Early voting begins for Virginia June primary
Sam Fowler, Capital News Service The first day of early voting began Friday for the June 8 Virginia primary election. Voters will be able to choose candidates in advance of the November state election, including for the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general races. Republican and Democratic candidates for the House of Delegates are also […]
‘There Is No Context’: General Assembly Votes To Remove Byrd Statue
Zachary Klosko, Capital News Service The Virginia General Assembly has voted to remove the statue of former U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd Sr. from Capitol Square, the area around the Virginia State Capitol. House Bill 2208, introduced by Del. Jay Jones, D-Norfolk, instructs the Department of General Services to place the statue in storage until […]
Advocates frustrated by Democratic leadership on police reform
Josephine Walker, Capital News Service Virginia has made headlines in recent months for criminal justice reform measures but advocates say more needs to be done. They are disappointed lawmakers in both chambers of the General Assembly recently killed proposals to reduce qualified immunity protections for police officers. State lawmakers so far this session have advanced […]
Virginia Latino voters excited for Biden presidency
Ada Romano, Capital News Service The Latino vote went to different candidates around the nation, but in Virginia a majority of Latinos favored former Vice President Joe Biden and are hopeful he’ll reverse President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. More than 60% of Latinos in Virginia voted for Biden during this year’s presidential election, while almost […]
Spanberger declares victory in close Congressional race; Freitas waits
Anya Sczerzenie, Capital News Service Democratic congresswoman Abigail Spanberger declared victory Wednesday over Republican Del. Nick Freitas in the tight 7th District U.S. House of Representatives race, though some absentee ballots remain uncounted. The reporting of absentee ballots from Henrico and Spotsylvania counties late afternoon Wednesday pushed Spanberger into a slim lead. Spanberger had won […]
Delegate plans to reintroduce quarantine pay bill next session
Zachary Klosko, Capital News Service Del. Elizabeth Guzmán, D-Woodbridge, said she is no stranger to the struggles of low-paying jobs. Guzmán said she immigrated to the United States from Peru as a single mother and worked multiple minimum wage jobs just to be able to pay rent and care for her daughter. Guzmán has a […]
VCU emergency room sees increase in opioid overdoses patients
Aliviah Jones, Capital News Service The pandemic could be driving an increase in opioid overdoses, according to recently published data and insights from people who work in a local treatment center. Virginia Commonwealth University has released a new study that shows a surge in patients at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond who were admitted […]
Efforts falter to require schools to provide in-person options
Sam Fowler, Capital News Service An effort to require Virginia school districts provide in-person classes to students with poor internet access during the COVID-19 pandemic is most likely dead. House Bill 5009, introduced by Del. Mark Cole, R-Fredericksburg, would require public schools to offer in-person classes to elementary, middle and high school students who have substandard […]
Some colleges add free vending machines with masks, sanitizer
Brandon Shillingford, Capital News Service Students returning to campus this fall will find vending machines stocked full of snacks, sodas, and now personal protective equipment too. The machines located throughout Richmond-based Virginia Commonwealth University are filled with masks and hand sanitizer and soon, wipes. The supplies are available to students and employees for free, with […]
Virginia DMV increases staffing as Real ID deadline approaches
Jimmy O’Keefe, Capital News Service After noticing his driver’s license was set to expire, Loudoun County resident John Akins paid a visit to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles on Friday. This time he obtained a Real ID-compliant driver’s license — a new requirement for many Americans. Virginians have until Oct. 1, 2020, to acquire […]