VISUALIZATION: SPIKE IN VOTER REGISTRATION

In each of the three years since the 2016 presidential election, voter registration in Virginia has increased compared to the same point in previous election cycles. VPAP charts the number of new registrations per month for the first half of the year.

GOV. NORTHAM VISITS LEESBURG, REPORTS MORE THAN 35,000 DRIVER’S LICENSES REINSTATED

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam made a stop in Leesburg Thursday afternoon on his tour to highlight his efforts at increasing driver’s license reinstatements. Speaking to a small crowd at the Douglass Community Center, Northam (D) said a little over 35,000 licenses have been renewed since July 1, when a new policy went into effect allowing people to have their license reinstated if it was revoked strictly because of a fairly to pay court fines or fees.

GOV. NORTHAM, STAFF MEET WITH BLACK LEADERS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, still seeking to politically recover after admitting he wore blackface decades ago, met with a group of black leaders and advocates from around northern Virginia in Loudoun County Thursday to discuss a wide range of race-related issues affecting the commonwealth.

DIVISION OVER TRUMP'S APPEARANCE HANGS OVER FESTIVITIES MARKING ASSEMBLY'S 400TH ANNIVERSARY

Days of celebration to mark the 400th anniversary of representative democracy in the Western Hemisphere will kick off next week in Jamestown, where division over President Donald Trump’s scheduled appearance has threatened to mire the main event Tuesday.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE AT 400TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Just a few miles from where it all began, politicians, civil servants, journalists, academics and citizens will gather at the College of William and Mary to consider the future of representative democracy in the United States and the world. On Tuesday, it will be 400 years to the day that men from 11 of Virginia’s major English settlements met at Jamestown in 1619.

TRUMP WILL SPEAK AT JAMESTOWN EVENT MARKING 400 YEARS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT

President Trump will speak before the General Assembly at Jamestown on Tuesday to help commemorate the 400th anniversary of representative government in the United States, a White House official confirmed Friday.

AIRD CONFIRMS SHE WILL NOT HEAR TRUMP SPEAK IN JAMESTOWN

Del. Lashrecse D. Aird confirmed Saturday that she will not be in attendance next week when President Donald Trump addresses a special commemorative session of state lawmakers in Jamestown.

VIRGINIA ‘CONCERNED’ ABOUT PETERSBURG’S FISCAL ISSUES, LAWMAKER SAYS

The first question fired at Del. Lashrecse D. Aird Saturday afternoon was straight to the point, a fact not lost on the Petersburg lawmaker. “What is the state’s opinion about Petersburg’s finances?” Before she answered, Aird laughed and said, “I like a blunt questioner.” Then her response was almost as to the point as the question.

SEN. NORMENT, ONCE THE HIGHEST-PAID ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT WILLIAM & MARY, NO LONGER TEACHES THERE

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment, at one time the highest-paid adjunct professor at the College of William & Mary, is no longer teaching at the school. University spokesman Brian Whitson said it was university practice not to discuss details of personnel decisions.

TIES BETWEEN ICE CONTRACTOR, VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS QUESTIONED

As the co-founder and CEO of MVM Inc., Dario Marquez Jr. oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars in federal contracts for work done everywhere from Iraq to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In 2014, MVM won a contract now worth over $300 million to transport an influx of unaccompanied minors coming to the U.S. southern border. Closer to his home in McLean, Marquez has contributed nearly half a million dollars to Democratic politicians and causes in Virginia over the past decade.

MISSING PAPERWORK COULD FORCE VA. REPUBLICAN TO RUN AS WRITE-IN

Del. Nicholas J. Freitas (R-Culpeper) might have to run for reelection as a write-in candidate because of delays in filing paperwork, a situation that would present a serious setback for Republicans fighting to defend a razor-thin majority in November.

ADVOCATES FOR VIRGINIA TO JOIN STATES AND CITIES TO MAKE PAID SICK LEAVE MANDATORY

For Kim Bobo, co-executive director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, the issue is simple. “How can we call ourselves a civilized society and not allow people to take a few days of paid sick time for themselves or their kids?” she said. The Richmond-based, nonprofit organization is working on legislation for Virginia lawmakers to consider that would provide five paid sick days to full-time employees.

WARNER PROMISES TO KEEP BATTLING ON HEALTH CARE

Swapping stories about family worries over health care — including his own anxieties over his daughters’ diabetes and asthma treatments — left Sen. Mark Warner urging Hampton Roads patients and providers to keep the faith: he’s pushing to protect access to health insurance for people with pre-existing conditions and to try to rein in drug prices. “We’re sticking with this … hang in there, because this is really complicated.” he added.

WARNER DEMANDS THAT VA STEP UP PLANS TO BUILD CLINICS IN FREDERICKSBURG, HAMPTON ROADS

Sen. Mark R. Warner is frustrated by what he calls “the glacial pace” of two proposed veterans’ health care projects, one of which is slated for the Fredericksburg area. He sent a letter recently to the heads of the Department of Veterans Affairs and General Service Administration demanding an expedited timeline for them. The proposed project for the Fredericksburg area is expected to be the largest outpatient Veterans Administration clinic in the country.

AT CHESTERFIELD TOWN HALL, SPANBERGER SAYS SHE BACKS PUSH FOR MUELLER GRAND JURY MATERIAL

Without taking a position on whether President Donald Trump should be impeached, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, said Sunday that she backs efforts by the House Judiciary Committee to get more facts in determining whether to recommend articles of impeachment.

EFFORT TO CENSURE REP. DENVER RIGGLEMAN FOR OFFICIATING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE FAILS

A small number of Republicans on a congressional district committee tried to censure Rep. Denver Riggleman because he officiated a same-sex marriage earlier this month. The 5th Congressional District Republican Committee went into a closed session for more than two hours to discuss the matter at a meeting on Saturday at Healing Strides horse riding center near Boones Mill.

APPEALS COURT VACATES KEY ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE PERMIT

U.S. appeals court on Friday tossed out a key permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline that deals with the project’s effects on threatened or endangered species, saying a federal agency had apparently “lost sight of its mandate.” A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals wrote that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had made decisions that were “arbitrary and capricious” in its authorization for the pipeline.

JUDGE APPROVES CONTURA BID ON BLACKJEWEL MINES

Plans are moving forward for Contura Energy to acquire three mines from coal producer Blackjewel LLC , which is seeking bankruptcy protection, after a federal judge approved a motion Friday to allow Contura to be a “stalking horse” bidder for sites in Wyoming and West Virginia.

VIRGINIA WOMAN AMONG SUBOXONE WHISTLEBLOWERS

A Midlothian woman is among several former medical industry whistleblowers who expect to be rewarded from a record-setting settlement involving the marketing of a narcotic drug designed to ease withdrawal for opioid addicts. The original maker of the medication Suboxone is paying $1.4 billion to avoid prosecution and resolve various claims that it oversold the safety and benefits of the drug....Ann Marie Williams of Midlothian had worked in the pharmaceutical business for more than 30 years, her lawyers said.

VIRGINIAN-PILOT ALUMS LAUNCH STATEWIDE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING CENTER

Two former staffers at The Virginian-Pilot have teamed up to launch a nonprofit investigative newsroom that plans to partner with media outlets and universities around the state to produce in-depth local reporting. The Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism aims to post its first story within the next month and hopes to begin publishing on a routine basis by the end of September, said Chris Tyree, the fledgling organization’s executive editor and cofounder.

TENN. REGULATORS SAY BALLAD HEALTH NEEDS TO DO A BETTER JOB OF RESPONDING TO COMPLAINTS

Even Ballad Health’s most ardent supporters are frustrated with the health care system’s seeming failure to respond to concerns about patient care. “I was all for the merger. I’m still all for the merger, but I am totally against the leadership of the merger. Period,” said Dr. Jerry Miller, founder of Holston Medical Group.

MARC, VRE SAY ON-TIME PERFORMANCE HAS DROPPED, CITE INCREASE IN CSX TRAINS AS ONE FACTOR

An increase in CSX freight trains operating in the Washington region has led to significant delays and worsening commutes for the thousands of passengers who ride commuter trains that share the same track, according to transit officials in Maryland and Virginia.

TOLLS ARE A $180 MILLION A YEAR BUSINESS — AND GROWING — IN HAMPTON ROADS

Collecting tolls in Hampton Roads is a $180-million-a-year business — nearly twice the size of the region’s fishing and farming sectors combined — and is set to grow. Much of that money goes to finance a private venture’s $1.5 billion expansion of the road and tunnel network connecting Norfolk and Portsmouth. A somewhat smaller amount goes to the public body that’s spending nearly $800 million to dig a parallel tunnel for the 55-year-old, 23-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, DANVILLE AIRPORTS AMONG 8 GRANT RECIPIENTS

Eight Virginia airports are set to receive more than $13 million in federal grant money for infrastructure improvements. U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine made the announcement late last week.

‘MISOGYNISTIC, RACIST’ REMARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA LEAD TO FIRING OF 9 HAMPTON UNIVERSITY POLICE OFFICERS, SCHOOL SAYS

Hampton University has fired nine of its police officers for allegedly sharing “misogynistic, racist and other offensive remarks” on social media, according to a statement from the school. The university’s media relations team confirmed the nine Hampton University Police Department officers were fired for alleged “egregious violations of the university’s code of conduct” to 10 On Your Side in an email on Thursday afternoon.

FEDERAL COURT STRIKES DOWN FISH AND WILDLIFE PERMIT FOR ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE

Dominion Energy’s hopes for resuming construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline have run into a new obstacle erected by a federal appeals court panel in Richmond that threw out a federal permit on Friday because it failed to adequately protect endangered or threatened species in the path of the 605-mile project. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a permit that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued last year just 19 days after the same court blocked the agency’s previous finding

APPEALS COURT VACATES KEY ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE PERMIT

A U.S. appeals court on Friday tossed out a key permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline that deals with the project’s effects on threatened or endangered species, saying a federal agency apparently had “lost sight of its mandate.”

MAPPING PROJECTS SHOW LASTING IMPACT OF REDLINING, RACIAL COVENANTS IN VIRGINIA

In May 2016, Chris Fullman woke up anxious. It was closing day for his new home in Richmond’s Lakeside, a 1951 brick rancher. He says he was looking forward to getting the keys and being able to unlock the door for the first time. But after signing all those dotted lines, the closing attorney said “there’s one last thing” and handed over a copy of the covenants, warning Fullman and his husband that what they would see was offensive -- though not enforceable.

CHESAPEAKE BAY BLUE CRABS ARE BOOMING THIS YEAR — SO WHY ARE THEY STILL SO EXPENSIVE?

Chesapeake Bay crabs have been so plentiful this year — a 60 percent increase over last year, according to an annual population survey — that locals such as Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) have cheered the bumper crop as a sign of good stewardship for the bay and its fisheries.

JUDGE DISMISSES SVJC LAWSUIT

A federal class-action lawsuit against the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center that drew national headlines and sparked a state investigation was dismissed this week. The lawsuit claimed staff abused undocumented children. The detention center in Verona houses juveniles charged with crimes in the Valley, including Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, as well as youth in the country illegally.

STUDENTS AT A VIRGINIA SCHOOL SET OUT TO FIGHT SEGREGATION. WOULD THEY SUCCEED?

The teenagers at Stonewall Jackson High know what gets said about their school. They’ve heard it themselves. There was the man who showed up at an informational meeting about the International Baccalaureate program at the campus in Virginia’s Prince William County. “What’s the murder rate at this school?” the man asked one student.

A HANOVER COUNTY VETERANS GROUP PLAYS WAR GAMES IN WOODED WETLANDS. NEIGHBORS WANT THEM TO STOP.

Moments after boarding antique military jeeps on a late autumn Saturday, children who had come to Glen Allen VFW Post No. 10657 were met by an ambush of men aiming military guns at them from behind makeshift fortifications and in foxholes.

CHESAPEAKE COURT HAS A NEW WAY TO HELP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, AND IT FITS IN YOUR WALLET

Judge Larry Willis gave this example: You’re leaving the grocery store when you spot your ex standing outside your car. You have a protective order against them. But you don’t have that multi-page, paper document on you.

FORT MONROE OFFICIALS RECOMMEND REMOVING LETTERS OFF JEFFERSON DAVIS ARCH

Fort Monroe’s historic preservation officer has a plan for the arch that honors the Confederacy’s only president at the former Army post that once imprisoned him — remove the letters that spell out “Jefferson Davis Memorial Park” from the arch and send them to the Casemate Museum.

U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE SONNY PERDUE VISITS KING GEORGE

How does a small group of cattlemen get the nation’s top agricultural leader to attend its function? Make him an offer he can’t refuse. The lure dangled by members of the Eastern Virginia Cattlemen Association had nothing to do with money, power or votes. One of EVCA’s officers, Dr. John Haile, went to veterinary school with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture George Ervin “Sonny” Perdue III, who’s been President Trump’s top farm official since January 2017.

REGION'S ONLY JUVENILE DRUG COURT MARKS 10 YEARS OF SEEKING TO 'BREAK THAT CYCLE'

When teens enter Franklin County’s juvenile drug court, they must say goodbye to their drug of choice — literally. Reading a goodbye letter aloud to the court is part of the process, said juvenile drug court coordinator Sherry Pilson. It can be a powerful moment, she said, followed by applause, standing ovations and handshakes.

JAMESTOWN BOYCOTT CEDES STAGE TO TRUMP

On Tuesday, Virginians will celebrate a major historical milestone: the 400th anniversary of the first and longest continuously operating legislative body in the Western Hemisphere. The commemoration in Jamestown will mark the first meeting of Virginia’s House of Burgesses on July 30, 1619—the birth of representative government in America.

DEMOCRATS, JAMESTOWN IS BIGGER THAN TRUMP

Will the toxic, partisan politics of 2019 mar events this week in Jamestown meant to commemorate and to celebrate a key moment in American and world history? We hope not, but can’t help but fear so. The year 1619 was momentous in the history of what would become the United States of America.

JAMESTOWN EVENT IS A CELEBRATION OF THE COMMONWEALTH

Capt. William Powell and Ensign William Spense traveled from James City to the choir of the Jamestown Church, where they were met by John Plentine of “Henricus,” Capt. William Tucker of “Kiccowtan,” Capt. Christophor Lawne and Ensign Washer from the Lawnes plantation and 16 other men from land around the English settlement. The date was July 30, 1619, and they — members of the first House of Burgesses — gathered to discuss the pressing issues of the day

400 YEARS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN VIRGINIA

Four hundred years ago this week, the first representative form of government in the New World met in the fledgling Virginia colony at Jamestown. From July 30 to August 4, 1619, more than two dozen men met in the settlement’s newly built church. This assembly included the governor, Sir George Yeardley, at least four of his councilors, and initially 22 “burgesses” — a British term that means an inhabitant of a town or borough with full rights of citizenship.

GETTING EVERYONE ONLINE: A CALL FOR BETTER BROADBAND ACCESS

For some Virginians, high-speed internet is second nature. Walk into your home, business or favorite local hotspot with your device of choice, enter a password and connect with ease. As the census asks a majority of Americans to complete their forms digitally in 2020, people facing a more arduous path to log on must not be forgotten.

BROADBAND INVESTMENT WILL REAP DIVIDENDS

News that the Federal Communications Commission has authorized more than $84.5 million to help expand broadband during the next decade providing access to more than 32,000 homes and businesses in rural Virginia is certainly welcome. The federal help will come through the Connect America Fund Phase II auction, in which the FCC awards support for providers in underserved areas through a competitive bidding process.

CONGRATULATIONS TO VIRGINIA'S V3 PROGRAM

On Thursday, we were delighted to learn Gov. Ralph Northam had announced that more than 50,000 military veterans have been hired in Virginia’s civilian workforce through the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program since it started in 2012. According to the governor’s office, the Old Dominion is the first state to create an official effort dedicated to helping veterans get hired

MCAULIFFE'S BOOK IS WORTH READING

Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe has written a book about the white nationalist march in Charlottesville two summers ago, and he’s not shy about what he thinks. He calls President Trump a “white supremacist” and a “dyed-in-the-wool, unapologetic racist” and “a hater.” That’s just in the prologue. There’s still the rest of the book to go – and he returns to Trump again and again.

SCHAPIRO: MUELLER TESTIMONY AS A TALE OF TWO VIRGINIANS

Former special counsel Robert Mueller testified before the House Intelligence Committee hearing on his report on Russian election interference Wednesday on Capitol Hill. A Northern Virginia Democrat couldn’t wait to yell fire after Robert Mueller’s testimony to Congress. A Shenandoah Valley Republican couldn’t wait to fire rhetorical rounds at the former special counsel.

MORSE: BE GRACIOUS HOSTS, WHOEVER THE GUEST

To paraphrase Tina Turner, what’s thought got to do, got to do with it? In this instance, Democrats in the General Assembly faced the news that the president of the United States — that would be Donald Trump — would attend the commemorative legislative session set for Tuesday in Jamestown. They had to think of a response, but the thinking part never took.

Gordon C. Morse wrote editorials for the Daily Press and The Pilot in the 1980s. He later wrote speeches for Gov. Gerald L. Baliles, then worked for corporate and philanthropic organizations

WALKER: WILL TRUMP ACKNOWLEDGE TWO ANNIVERSARIES AT JAMESTOWN?

“The American dream was born on the banks of the James River,” declared archaeologist William Kelso, who discovered the bones of Jamestown buried near the broad, brown river. Although Kelso didn’t say so, he could well have added that the James also spawned our country’s darkest nightmare — a tortured racial vision that vexes the nation to this day.

William T. Walker, who lives in Staunton, is writing a book on the racial myths born in Virginia.

HERRING: WHY I WON'T COME TO JAMESTOWN IF TRUMP ATTENDS

This year is the 400th anniversary of the first meeting of the House of Burgesses in Jamestown — a meeting that represents the beginning of American democracy. Today, we call the House of Burgesses the Virginia House of Delegates, and I am proud to be a member — and the Democratic Caucus Chair — of the oldest consecutively running democratic body in the Western Hemisphere.

Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, represents the 46th District in the Virginia House of Delegates and is chair of the Virginia House Democratic Caucus.

HARRELL: HAMPTON ROADS TRANSIT IS AMIDST A PROCESS OF IMPROVEMENT

As president and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit, I’m glad to respond to a July 21 OpEd by Janice Johnson, of Newport News. Ms. Johnson laid out a list of suggested improvements for the bus system to include more hours of service — even late night, weekday and weekend service — increasing compensation for operators, accessible bus stops, more bus shelters and greater investments in technology. Many citizens share her belief that Hampton Roads’ main bus system needs significant improvement. I totally agree.

Harrell is president and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit.

WHITE: ON OFFSHORE WIND, VIRGINIA NEEDS DELIBERATE PROGRESS, NOT DELAYS

On July 9, the Daily Press Editorial Board smartly pointed out the exciting opportunity offshore wind presents the commonwealth of Virginia and that it “represents the future of clean energy here in Virginia.” It also highlighted the importance of crafting a deliberate, thoughtful path forward to ensure the commonwealth maximizes economic benefits while mitigating potential impacts of bringing a new industry to the region. The good news is that much has already been accomplished

White is the executive vice president of the Virginia Maritime Association.

TOWN/VAN DER HYDE: URANIUM MINING FOES MUST BE FOREVER VIGILANT

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on June 17 upholding Virginia’s ban on uranium mining was a true victory for clean water and Southside Virginia. Having endured economic hit after economic hit, an open-pit uranium mine in this recovering region could have driven away the very businesses and investment that Southside Virginia needs to attract in order to not just survive, but to thrive.

Town is the executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. Van Der Hyde is executive director of the Roanoke River Basin Association.

GILBERT: A PROVEN WAY TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE

What would you say if I told you there was a proven way to reduce gun violence in our cities? A solution that doesn’t involve gun control, and could be entirely funded through existing surplus funds? It’s not a pipe dream, but a strategy called Operation Ceasefire. It’s real, it works, and last week, I introduced legislation that would begin the process of bringing this proven, life-saving approach to Virginia.

Gilbert is Majority Leader in the House of Delegates. He is a Republican from Shenandoah County.

ABDUL-MBACKE: VIRGINIA'S MEDICAID EXPANSION SAVES LIVES

As a board certified OB/GYN, I treat women in all stages of life, from puberty to menopause, providing them with the care they need to be healthy and take care of their families. I work in a rural hospital where all doctors help take care of unassigned patients — those who don’t have a local physician they see regularly because they may not have insurance and are not able to afford regular medical care.

Abdul-Mbacke is a Yale and Harvard trained physician, with over 20 years of practice. She owns Piedmont Preferred Women's Healthcare in Ridgeway, Va., and Eden, N.C. Abdul-Mbacke is a leader in the Martinsville/Henry County chapter of Virginia Organizing.

WITTMAN: RESULTS EVEN IN A DYSFUNCTIONAL CONGRESS

Look how far we have come. At the beginning of the 115th Congress, House Republicans put forth a bold policy agenda to leave folks better off than they were in 2016. We saw incredible progress on multiple policy fronts.

U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia has represented the First District since 2007.

MCCLOUD: THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE EVICTIONS “QUICK FIX”

No one goes into an eviction wanting to do an eviction. Evictions are emotionally and financially costly to everyone involved, but they are also a necessary tool of last resort. Before we engage in further conversations we must ask how long should someone live somewhere without paying rent? Is it 30 days, 60 days, 90 days?

Patrick McCloud is the chief executive officer of the Virginia Apartment Management Association.