Today's Sponsor:
Margi Vanderhye in honor of Barbara Rose Johns Day
The walkout she led in 1951 to protest conditions at her high school became part of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. https://motonmuseum.org/bvbcommemoration/
Virginia gets mixed signals on jobs; more layoffs loom
Virginia’s unemployment rate ticked up to 3.2% last month, an increase of nearly half a percentage point from a year earlier, and a Volvo truck factory in Southwest Virginia just announced a second round of layoffs amid rising uncertainty over tariffs that President Donald Trump has imposed, particularly on trade with China. On the other hand, the number of non-farm jobs in Virginia increased in March and unemployment claims have not risen dramatically, despite deep cuts in the federal workforce and private contractors that support government agencies.
Two Virginia universities join 220 higher-ed leaders condemning federal overreach
More than 220 presidents and chancellors from colleges, universities and scholarly societies across the United States signed a joint statement April 22 condemning what they describe as “unprecedented government overreach and political interference ... endangering American higher education.” Among the signatories are leaders from two Virginia institutions: the University of Virginia and Virginia Wesleyan University.
State opens criminal investigation into Purcellville vice mayor accused of retaliating against police department
The Virginia State Police has opened a criminal investigation into the actions of the vice mayor of Purcellville, who also happened to work as a police officer. According to the Commonwealth's Attorney for Loudoun County Bob Anderson, Vice Mayor Carl "Ben" Nett is under investigation, causing officials to remove his access to all police department records, voting on all matters involving the PPD and attending all meetings involving discussions about PPD. Nett is not just the town's vice mayor, he also worked as a Purcellville Police Department officer. However, Anderson says Nett was fired from the force a few days ago.
VPAP Visual Out-of-State Donations for Governor: Q1 2025
See which states have the most donations from individuals to the two candidates running for Virginia governor this November.
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EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Youngkin backs Trump’s tariff plans at Virginia Ag Trade Conference
Governor Glenn Youngkin gave the thumbs up to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies Tuesday. The remarks came at an agricultural trade conference held Tuesday in Richmond where the impacts of Trump’s policy were also discussed. Youngkin said building new markets was the key to Virginia’s agricultural future as Trump uses tariffs to either negotiate better trade deals or move manufacturing back into the US.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Legislators: Virginia is prepared for any challenges going forward
As the Virginia General Assembly session winds down, local lawmakers gathered at the Williamsburg Regional Library on Tuesday morning to discuss what they did and didn’t like about this year’s session. The Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce hosted the forum, which featured Sens. Ryan McDougle and Danny Diggs and Dels. Amanda Batten, A.C. Cordoza and Chad Green, all Republicans. The panel fielded questions from chamber members related to the workforce, as well as recent federal government actions and their local impacts.
STATE ELECTIONS
Virginia’s diverse GOP ticket for Election Day 2025 makes history
The Republican ticket for Virginia's statewide races this year is set. It's a notably diverse roster of candidates for the Old Dominion. Richmond conservative talk show host John Reid secured the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor Monday after the only other candidate dropped out. ... Reid is the Commonwealth's first openly gay nominee for statewide office of any party.
Lack of statewide GOP primary might diminish turnout for down-ballot primaries
The sudden withdrawal of Pat Herrity from the Republican primary for lieutenant governor means the GOP will have no statewide primaries in June. Republicans will have ten primaries for House of Delegates seats. Republicans have primaries in the four House of Delegates seats where their incumbents are not seeking reelection. They also have primary contests in three of the districts where the party is targeting incumbent House Democrats plus two primaries in districts that have safe incumbent Democrats. Republican operative Jeff Ryer says not having anything at the top of the ticket changes who will show up to vote.
Female candidates pack Virginia’s House of Delegates elections, tee up historic governor’s race
With Virginia poised to elect its first woman governor later this year, the future of its state legislature is also female. About 80 House of Delegates candidates are women, representing Democrats, Republicans and third party contenders. They are incumbents and challengers in primary or general elections vying for a role in the House, where all 100 seats are up for election. Of the 86 non-incumbents running statewide, 41 of those are women, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
STATE GOVERNMENT
Avian influenza cases reported throughout Fredericksburg region
At least seven localities in the Fredericksburg region have reported avian influenza in wild birds since the start of the year, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. The city of Fredericksburg has posted an alert on its website, warning residents that the wildlife department has reported “the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in wild bird populations across the Commonwealth, including recent cases in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and other localities.”
CONGRESS
Sen. Kaine addresses tariff impact on Virginia businesses during Danville visit
The impact of President Trump's tariffs is being felt globally and locally, with Virginia businesses particularly affected. Senator Tim Kaine visited Danville to address these concerns and offer support to local businesses struggling with increased costs due to tariffs. Randy Beauchamp, site manager of Polynt Composites, said, "What we've seen generally is probably 15-20 percent more in our cost." He noted that while tariffs do not significantly affect their finished products, they create uncertainty in purchasing decisions. Beauchamp's business in Chatham is particularly impacted by Canadian tariffs, as it relies on raw materials from Canada.
Sen. Warner calls for Defense Secretary Hegseth’s resignation over classified information mishandling
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) is calling for the resignation or removal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following reports that Hegseth shared classified military information with family members on his personal phone. “Our men and women in uniform deserve better. They deserve a secretary that treats classified information with the appropriate level of secrecy because lives depend upon it,” Warner said during a media availability Tuesday. ... Alexandria Congressman Don Beyer has also called for Hegseth’s resignation or removal.
Congressman Eugene Vindman Opens Second District Office in Fredericksburg
Freshman Congressman Eugene Vindman on Monday afternoon marked the opening of his second district office in downtown Fredericksburg with a ribbon-cutting—a ceremony that he said always represents “hope for the future.” “This is the first step in a long road that we will walk together,” Vindman said to the crowd of constituents who gathered for the opening of the new office, located in the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce building at 1701 Fall Hill Avenue.
ECONOMY/BUSINESS
Federal reports paint conflicting Virginia jobs pictures
While Virginia added about 6,000 jobs in March according to one employment survey, another said 15,000 fewer Virginians were employed — more than any other state and the District of Columbia, according to US Labor Department figures released last week. The figures are not interchangeable, though both are conducted through the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Local Area Unemployment Statistics, which come from a household survey of people, said that just under 15,000 fewer people were employed in Virginia in March than in February. While LAUS counts people with jobs, rather than the jobs themselves, the Current Employment Statistics surveys employers. It counted 6,000 more jobs in Virginia.
Steelhead trout, not salmon, will now be raised at the aquaculture farm being developed in Southwest Virginia
Rather than raise Atlantic salmon at the huge aquaculture farm being developed in Russell and Tazewell counties, the company developing it has decided to go with the lookalike steelhead trout instead. Russell County officials are also moving forward with construction of the delayed access road to the front of the project site, which will allow larger trucks — needed to place 20 miles of water pipes in the ground — on the site.
TRANSPORTATION
More drivers using express lanes
Could Transurban, the Australian-based corporation that owns and operates toll lanes across the globe, be the beneficiary of U.S. federal worker back to office mandates? Seems like it. The company released its March quarter update last week and more traffic is using Transurban’s electronically tolled lanes in several countries. Interstates 95 and 495 express are leading the way.
HIGHER EDUCATION
UVa. President Ryan signs collective statement condemning Trump administration
The American Association of Colleges and Universities released a public statement Tuesday which condemned President Donald Trump’s “unprecedented government overreach” in higher education across the country. University President Jim Ryan was one of over 180 signees, which included college and university presidents as well as other leaders within higher education. ... The University was the only Virginia public university whose president signed.
VIRGINIA OTHER
ICE detains 2 men in Charlottesville courthouse raid
Two men were carried away from the Albemarle County Courthouse in downtown Charlottesville Tuesday morning as part of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid. Such scenes are becoming increasingly common as the Trump administration cracks down on immigrant communities. ... What alarmed Nicholas Reppucci, head of the Charlottesville Office of the Public Defender, is that the enforcers called in to detain the two men in the city Tuesday morning were wearing plain clothes and did not display badges or arrest warrants.
Virginia nurse now accused of abusing 4 premature babies at Henrico hospital
A nurse accused of abusing vulnerable infants at a western Henrico County hospital now faces more criminal charges. Erin Strotman was served with six new indictments Tuesday, and now officially stands accused of hurting four different babies from 2022 to 2024. She has also been charged with class 6 felony child abuse and neglect related to the treatment of a fifth baby, but that child was never injured, according to prosecutors.
Virginia NICU nurse accused of hurting infants charged in new cases
New charges unveiled Tuesday against a nurse suspected of hurting infants in a Virginia hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit bring the number of children she is accused of abusing to five and extend the window of alleged mistreatment by two years. Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26, was arrested in January and charged in a single case after several infants suffered seemingly inexplicable fractures, prompting Henrico Doctors’ Hospital to abruptly shutter its NICU as police investigated. The list of charges grew in March, when prosecutors accused her of abusing two more infants last year. Indictments unsealed Tuesday in Henrico County Circuit Court involve two additional infants and allege the abuse dates from 2022.
Ninth potential victim discovered in Henrico hospital child abuse case
Authorities say they have discovered a ninth newborn baby hurt at the neonatal intensive-care unit at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. The baby suffered fractures in 2022, a prosecutor said, a year before the first previously known injury. On Tuesday, prosecutors served Erin Strotman with six new charges of child abuse and malicious wounding as the case continues to expand. Altogether, prosecutors say they have nine victims, and authorities have charged Strotman in connection to five of them.
Sources: When billions in emergency funds were stalled, Trump admin sped FEMA money to some GOP-led states
At a time when critical funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has slowed to a crawl, some states — with Republican governors — have been luckier than others in prying money loose. The Trump administration directed FEMA to prioritize payments to GOP-led Missouri and Virginia in recent weeks, while some other states’ requests weren’t being filled, according to multiple sources and internal communications obtained by CNN. The situation has raised concerns at FEMA that the White House is playing politics with critical emergency management funds.
LOCAL
Virginia Attorney General authorizes criminal investigation into Purcellville vice mayor
Commonwealth Attorney Bob Anderson notified Purcellville town council members on April 22 that the Office of the Attorney General has authorized Virginia State Police to conduct a criminal investigation into Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett. The Times-Mirror obtained Anderson's letter to the council through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Purcellville Council to Retain Police Department
In the face of strong community opposition, the Purcellville Town Council on Tuesday night reversed plans to disband the police department. During an unprecedented showing of public support with more than 300 people packed into Town Hall, the Town Council voted to fully fund the Police Department in fiscal year 2026. The council chambers were standing room only as residents overflowed into the lobby, conference rooms and upstairs office. The meeting was streamed into each of the locations and cast via a projector onto a large screen to a community members gathered on the lawn outside.
Purcellville town council votes to fully fund police force after plans to dismantle agency
After much debate, comments and outbursts from outraged residents, the Purcellville Town Council abandoned plans to dissolve the local police department and, instead, voted to fully fund the law enforcement agency through next year. Council members met Tuesday night in front of a packed room, with standing room only and some residents being forced to listen to the meeting outside the building, to discuss the potential disbandment of its police department. It followed a vote two weeks ago to start the process of eliminating the department and relying solely on the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) for law enforcement.
Purcellville Council Recall Petition Garners Double Required Signatures
Purcellville resident Brian Morgan announced during tonight's Town Council meeting that the effort to recall Mayor Christopher Bertaut, Vice Mayor Ben Nett and council members Susan Khalil and Carol Luke has garnered enough signatures to submit to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Morgan said the effort required 495 signatures to initiate a recall for each council member and the mayor. During the council meeting he announced his team has 1,088 signatures to recall Bertaut, 1,081 for Luke, 1,085 for Khalil and 1,091 signatures for Nett. He plans to file the petitions with the Clerk of the Circuit Court on April 28.
A ‘justice gap’ in Richmond? New legal fund wants to shrink it
A new legal fund is taking shape in response to an apparent shortage of pro-bono lawyers in metro Richmond. Announced Monday, the Richmond Community Legal Fund says it will take on the legal cases of working-class families who do not qualify — or who are turned away — from existing legal aid programs. ... Schmidt expects immigration cases to demand most of the group’s attention.
As its landscape changes, Pittsylvania County to get first comprehensive zoning update since 1991
When Pittsylvania County’s zoning code was adopted in 1991, it did not provide guidance for battery storage facilities, solar projects or data centers. It didn’t need to — back then, the county wasn’t attracting these kinds of developments. But Pittsylvania is now experiencing never-before-seen levels of growth, and zoning is lagging behind. The code has not had a comprehensive update in the more than 30 years since it was adopted. “There are a lot of uses that are prevalent today that were not even a thought in 1991,” said Emily Ragsdale, the county’s director of community development.
Solar panels mean savings for Roanoke schools
Solar panels will produce serious cost savings for the school system in Roanoke, and prepare some students for careers in renewable energy, officials announced Tuesday. Installation of rooftop solar panels at 17 more school locations will save the division an estimated $46.5 million over the next 35 years, said Jeff Shawver, senior director of physical plants, during a news conference Tuesday morning. The Earth Day announcement initiated a second phase of school solarization in Roanoke, after six school buildings were solar-fitted last year.
Today's Sponsor:
Margi Vanderhye in honor of Barbara Rose Johns Day
The walkout she led in 1951 to protest conditions at her high school became part of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. https://motonmuseum.org/bvbcommemoration/
COLUMNISTS
Yancey: Taking the 5th? Here’s the challenge facing any Democrat who wants to take on McGuire in the midterms.
Lynchburg Republicans have filed a federal lawsuit to challenge the state law that has been interpreted as a mandate that parties must nominate their candidates through primaries, as opposed to some party-run process such as a convention or a mass meeting. I say “interpreted as” because the law’s sponsor — Del. Dan. Helmer, D-Fairfax County — says it wasn’t intended as a 100% bar on other methods, just a requirement that those methods meet certain thresholds for allowing for the participation of military personnel and others who might not be able to attend in person. However, Attorney General Jason Miyares and others (including the lawyer for the Republican Party of Virginia) have ruled that the only practical way to satisfy the law is through a primary.
OP-ED
Kaine: Pope Francis stood for the ‘least of these.’ So should we
When the news broke in March 2013 that Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had been elected pope by the College of Cardinals in Rome, my heart soared. As a Catholic who worked with Jesuit missionaries in Honduras in 1980-81, the prospect of the first Latin American and first Jesuit assuming the papacy was like a beam of sunlight penetrating the church I love. And when he assumed the name Pope Francis, the first Pope to model after Saint Francis of Assisi, I knew his leadership would prove distinct and special.