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GOP candidate for lieutenant governor ups the ante in spar with governor
The Republican candidate for Virginia’s lieutenant governor – already embroiled in heat with Gov. Glenn Youngkin over the latter’s reported efforts to push him off the ticket – turned up the temperature in that battle over the weekend by saying “I’m not going anywhere” ... Meanwhile, one of the Virginia Senate’s more traditional conservative voices said Monday that he will support John Reid because “I support all of our nominees.” Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Colonial Heights, also said the issue of whether Reid should come off the ticket should be between Reid and the governor, and no one else.
Richmond revenue director resigns after more problems with tax rebate checks
Richmond's director of revenue resigned last week after city officials learned of more errors that have hampered the city's efforts to give Richmond property owners back some tax money they've already paid. A month ago, the city announced a mailing error had resulted in thousands of erroneous checks to be sent out payable to an entity called "Hartshorn Community Council." On Monday — as questions swirled about the status of checks residents still weren't seeing in their mailboxes — the city announced it had found several more problems that were delaying the process.
Clark: Lawmakers missed chance to help ELL students
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many, if not all education systems worldwide. In Virginia, recent data indicates that the Standards of Learning (SOL) test scores have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. For example, in the 2023-24 academic year, Virginia’s statewide pass rates were 76% in reading/writing and 71% in math compared to that of the 2018-19 academic year when pass rates were close to 80% for all subjects. What’s especially worrying is that there were groups of students who were already facing difficulties with the SOL’s before COVID-19, primarily English Language Learners (ELLs).
Lewis: The GOP’s disgraceful bid to sandbag its openly gay lieutenant governor nominee
Things aren’t always what they seem to be, especially in today’s online realm. A “friend request” appeared in my Facebook notifications last week that I immediately recognized as phony. It purported to be from a real-life friend I’ve known for more than a quarter of a century. It used his real name and photo, but it had only 16 friends, not his more than 2,000 online friends, including me. So I reported the sham account to Facebook and texted my friend, who knew about it and had already alerted Facebook. The fake “friendvite” was one of many I reject and report every week. Having a large social media following is not unusual for people like my friend, who spent most of his career in the public eye during decades of distinguished service at top levels in state government. They’re also prime targets for digital impostors.
Yancey: 10 things to know about the John Reid controversy
Virginia Republicans have a lot of challenges going into the 2025 statewide elections: An electorate that has generally (though not always) tilted Democratic. A long-standing historical trend of Virginians electing a governor from whatever party isn’t in control in Washington. Donald Trump in the White House, when that led to record Democratic victories last time. A playing field where eight Republican-held House of Delegates seats are in districts that voted Democratic last year and could do so again this fall. There are two big things, though, that Republicans thought they had in their favor: Glenn Youngkin has been a popular governor, and the party’s ticket was nominated early, without acrimony. Now, at least one of those advantages has been blown to bits ...
Future Navy leaders not served by book removal at academy library
No book can pose a threat to the mighty U.S. Navy. Nevertheless, the Trump administration recently removed 381 books from the Naval Academy library because, apparently, midshipmen need to be protected from knowledge that race relations and the treatment of women and gay people have never been exactly shipshape in America.
Norfolk election officials ask judge to remove one of its board members
Several Norfolk election officials have asked a Circuit Court judge to remove a member of the Norfolk Electoral Board, saying she has disrupted the election process and betrayed the nonpartisan nature of the position. Officials are asking a judge to remove Marianne McKay, the board vice chair, according to court documents.
Counties express frustration after Richmond fails to communicate water error
Henrico and Hanover sent press releases on Monday expressing frustration that they were not properly informed by the city about an error at Richmond's water treatment plant last Wednesday. The error resulted in an excess of fluoride being introduced into the water, though the level remained below the maximum allowable by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Richmond director of revenue resigns after tax rebate checks bounce
The city’s director of revenue last Monday resigned following additional issues with the city’s real estate tax rebate checks, a city spokesperson told The Times-Dispatch. In March, officials issued thousands of the checks with the incorrect names printed on them. This week, multiple sources told The Times-Dispatch their correctly issues checks had bounced.
Purcellville recall petition filed: Residents seek ‘transparency and trust in town government’
A group of Purcellville residents led by Brian Morgan have taken the next step in seeking the removal of Purcellville's mayor and three Town Council members, delivering recall petitions April 28 to Gary Clemens, Clerk of the Loudoun County Circuit Court. They are seeking to recall Mayor Chris Bertaut, Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett and Council members Carol Luke and Susan Khalil, and filed four recall petitions with nearly 1,200 signatures each.