Today's Sponsor:
Tom Sherwood
Analyst for WAMU Politics Hour, a weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
GOP primary battle turns Va.’s 5th District into a political Tilt-a-Whirl
Republican John McGuire took his upstart bid for Congress to a spring carnival here that mixed small-town charm with MAGA fervor, where children who mustered a bell-ringing whack in the strongman game went home with toy assault weapons. Buttonholing voters on the midway in this red central Virginia town one recent Friday night, the Virginia state senator made a pro-Trump, anti-establishment pitch fit for an ordinary GOP primary fight, the kind with a moderate incumbent challenged from the right. But the Republican whom McGuire wants to oust in the June 18 primary is Rep. Bob Good, chairman of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus.
Warner not giving up on VSU debate; says 'incumbent' for Biden to come to campus
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said Thursday he has not given up on the possibility of still having a presidential debate at Virginia State University, but at the very least, he feels it is “incumbent” that President Joe Biden come to the Ettrick campus prior to the election. In a session with Virginia journalists, Warner said he and his Democratic colleagues would push for the second of the projected televised debates between Biden and former president Donald Trump to be held at VSU.
Charges dropped against several arrested at UVa protest
One by one, the charges lodged against those arrested at an encampment of anti-war protesters at the University of Virginia earlier this month are being dropped. Kristen Finn, a local freelance photographer, was among the 27 people arrested on May 4 when UVa administrators called in Virginia State Police to break up the small encampment that had been quietly protesting Israel's ongoing war in Gaza for four days. ... On Wednesday, Albemarle County dropped the charges against Finn — and five others.
Youngkin creates task force to calm furor over veterans benefits
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is trying to quell a furor among Virginia military families by creating a task force to address budget changes that he originally advocated to a state program. The program pays for tuition and fees at public colleges and universities for family of military service members killed or severely disabled while on active duty. Youngkin issued an executive directive on Wednesday night to create the task force, three days after he signed a new two-year budget that would limit eligibility for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program.
Henrico launching $60M housing trust fund with revenue from data centers
Less than a month after receiving a directive from county supervisors for “something transformational” to address housing affordability, Henrico officials have come up with a plan that leans heavily on a growing source of revenue: data center dollars. Henrico is contributing $60 million in cash to establish its first housing trust fund, which will be fueled by economic development revenue generated specifically from data centers.
70 years after landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the echoes continue in Prince Edward County
In the 70 years since the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case banned racial segregation in U.S. schools, the pursuit of quality and equitable education in Prince Edward County has taken many forms and faced many challenges, and continues strong today in its legacy and impact. As one of the five civil rights cases that were combined in Brown, Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County brought together the lion’s share of individual plaintiffs decrying the “separate but equal” doctrine as a farce — about three-quarters of more than 200 people named in Brown.
Friday Read She left the CIA in frustration. Now her spy novel is racking up awards.
She felt each boom like an electric jolt as she was trying to sleep in her Alexandria, Va., apartment. It was August 2006, and Ilana Berry was then a 30-year-old Central Intelligence Agency case officer. Outside, construction crews were beginning work on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, knocking down the old expanse to make way for a new six-lane roadway. But each rumble threw Berry off the steady anchors of time and place, hurling her back to her last year stationed in war-rocked Baghdad.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Governor's Office Spurns FOIA Request
Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office is withholding in full 16 pages of records responsive to a request under the Freedom of Information Act, citing the exemption provided for “working papers and correspondence of the Office of the Governor.” The request was for correspondence between the University of Mary Washington, the Governor’s Office and the Virginia State Police that occurred between April 25 and the April 27th arrest of 12 individuals—including nine students—who were participating in a pro-Palestinian encampment on the university campus.
Virginia governor asks president to bring back in-person work for federal employees
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is calling on the Biden administration to bring back in-person work for federal employees. Back in December, Youngkin wrote a letter to the Office of Personnel Management urging the administration to mandate and enforce a full return-to-work policy in an effort to boost Metro's ridership. Now he's asking again.
Arrests of US tourists in Turks and Caicos for carrying ammunition prompts plea from three governors
Five Americans are facing prison sentences of up to 12 years in the Turks and Caicos Islands on charges they illegally carried ammunition during recent trips to the popular, upscale tourist destination about 600 miles (965 km) southeast of Miami. Three of the arrests have prompted pleas for mercy from the governors of Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Virginia. In a letter Tuesday to the islands’ governor, they said the three men charged from their states maintained they inadvertently took ammunition with them on vacation. They did not have firearms.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Whitewater channel project in Danville receives $3 million in state budget
The recently approved state budget includes $3 million for a whitewater channel along the Dan River in Danville, which is expected to be both a source of recreation and a first-responder training facility. . . . Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, who sponsored the budget amendment, said that the unique kind of rescue training that this project will provide will be a draw for visitors. “You can go to a river now and do whitewater rescue training, but the problem is, if there’s an accident or something like that, you can’t turn the river off,” Marshall said.
FEDERAL ELECTIONS
Good says GOP rival McGuire will 'lie, cheat and steal' to beat him
With a handgun holstered in his belt and a competitive primary race on his hands, Bob Good did not shy away from taking shots at his Republican challenger at a campaign stop last week. “I’ll tell you, I have never run against someone with less integrity than the man I’m running against now. Never,” the congressman told a crowd of more than 100 people at First Free Coffee Bar in Albemarle County just north of Charlottesville on May 9.
Democratic race to replace Rep. Wexton gets first negative attack
Virginia’s crowded Democratic primary election contest to replace U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) will soon see its first negative attack — a contrast to what has been a mostly polite competition to succeed the congresswoman who is not seeking reelection in November for health reasons. As early as Friday, a YouTube ad and two mailers paid for by Left Rising, a D.C.-based group that promotes liberal causes, will begin targeting voters with attacks against former Virginia House speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (Fairfax), considered to be one of the top contenders in the June 18 election.
They don’t like abortion, but Kaine’s GOP challengers say they won’t seek a federal ban
It’s obvious where Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine stands on abortion access. And that’s not just for the fact that his party has been outspoken in support of access and other reproductive rights. Kaine has also co-sponsored the bipartisan Reproductive Freedom For All Act — an attempt to codify abortion protections into federal law. What has been less obvious is whether his Republican challengers would support federal abortion bans or restrictions.
A Democratic congressional candidate represented Kessler in the court case to allow Unite the Right
In Virginia’s first congressional district, Democratic candidate Leslie Mehta is facing criticism for representing Jason Kessler during his effort to hold the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. The events that unfolded that day resulted in the death of Heather Heyer after a white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of people who were counter-protesting the rally. Two state police officers also died after their helicopter crashed while monitoring the events. Mehta says that while Kessler and his group represent everything she stands against, the First Amendment rights of Americans should always be defended when they are being used peacefully, as the organizers said would happen in court documents.
Wilder faults Biden for apparent cancellation of VSU debate
Former Gov. Doug Wilder on Thursday criticized President Joe Biden over his role in the apparent cancellation of the Oct. 1 presidential debate at Virginia State University. On Wednesday, Biden’s campaign notified the Commission on Presidential Debates that he would not participate in its three scheduled fall forums at universities, including the debate at VSU. Instead, Biden and former President Donald Trump quickly agreed to two debates, a June 27 faceoff to be hosted by CNN and a Sept. 10 debate hosted by ABC.
TRANSPORTATION
Riders give Metro high marks in poll but still worry about crime
Metro riders have given the system its highest ratings in the past decade, though many remain wary of crime on the rail service amid widely reported shootings in and around stations, a Washington Post-Schar School poll finds. Seventy-seven percent of regular and occasional Metro riders rate the system as “excellent” or “good.” That’s similar to last year’s 75 percent positive rating but represents a steady increase from a nadir of 45 percent in 2017, according to Post-Schar School polling.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Excavation at University of Richmond does not find graves as expected
When workers found discolored soil in neatly arranged blocks at the University of Richmond, they believed they had found graves. And they had good reason — they were just a few feet from a known grave site. Immediately, the university stopped what the workers were doing and applied for a state permit to excavate graves. After it was approved, excavation began last month. Then, archaeologists made a surprising discovery — the ground they were digging did not contain graves, the university announced this week.
Future Educators Academy will train new teachers while they're still in high school
A new teacher preparation program could soon send Fauquier County students back into the classroom just years after high school graduation, only this time as teachers. The Future Educators Academy is a dual enrollment program that will allow high school juniors and seniors to complete coursework to earn their high school diploma while earning an associate’s degree in education at the same time. If they go straight to a four-year institution and immediately earn a bachelor’s degree, they could be teachers by age 20 or 21.
VIRGINIA OTHER
246 Years Project launches at Morven Park to help African Americans research their ancestors
When African Americans research their genealogy, they usually can find information only back to 1865. That’s because before slavery was abolished, many of their ancestors were considered “property.” As a result, their names are absent from many government records, such as the census and birth and death registers. A new project initiated at Morven Park is trying to change that – one record at a time.
Chesterfield leads Virginia in population growth
Chesterfield County is extending its lead as the largest locality in Greater Richmond after adding more residents the past four years than the rest of the region combined. Between April 2020 and July 2023, the county increased by 18,565 residents, the highest total not only in the region but also every other city and county in Virginia, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The next-highest total increase belongs to Loudoun County in Northern Virginia, which rose by 13,642 people.
3 Virginia cities in top 10 for highest rates of gun thefts from vehicles, report finds
A new report by the anti-gun violence nonprofit Everytown details the sharp spike in guns being stolen from vehicles across the United States over the last decade and found that three Virginia cities were in the top 10 for guns being stolen from vehicles in 2022. Using FBI data from 337 cities across 44 states, Everytown found that gun thefts from vehicles rose from an estimated 21 thefts per 100,000 people to 63.1 per 100,000 in 2022, the most recent year included in the data. . . . Richmond was fourth in the nation with 218.3 thefts per 100,000 people. Portsmouth was in sixth place with 196.1 thefts per 100,000 people; Norfolk was in ninth with 181.9 thefts per 100,000 people.
LOCAL
Report: Arlington’s homeless population is up 14% since 2023, despite improved shelter access
Arlington’s homeless population grew by 14% in the past year, according to a recent report. However, the county’s efforts to expand shelter capacity and enhance outreach have led to more homeless individuals gaining access to shelter and fewer homeless survivors of domestic violence and transition-age youth, per a report released on Wednesday by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG)
Leesburg eliminates by-right data center zoning
The Leesburg Town Council voted 6-1 on May 14 to require a special exception for all data centers and substations where they were previously allowed without any legislative approvals. The move gives the council more oversight on data centers, ensuring that every project comes before the Planning Commission and Town Council for approval.
Fairfax County teachers voice frustration over reduced pay raises in new budget
With just days to go before Fairfax County Public Schools finalizes its fiscal year 2025 budget, teachers voiced frustration this week with the news that school employees will get lower-than-expected pay raises. As it stands, the Fairfax County School Board is on track to adopt a revised budget that includes a 3% pay increase for all school employees, down from the initially proposed 6%, starting July 1.
Richmond inspector general investigating city’s elections office
The Richmond Electoral Board met with the city’s inspector general in a closed session Wednesday following allegations of nepotism and financial improprieties in the election office led by Registrar Keith Balmer. Inspector General James Osuna and members of the electoral board declined to comment when they emerged from the closed-door meeting, saying an investigation opened by the inspector general’s office is not yet complete.
Lawsuit that could derail Diamond District stadium to get a hearing
A lawsuit that could derail the Diamond District baseball stadium project will proceed, a Richmond judge decided Thursday, which could cost the city $25 million even if the suit fails. Lawyer Paul Goldman has filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing that Richmond should conduct a referendum before it floats $170 million in bonds to build the minor league stadium and the infrastructure around it. Judge W. Reilly Marchant said he will schedule a hearing in a few weeks for Goldman to argue his case.
Proposal to increase Richmond City Council members’ salaries by $20K in 2025 moves forward
A proposal to increase the salaries for Richmond City Council members starting next July looks all but certain to be approved. Three council members who sit on the council’s Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee — Cynthia Newbille, Ellen Robertson and Katherine Jordan — voted Thursday to recommend the approval of the proposal when it’s set to go before the full city council in June.
Henrico taking $60M earned from data centers to create housing trust fund
As home prices rise across Virginia and the nation, Henrico County has announced a plan to strategically invest $60 million to address housing affordability. The county’s new Housing Affordability Trust fund is designed to impact home prices for first-time homebuyers, seniors and the working class. County leaders said they are hoping to make homes affordable for people like child care workers, first responders, teachers, restaurant staff, office administrators and industrial park workers.
Henrico to dedicate data center revenue to affordable housing fund
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors has expanded its reach in the tech industry with the approved rezoning of a new data center campus located near East Williamsburg Road at the intersection of Technology Boulevard. The board held a public hearing on May 14, as supervisors burrowed through every detail of the plan submitted by Hourigan, a construction and development firm based in Richmond. . . . On May 16, Nelson along with County Manager John Vithoulkas announced that Henrico will establish its first Affordable Housing Trust Fund with money sourced solely from revenue generated by Henrico’s data centers.
Virginia Beach sergeant’s lawsuit claims he was demoted for speaking against discrimination
A Black Virginia Beach police officer who claims he was investigated and demoted after he tried to assist a Black recruit who believed she was being discriminated against is suing the city. Michael Banks first filed his lawsuit in March in U.S. District Court in Norfolk, naming the city and several members of the police department as defendants. He submitted an amended complaint this week in which only the city was listed as a defendant.
Suffolk to transfer 71 acres of land to Nansemond Indian Nation, settling years of debate
Suffolk City Council voted Wednesday to hand over 71 acres of historically significant lands to the Nansemond Indian Nation. The decision settles years of back-and-forth between the city and tribe over the future of the property, which is called Mattanock Town. The site is already home to the tribe’s headquarters and annual pow wow celebration.
Stafford wants parents, students dialed in about possible cellphone ban
If members of the Stafford School Board were filming an ad about their plan to ban cellphone usage during the school day, they might say to students and their parents: “Can you hear me now?” Officials want to make sure those enrolled, as well as their families, know about upcoming changes regarding the student code of conduct. On June 11, the School Board will vote on six new policies that affect everything from anti-bullying measures to removing a rowdy student from class. But they’re well aware the plan to not allow cellphone usage from the starting bell to dismissal is going to create the most blowback.
February 2025 new target date for Culpeper broadband
Like a bad case of déjà vu, local supervisors at their recent meeting heard another later date for connecting to the county broadband project first launched in 2020 — February 2025. All Points Broadband Vice President of Business Development Tom Innes was back before the Culpeper County elected board for the May 7 morning session. ... It was the same explanation for the delay at the last meeting in November and the time before that, and the local politicians got pretty frustrated, again.
Today's Sponsor:
Tom Sherwood
Analyst for WAMU Politics Hour, a weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
EDITORIALS
Virginia has made great strides since Brown, but work remains
Seventy years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education ended segregation in the nation’s public schools, hammering another nail in Jim Crow’s coffin. Though the ruling crackled like a thunderbolt across the United States, years would pass before many states, including Virginia, honored the court’s opinion. Even as the commonwealth celebrates this milestone and the decades of progress that followed, deep disparities in public education persist for many Black and minority students. This anniversary should remind us of how far Virginia has come, but also how much work remains undone.
COLUMNISTS
Yancey: Brown decision was preceded by years of legal preparation. Its implementation in Virginia took years, too.
Seventy years ago, on May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that would change American life: It declared that school segregation was unconstitutional. The first reaction from Virginia Gov. Thomas Stanley, a son of Henry County, was serene and understated: “This news today calls for cool heads, calm study and sound judgment. I’m sure the people of Virginia and our elected representatives can find the right solution.” That sure turned out to be wrong.
OP-ED
Clemons: Seventy years later, the fight for equality begins anew
A common misconception about the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision is that it ended segregation in American classrooms overnight. While the justices’ unanimous 1954 ruling declared the idea of “separate but equal” unconstitutional, hundreds of thousands of students of color remained deeply segregated as Southern states like Virginia took little action to integrate. ... A few years ago, as an assistant professor at Virginia State University, I worked on a team that catalogued and digitized more than 100,000 historical items belonging to the Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA). African American secondary school officials organized the VIA, one month before Brown v. Board, to oversee athletics, arts and academic competitions for Black students during segregation.
Marquez: Who will pay for Amazon’s data center boom? Taxpayers
Silicon Valley may be America’s tech capital on the West Coast, but Northern Virginia holds that title in the east. As the historical backbone of the internet and just a stone’s throw from Washington, D.C., the region has become a favored destination for major tech companies to set up shop. Thanks in large part to generous tax breaks from state lawmakers, the region has become home to the nation’s largest cluster of data centers — some 275 and counting, with Amazon planning $35 billion in data centers across Loudoun and Prince William counties over the next 15 years.