Tim Kaine isn't endorsing for Governor yet and new laws seek to end the school-to-prison pipeline
Here are the top news stories for Friday.
Welcome to Friday! Here are the top news stories in Virginia today.
Officials aren’t sure exactly what’s driving the COVID-19 surge. Experts say that makes policy more difficult. - Virginia Mercury
by Kate Masters
Since COVID-19 cases began to rise in late October, small gatherings were quickly pinpointed by state officials in Virginia and across the country as a significant contributor to the spread of the virus.
“We need to continue to figure out why those numbers are rising,” Gov. Ralph Northam said at a news conference in early November. “And they’re rising right now because people are gathering and they’re not wearing masks.” Three days later, he reinforced the message in a video announcing new statewide restrictions, including a midnight curfew for restaurants and a ban on gatherings of more than 25 people.
Green Leaf, Richmond's first medical marijuana dispensary, is now open. Here's how it works. - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Colleen Curran
As Virginia readies to consider the legalization of recreational marijuana, Richmond’s first medical marijuana dispensary is celebrating its opening.
Green Leaf Medical of Virginia opened to the public last week and has already seen over 2,000 customers come through its South Richmond doors.
Audio: Interview with Sean Perryman, Candidate for Lieutenant Governor - Virginia Scope
Sean Perryman, a political activist, and lawyer that worked for Congressman Elijah Cummings is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.
Citizens of the commonwealth will be choosing a new Governor and Lieutenant Governor next November. While the Governor has a clearly defined role, the Lieutenant Governor’s primary responsibility is to preside over the Virginia Senate and break tie-votes when necessary. Perryman, however, wants to use the office to do more, saying he views the position as an under-utilized role. “I really see it as you are one of three statewide elected officials,” said Perryman in a podcast interview with Virginia Scope. “If you had someone in the Lieutenant Governor spot who wasn’t so hyper-focused on, ‘I am going to use this role as a stepping stone,’ but instead said ‘I’m going to go into this role and turn it into the chief visionary officer,’ or ‘I’m going to go into this role and put out a series of platforms and policies, and I’m also going to go into this role and call out the people who are preventing progress from happening’.’
You can listen to the interview at the link below.
Montgomery Co. School Board debates lower 2020 grades, new phase of reopening - Roanoke Times
by Yann Rivaino
CHRISTIANSBURG — The Montgomery County School Board continues to debate how the division should educate during the pandemic, with a report that a significant number of students have received lower grades in 2020.
The board discussed measures this week after members were provided with a rundown of a recent reopening survey and recommendations from several committees that saw the survey’s results.
New Virginia laws seek to close ‘school-to-prison pipeline’ - Virginia Scope
By Brandon Shillingford and Anya Sczerzenie
Capital News Service
The near future of in-person schooling is uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Virginia students will return to a system where several penalties for misbehavior have been taken off the table.
Two new laws seek to stop criminal punishments in elementary, middle and secondary schools. Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, sponsored two measures that passed the Virginia General Assembly earlier this year. The bills went into effect in July but have not yet been widely implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With close ties to multiple candidates, Kaine says he’s not endorsing yet in Democratic primary for governor - Virginia Mercury
by Graham Moomaw
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and Terry McAuliffe are both part of the small club of Virginia’s living Democratic ex-governors and two of the most influential figures in state politics.
While governor, McAuliffe appointed Anne Holton, Kaine’s wife, as his secretary of education.
Portsmouth will rename 3 schools with namesakes tied to racism - Virginian-Pilot
Portsmouth’s School Board voted Thursday night to change the names of three schools whose namesakes are tied to racism.
The names of Wilson High School along with James Hurst and John Tyler elementary schools will begin to be changed on July 1, 2021.
A clean energy transition won’t be free. Officials hope energy efficiency can offset costs. - Virginia Mercury
by Sarah Vogelsong
Much of Virginia’s planned shift to a carbon-free electric grid involves grand plans: turbines sprouting hundreds of feet tall from the ocean waves and solar panels spread across thousands of acres. But another major part of the clean energy transition Virginia and other states are looking to make is often overlooked: energy efficiency.
Unlike wind, solar and storage, in which progress is seen in new construction, new megawatts and new technology, energy efficiency successes are chalked up in terms of absence: projects that no longer have to be built, costs that no longer have to be paid.