A Black VMI cadet was threatened with a lynching, then with expulsion -
News headlines from around Virginia
Welcome to Tuesday! Here are the top political headlines from around Virginia
A Black VMI cadet was threatened with a lynching, then with expulsion - Washington Post
by Ian Shapira
Military Institute, and a group of upperclassmen slammed open the doors to the freshman barracks rooms. It was time for a morning run. Rafael Jenkins, a prized VMI basketball recruit, said he threw on his gym clothes and hydration pack, then grabbed his “Rat Bible,” a booklet of campus rules, rituals and history.
As the 19-year-old cadet waited in the hallway to use the bathroom that August day in 2018, the group of upperclassmen shouted more orders.
Citizen applicants for Virginia redistricting commission skew white, male, over age 50 - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Andrew Cain
A week from the Dec. 28 deadline to apply, citizen applicants for Virginia’s new Redistricting Commission are skewing white, male, older and comparatively well-off.
Of 214 applicant profiles that the Virginia Public Access Project had received from the Virginia Division of Legislative Services as of Friday, 161 were for men and 53 were for women.
Online sports betting in Virginia nearing its debut - Associated Press
by Matthew Barakat
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Virginians have long been sidelined when it comes to gambling, but it’s a safe proposition that sometime before the upcoming Super Bowl they will be able to wager from the comfort of their couches as Virginia joins a growing list of states that allow sports wagering.
The Virginia Lottery is expected to give the go-ahead next month to what will likely be more than a dozen betting sites to take wagers from Virginians on numerous types of sports. Officials predict Virginians will respond by betting as much as $400 million in 2021, and steadily increasing amounts thereafter.
Fairfax County prosecutor formally ends cash bail, joining a growing movement - Washington Post
by Justin Jouvenal
Fairfax County’s top prosecutor formally announced Monday that his office would no longer seek cash bail, saying it exacerbates inequalities between the rich and poor in the criminal justice system.
The announcement codifies what had been the general practice of Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve T. Descano (D) since he took office in January after running on a platform of bringing major changes in Virginia’s largest county.
Virginia to ramp up ‘Checkpoint Strikeforce’ over holidays - Virginia Scope
Governor Ralph Northam announced Monday afternoon that the Commonwealth’s 19th annual Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign and enforcement effort will be ramping up on Virginia’s roads this holiday travel season. The purpose of the campaign is to help curb alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
According to figures from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that Northam’s office sent out, 253 individuals died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes on Virginia’s roadways through December 8, 2020, compared to 249 alcohol-related traffic fatalities recorded during the same period in 2019. During last year’s Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period, nearly one-third, or 32 percent, of all traffic deaths in Virginia involved drunk drivers.
Virginia isn’t quite ready to put a ring on the Transportation and Climate Initiative - Virginia Mercury
by Sarah Vogelsong
Virginia isn’t committing just yet to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative, a regional proposal that aims to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector using a cap-and-invest model already in use for power plants.
On Monday, TCI leaders unveiled a long-awaited final framework for the program and announced Washington, D.C. and three New England states — Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island — had formally signed a memorandum of understanding committing to decrease transportation emissions by 30 percent by 2032.
Banned in Virginia starting Jan. 1: Holding a phone while driving - Roanoke Times
by Amy Friedenberger
Put your phone down and focus on driving. Starting Jan. 1, that will be the law in Virginia.
The law will prohibit people from holding a handheld communications device while driving. It’s a primary offense, which means police can pull a driver over for that alone.
Endorsements
It was a busy Monday as statewide candidates continue the work to build a coalition of supporters from elected officials and influential members of the community. In addition, a member of the House of Delegates decided to join the already-extremely crowded field.
McAuliffe announces large coalition of Hampton Roads endorsements
Terry McAuliffe announced several new endorsements on Monday morning as he is seeking the Democratic nomination to run for Governor in 2021. McAuliffe is currently competing with Senator Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond), former Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Prince William), and current Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax for the nomination.
As the candidates vie for support from influential figures across the Commonwealth, seven Hampton Roads legislators and four mayors announced this morning that they will be supporting McAuliffe’s candidacy. In addition to Virginia Senate President Pro-Tempore L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), who is co-chair of the McAuliffe campaign, Senator Lionell Spruill and Delegates Don Scott, Cliff Hayes, Alex Askew, Mike Mullin, Martha Mugler, and Steve Heretick say they will be supporting McAuliffe for Governor.
58 Chesterfield County Republican Leaders Endorse Kirk Cox for Governor
Fifty-eight Republican leaders from Chesterfield County endorsed Kirk Cox for Governor on Monday, including former State Senator Glen Sturtevant, Delegates Roxann Robinson and Carrie Coyner, Chesterfield County GOP Chairman Mike Hadank and ten past Chairmen, 4th District GOP Chair Carey Allen, three Chesterfield County Sheriffs, two past State Party Chairs, and Chesterfield Supervisors Leslie Haley, Chris Winslow, Jim Ingle, and Kevin Carroll.
“I’m grateful and humbled to have earned the endorsement of these strong conservative leaders, each one a friend and ally in our fight for conservative principles and policies that can move the Commonwealth forward,” said Cox. “They are ready to bring the party together, lead forward, and win in 2021.”
Republican Senator Bill DeSteph Endorses Tim Hugo for Lieutenant Governor
Senator Bill DeSteph endorsed Tim Hugo’s campaign for Lieutenant Governor today and issued the following statement.
"It is my honor to endorse Tim Hugo in his race for Lieutenant Governor," said Senator Bill DeSteph. "Family man, veteran, and community leader, Tim Hugo's life has been about service. Tim distinguished himself during his many years in the Virginia House of Delegates, fighting for his constituents and standing up for what is right. He has a proven record of supporting conservative policies and will fight back against complete Democrat rule in Richmond.”
Del. Mark Levine (D) is running for Lieutenant Governor
Delegate Mark Levine (D-Alexandria) announced on Monday morning that he will seek the office of Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2021. Levine was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2015.
“Injustice really gets under my skin,” Levine said. “All our lives we’ve been told ‘that’s just the way things are.’ But I’ve found – if you’re persistent and creative, get the details right, and work with others of good will – even the toughest problems can be solved. So when I hear something is ‘impossible’, that’s my cue to get to work!”
Levine is entering a very crowded field of Democrats seeking the office.
“Virginia needs a full-time lieutenant governor. If elected, I would visit every one of Virginia’s 133 counties and cities during my term and assist the Governor in connecting with everyday Virginians all across the Commonwealth. To heed their voices, we must hear them first.”
Delegate Hala Ayala Endorses Delegate Kathleen Murphy for Re-election in Primary
Delegate Hala Ayala (D-Prince William County) today announced that she is endorsing Delegate Kathleen Murphy (D-McLean) for re-election to the House of Delegates.
“As her colleague, I’ve seen how Delegate Kathleen Murphy is a fierce champion for Virginians," said Ayala. “In her community and in the General Assembly, Kathleen advocates for veterans, military families, and transportation solutions, protects women’s rights, and promotes gun sense policies. We need Delegate Murphy’s pragmatic approach to progressive policymaking, which is why I am proud to endorse her.”