE SINGMAN, Fox News

Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Pete Snyder says he is "leading the charge" and setting the agenda in the state’s governor race to "#OpenOurSchools" amid the coronavirus pandemic. During an exclusive interview with Fox News, Snyder laid out his plan to get teachers and students back to the classroom, while criticizing current Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam for "providing no leadership to this issue." "We’re nearly a year into this pandemic and most states—like Virginia—have a constitutional responsibility to actually educate our kids—and our schools are still closed," Snyder told Fox News. "It is a true travesty."
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** Gov hopeful Glenn Youngkin says Virginia wants an outsider ([link removed])
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By EVIE FORDHAM, Fox News

Virginia gubernatorial hopeful Glenn Youngkin, the former co-CEO of a global investment firm, told Fox News he believes Virginians want a political outsider and said he's tired of Republicans in the state losing after using "the same playbook year after year after year." "I'm tired of the Republican Party losing. ... We tend to forget the job is not to try to run towards a nomination process but to serve Virginians," Youngkin told Fox News in an interview. "There are people who want this job so they can just prepare for their next job." Virginia hasn't elected a Republican governor since Bob McDonnell in 2009, but a crowded field of Republican candidates is hoping to change that.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
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** After Marijuana Decriminalization, Racial Disparities Persist ([link removed])
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By BEN PAVIOUR, WCVE-FM

When Virginia Democrats moved to decriminalize marijuana last year, lawmakers pitched the move as a first step at addressing long-standing racial disparities in drug arrests. But a new VPM analysis of court records since the policy went into effect shows Black individuals in Virginia are still nearly four times more likely than white people to face summons over marijuana possession despite similar usage rates. Around 50% of people logged for marijuana possession offenses that occured in Virginia from July 1, 2020 through Jan. 11, 2021 were African Americans. Roughly 20% of the state’s population is Black.


** CONGRESS
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** Wittman protests continue ([link removed])
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By MICHELLE SMITH, Northern Neck News

Anti-Rob Wittman momentum is growing across the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, according to members of local groups involved in those efforts. And they claim they’re in it until the end of Wittman’s days as U.S. House Representative for the 1st Congressional District. Since the start of the year, residents across the two peninsulas have protested at Wittman’s office in Tappahannock and in his hometown of Montross.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** Virginia, U.S. see uptick in new unemployment filings last week ([link removed])
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By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The number of Virginians filing new first-time jobless claims inched up again last week, rising 5% to 14,901, according to the latest data from the Virginia Employment Commission. Additionally, there were 3,553 claims for pandemic-related relief from those in nontraditional roles, including the self-employed or independent contractors in the gig economy, a jump of nearly 28% compared with the prior week, according to U.S. Department of Labor data.
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** MVP continues erosion control from the air ([link removed])
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By LAURENCE HAMMACK, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

For the third winter in a row, helicopters are dropping grass seeds and mulch along the route of the Mountain Valley Pipeline in an effort to curb erosion on the unfinished project. Heavy traffic of the company’s helicopters has been reported by residents of Franklin County in recent days. Mountain Valley says the erosion control efforts are needed as construction of the natural gas pipeline continues to be delayed by legal challenges of its permits from environmental groups.
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** Pentagon awarded massive contract to Virginia company a U.S. senator called ‘fraudulent’ ([link removed])
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By AARON GREGG, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

In early January, the Pentagon gave six businesses a massive, open-ended opportunity to supply the U.S. war effort. The Tailored Logistics Support program, known as TLS, exists so military agencies can buy large quantities of items such as weapons accessories, clothing and diving equipment, relying on a handful of “resellers” to connect the government with specialized manufacturers. Without knowing how long the country’s foreign wars might last or how much it might cost to keep equipping deployed service members, the Defense Department came up with a generous contract when sizing up the next phase of the program: up to $33 billion over five two-year increments.


** HIGHER EDUCATION
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** VCU will resume in-person classes on March 4 ([link removed])
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By ERIC KOLENICH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Virginia Commonwealth University will resume in-person classes on March 4, a decision that comes amid rising COVID-19 cases on college campuses in the state. Overall, cases have declined for the past month. The state health department reported 32 cases per 100,000 residents in Virginia this week. But universities have experienced a worse start to the year.
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** U.Va. claims that there is no evidence that Greek life recruitment led to rising COVID-19 cases ([link removed])
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By MARYANN XUE, Cavalier Daily

The University addressed frustrations with the new COVID-19 restrictions and detailed its compliance reporting process in a University-wide email Thursday afternoon. The announcement comes after many students have expressed concerns about individual and group noncompliance with COVID-19 policies. . . . Amidst speculation on social media about the influence in-person Greek life recruitment may have had on the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the University states that its health and safety guidelines apply to everyone equally, including sororities and fraternities. Under these guidelines, individuals and organizations were permitted to gather in groups of six or fewer throughout the two-week recruitment period, so long as individuals wore a mask and stayed six feet apart.
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** Thomas Nelson Community College board votes unanimously to recommend name change ([link removed])
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By MATT JONES, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Thomas Nelson Community College is one step closer to getting a new name. The local college board voted unanimously Wednesday evening that the name needs to be changed, preferably to something tied to the geography of the region like the Peninsula Community College. The board also voted to start the process of renaming several campus buildings named for contemporaries of Thomas Nelson Jr., a Revolutionary War hero, signer of the Declaration of Independence and slaveholder.


** CORONAVIRUS
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** Virginia has among the lowest cases, deaths; restrictions could be a factor. ([link removed])
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By SABRINA MORENO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Nearly a year into the pandemic, Virginia has sustained among the lowest numbers of cases and deaths in the U.S. when adjusted for population. The few states outperforming its numbers, with the exception of Michigan, have fewer residents. COVID-19 restrictions could be a factor, according to national data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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** Winter storm could delay delivery of over 100,000 vaccines, Virginia officials say ([link removed])
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By ROBYN SIDERSKY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

More than 100,000 doses of vaccines expected to be delivered to Virginia will likely be delayed due to an expected storm heading toward the commonwealth, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Storms will bring cold weather, ice and snow to the region Thursday and Friday. Hampton Roads will likely see mostly rain and flooding, but the chance for snow and sleet in other areas could cause issues.
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** Severe winter storms impact Virginia's vaccine shipments ([link removed])
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By SABRINA MORENO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Winter storms sprawling across the U.S. that have burst pipes, left millions without power in freezing temperatures and fueled severe food shortages are now disrupting Virginia’s weekly vaccine shipments. More than 106,000 doses will likely be delayed, as will the supply kits of needles, syringes, personal protective equipment and vaccination cards tied to each order.
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** Chesterfield County records spike in COVID cases, director says its due to delayed reporting ([link removed])
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By JESS NOCERA, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Chesterfield County is recording more new COVID-19 cases per day in February than it has in any other month, while other Richmond-area localities are seeing their case counts fall. On Feb. 11, the county recorded its third-highest daily case count ever at 338. Two days later, it was 318, according to Virginia Department of Health data. Thursday marked the county’s first daily case count not in triple digits in over a month.
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** Surry advocates for vaccine equity ([link removed])
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By NATE DELESLINE III, Smithfield Times (Paywall)

Surry County is celebrating some COVID-19 vaccine-related successes but asking regional and state leaders for more equity in vaccine availability and distribution for local residents as the coronavirus pandemic approaches the one year mark in Virginia. Like in many other communities, local availability of the COVID-19 vaccine has come in surges — sometimes unexpectedly — according to a Feb. 12 memo for the public shared with The Smithfield Times by Melissa Rollins, Surry County’s administrator.
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** Ballad continues treating about 100 COVID cases ([link removed])
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By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

Despite a precipitous decline in the region’s COVID-19 new case rate, Ballad Health continued treating about 100 COVID-positive patients this week. New cases Feb 12-18 Ballad reported treating an average of 101 COVID patients per day in its hospitals over the past seven days, a figure that has remained relatively unchanged since Feb. 4.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
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** Sculptor reveals designs for coming Fort Monroe memorial honoring first-generation Africans who arrived in 1619 ([link removed])
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By LISA VERNON SPARKS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

The Fort Monroe memorial honoring the first documented Africans arriving in Virginia in 1619 will feature a multi-element design capturing a story that begins in their native Angola. It will be a story unfolding on a curved relief sculpture with multiple panels. Another element is a bronze sculpture depicting Anthony and Isabella -- documented persons among those first Africans -- holding their baby, William Tucker, recorded as the first African birth in the Virginia colonies in 1624. A third element is an arc sculpture that symbolizes hope. For now, most of the story is on several hand-drawn sketches by artist Brian R. Owens, commissioned by the Fort Monroe Authority in 2019 to create The African Landing Memorial.
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** Chesapeake man gets 3 years for driving truck toward Black Lives Matter protesters ([link removed])
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By JANE HARPER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A Chesapeake man was sentenced Thursday to three years in jail after he pleaded guilty to driving his truck toward a group of Black Lives Matter protesters and angrily confronting several of them while wielding a hatchet. Emanuel “Manny” Wilder also was ordered by substitute Virginia Beach District Court Judge Jon Babineau to pay back the $1,856 it cost law enforcement to extradite him from Florida.
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** Williamsburg man accused of assaulting officers during U.S. Capitol riots arrested by Norfolk FBI ([link removed])
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By JANE HARPER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A Williamsburg man charged with storming the U.S. Capitol last month and assaulting law enforcement officers trying to protect the building was arrested Tuesday by agents from the Norfolk FBI office. Jonathan Gennaro Mellis, also known as Jon Gennaro, was taken into custody without incident at his home in Williamsburg, FBI spokeswoman Christina Pullen said.


** LOCAL
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** Arlington debates implementing a police review board with teeth ([link removed])
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By RACHEL WEINER, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

To reduce disparities in policing, Arlington, Va., should give a civilian review board investigative and disciplinary power while reducing police involvement in traffic enforcement and mental health crises, a committee recommended this week. Spurred by the killing of George Floyd in police custody last year, cities and counties around the country have pledged to confront bias in their departments.
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** Arlington proposes freezing tax rate, cutting spending to steer out of pandemic ([link removed])
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By ANTONIO OLIVO, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz on Thursday proposed a budget that would keep the residential tax rate the same and reserve $17.5 million for aid related to the coronavirus pandemic, part of a broader effort to steer the Washington region back toward economic stability. Schwartz’s $1.36 billion budget would freeze Arlington’s tax rate at $1.013 per $100 of a home’s assessed value, though a slight increase in residential property values means the average homeowner’s monthly tax bill would still go up by $386.
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** Alexandria Seeks to Lead the Way in Virginia in Collective Bargaining for Employees ([link removed])
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By SUSANNAH MOORE, Alexandria Living

The City of Alexandria is setting itself up to be among the first municipalities in the state to pass an ordinance allowing for collective bargaining by unions on behalf of city employees. A recent change in Virginia law, codified in Virginia Code § 40.1-57.2, permits counties, cities and towns to adopt an ordinance to legally recognize and negotiate with labor unions or other employee associations who represent the interests of public employees. The law goes into effect on May 1. In response, the City of Alexandria is one of the first jurisdictions considering adoption of an ordinance that will allow for collective bargaining on behalf of City employees. Fairfax County and Arlington have considered increasing their upcoming budgets to accommodate for collective bargaining in light of the change in law.
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** AG’s Office Announces Settlement Following Allegations of Systemic Racism in Loudoun Schools ([link removed])
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Loudoun Now

Attorney General Mark R. Herring on Thursday announced his office secured commitments from Loudoun County Public Schools to reform policies, invest in minority community outreach, and submit to third party monitoring in an effort to improve equitable educational access for minority students. The agreement follows an investigation by Herring’s Office of Civil Rights into allegations that Loudoun schools denied students an equal opportunity to participate in their Academies of Loudoun and elementary gifted and talented programs based on their race.
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** Loudoun schools agree to racial reforms after state probe ([link removed])
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Associated Press

Loudoun County Public Schools have agreed to a series of reforms following an investigation by the Virginia Attorney General's Office into racial discrimination in the admissions policies at an elite magnet school. The agreement announced Thursday by Attorney General Mark Herring goes beyond the admissions policies at the new Academies of Loudoun, a science and technology high school established in 2018 with a selective admissions process. African American students have been significantly underrepresented in the school's student body.
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** Prince William County sets return to classes over next two weeks ([link removed])
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By JARED FORETEK, Inside NOVA

The Prince William County School Board voted early Thursday morning to stick to its original plan for all students who have selected hybrid learning to return to classes beginning next week. In doing so, the board rejected a proposal from Superintendent Steve Walts to bring some of the outstanding students back starting March 9 and the remainder later in the month.
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** In the 'rural crescent' debate, some see conservation, others see exclusion ([link removed])
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By DANIEL BERTI, Prince William Times

There is a line in Prince William that carves the county into two halves. On one side, there is vast, mostly open space that includes the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Prince William Forest Park and the Manassas Battlefield. It’s home to about 27,000 people. On the other side, 443,000 people live in an area that runs the gamut from urban to industrial to semi-rural.
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** "Progressive Reformer" Challenges Richmond's Top Prosecutor ([link removed])
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By WHITTNEY EVANS, WCVE-FM

Richmond’s top prosecutor is facing a challenge from within her party. Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin, a Democrat, announced last month that she would seek re-election. Now Tom Barbour, a criminal defense attorney who calls himself a progressive reformer and innovator, is moving to unseat her in a June primary. Barbour said the office lacks racial diversity, and has an inadequate system for holding police officers who are accused of misconduct accountable.
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** Virginia Beach council invites electric scooter companies to bid again ([link removed])
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By STACY PARKER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

City leaders revisited their rocky relationship with electric scooters on Tuesday after a long lull. Virginia Beach initially banned e-scooters in 2019, then required companies to have franchise agreements to limit the number of e-scooters and restrict where they could be parked. Now, the City Council wants to restart its courtship with e-scooter companies that want to rent the zippy devices in Virginia Beach.
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** Hampton schools, with rest of Peninsula, to have all grades back by March 15 ([link removed])
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By MATT JONES, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Students in all grades could return to classrooms by mid-March under a plan presented Wednesday to the Hampton School Board. With Hampton’s announcement, every Peninsula school division plans to offer in-person classes for students from pre-K to 12th grade by March 15, the deadline Gov. Ralph Northam has set for schools to offer some kind of in-person learning.
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** King William, All Points, Dominion join $1.5M agreement to expand broadband to parts of the county ([link removed])
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By EMILY HOLTER, Tidewater Review

King William County is one step closer to providing universal broadband internet access to all its citizens after a partnership with All Points Broadband and Dominion Energy has led to the county receiving $1.5 million in state funding. The Board of Supervisors announced at its Monday night joint session that, through its partnership, it plans to begin its phase one construction on a 60-mile fiber-optic network which will begin in West Point and encompass most of the neighborhoods along King William Courthouse Road until Horse Landing Road.
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** County close to buying sewage plant ([link removed])
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By DAVID HOLTZMAN, Central Virginian

A memorandum of understanding detailing county government plans to buy a wastewater treatment plant at Lake Anna received the Louisa County Board of Supervisors’ backing at their Feb. 16 meeting. The facility will give the county a foothold in development of the New Bridge Road (Route 208) corridor, where much of the lake’s commercial growth is concentrated.
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** $18.8 million for broadband ([link removed])
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Northern Neck News

The Northern Neck Planning District Commission and All Points Broadband announced that they have received an additional $8.5 million in federal broadband funds to support the second and final phase of a regional fiber-to-the-home broadband network to bring internet access to approximately 7,500 unserved locations in the Counties of King George, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland, in partnership with Dominion Energy Virginia and the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative.

Today's Sponsor:


** The Virginia Lottery
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Circumstances change, but their mission doesn’t, giving back 595 million dollars to Virginia’s K through 12 public schools last year. Learn more at valottery.com/givingback ([link removed])


** EDITORIALS
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** House Democrats turn their backs on rural Virginia ([link removed])
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Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

We choose our words carefully, so when we use a strong one, we mean it. Today we shall use a strong one. Perhaps several strong ones. On Wednesday, a House of Delegates committee tabled — that’s a polite way of saying “killed” — a proposed constitutional amendment that would have guaranteed “equal educational opportunities” for all Virginia students. Those legislators who voted to kill this amendment, sponsored by state Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, gave some fancy technical reasons for doing so.


** OP-ED
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** Chiazor: The Hottest Topic in 2021: Keeping People Connected ([link removed])
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By NNEKA CHIAZOR, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Last year brought increased visibility to the importance of broadband. With many Virginians teleworking, students distance learning, and businesses trying to stay afloat by offering services online, broadband was at the epicenter of how we managed our “new normal.” As we start the first chapter of 2021, I have no doubt that keeping people connected in the truest sense will remain a hot topic especially when it comes to broadband and internet connectivity, as was indicated in the recent op-ed by Tim Dempsey. The fact is, it’s a complex issue with two very important yet different components intertwined in the conversation: accessibility and affordability.

Chiazor is vice president for government and public affairs of Cox Virginia.
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** Coppa: Supporting coal communities with carbon pricing ([link removed])
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By ALAINA COPPA, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

I've appreciated reading the recent editorials about the coal tax credits. Miners and coal communities deserve our support as we transition to alternative energy sources. There are a number of ways we could accomplish that, money from coal tax credits being one viable option. Alternatively, I’d like to discuss ways we could use federal policy to potentially provide vastly more for coal communities. What if we could fund the redevelopment/revival of the coalfields not through state or federal funding but through revenue from carbon pricing?

Coppa is a member of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, New River Valley Chapter.
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** Shaffner: A VMI cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do ([link removed])
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By TOM SHAFFNER, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The recent critiques of my alma mater, Virginia Military Institute (VMI), are beginning to confuse babies with bathwater. While there are legitimate concerns that we must reckon with, criticism of VMI’s Honor Code has extended into the bizarre. Recent portrayals make it sound outlandish or inhumane, and were my knowledge limited to these articles, I might agree. These views increasingly are based on bad facts.

Tom Shaffner graduated from VMI in 2008. He lives in western North Carolina and is a data scientist.


** THE FRIDAY READ
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** Lincoln Homestead Puts Spotlight On Enslaved African Americans During Black History Month ([link removed])
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By JESSICA WETZLER, Daily News Record (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Despite more than a hundred years of weather making most the tombstones illegible, one engraving on a stone marker can still be seen through mineral buildup. “Uncle Ned and his wife Queen. The last of the Lincoln slaves. Erected by Mary Lee Pennybacker, a descendant of the Lincolns.” This cemetery isn’t an ordinary cemetery. It’s the final resting place for five generations of President Abraham Lincoln’s ancestors, and an erected marker remembering only a fraction of those enslaved by the Lincoln family.


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