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Nazi Commonwealth
Bipartisan team seeks compensation for victims of forced sterilization.
Nobody knows how many people are survivors of Virginia’s forced sterilization program, which targeted people with mental illness, mental retardation or epilepsy. But a bipartisan effort now under consideration in Richmond would hand each and every one of them a $50,000 check from the people of Virginia. According to one calculation, that could mean as much as $73 million.
The Fixer: Mame Reiley Remembered as Political Force of Nature
Democratic insider was mastermind behind Jim Moran's 1990 campaign for Congress.
When Mame Reiley decided a young guy by the name of Jim Moran could knock off an incumbent congressman, people thought she was crazy. U.S. Rep. Stanford Parris (R-8) had been in Congress more than a decade, and he had the kind of financial support that the mayor of Alexandria could only hope to assemble. But Reiley knew it could be done, and she put together a dream team to make it happen.
LeMunyon Seat May Be Democrats' Best Chance of Taking Out GOP Incumbent
House District 67 is one of the most hotly contested races of the year.
On paper, the 67th House District seems like solidly blue territory. Democrat Hillary Clinton won it with almost 60 percent of the vote. But Republican Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67) has been in office for four terms, a time that this slice of Northern Virginia has been trending increasingly toward the Democratic Party. That puts this district in the spotlight as one of the most competitive House of Delegates races in Virginia, and it’s one reason supporters of Democrat Karrie Delaney say she's got a shot at ousting LeMunyon.
Virginia Senate Might Torpedo Medicaid Expansion
Democrats still need to flip one more GOP senator to make it happen.
Usually it’s the state Senate that leads on progressive issues, and the House of Delegates kind of drags its feet. Not this year.
New Leadership At Gunston Hall
Museum director ousted by regents after year of controversy.
After surviving more than a year of calls for his resignation, Gunston Hall museum director has been removed as head of the historic house site. In a meeting last week, the Board of Regents voted to replace David Reese, effective immediately. Mark Whatford, a senior staff member, will serve as acting director until a permanent replacement is hired. The decision comes after harsh criticism of financial mismanagement and unprofessional behavior.
Gunston Hall Museum Director Ousted by Regents After Year of Controversy
David Reese is out; Mark Whatford to serve as acting director.
After surviving more than a year of calls for his resignation, Gunston Hall museum director has been removed as head of the historic house site.
Reclusive Former Sheriff Dies; Mystery of His Wife’s Murder Remains Unsolved
After years on the public stage, Jim Dunning withdrew after the death of his wife.
James Herbert Dunning, the once popular sheriff who became increasingly reclusive after the mysterious 2003 murder of his wife, died last week at his home in Hilton Head, S.C.
Business Matters
Death may be one of those unavoidable things. But taxes? That’s another story.
Arlington County Schools Increasingly Crowded as Enrollment Spikes
Two new elementary school planned; more changes on the horizon.
School leaders in Arlington are struggling to accommodate about 1,000 new students in the coming school year, a crunch that's sending school officials scrambling for teachers, assistants, administrators, equipment and relocatable classrooms.
Week in Alexandria
What happens when you mix raw emotions and firearms? Sometimes people get injured.
Alexandria Paramedic Remembered for Perpetual Optimism and Wry Humor
Joshua Weissman, 33, dies while responding to a car fire on Interstate 395.
Joshua Weissman, a popular and optimistic Alexandria paramedic with a wry sense of humor, died last week after receiving a head injury while responding to a fire on Interstate 395. He was 33.
Week in Alexandria
This weekend, members of the Alexandria City Council are set to conduct a public hearing on an ordinance officially incorporating the controversial waterfront small-area plan into the city’s master plan.
Concerned Parents Win, For Now
School Board members restore one-time funding for autism program.
When parents of special-education students learned about Superintendent Patrick Murphy's proposal to cut a program for autistic students, they jumped into action. They organized a press conference and began lobbying School Board members to save the program, which allows middle and high school students with autism to learn in regular education classrooms. They wrote emails and spoke out at public hearings.
State Senate Committee Kills Effort to Overturn King's Dominion Law
School boards were encouraged by support from governor, but couldn't win over Senate committee.
The Senate Committee on Education and Health voted today to kill an effort overturning the King's Dominion Law, which mandates that school divisions across Virginia begin classes after Labor Day.
Senate Panel Kills Effort to Allow Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants
Supporters say they’ll continue to press the issue, citing concerns over safety.
Undocumented immigrants in Virginia will not be getting a driver’s license anytime soon, although advocates for the idea say they will keep pressing lawmakers on the issue.
Dropping Out of the Electoral College
Lawmakers to consider joining National Popular Vote Compact
Virginia may be on the verge of dropping out of the Electoral College, joining a National Popular Vote Compact in an effort to ditch a presidential election system critics say is outdated and undemocratic.
Appealing Bad Rulings
Lawmakers to consider expanding appeals court, providing new oversight to judges.
Virginia is the only state in the country that does not guarantee a right to appeal, allowing circuit court judges to make decisions with little oversight or scrutiny. Critics have been calling for reform ever since the Court of Appeals was first created in 1985. The Supreme Court of Virginia recommended an appeal of right as a "long term goal" in 2018. Now, Gov. Ralph Northam says he wants lawmakers to add four judges and support staff "to ensure the court can hear more appeals cases in a timely manner under an increasing workload."
Four-Term Incumbent LeMunyon to Face Former Republican
Karrie Delaney registered as a Republican after being appointed to local government in Florida.
Karrie Delaney knows a thing or two about Republican politics. Back in 2004, she was appointed as a Republican to the West Melbourne City Council in Florida. But she lost the election that year after she voted higher taxes. Now she’s running as a Democrat against four-term incumbent Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67).
House Rejects Amendment Requiring Consent for Ultrasound Procedures
Effort was reaction to bill requiring women seeking abortions to undergo transvaginal ultrasound.
The effort to require women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound has also sparked some of the most heated debate in Richmond this year.
Albo Retirement Prompts Hotly Contested Virginia House Race
Democrat Kathy Tran to face Republican Lolita Mancheno-Smoak.