Today's Sponsor:
Cap2Cap presented by Dominion Energy
The unforgettable 20th Cap2Cap Ride on the scenic VA Capital Trail is May 9-10. Riders will roll through history enjoying rest-stops, tech-support, party-zones, and more!
Virginia tribe and state officials accuse each other of Medicaid fraud
The administration of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and the Nansemond Indian Nation have traded allegations of deception over a tribal health-care service and its Medicaid expenses, with the state claiming in court filings last week that the Nansemonds “may be engaging in fraudulent billing practices.” On Wednesday, lawyers for the tribe responded in documents: “The only fraud before this Court is the one orchestrated by [the commonwealth].” The escalating legal conflict involves millions of dollars in health-care reimbursements and marks the first instance of Virginia facing a government-to-government clash with one of its newly recognized Native tribes.
Democrats reach historic goal: A full slate in Virginia House races
For the first time in recent memory, Virginia Democrats have candidates running in all 100 House of Delegates districts — a milestone party leaders and grassroots organizers say reflects rising momentum as President Donald Trump’s second term continues to galvanize opposition. Rocco DeBellis, a 57-year-old chef, Bronx native, and Cape Charles resident, filed this week to run in House District 100, making it the final district to be contested and completing the Democrats’ full slate.
A Salacious Saga Engulfs the Virginia G.O.P. and Weakens Youngkin
When Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia found out that Republican research had linked the G.O.P.’s nominee for lieutenant governor to a blog featuring photos of naked men, he tried to save his party from an embarrassing situation. Mr. Youngkin called the candidate, John Reid, a longtime conservative talk radio host in Richmond, and told him he needed to abandon his campaign because the website was certain to be discovered and would tank the party’s entire ticket. ... Then a funny thing happened. Mr. Reid did not quit. Instead, he posted a five-minute video to social media noting that he is gay and explaining that he had watched pornography and had one-night stands in the past. The Republican base in Virginia quickly rallied around him.
VPAP Visual New Voter Registrations: April 2025
New registrations are slightly lower overall than in 2021 and 2017 but still follow the same trend as the previous two election cycles. Virginia has had 59,130 new registrations so far this year.
Former VCU diversity staffers: ‘It’s hard to even process’
Trevon Straughter recounted the moment he found out his job was being eliminated. It was Friday, March 21. He was working from home and had just picked up some Southern Kitchen for lunch. Then he got the feeling that he should check his email quickly before returning to work. Straughter had been working as a program and event specialist in VCU’s Division of Inclusive Excellence, which focused on initiatives of diversity and inclusion. He saw an email from Alison Miller, Virginia Commonwealth University’s chief human resources officer, sent at 2:43 p.m. which said, “the university must follow federal and state laws regarding discrimination and perceived discrimination.”
From Red Oak to Greenville, Bluefield to Orange, and Goldvein to Silver Beach, VaNews delivers headlines from every corner of Virginia that would be hard to find on your own. This free, nonprofit resource relies entirely on voluntary contributions from readers like you. Please donate now! |
STATE ELECTIONS
Spanberger condemns ‘shocking’ ICE raid in Charlottesville
Abigail Spanberger, Virginia's Democratic candidate for governor, is calling out federal immigration authorities after two men were detained during a raid on a courthouse in downtown Charlottesville last month. On April 22, three plainclothes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents — one masking his face with a balaclava — entered the Albemarle County Courthouse, arrested two men and whisked them away in unmarked vehicles to a detention center in Farmville. The incident has sparked pushback from Charlottesville residents and officials alike. Now Spanberger is pushing back.
Delegate candidates speak on crime, guns, solar panels
The Three Rivers Republican Women’s Club held its third annual candidate forum on April 30. Candidates running for the House of Delegates in the 84th and 89th districts answered questions posed by the audience about local issues. Felisha Storm (R) is running for Delegate in the 84th district. Mike Lamonea (R) and Kristen Shannon (R) are running for Delegate in the 89th district. The forum was moderated by Kerry Dougherty from WTAR.
FEDERAL ELECTIONS
State Sen. Stella Pekarsky joins race to replace Rep. Gerry Connolly
Another Democrat is angling to potentially succeed Rep. Gerry Connolly. State Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-36) will campaign for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District seat, stating in an announcement video first shared with FFXnow that she wants to run to provide not just a voice, but also action for those “terrified and angry” about the currently Republican-led federal government.
Two Democrats join race to succeed Connolly in Congress
The race has begun in Northern Virginia for a successor to Rep. Gerry Connolly, who announced last week that he will not run for reelection after eight terms in Congress. Two Democrats — Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw and state Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax — both announced this week that they are running for the 11th District seat in midterm elections next year that will test public reaction to President Donald Trump and the effect of his policies on the Northern Virginia economy.
STATE GOVERNMENT
State watchdog to audit Bon Air juvenile facility
A state watchdog agency plans a special review of Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, the place judges send youth convicted of felonies when they think there are no less restrictive places to house them. The Office of the State Inspector General said it would review the Bon Air facility at the request of the Commission on Youth, a legislative agency that has been concerned about reports from advocates and families that the center does not have enough staff.
‘Nothing is being done’: Record reveals Richmond water plant employee’s report to state about fluoride overflow
When an employee of the Richmond Water Treatment Plant called a state agency to report an overflow of fluoride into the drinking water supply, he said no one was taking action to address the problem. That's according to an incident report that CBS 6 obtained from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM).
CONGRESS
Subramanyam Hears Concerns Over Potential Medicaid Cuts
U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) on Saturday gave constituents a chance to voice their concerns about potential Medicaid cuts during a town hall meeting at Leesburg Elementary School. Those concerns arose from a resolution by House Republicans that directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to find $880 billion in savings over the course of 10 years—looking for a way to offset lost tax revenues resulting from efforts to retain tax cuts made during President Donald J. Trump’s first term. A Congressional Budget Office study found that Medicaid accounts for 93% of the committee’s spending outside of the mandatory Medicare expenditures.
ECONOMY/BUSINESS
China no longer ‘viable’ for Smithfield Foods exports due to tariffs, executives say
President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war with China has made the country a nonviable export market for Smithfield Foods, CEO Shane Smith and other executives said during an April 29 conference call with shareholders to discuss the company’s first quarter financials. . . . Smith said exports to China account for roughly 3% of Foods’ sales, which totaled $14.1 billion as of Dec. 29, 2024, according to the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. “With China no longer essentially being available we’ve really had to pivot our business,” Smith told shareholders.
Armed Forces Brewing Co. didn’t tap state grants offered for Norfolk relocation
When Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that a military-themed brewery was coming to Norfolk’s Railroad District in July 2023, the state offered the company more than $300,000 in grants and tax breaks. But Armed Forces Brewing Co., which closed its Norfolk taproom and production facility in March, never completed the grant process or received those funds, according to state agencies. And it’s unclear whether the brewery, which is facing debt and a lawsuit threat, used the tax breaks either. . . . When the brewery left earlier this year, CEO Alan Beal blamed what he called the “local woke mob” for undermining efforts to successfully do business in Hampton Roads.
Danish manufacturer Topsoe files formal plans for $400M plant in Chesterfield
While it navigates an uncertain outlook for federal clean-energy financial incentives, Danish company Topsoe continues to take incremental steps toward building a nine-figure manufacturing facility in Chesterfield. The company last week submitted formal site plans with the county for a $400 million plant that would make electrolyzer cells for “clean hydrogen” fuel. Documents show a 300,000-square-foot, two-story facility to be built on a 43-acre site at Meadowville Technology Park.
TRANSPORTATION
Helicopters were banned near National Airport. They are disrupting flights anyway.
Police, medical and military helicopters have continued to fly in close proximity to Reagan National Airport in the three months since an Army Black Hawk and regional jetliner collided and killed 67 people, requiring airline pilots to abort landings and sparking pointed disagreements between agencies responsible for flights. The continued need for passenger jet “go-arounds” — as the sudden avoidance maneuvers are called — and finger-pointing by transportation and military officials within the Trump administration reveal the extent to which officials continue to wrestle with coordination and safety around the congested airport.
HIGHER EDUCATION
DOJ grants University of Va. extension on DEI response
The University of Virginia has until May 30 to respond to an April 28 letter from the U.S. Department of Justice demanding proof — including video and audio from the U.Va. Board of Visitors’ closed sessions — that the university is dismantling and dissolving its diversity, equity and inclusion apparatuses. According to U.Va. spokesperson Brian Coy, the university requested an extension of the previous May 2 deadline cited in the letter, which was sent to U.Va. President Jim Ryan, Rector Robert Hardie and university legal counsel Clifton M. Iler. The DOJ moved the deadline to May 30, Coy said Tuesday.
New James Madison University president talks DEI, research funds in first interview
JMU’s soon-to-be President James “Jim” Schmidt will inherit a university still raw from uncertainty stemming from the federal level — including diversity, equity and inclusion cuts and changes to federal funding. Schmidt, who’s the current University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire chancellor, sat down with The Breeze to discuss JMU’s current state and the responsibilities he will take over with his title come July 1. When discussing JMU’s decision, Schmidt referenced the Feb. 14 “Dear Colleague” letter released by the Department of Education, which affirmed U.S. schools’ commitment to nondiscrimination based on race. Schmidt said this letter provided a framework for many public institutions’ decisions to dismantle their DEI divisions.
New College Institute says business plan was submitted in February 2024, but funding was still vetoed
New College Institute says it submitted a requested business plan to Gov. Glenn Youngkin last year. On Friday, Youngkin vetoed $500,000 in supplemental funding for New College Institute claiming he has twice “recommended that NCI develop a meaningful business plan that best supports the educational and training needs of Southern Virginia, including exploring merging the Institute with existing regional education entities.” On Monday, a news release from NCI stated its board of directors was disappointed in the governor’s veto of funding that received broad bipartisan support by the General Assembly.
VIRGINIA OTHER
Virginia High School League ratifies transgender student participation policy
The Virginia High School League ratified its transgender student participation policy Wednesday as its executive committee meeting. The league's executive committee voted Feb. 10 to change the policy in compliance with President Donald Trump's executive order to keep transgender women from playing on women’s high school sports teams. Since the policy had already been changed, there was no vote or discussion on the changes Wednesday by the VHSL's executive committee. The new policy only affects trans girls.
Virginia High School League executive committee approves updated transgender athlete participation policy
The Virginia High School League on Wednesday ratified legislation on its updated transgender athlete policy, which follows President Donald Trump's executive order, "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," during an executive committee meeting in Charlottesville. The policy was approved without any discussion from the executive committee.
Pamunkey Reservation listed as one of the nation’s most endangered historic places
Some of the highest rates of sea level rise in the country are in the Chesapeake Bay region where it’s twice the average annual global rate. Wednesday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the Pamunkey Indian Tribe’s reservation, on a peninsula in King William County, among its eleven Most Endangered Historic Places in America.
Pamunkey Indian Reservation named among America’s most endangered historic places
Climate change is threatening the Pamunkey Indian Reservation, and now the National Trust for Historic Preservation has named the area as one of the most endangered historic sites in the country. Settled on a 1,600-acre peninsula in King William County, the reservation is surrounded by the Pamunkey River on three sides. Kendall Stevens, cultural resources director for the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, said like other coastal communities, the reservation is not spared from the struggle of erosion, rising sea levels, sinking land and more severe storms.
Prison lieutenant gets 1-year sentence for Petersburg death in custody
Wade Scott Walters died in a suicide watch cell in a Petersburg federal prison. His death, in precisely the type of cell where a prisoner should be keenly observed, caused an inquest within the Bureau of Prisons. According to a video described by prosecutors, Walters, a vulnerable adult who could not speak for himself, banged his body against the walls of his cell at least 23 times. His cause of death was ultimately ruled to be a broken skull. Federal prosecutors pursued criminal charges against a handful of staff involved. On Wednesday, Shronda Covington, a 16-year-veteran of FCI Petersburg, was handed her punishment for her role in Walters' death.
Former Henrico NICU nurse now facing 20 charges
Eight new charges have been handed down to former Henrico Doctors’ Hospital nurse Erin Strotman, meaning the former health professional now faces a total of 20 charges in the ongoing investigation into the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The charges were issued by the Commonwealth, which also motioned in a court hearing on Wednesday, May 7 that Strotman’s current bond be revoked. Prosecutors argued they were in a different place in their investigation as of Wednesday, now that Strotman faces 18 more charges than she did at the time of her arrest in January.
LOCAL
Fairfax County teachers’ union blames supervisors after budget crushes labor agreement
Fairfax County teachers’ elation at securing a collective bargaining agreement, the first of its kind in nearly 50 years for the district, has proven short-lived. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is set to adopt a budget for fiscal year 2026 that transfers $2.93 billion to Fairfax County Public Schools — up $119 million from the current fiscal year, but well short of the $248 million increase that Superintendent Michelle Reid requested primarily to cover employee pay raises promised by the union contract.
Fauquier County dump expansion could threaten historic Schoolhouse 18
A planned expansion to a Fauquier County trash collection site in Marshall could threaten the historic schoolhouse next door, advocates are warning. Built in 1887, the one-room school now surrounded by well-tended gardens closed in 1964 and was the last of 31 Fauquier County elementary schools serving African American students. . . . Some advocates say the changes will make the site safer and reduce traffic, but opponents worry the plan will roll back progress that has improved the historic property next door.
Manassas leaders voice concerns over data center tenant not subject to business property taxes
City leaders in Manassas are expressing bewilderment after learning a tenant inside a new data center won’t have to pay business personal property taxes, drastically shrinking the revenue the city expected from the property. The tenant inside the Brickyard data center at 9905 Godwin Drive, operated by Digital Realty Trust, filed tax paperwork on April 14 identifying itself as a bank, Commissioner of the Revenue Tim Demeria told City Council April 30.
King George Firefighters Defend their Right to Speak
Members of the King George chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF Local 4438)—supported by members of Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Orange, and Winchester chapters—spoke in defense of their First Amendment rights at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. The membership turned out in response to comments made by some of the supervisors at the April 11 budget work session. The comments hinted at retaliation against the Local 4438 president, Triston Beverly, for writing a letter expressing concern about the proposed budget for the fire, rescue, and emergency services department.
5 former Richmond Public Schools bus drivers say they were fired for advocating for overtime pay
Sonny Randolph said parents are still calling him to tell him their kids won’t get on the bus. Randolph began driving buses for Richmond Public Schools in 2014. Until recently, he was responsible for picking up children with intellectual disabilities and making sure they made it safely to their schools. . . . Randolph is among five former RPS bus drivers — alongside Cynthia Cole, Katina Hickman, Darryl Brinson-Williams and Kimya Williams — who allege they were fired last month in retaliation for attending a Richmond School Board meeting on April 8, where Williams, Brinson-Williams and some of their colleagues spoke in defense of their overtime pay.
Death of Virginia Beach Autistic Boy Renews Questions About the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Schools
The week before he died, Josh Sikes had problems at school. He overturned his desk and broke a teacher’s glasses on Halloween. Amid a long behavioral episode on Oct.31, he was restricted to a “safe” or “calming” area in a classroom overseen by Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs, a regional consortium serving eight communities in Hampton Roads. What happened in that area is now the subject of multiple investigations. Josh was 11, a fourth-grader on the autism spectrum, with ADHD and an intellectual disability. He attended Pembroke Elementary School in Virginia Beach, but he was a student within a SECEP classroom, taught by special education teachers and learning among other children.
Calls made for Northumberland School administrators to be put on leave
As Northumberland pushes for a Virginia State Police investigation of the school system, the Board of Supervisors and School Board agreed that the School Board needs to consider placing the superintendent, Dr. Holly Wargo, and the finance director, Tara Booth, on administrative leave.
Pushback in Petersburg City Council after planning commission asks for pay
“This is a don't shoot the messenger item,” City Manager John "March" Altman cautioned city council Tuesday evening. He did so before Planning and Community Development Director Naomi Siodmok began her presentation on the Planning Commission’s request to be paid for the work they do for the city — a contentious item that caused some debate during the city council meeting’s public comment period.
Petersburg sent out 500 incorrect real-estate tax bills
A mistake made in processing Petersburg’s fourth-quarter real-estate tax bills made 500 of them incorrect and is prompting a do-over for the affected property owners. ... The error happened because Petersburg’s customer care and collection department used the wrong data instead of the updated report sent to them by the assessor and commissioner of the revenue. These bills were sent to both current property owners and ones who sold their property in fiscal year 2024.
Misjuns asks about waste, fraud in survey sent to Lynchburg city employees
Lynchburg At-large Councilman Martin Misjuns sent an online survey to city employees Monday morning asking them to identify any waste and fraud they may have seen in the operations of city government. In the email, Misjuns said the survey is part of his “commitment to collaborate with the City Manager on effective governance” and the survey results will help “enhance our financial oversight.” . . . Misjuns said the survey was not coordinated with the city manager’s office, which did not know it was going to be sent out Monday morning.
Mecklenburg solar project neighbors get fake letter dangling cash
Property owners near a proposed solar project in Chase City have reportedly received a fake “good neighbor agreement” that was made to look as if it was issued by solar developer Longroad Energy Holdings, LLC for its 7 Bridges Solar facility. The document in question contains an offer, purportedly from Longroad Energy Holdings, LLC and 7 Bridges Solar LLC, to pay homeowners an initial sum of $10,000 for signing the agreement. . . . Longroad Energy officials say the letter is a fabrication. . . . At least twice, public allegations have been made claiming that Longroad Energy has reached out to nearby landowners, offering money to them, in exchange for the promise of the landowner to withhold any objection to development of 7 Bridges Solar.
Today's Sponsor:
Cap2Cap presented by Dominion Energy
The unforgettable 20th Cap2Cap Ride on the scenic VA Capital Trail is May 9-10. Riders will roll through history enjoying rest-stops, tech-support, party-zones, and more!
EDITORIALS
Gov. Youngkin can help strengthen federal emergency response
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency ripe for reform. Residents here know that while its work is essential in the aftermath of a disaster, funding can be slow to arrive, the process of receiving aid can be frustrating and overly bureaucratic, and the agency is routinely impeded by staffing and funding shortfalls. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was last week appointed to a presidential review council to study that agency and recommend changes to FEMA. That’s a difficult charge, given that President Donald Trump has called for the agency’s elimination, but the council has an important opportunity to make federal emergency response efforts more effective and financially responsible, which would benefit us all.
COLUMNISTS
Yancey: A myth busted: Our kids aren’t leaving for Charlotte and Atlanta. Not as many as we think, anyway.
For all the time I’ve lived in the Roanoke Valley, which is now more than four decades, I’ve heard a constant lament: We lose people to Charlotte and Atlanta. Our young adults leave for there. Our mid-career adults leave for there. From time to time, our major employers have left for there. The latter is certainly true: The railroad that turned a salt lick into a boomtown is now in Atlanta, by way of Norfolk. The former, though, is not, at least not in appreciable numbers.
OP-ED
Hawkins: Virginia’s voting rights restoration system must be fair
I’m a 33-year-old Virginian, born and raised in Richmond. I am CEO of my own successful delivery and courier business, Right & Exact Transport, LLC. I create jobs, pay taxes and spend hours volunteering for nonprofit organizations. But despite everything I do for my community, I am not allowed to exercise my fundamental right to vote. In fact, I have never been able to vote. At 17, I was convicted of a felony in connection with a shooting incident.