Virginia State News

Lawmakers unveil Virginia budget deal with raises for teachers and state employees

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 19:28:47 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Negotiators in the Democratic-controlled General Assembly agreed on a budget deal that gives Virginia’s public-school teachers, state employees and state-supported local employees 3% raises each year of the new two-year spending plan.

The proposed budget deal for the next two fiscal years — from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026 – also includes $2.5 billion in additional K-12 public education funding, nearly $528 million over the two years for early childhood education and millions for health and mental health initiatives.

“People should not have to work two or three jobs just to be able to keep their children fed and a roof over their head,” House Appropriations Chairman Luke Torian (D-Prince William), the chamber’s top budget negotiator, said in a statement after the deal was announced Thursday.

The agreement, which lawmakers will vote on Saturday when the 2024 legislative session is set to end, does not include most of the tax changes Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed late last year that called for $1 billion in total tax cuts.

In December, the governor proposed cutting 12% in income tax rates “across the board” for taxpayers, lowering the state’s top income tax rate from 5.75% to 5.1% and increasing the sales tax rate by 0.9% to 5.2%.

Virginia’s state sales tax rate is 4.3% but localities impose an additional tax, meaning some residents pay up to 7% while most pay 5.3%. Youngkin said his proposed sales tax increase would “offset the cost” of the 12% decrease in income tax rates.

With Virginia operating on a two-year budget cycle, the budget proposed by Youngkin is the only one he will be involved in from beginning to end.

Once the legislature passes the budget for the next two fiscal years, it will go to Youngkin so he can review it and consider his proposed changes. On Thursday, Youngkin addressed the budget as details began to be released, saying he feared the Democratic-led proposed plan would drive tax increases.

The governor made amendments to the spending plan for the current fiscal year -- known as the “caboose” budget bill -- but language for an arena deal to bring two professional sports teams to Virginia was removed in the new deal reached by the negotiators, a move that Youngkin blasted Thursday.

The compromise report agreed to by budget negotiators does include a proposal to impose a sales tax on digital services and personal property, such as software, streaming services, website hosting and design.

“Our number one priority has been, and always will be, building a better future for our children and for hardworking Virginia families. Full stop. That is what we have been working towards in the last two months and that is what this budget reflects,” House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) said in a statement.

The 2024 General Assembly session is slated to end on March 9, with lawmakers expected to return to Richmond for a one-day reconvened session on April 17 to take up Youngkin’s amendments and vetoes.

Check back for updates.

Virginia Tech scientists discover connection between viral infections and affect on heart

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 16:20:52 +0000

MONTGOMERY COUTNY, Va. (WRIC) -- Scientists at Virginia Tech have discovered a connection between some viral infections and their affect on the heart.

Traditionally, the focus has been on myocarditis, or heart inflammation, which is often triggered by the body's immune response to a viral infection.

A new study led by James Smyth, associate professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, has revealed that the virus itself creates potentially dangerous conditions in the heart before inflammation sets in, according to a university spokesperson.

The discovery could lead to completely new directions to diagnose and treat viral infections affecting the heart.

"Given the high incidence of viral-related myocarditis leading to sudden cardiac death, the insight is crucial. Up to 42% of sudden cardiac deaths in young adults are attributed to myocarditis, and of these cases viral infection is the leading cause," said a spokesperson for the university.

"From a clinical perspective, our understanding of viral infection of the heart has focused on inflammation, causing problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat," Smyth said. "But we have found an acute stage when the virus first infects the heart and before the body’s immune response causes inflammation. So even before the tissue is inflamed, the heart is being set up for arrhythmia."

The study is now online and set to appear in the March 29 issue of Circulation Research.

Deadly shooting causes Broad Street closure near Richmond City Hall, suspect last seen on 7th Street

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:14:14 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Officers with various police departments in downtown Richmond are currently investigating a reported deadly shooting on Broad Street.

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Police Department reported an aggravated assault and fatal shooting on Broad Street near Ninth Street and 10th Street shortly after 7:45 a.m. on Friday, March 8.

According to police, officers arrived at the scene to find a man with an apparent gunshot wound to the torso. He was immediately taken to VCU Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said a brief interaction occurred between the victim and the suspect at a bus stop in front of the City Hall building.

"At this time, we are asking for help from the community in looking for one male suspect," said Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards. "It's a Black male wearing sunglasses with a short beard, black shoes, blue jeans and wearing a very distinctive black and white hooded jacket. He was last seen walking westbound on Broad Street ... Do not approach him, immediately call 911."

(Photo: Victoria Lucas, 8News)
(Photo: Victoria Lucas, 8News)
(Photo: Victoria Lucas, 8News)

Around 8 a.m., Virginia State Capitol Police announced that Broad Street had been closed in both directions at Ninth Street.

"Limited Access to Patrick Henry, Supreme Court, Capitol and General Assembly Buildings to credential employees only," a spokesperson with Capitol Police said.

Officers are encouraging residents to avoid the area and use alternate routes at this time.

The Richmond Police Department has taken over as the lead investigating agency. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Godwin at 804-646-5533.

This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.

Youngkin calls removing new Wizards, Capitals arena from Virginia budget 'a colossal mistake'

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:08:07 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Virginia Senate Democrats are making a "mistake" by leaving the deal to bring a new arena for the Washington Capitals and Wizards out of the state budget -- which deals another blow to the project but doesn't kill it.

Moving forward with the proposed $2 billion sports and entertainment district in Alexandria's Potomac Yard section, which would include a new arena, a performing arts venue, retail shops, hotels and more, has been a top priority for Gov. Youngkin.

Youngkin, who announced the deal in December alongside Ted Leonsis, the CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which owns the teams, has touted the project as a "big win" that would create roughly 30,000 jobs and bring in $12 billion in economic impact.

After blocking two standalone bills to create an authority to issue bonds for the project, state Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), the top Virginia Senate budget negotiator, said she was keeping enabling language for the new arena out of the state's proposed spending plan.

Youngkin voiced frustration with the decision during a press conference Thursday outside the Virginia State Capitol, telling reporters he fears it will damage Virginia's business environment and will set back talks on other bipartisan legislative priorities.

“I believe that the Senate is about to make a colossal mistake,” Youngkin said Thursday after budget leaders said the plan was out of the budget.

Calling the deal “a truly unprecedented opportunity,” Youngkin said lawmakers have a chance to “fix this” by embracing its merits and reconsidering the decision. “I believe that our Senate and General Assembly have a chance. They have a chance to stand up and do what’s right," he said.

Youngkin was adamant that the proposal would pass if it got a floor vote on the Senate, saying there is broad bipartisan support from leadership in both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly but that they are all running into a “single roadblock.”

When asked what the roadblock was, the governor said, “you know,” remarks seen as a reference to Sen. Lucas, a critic of Youngkin and the deal, who was watching Youngkin's remarks from the Capitol portico.

Lucas has been critical of the project and has called for Youngkin to back bills to create a retail cannabis market and raise the minimum wage, two Democrat-led priorities Youngkin appears unlikely to sign.

Youngkin noted that House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) “took the time to learn” about the project by getting outside advisors to review the details.

“On the other hand, the Senate refused to give the single largest economic development deal in Virginia’s history any serious, meaningful consideration, breaking their own longstanding tradition in the process and avoiding the broad bipartisan support in both houses,” Youngkin said. “This bill would pass.”

Lucas, the chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, has voiced concerns with the framework of the deal’s financing, including fears that taxpayers could have to pay for the bonds if the project doesn’t hit certain economic projections.

She told reporters Thursday she doesn’t support the arena deal because she believes it would “further enrich billionaires.” “If they want this project, pay for it themselves and not put it on the backs of the commonwealth, taxpayers, plain and simple,” Lucas said.

“We are disappointed in the legislature's decision not to fully consider a proposal that promises transformative benefits for Alexandria and the entire Commonwealth," the Monumental Opportunity campaign said in a statement. "We remain hopeful that the merits of the proposal will eventually get a fair hearing so this important project can advance for our fans, players, employees and the residents of Virginia."

The move to strip the language from the spending plan isn't the end of the road for the Youngkin-backed proposal, but it limits his options. The governor could still propose an amendment to the budget or call a special session so lawmakers can consider another bill.

Under the tentative deal between the state and Leonsis, the Capitals and Wizards could start playing in a new sports arena in northern Virginia as soon as 2028.

The proposed deal, which also includes the city of Alexandria and real estate developer JBG Smith, calls for the development of a 9-million-square-foot district on a 70-acre site in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood to start in 2025.

Under the proposed deal, the sports and entertainment state authority would own the land and enter a 40-year lease with Monumental Sports, which will pay $403 million upfront. Alexandria would pay $106 million for a performing arts venue in the proposed district.

Bonds issued by the authority will be repaid through the rent from Monumental, district naming rights, money from arena parking and incremental tax revenue from the arena and the first phase of the development, per Youngkin’s office.

Lucas has called for Youngkin to sign off on proposals to allow recreational cannabis sales and raise the minimum wage. She has also pushed for more funding for toll relief in Hampton Roads, a plan that Youngkin said Thursday he has been open to since the start of the 2024 session.

When asked Thursday about his views on the cannabis retail bill he’s reviewing that Lucas and other Democrats want him to sign, Youngkin reiterated that he’s been clear about his disinterest in the idea.

"At the end of the day here we are talking about an opportunity, truly an opportunity to bring 30,000 jobs, $12 billion of economic impact in the commonwealth of Virginia in the fastest growing, most dynamic area which is sports and entertainment. And, bluntly, you want to talk about putting a cannabis shop on every corner," Youngkin said. "I don’t quite get it, honestly."

The 2024 General Assembly session is slated to end on March 9, with lawmakers expected to return to Richmond for a one-day reconvened session on April 17 to take up Youngkin's amendments and vetoes.

Youngkin calls removing new Wizards, Capitals arena from Virginia budget 'a colossal mistake'

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:08:47 +0000

“I believe that the Senate is about to make a colossal mistake,” Youngkin said Thursday after budget leaders said the plan was out of the budget.

Youngkin noted that House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) “took the time to learn” about the project by getting outside advisors to review the details.

Under the tentative deal between the state and Leonsis, the Capitals and Wizards could start playing in a new sports arena in northern Virginia as soon as 2028.

The 2024 General Assembly session is slated to end on March 9, with lawmakers expected to return to Richmond for a one-day reconvened session on April 17 to take up Youngkin's amendments and vetoes.

Virginia attorney general joins coalition calling on Meta to increase data security

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:36:31 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Attorney General Jason Miyares is calling on the major tech company, Meta Platforms Inc., to review their data security as reports of scammers taking over Facebook and Instagram accounts continue to rise.

“Protecting users’ accounts and personal information should be among the top priorities for social media giants like Meta," Miyares said. "The rise in account takeovers is concerning and puts the privacy of nearly every American at risk.

Miyares joins a coalition of 41 attorneys general making up the National Association of Attorneys General.

In a seven-page letter, the group writes to Meta calling on the company "to address the dramatic increase in user account takeovers and lockouts on Facebook and Instagram."

Multistate-Letter-on-Account-Takeovers_Ltrhd Download

The letter requests Meta to do the following:

Take immediate action and substantially increase its investment in account takeover mitigation tactics
Respond to users whose accounts were taken over
Increase staffing to respond to account takeover complaints
Adopt new procedures for users to protect themselves, such as multi-step authentication measures

Officials continued to add they've received a number of reports in utter panic of these social media takeovers and remind the company that people use these platforms to not only share their personal and intimate thoughts but also spend years building their personal and professional lives.

The group explained to the tech company's chief legal officer that once scammers or threat actors gain access to the accounts, they obtain personal information, read private messages, scam contacts and more.

With multiple users tying their financial accounts to their social media platforms, the attorneys general say they have received a number of reports of threat actors fraudulently spending hundreds to thousands of dollars from credit cards linked to social media accounts.

The coalition also included reports they've received, a few are below:

My personal Facebook Account and business pages were hacked in April 2023. The hacker ran inappropriate ads and got the account suspended. $500 was charged to my business bank account. The account was closed and the funds were returned. However, communication with my customers online has been completely disrupted. I have used the Facebook online support system which requests my ID and a completed form. No one has
contacted me after filling this out.
Unidentified report included in letter from National Association of Attorneys General

On April 10, 2022, my Facebook account for 15 years was permanently disabled. I made several attempts over the past 2 years to contact Facebook to get my account reinstated by sending in letters making phone calls and filing numerous appeal forms with zero responses from the
company. There are precious, irreplaceable memories I would like access too with the reinstatement of my account.
Unidentified report included in letter from National Association of Attorneys General

In November 2022, the founder, chairman and CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, announced the reduction of 13% of the company's team, laying off more than 11,000 employees.

The attorneys general notes that the increase in complaints occurred around the same time as this announcement, however, they say they are not completely certain of any connection.

On the same token, the coalition states they refuse to operate as the customer service representatives for Meta and add proper investment in response and mitigation is mandatory.

Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley is ACC Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year for third consecutive year

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:49:41 +0000

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WFXR) – For the third consecutive year, Virginia Tech graduate center Elizabeth Kitley was named the recipient of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s 2023-24 Kay Yow Award for women’s basketball.

The ACC women’s basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is named in memory of the legendary Yow, who won 737 games as a head coach while directing NC State to four ACC Tournament championships and the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team to a gold medal. Yow, who passed away in January 2009, is also remembered for her leadership and courage in her fight against breast cancer.

ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards were established in September 2007 to be awarded annually to the top junior or senior student-athlete in their respective sports. Candidates for the awards must have maintained a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) for their career as well as a 3.0 for each of the last two semesters. The award is based 60 percent on academic achievement and 40 percent on athletic accomplishment.

A native of Summerfield, North Carolina, Kitley has been voted the ACC Player of the Year each of the past three seasons. The four-time First-Team All-ACC honoree and All-American selection is one of only two ACC players to average a double-double this season, as she ranks second in the conference in scoring at 22.8 points per game and has hauled in a league-best 11.4 rebounds per contest.

She has posted a conference-best 19 double-doubles this season in leading the Hokies to a first-place regular-season finish and seal a double-bye in this week’s 2024 Ally ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Kitley won ACC Player of the Week six times this season, matching the conference single-season record held by Duke’s Alana Beard in both 2002-03 and 2003-04. Kitley became the ACC’s all-time leader in rebounds earlier this season on Dec. 21, 2023, and set the league’s record for most double-doubles with her 73rd on Feb. 8, 2024. Kitley currently sits in second place on the ACC’s all-time scoring list with 2,709 points.

Kitley is a four-time All-ACC Academic Team honoree and has been named to the Dean’s List and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll every semester during her time at Virginia Tech. Kitley, who became the fourth back-to-back Kay Yow Award honoree in ACC history and the first since Duke’s Lexie Brown in 2017-18 last year, is the first-ever three-time award winner with this year’s honor.

Having graduated with summa cum laude honors following the spring 2023 semester with a degree in human nutrition with concentrations in foods and exercise, Kitley is currently working on a second degree in education, curriculum and instruction (EDCI) over her final season at Virginia Tech.

Trump and Biden win Virginia’s 2024 presidential primaries on Super Tuesday

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:48:04 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Former President Donald Trump won Virginia’s Republican presidential primary on Super Tuesday, padding his lead over Nikki Haley as he looks to clinch the GOP nomination.

Also as expected, President Joe Biden won Virginia’s Democratic presidential primary over two challengers as he seeks a second term.

The Associated Press called Virginia's primaries for Biden and Trump about 30 minutes after polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Virginia was among more than a dozen states and one territory, American Samoa, with presidential nominating contests on Super Tuesday -- the day with the most delegates at stake but not enough to secure a nomination.

In Virginia, 48 delegates are up for grabs on the Republican side and 119 delegates (99 pledged delegates) on the Democratic one. It's still unclear how many delegates Biden and Trump will ultimately get as they are awarded based on results statewide and in Virginia's 11 congressional districts and votes are still being counted.

Biden and Trump were considered heavy favorites in their respective party’s primaries in Virginia.

Trump’s only active primary competitor in Virginia was Haley, South Carolina’s former governor who trails big to the former president in awarded delegates. She vowed to stay in the race until after Super Tuesday.

But Virginia’s GOP primary ballot also had four Republicans who dropped out of the race: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and pastor Ryan Binkley.

Biden faced off against two Democrats who launched longshot bids to challenge him, Rep. Dean Phillips (Minn.) and self-help author Marianne Williamson, who revived her campaign on Feb. 28 after suspending it on hold three weeks earlier. Neither of them has won delegates in Democratic nominating contests.

Even with wins in Virginia and other states, Biden and Trump can't win enough delegates on Super Tuesday to officially secure the nomination (1,215 for the GOP nominee and 1,968 for the Democratic nominee).

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

Wake Forest rallies to beat Virginia, 58-55 in the ACC Women's Tournament

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:37:22 +0000

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Elise Williams had 25 points and nine rebounds, Alexandria Scruggs added 12 points and No. 14 seed Wake Forest rallied to beat No. 11 seed Virginia 58-55 in an ACC Tournament opener.

Wake Forest, which went 2 for 16 in conference play this season, advances to play No. 6 seed Florida State on Thursday in the second round. Virginia was knocked out of the tournament by Wake Forest for the third straight season.

Wake Forest trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half before scoring 27 of the final 36 points to win at least one ACC Tournament game for the fifth straight season. Alyssa Andrews completed a three-point play with 1:29 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Wake Forest its first lead since 25-23.

Virginia DMV debunks myths about motorcycle safety

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:16:04 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As spring approaches and more motorcyclists take a ride to enjoy the seasonable weather, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' (DMV) Highway Safety Office is spreading the word about motorcycle safety.

"As a fellow rider I know that the thrill of riding a motorcycle is unmatched, but I also know the importance of proper training," said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor's Highway Safety Representative. "Whether you are just taking up riding or you've been riding for years, a certified training course will make you a better rider and it could save your life."

According to the department, in 2023, there were 2,127 crashes involving motorcyclists on Virginia's roadways and 127 motorcyclists lost their lives.

In Virginia, one-in-four motorcyclists are riding without a motorcycle endorsement and 76% of riders involved in a motorcycle crash had not completed a training course, according to the department.

To encourage riders to get the necessary training and prevent crashes, the department is debunking some common motorcycle myths.

DMV listed the following common motorcycle myths and explained why they are untrue:

"I don't need a special endorsement on my license to ride a motorcycle."
- In Virginia, operating a motorcycle without the proper license or endorsement could result in penalties that may include fines or even jail time.
"I've been riding for years. I don't need a training course."
- Training courses are about much more than learning to ride. Certified training courses can help correct unsafe habits, remind you how to safely react when faced with an unexpected danger and brush up on your skills. Best of all, a Virginia Rider Training Program makes getting your motorcycle endorsement from DMV even easier.
"I wear all my gear when I ride so training is just unnecessary."
- While safety gear such as helmets, eye protection, proper clothing and gloves can save your life in the event of a crash, proper training can help prevent you from getting into that crash. Gear and training are a team that helps ensure you arrive alive.
"I don't ride on interstates, so I'm way less likely to crash."
- In 2023, 87% of motorcycle crashes occurred on non-interstate roads. Where you drive doesn't matter if you aren't driving safely and aren't properly prepared for the unexpected.

Learn more about the facts of motorcycle safety and about Virginia Rider Training Programs on the DMV's website.

Statewide tornado drill to be held this morning in Virginia: Here's what you need to know

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:31:57 +0000

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A statewide tornado drill will go into effect at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday morning as part of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's (VDEM) collaboration with the National Weather Service (NWS) for Severe Weather Awareness Week.

The drill was originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, but was rescheduled due to the presidential primary election.

VDEM officials encourage everyone in the Commonwealth to participate.

Thursday's drill will be broadcast on the NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System via the Required Monthly Test or RMT.

Officials note the NOAA Weather Radio may not sound an alarm once the RMT is issued. Therefore, folks are asked to turn on the radio at 9:40 a.m. to listen to the broadcast and conduct the drill at 9:45 a.m. If one is not equipped with a radio, Virginians are asked to begin their safety drill at 9:45 a.m.

According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes are capable of destroying structures, uprooting trees and lifting objects through the air. They can also happen at any time of the day and no area is exempt as they’ve occurred in all 50 states.

Tornado Safety Rules

The NWS has provided some guidelines for protection during a tornado at any location.

Home or public buildings:

Go to the basement or a small room such as a closet, bathroom or interior hall at the lowest level
Close all doors to the hallway
Get under something sturdy like a heavy table if possible
Use bicycle or motorcycle helmets to protect your head
Protect yourself from flying debris with pillows, heavy coats or quilts

Outdoors:

Limit outdoor plans or finish them close to a sturdy shelter

Car:

Find shelter in a ditch or remain in your vehicle and cover your head for protection
Do not take shelter under a highway overpass because wind speeds can increase due to a tunneling effect

For more information regarding this Severe Weather Awareness Week, click here.

Top Virginia Senate negotiator vows to keep Alexandria arena out of the budget

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:01:36 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A top Democratic Virginia lawmaker vowed Wednesday to keep language enabling a proposed relocation by the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals to Alexandria out of the state budget lawmakers will take up later this week.

Sen. L. Louise Lucas, who chairs the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and is the top negotiator for her chamber in pending budget talks, reiterated her opposition to the project in an interview and said it could not make it into the spending plan without her support.

“Based on the information I have, it's just not a good deal for the Commonwealth," she said. “And I'm just not yielding.”

The development does not necessarily mean the end of the road for Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's plan to lure the teams across the Potomac River with a $2 billion development district featuring a new arena. But barring some turnabout, it deals yet another blow for the proposal, one of the governor's top priorities.

The budget is the last remaining vehicle for the legislation underpinning the deal after Lucas effectively killed other standalone versions earlier this session by refusing to grant them a hearing.

Macaulay Porter, a spokeswoman for Youngkin, said the governor would have more to say on the subject Thursday morning.

Democratic Del. Luke Torian, Lucas’ counterpart in the House of Delegates, did not respond to a phone call or text message seeking comment.

Representatives for the teams' parent company, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, had no immediate comment.

Youngkin and entrepreneur Ted Leonsis, the CEO of Monumental, announced in December that they had reached an understanding on a deal to relocate the Capitals and Wizards.

The plan calls for the creation of a $2 billion development, partly financed by public money, in the Potomac Yard section of Alexandria that would include an arena, practice facility and corporate headquarters for Monumental, plus a separate performing arts venue, all just miles from Capital One Arena, where the teams currently play in Washington.

Monumental and the city of Alexandria would put in some upfront money under the terms of the deal, but about $1.5 billion would be financed through bonds issued by a governmental entity lawmakers were expected to set up this year.

The bonds were envisioned to be repaid through a mix of revenues from the project, including a ticket tax, parking fees, concession taxes, income taxes levied on athletes performing at the arena and naming rights from the district. Proponents say those sources will more than cover the debt, creating new revenues for the city and state in the project’s first year. But about a third of the financing, under the terms lawmakers were expected to vote on, would be backed by the “moral obligation” of the city and state governments, meaning taxpayers could be on the hook if the project revenues don’t come through as expected.

Lucas, the most senior member of the state Senate who took over this year as chair of the chamber’s budget committee, has been a vocal skeptic of the project and its financing mechanism the entire session. Lucas, also a sharp critic of the governor’s, told reporters nearly a month ago the project was dead, as far as she was concerned.

She tweeted a meme Thursday night that showed her next to a freshly dug grave, with a tombstone that reads, “Youngkin and Leonsis' $5 billion arena.”

Arena critics have argued the estimated $2 billion price tag used by supporters doesn't provide a full accounting.

The budget bills are currently in the hands of a conference committee, a small bipartisan group of legislators that includes Torian and Lucas. The conferees have been meeting to work out a compromise after the two chambers passed competing versions of the spending plan.

Full details of the compromise plan will likely be rolled out around noon Thursday, Lucas said.

One of the House negotiators, Del. Mark Sickles, said the process had gone smoothly overall and lawmakers should still be able to adjourn Saturday, as scheduled.

“Chairman Torian showed great leadership in bringing this negotiation to a close on time. And we’re really happy that we were able to work closely with the Senate in almost all areas," he said, adding that House leaders had pushed to see if there was a place to find consensus between Democrats and Republicans on the arena.

Moving forward, if the arena is excluded from the budget, Youngkin has a few options.

Virginia governors have the ability to seek amendments to legislation, so he could attempt to put the arena language back in the budget. Lawmakers are scheduled to meet April 17 for a one-day session to consider Youngkin’s proposed amendments and any vetoes.

Youngkin could also call a special session where the process could start over with a new bill.

Lucas said she was “not likely” to change her mind moving forward.

Democrats, who control both General Assembly chambers, could lose Youngkin’s support for some of their own priorities if they kill the arena deal. Both sides have been unusually transparent about the fact that the arena was a bargaining chip in broader negotiations over other Democratic priorities ranging from marijuana retail sales to toll relief in Hampton Roads.

Police: Shots fired at driver during road rage incident on I-295 in Henrico County

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 11:55:27 +0000

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia State Police are investigating after a car was shot at on Interstate 295 in Henrico County Wednesday night.

Around 7 p.m. on March 6, state troopers were called to the Brook Road exit on I-295 North to investigate a highway shooting.

According to police, a Nissan Maxima had been driving on I-295 North when a road rage incident occurred with a red sedan.

"Just before the vehicles reached Exit 43 on I-295, the sedan fired approximately four shots at the Nissan, striking it one time in the passenger side window and exiting through the front windshield," a police spokesperson said.

Police said the driver of the Nissan was not hit and there were no reported injuries.

Virginia State Police are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 804-750-8758 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov.

Virginia Dems force Youngkin’s hand after passing a bill to re-enter multi-state partnership to fight voter fraud

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 11:46:02 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Democrats are forcing Governor Glenn Youngkin’s hand after passing a bill to require Virginia to re-enter a multi-state compact to fight voter fraud, known as ERIC.

ERIC, which is currently made up of 25 states and Washington D.C., uses data from member states’ motor vehicles and elections departments to ensure accurate voter rolls after someone has moved, died or registered to vote more than once.

Last year, the Youngkin administration removed Virginia from the bipartisan group, citing concerns about how data is shared.

“In a year where our Democracy is on the line -- and not only in Virginia -- where Virginians will have to come out and safeguard our democracy, but we also have the accountability and responsibility to be leaders for our nation,” Rouse said.

Earlier this year, Elections Commissioner Susan Beals said the administration had issues with ERIC identifying individuals who are eligible to vote, but who aren’t registered. Beals says sending those people letters cost the state over $200,000.

“We wanted to see if that could be optional for states. If they wanted to engage in that, they could. There were also some concerns about members of the board who were being overtly political, who were not representing states, in some of their actions,” Beals told members of the General Assembly earlier this year.

In September, after Virginia pulled out of ERIC, the Department of Elections announced it partnered with five states and Washington D.C. to share data to help ensure accurate voter rolls.

Virginia State Parks seeking to hire rangers

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 11:21:40 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) -- Virginia State Parks are seeking to hire more than 1,000 rangers.

Those who enjoy working outdoors, sharing their educational/historical expertise or planning events and programs should apply.

Parks across the state have openings for summer seasonal and hourly wage positions.

Daily duties, pay rates and employment dates will vary depending on the position and park’s needs. Seasonal and wage positions can lead to full-time careers, so opportunities for advancement are possible. Jobs in demand include:

Administrative assistant
Contact ranger
Education support specialist
Food service ranger
Groundskeeper
Housekeeping ranger
Lifeguard
Maintenance ranger
Office assistant
Park interpreter
Trades technician

"Working at Virginia State Parks isn't just a job; it's a gateway to purposeful engagement with nature, a platform for fostering community connections, and an opportunity to leave a lasting impact on both visitors and the environment,” said Virginia State Parks Director Dr. Melissa Baker. “Join us in preserving the natural beauty of Virginia while shaping unforgettable experiences for all who wander through our parks."

For more information about seasonal, wage and full-time opportunities and to apply, please go to virginiastateparks.gov/jobs.

Youngkin endorses Donald Trump for president

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 02:39:04 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A day after Donald Trump won the Virginia Republican Presidential Primary on Super Tuesday, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced his endorsement for the former president.

Youngkin announced his endorsement on his personal X account just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6.

"It's time to unite around strong leadership and policies that grow our great nation," said Youngkin in the post. "Not four more years of President Biden."

Youngkin's endorsement comes the same day that Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Haley announced she would be suspending her campaign, leaving Trump as the last remaining major Republican candidate.

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Liberty University fined $14m over ‘culture of silence’ around sexual assault

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 02:14:13 +0000

Christian evangelical institution punished victims ‘for violating the student code of conduct’ as ‘assailants were left unpunished’

Liberty University has been hit with a $14m Department of Education federal fine for creating “a culture of silence” around sexual assault, failing to support victims of violence and then failing to properly report them correctly under the law.

Announcing the fine on Tuesday, the department said in a statement that the Christian evangelical institution had punished sexual assault victims “for violating the student code of conduct”, while “their assailants were left unpunished” – a violation of federal law.

Severe Weather Awareness Week helping Virginians prepare for natural disasters

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 23:51:18 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Today is the third day of the national Severe Weather Awareness Week, during which the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) works to educate Virginians on the importance of being prepared for natural disasters.

VDEM is working with the National Weather Service this week to share information about different natural disasters and how to best prepare for them ahead of time.

Every day, the department takes to social media to share a video about a new topic. The schedule goes over a different emergency each day:

Monday: Watch vs. Warning
Tuesday: Tornadoes
Wednesday: Severe thunderstorms (hail, lightning, wind)
Thursday: Flash flooding
Friday: Outdoor weather safety

Tomorrow, VDEM will be doing a statewide tornado drill in the morning that will be broadcast through the Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radio.

Jason Elmore, the department's chief agency spokesperson, said that the main point of Severe Weather Awareness Week is to further emphasize the importance of preparing ahead of time for weather emergencies.

Elmore said that, even though VDEM pushes for preparedness and caution when it comes to natural disasters, this week is meant to further highlight that.

"Having those in a particular week really allows the community and the residents of Virginia to go to one spot, find it on our website, find it on our social media accounts on various topics to keep them prepared."

Elmore said that it is so important for people to prepare for emergencies ahead of time, because they can happen within minutes. He said you want to ensure you have everything you might need in case you have to leave your home suddenly.

Elmore said preparing a bag with your essential documents, such as identification and insurance information, along with food and water can make a huge difference during emergencies.

"We highly encourage everyone to have an emergency kit that will have your bottled water, your nonperishable foods," he said. "Plus, having one bag that has all of your important items, maybe it's identification, maybe it's insurance policies - those types of things so you can have them, keep them safe, you can have them if you need to evacuate, ready to go in a moment's notice."

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Virginia Dems force Youngkin’s hand after passing a bill to re-enter multi-state partnership to fight voter fraud

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 23:43:01 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Democrats are forcing Governor Glenn Youngkin’s hand after passing a bill to require Virginia to re-enter a multi-state compact to fight voter fraud, known as ERIC.

Last year, the Youngkin administration removed Virginia from the bipartisan group, citing concerns about how data is shared.

In September, after Virginia pulled out of ERIC, the Department of Elections announced it partnered with five states and Washington D.C. to share data to help ensure accurate voter rolls.

Youngkin announces over $129 million in affordable housing loans

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 22:45:13 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) -- Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday more than $129 million in affordable and special needs housing loans.

Affordable and special needs housing loans are awarded through a competitive process, 78 projects across Virginia will receive loans during this round of funding.

The funds will be used to create and preserve 5,358 units for low-income and extremely low-income households.

“Ensuring accessible and affordable housing for Virginians isn’t just a basic requirement, it’s a strategic pillar for our state’s continued success,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “By keeping homes affordable and available, we are cultivating economic growth, strengthening our communities and laying the foundation for a thriving Virginia.”

Funding comes from the following four main sources:

The federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
The federal National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF)
Housing Innovations in Energy Efficiency (HIEE)
Virginia Housing Trust Fund (VHTF)

For more information about affordable and special needs housing loans click here.

Deputies make arrest in decades-old cold cases in Stafford County, Fairfax County

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 22:12:49 +0000

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) -- Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) arrested a man accused of killing two women in Virginia in the 1980s, nearly four decades after the murders.

Jacqueline Lard (Image courtesy of the Stafford County Sheriff's Office)

On Nov. 14, 1986, 32-year-old Jaqueline Lard was working at Mount Vernon Realty in the 300 block of Garrisonville Rd. SCSO said she was last seen at 9 p.m. that night as the business closed -- she never made it home.

The next morning, businesses in the area were preparing to open for the day and found a crime scene at the realty office, indicating a struggle. Lard and her car were both missing. Detectives processed the scene, collecting blood and other evidence.

Two days after Lard's disappearance, on Nov. 16, two kids were playing in a wooded area in Woodbridge when they found a body under a pile of discarded carpet. Stafford detectives joined with Prince William County detectives and the FBI to process the scene.

Officers identified the body as Lard.

Investigators later found Lard's car abandoned in Fairfax County on Dec. 18, 1986.

Over the years, detectives from federal and state agencies followed up on leads and conducted interviews, gradually eliminating suspects and persons of interest.

The FBI created a task force with the SCSO, Prince William County Police Department, FBI and DEA. Though DNA was collected from the evidence, repeated searches of the Virginia and National DNA Databanks failed to identify the killer.

After leads were exhausted, the investigation went cold -- but evidence collected at the scene allowed investigators to identify a suspect 37 years later, SCSO stated in a Facebook post.

Detective D.K. Wood with SCSO worked with Parabon NanoLabs, a company that provides DNA phenotyping. An analysis of the DNA linked Lard's murder to another cold case: the unsolved 1989 murder of Amy Baker in Fairfax County.

Amy Baker (Image courtesy of the Fairfax County Police Department)

The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said that Baker, who was 18 years old at the time, was visiting family in Falls Church on March 29, 1989. She started to head home to Stafford County around 8:30 p.m., but police said she never made it home.

A Virginia State Police trooper found Baker's car by the road around 9:55 p.m. that night. It was unoccupied. The trooper saw the car in the same spot the next morning and had it towed, presuming that the car was abandoned.

Baker's family reported her missing after she didn't return home. Her mother found her car and searched it after learning that it had been towed.

On March 31, 1989, Baker's family searched the area near where her car had been discovered and found her body "in a wooded area near the exit ramp from I-95 to Backlick Road in Springfield," FCPD said.

Police determined that Baker's car had run out of gas on the exit ramp. Detectives believed that she left her car to look for a gas station when she ran into the suspect. FCPD said that she was strangled and killed.

FCPD said that its Cold Case detectives had submitted forensic evidence from the scene to DNA Labs International in 2021, leading to the link to the case in Stafford County.

On Dec. 14, 2023, a family name for the suspect was identified and detectives obtained a search warrant for DNA from Elroy Harrison, a 65-year-old Stafford County resident.

On March 4, Harrison was indicted by a Stafford County Grand Jury for the first-degree murder, abduction with the intent to defile and aggravated malicious wounding of Lard -- as well as breaking and entering with the intent to commit murder.

He was arrested at his home on March 5 and held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

FCPD detectives were working with the Fairfax County Office of the Commonwealth Attorney to also charge Harrison for Baker's murder.

Calling lovers of the outdoors! More than 1,000 potential job openings across Virginia State Parks

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 20:54:40 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Do you love the outdoors? Want to get paid to get out there and enjoy it? Virginia State Parks will be adding more than 1,000 rangers to its ranks in both summer seasonal and hourly wage positions, according to a press release.

There are a variety of positions available at Virginia State Parks, each with their own respective daily duties, pay rates and employment dates dependent on specific park needs. According to the release, these positions can lead to full-time career opportunities.

"Whether someone enjoys working outdoors, sharing their educational or historical expertise, or planning events and programs, Virginia State Parks offers a range of seasonal and wage positions that will allow job seekers to build new life skills, enjoy unique experiences and gain knowledge that is valuable inside and outside of the state park system," the release reads.

A boat dock ranger. (Photo: Virginia State Parks)

A maintenance ranger. (Photo: Virginia State Parks)

The following positions at Virginia State Parks are currently in demand:

Administrative assistant
Contact ranger
Education support specialist
Food service ranger
Groundskeeper
Housekeeping ranger
Lifeguard
Maintenance ranger
Office assistant
Park interpreter
Trades technician

“Join us in preserving the natural beauty of Virginia while shaping unforgettable experiences for all who wander through our parks," said Melissa Baker, Director of Virginia State Parks, in the release.

Those interested in applying can visit the Virginia State Parks website.

Lawmakers pass bill that aims to preserve Virginia’s affordable housing options

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 19:12:17 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Virginia localities could require property owners to give them a chance to match offers to buy certain multi-family rental buildings if Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs a bill that Democrats say will help the state from losing its affordable housing units.

The bill would give local governments the option to adopt rules to ensure they can match purchase offers owners get for multi-family buildings with 10 or more rental units that have received public assistance to create affordable options for low or moderate-income households.

The proposal “adds another tool in the toolbox for localities to address Virginia’s affordable housing crisis” and will help the state keep its existing inventory, Del. Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker (D-Alexandria), the bill’s sponsor, said during a House subcommittee meeting on Feb. 1.

Del. Bennett-Parker and proponents noted that affordable housing options in Virginia are expected to shrink when requirements for these properties -- predominately Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties -- to maintain affordability expire.

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program allows private developers to use and sell tax credits to investors to help build affordable housing. In 1990, federal law started requiring these developers to maintain affordability for these properties for 30 years.

“Without tools like this, Virginia stands to lose thousands of affordable units," Bennett-Parker said in the House subcommittee meeting, adding that more than 6,000 publicly supported affordable rental units are at the risk of losing affordability in the next five years and "that number quadruples to more than 25,000 in the next 10 years."

"We already have an affordable housing crisis with these units we can’t afford to lose them," she continued.

If the proposal becomes law and a local government adopts an ordinance, a property owner must provide a written notice to a locality within two years of these affordability restrictions ending.

The notice must include whether the owner plans to let the requirements continue, is looking to convert the property for nonresidential use, renew the requirements or sell to a third party.

If they decide to sell, property owners would be required to give localities or a qualified designee with a contract with a locality, such as a nonprofit or other group, a “right of first refusal,” which would give localities 30 days to match an offer from a third party.

The owner must sell to the local government or official designee if the offer is matched. If not, the owner can sell to a third party. “The owner receives the same purchase price, and the housing remains affordable,” Bennett-Barker said in the House subcommittee meeting.

Groups including the Virginia Housing Alliance, Legal Aid Justice Center, the nonprofit project:HOMES and others came out in support of the legislation.

The bill, which didn’t get opposition or questions from lawmakers during the committee process, received Republican votes in the House of Delegates but not in the Virginia Senate when it passed.

“The Governor is reviewing the legislation that has been delivered to his desk, as he continues to watch how the General Assembly chooses to act on other important priorities,” Youngkin spokesman Christian Martinez said in a text to 8News.

Youngkin will have 30 days to take action on the measure once it’s officially presented to him – which requires it to be signed by the House speaker and president of the Senate.

The 2024 General Assembly session is set to end on March 9 and lawmakers are expected to vote on Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments during a reconvened session on April 17.

VA Senators speak on IVF protections; how the treatment is unique to Hampton Roads

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 19:11:02 +0000

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) -- After the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos could be considered children under the law, there have been growing concerns on what that could mean for the future of in vitro fertilization, or IVF.

The IVF treatment has a unique tie to the Hampton Roads area after the first child to ever be born using that method was in Norfolk in 1981. The treatment involves using sperm to fertilize an egg outside of a woman's uterus before later being implanted.

Although the Alabama court ruling didn't ban or restrict the treatment itself, the new categorization of the frozen embryos could have a ripple effect on liability and access. Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner have both spoken out in support of protecting IVF treatment.

Warner attributed these changes to the reversal of Roe v. Wade. He said the Alabama ruling was "prohibiting IVF," but the reality is a little more complicated than that — especially after the Alabama state legislation passed a bill protecting IVF health care providers from criminal and civil suits, granting health care providers immunity. The bill is waiting to be signed into law by their governor.

The Alabama bill would "grant immunity in both civil and criminal for acts not intentional and not arising from or related to IVF services." It is also intended to apply retroactively. This bill wouldn't reverse the Supreme Court ruling, but instead takes away liability.

Kaine expressed his support for protecting IVF through co-sponsorship of the Access to Family Building Act.

The bill co-sponsored by Kaine wouldn't necessarily prevent lawsuits, but does leave more room for argument to protect health care providers, using language allowing them to continue the treatment "with the provision of evidence-based information."

The first IVF birth took place in Norfolk on Dec. 28, 1981, with baby Elizabeth Carr. Kaine spoke about the historical birth in a livestream on social media.

"What seemed like unimaginable science fiction in 1981, there are now, by best estimates, 12 million people walking this planet, born by IVF," Kaine said, in a Facebook live.

The proposed house bill doesn't explicitly provide immunity. However, the bill would allow the Attorney General to commence civil action if any entity "enacts, implements, or enforces a limitation or requirement that prohibits, unreasonably limits, or interferes" with the rights listed in the bill.

The Alabama Supreme Court's ruling allowed individuals to sue over the wrongful death of a minor in cases where embryos are mishandled by considering the embryos "unborn children, regardless of their location."

This came under the claim of negligence by individuals after a hospital patient walked into the room holding embryos, removed them from preserving cold temperatures and dropped them on the floor — resulting in them no longer being viable.

The plaintiffs claimed the hospital is responsible for the loss of the embryos, and that this fell under wrongful death of a minor. The plaintiffs also alleged that the hospital was supposed to secure these rooms, and neglected to do so. Lower courts dismissed the claims by saying the embryos didn't fit the description of a 'person' or 'child,' until the Supreme Court ruled against that.

As a result, hospitals became more reluctant to continue the treatment in order to avoid potential lawsuits. This caused concerns across the nation on whether this would affect treatment in other states.

Since doctors also tend to produce several embryos that don't always get implanted, the ruling could lead to questions on what to do with unused embryos. Although the latest Alabama bill would grant immunity, the classification under the Supreme Court that the embryo is a child could lead to more regulation and restriction on how the treatment operates.

It's still unclear how this ruling could impact the U.S. and if other states will follow suit. The Access to Family Building Act is just one of the latest efforts to prevent restrictions surrounding IVF.

"It's as simple as a bill can be," Kaine said, in his live. "Health care providers have a right to provide fertility treatment including in vitro fertilization services. Patient have a right to access fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization services. This is not a mandate. The enforcement provisions are provisions that allow a person or health care provider to bring action against the state or governmental entity that tries to interfere with the right that they have."

Check with WAVY.com for updates.

Virginia Department of Emergency Management reschedules statewide tornado drill

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 18:29:32 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has rescheduled the Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill.

The drill was originally scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, and was rescheduled to ensure it would not cause a potential impact on the primary elections.

The Statewide Tornado Drill is now scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 7, according to the department.

A spokesperson for the department said organizations or individuals already registered for the drill do not need to change their registration for the new date.

(Tyler Thrasher, Virginia Department of Emergency Management)

The current list will remain active and continue to be used to register for the drill on March 7.

Rare collection of plant specimens arrives at Virginia Tech herbarium

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:51:03 +0000

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A rare collection of plant specimens dating back to the 1840s and originating from the southeastern United States has arrived at the herbarium at Virginia Tech.

According to a university spokesperson, an herbarium is "a room or building that houses a collection of dried plants within a climate-controlled setting."

The specimens were sent from a curator at the Natural History Museum in London to Jordan Metzgar, the curator of the Virginia Tech Massey Herbarium and a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within the College of Science.

“I was really excited” Metzgar said. “It’s unusual to get that kind of opportunity, so I was super excited to add to our holdings here. We have a specimen from 1829 and a few things around that age, but getting a set of about 50 specimens from the 1840s and in good condition, that’s a first for me since I’ve been here.”

Metzgar oversees the largest scientific preserved plant collection in the state, with the Massey Herbarium – located in Derring Hall – holding more than 100,000 specimens, according to the university.

“We have very little material that is that old,” Metzgar said. “A large majority of our collection is from the 1900s or on, so getting material from the 1800s is a rare event for us. We were excited and jumped at the chance to do an exchange with their museum. We sent them some more recent examples, and they sent us the specimens from the 1840s.”

Once the collection arrived in the town of Blacksburg, Metzgar stored the specimens in a freezer for two days to kill any insects.

Students interested in conducting research on plants native to Virginia will be able to take advantage of approximately 50 specimens from the 1840s that were recently sent from London to Jordan Metzgar (at left), the curator of Virginia Tech's Massey Herbarium. (Photo by Clark DeHart for Virginia Tech)

Metzgar and his staff permanently mounted the specimens on standard museum paper and attached a label to each one. They also added the names and collecting information to a database. People with an interest in a group of plant can get the data, or if they need a plant for DNA research, they can borrow it from the herbarium.

“They’re an important historical record. Especially in our collection here, we don’t have a ton of data of what our lands looked like in Virginia or the Southeast almost 200 years ago, so these help us to document that, and they let us look at changes over time. We could do things like look at samples from the same location from 1840 to today and be able to see any differences in the plant. There might be differences due to climate change. There might be differences due to a new pathogen or a new insect or pest or something new arriving. They’ll let us see things like that, and we’ll be able to use them for a lot of biodiversity research as well,” Metzgar said.

TSA stops woman from bringing gun on flight at Richmond International Airport

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:05:36 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) -- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped a Rockville Virginia woman from bringing her handgun onto a flight early Wednesday morning.

The X-ray unit alerted on the woman's carry-on bag as she entered the checkpoint. When TSA officers inspected the bag they found a .380 caliber handgun that was loaded with six bullets.

Richmond Airport Police removed the firearm and cited the woman on a weapons charge. TSA does not confiscate firearms caught at checkpoints.

The woman now faces a stiff financial penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. Depending on the circumstances, penalties for carrying weapons to the checkpoint can reach as high as $15,000.

“It is disappointing to see travelers continue to bring their guns to our checkpoints because in doing so they create a potentially dangerous situation through their own actions,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “It doesn’t matter what color a gun is. It doesn’t matter if it’s black, teal, pink or a camo design, it’s still prohibited from being carried onto a flight. We have no issues with passengers who pack their firearms properly to be transported on their flight, but bringing a gun to a checkpoint is not the way to do it.”

As a reminder, passengers are are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage.

Survivors speak out after Liberty University fined $14 million by Department of Education

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:06:22 +0000

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) -- Liberty University is accused of multiple violations of the Clery Act, which requires institutions that participate in federal student aid programs to report public safety issues on campus. On the heels of the announcement, several women who say they were victims of sexual assault are speaking out about the record-breaking fine.

WFXR spoke with two women, Sarah Mays and Teagan Molinets, who say they were raped on Liberty's campus while they were students. The incidents were 18 years apart, but the story doesn't change.

"The victims always get the blame at Liberty for some reason like I've never once seen justice go the right way," said Molinets.

"All I wanted was for them to say you know what I'm so sorry this happened on our watch, and instead I was called a liar, and instead I was told this didn't happen," said Mays.

When it comes to campus safety, Liberty University has been under scrutiny for years. The Department of Education (DOE) said on several occasions that it didn't report-- or *under-reported-- crimes on campus.

Especially those involving sexual assault.

"It breaks my heart seeing that now, over twenty years later, the things in this, you know, report and stuff from the department of education are things that happened to me then and they're things that are still happening now," said Mays.

The DOE says federal investigators found victims were often afraid to report sexual crimes out of fear that they would end up in trouble, for violating the rules of the Christian university.

"We cannot tell anybody at Liberty because I've heard horror stories and I'm gonna get in trouble, it's not gonna happen," explained Molinets about a conversation she had with a friend after she was assaulted.

And some of those who did come forward say they were threatened into silence.

"Ultimately, I was intimidated into saying that I lied," said Mays.

While others say they paid the price.

"I was found at fault and I had to pay a massive fine to liberty and had to do like community service and all this stuff because this guy like he didn't do anything wrong and I was lying, which was against the Liberty way," recalled Molinets.

These women say the fine is something, but doesn't change everything.

"This seems to be like one of the first times that liberty has ever had some kind of irrefutable evidence that they couldn't like somehow get out of," said Mays.

"$14 million is a lot, but it doesn't fix what they did," added Molinets.

In a statement, Liberty says it's already spent more than $10 million to comply with the Clery Act, and that it's fully committed to keeping students and staff safe.

However, the school also says it believes it's gotten, quote, "selective and unfair treatment" from the federal government.

One year after Irvo Otieno's death: Legal proceedings, change through legislation

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 13:50:32 +0000

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- One year ago today, 28-year-old Irvo Otieno was killed while in the custody of Henrico sheriff's deputies and hospital staff in Dinwiddie County.

Deputies took Otieno to Central State Hospital just before 4 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2023. Virginia State Police — leading the investigation — said that Otieno “became combative” as he was being admitted.

Security camera video of the incident showed deputies and hospital staff restraining Otieno — who was handcuffed and shackled at the ankles — and pinning him to the ground for an estimated 12 minutes before he was rendered unconscious and ultimately died.

Lifesaving measures were attempted on Otieno — by staff members and EMS responders — for over an hour before he was pronounced dead.

Legal proceedings continue

Seven sheriff’s deputies and three hospital personnel were initially charged with second-degree murder in Otieno’s death, but charges against two hospital workers were dropped in June 2023.

The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Otieno’s death a homicide and determined his cause of death had been “positional and mechanical asphyxia with restraints.”

In September, a judge ordered the cases of Randy Boyer, Bradley Disse, Jermaine Branch and Dwayne Bramble to go to trial. Their jury trial dates are as follows:

Randy Boyer: Sep. 9, 2024 — Sept. 13, 2024
Bradley Disse: Aug. 12, 2024 — Aug. 16, 2024
Jermaine Branch: Aug. 5, 2024 — Aug. 9, 2024
Dwayne Bramble: June 3, 2024 — June 7, 2024

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, a judge ordered the cases of Kaiyell Sanders, Tabitha Levere, Wavie Jones and Brandon Rodgers to go to trial as well. Their jury trial dates are as follows:

Kaiyell Sanders: Dec. 2, 2024 — Dec. 6, 2024
Tabitha Levere: Oct. 28, 2024 — Nov. 1, 2024
Wavie Jones: Sept. 30, 2024 — Oct. 4, 2024
Branon Rodgers: Oct. 7, 2024 — Oct. 11, 2024

Change through legislation

A Virginia Senate bill, also known as "Irvo's Law," passed unanimously in both chambers of the general assembly in February 2024.

If it were to become law, the measure would allow families to be with their loved ones who are experiencing a mental health crisis after receiving an emergency order. The person in crisis would reserve the right to reject the family member's presence and exceptions would be made in the case of a medical or safety risk.

The bill is a direct response to the circumstances of Otieno's arrest. On March 3, 2023, Henrico Police placed him under an emergency custody order and his mother, Caroline Ouko, was not allowed to see him.

"They separated me from my son and that separation prevented me from advocating for my son," Ouko told 8News last month. "This bill will allow access so you are right there beside your loved one at a time when they cannot really advocate for themselves."

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has already expressed his intentions to sign the bill should it arrive on his desk.

Click here to follow all of 8News' previous coverage in the Irvo Otieno story.

Sublime, Wiz Khalifa and Rebelution headlining new music festival in Virginia Beach

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:40:15 +0000

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WRIC) — Sublime, Wiz Khalifa, Rebelution, and Stephen Marley are some of the big names headlining a new two-day music festival called Point Break that's coming to Virginia Beach this summer.

Steel Pulse, Pepper, Tribal Seeds, Fortunate Youth, Hirie, The Expendables, Bumpin Uglies, Denm, Tropidelic, Artikal Sound System, Ballyhoo, Passafire, REGLDGRN, Kash’d Out, Joe Samba, The Supervillains, Of Good Nature, Quasi Kings, Cultivated Minds, and Ganja Cat are also among the festival's line up.

The Point Break Music Festival is happening June 1 and June 2 on the beach at 5th Street.

Tickets will go on sale at the Point Break Festival's website on Friday, March 8 at 10 a.m. Early Bird Tickets will be available for a limited time for $119.99 plus fees and two-day VIP tickets are $199.99 plus fees. Travel Packages will be available starting at $749.50 per person. Each package includes a 2-night stay and two general admission festival passes.

Survivors speak out after Liberty University fined $14 million by Department of Education

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 11:42:57 +0000

WFXR spoke with two women, Sarah Mays and Teagan Molinets, who say they were raped on Liberty's campus while they were students. The incidents were 18 years apart, but the story doesn't change.

"The victims always get the blame at Liberty for some reason like I've never once seen justice go the right way," said Molinets.

"All I wanted was for them to say you know what I'm so sorry this happened on our watch, and instead I was called a liar, and instead I was told this didn't happen," said Mays.

Especially those involving sexual assault.

The DOE says federal investigators found victims were often afraid to report sexual crimes out of fear that they would end up in trouble, for violating the rules of the Christian university.

And some of those who did come forward say they were threatened into silence.

"Ultimately, I was intimidated into saying that I lied," said Mays.

While others say they paid the price.

These women say the fine is something, but doesn't change everything.

"This seems to be like one of the first times that liberty has ever had some kind of irrefutable evidence that they couldn't like somehow get out of," said Mays.

"$14 million is a lot, but it doesn't fix what they did," added Molinets.

In a statement, Liberty says it's already spent more than $10 million to comply with the Clery Act, and that it's fully committed to keeping students and staff safe.

However, the school also says it believes it's gotten, quote, "selective and unfair treatment" from the federal government.

Virginia Tech's Georgia Amoore named First Team All-ACC

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 11:39:32 +0000

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) -- Virginia Tech senior point guard Georgia Amoore earned first team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive season.

The Australia native was named one of five finalists for the Nancy Lieberman award as the nation's top point guard, Amoore became the program's all-time leader in assists.

Tech, which won the ACC regular season title outright, will play in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 ACC women's basketball tournament against either North Carolina or Miami on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum.

UVA's Kymora Johnson Garners All-ACC, All-Freshman Honors

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 11:38:06 +0000

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WFXR) -- Virginia first-year guard Kymora Johnson has been named an All-ACC second team and ACC all-freshman selection.

Johnson is the first UVA player to earn All-ACC team honors as a freshman since Brandi Teamer did so in 2002.

This season, Johnson was twice named ACC Rookie of the Week, the second most by any freshman in the league.

She currently leads the Cavaliers in scoring, both overall and in conference play.

Up next, Johnson and the 11th-seeded Cavaliers take on No. 14 seed Wake Forest in the first round of the ACC tournament Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. from the Greensboro Coliseum.

Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley earns her 3rd ACC Player of the Year Award

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:58:41 +0000

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) -- Virginia Tech women's graduate center Elizabeth Kitley was named the ACC's player of the year for the third consecutive season. She becomes the third woman in ACC history to win the award in three consecutive seasons.

She won ACC player of the week six times, the most of any athlete, including a stretch of four consecutive weeks in February. The six player of the week honors ties Duke's Alana Beard for the most in any single season in conference history. With her player of the year award comes a fourth first team All-ACC nod, just the second player in conference history to accomplish the feat. Kitley was also recognized as an all-defensive team member for the third consecutive season. When it comes to Kitley's success, she credits her head coach Kenny Brooks for her growth.

He is who has completely changed my game. Especially when I tore my ACL my senior of high school so I didn't play that year and I came in here pretty raw not having played serious basketball for that long maybe a few years of AAU with Cayla. But after my freshman year during Covid, we had several workouts in the summer. He really transformed me into a completely different player. I was like completely back to the basket, my freshman year and all high school he turned me into a much more versatile player that could face up and help my shot so I can shoot a lot better than I did back then so I think if somebody went back and watch my clips, it's kind of unrecognizable I don't recommend doing that for my sake but it's kind of fun also," said Kitley.

Virginia Tech's Georgia Amoore named First Team All-ACC

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:58:00 +0000

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) -- Virginia Tech senior point guard Georgia Amoore earned first team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive season. The Australia native was named one of five finalists for the Nancy Lieberman award as the nations top point guard, Amoore became the program's all-time leader in assists. Tech, which won the ACC regular season title outright, will play in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 ACC women's basketball tournament against either North Carolina or Miami Friday at 1:30 pm at the Greensboro Coliseum.

UVA's Kymora Johnson Garners All-ACC, All-Freshman Honors

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:56:28 +0000

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WFXR) -- Virginia first year guard Kymora Johnson has been named an All-ACC second team and ACC all-freshman selection. Johnson is the first UVA player to earn All-ACC team honors as a freshman since Brandi Teamer did so in 2002. This season, Johnson was twice named ACC rookie of the week, the second most among by any freshman in the league.
she currently leads the cavaliers in scoring, both overall and in conference play. Up next, Johnson and the 11th-seeded Cavaliers take on No. 14 seed Wake Forest in the first round of the ACC tournament Wednesday at 6:30pm from the Greensboro Coliseum.

Why AP called most Super Tuesday states for Trump and how Haley won Vermont: Race calls explained

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 09:25:53 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Associated Press was able to call almost every Republican Super Tuesday contest for former President Donald Trump after initial results revealed no path for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley to overtake him.

The AP declared Trump the winner in 14 states shortly after polls closed, with Trump leading Haley in some places by margins of three- or four-to-one. That includes the contests in California and Texas, where the largest number of delegates were up for grabs in the GOP primary — and all were awarded to Trump. As of early Wednesday, Trump had won at least 635 delegates from Super Tuesday states so far, bringing his total delegates to more than 750. He needs 1,215 delegates to clinch the Republican nomination.

The AP declared Haley the winner in one state, where the contest was more competitive. AP called Vermont's GOP primary at 10:30 p.m. EST — nearly four hours after polls closed — after vote returns indicated she had opened a lead in the Democratic-leaning state that Trump would be unable to overcome.

At the time, Haley had a small lead over Trump with an estimated 83% of the total vote counted. The largest share of the vote still to be counted was from the Burlington area, home to the state's most populous city and a Democratic stronghold. Haley was leading Trump there by nearly two-to-one. There were not enough votes elsewhere in the state for Trump to retake the lead for a victory.

In previous races this year, Haley performed best in the most heavily Democratic areas, especially in states like Vermont where Democrats and independents were allowed to vote in the Republican primary.

Haley followed a similar gameplan as former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who came within three percentage points of beating Trump in the 2016 Vermont primary. Like Kasich, Haley posted strong numbers in the Burlington and Montpelier areas, while also holding down Trump’s lead in the Rutland area and points south.

But in the other Super Tuesday contests the roles were reversed.

In the night's final call, the AP declared Trump the winner of Utah's presidential caucuses at 3:39 a.m. EST with 65% of the votes counted and Trump holding 58% of them.

The AP was able to call the Alaska Republican presidential caucuses at 2:17 a.m. EST based on initial vote returns. With almost 40% of the expected vote reported, Trump had a resounding lead over Haley. She wasn’t winning more than one-quarter of the vote in any district, and in the 12 districts that reported at least 99% of their expected vote in that first release, she was doing no better than one-fifth of the vote.

In California, the AP declared Trump the winner at 11:13 p.m. EST based on the strength of his performance in initial vote results. Trump led Haley statewide by more than three-to-one, with an estimated 2% of the vote counted from six of the state’s 58 counties. The results confirmed Trump’s past primary vote performances in the state. In 2020, he won the primary as the incumbent with 92% of the vote and more than 2 million votes. In 2016, he received 75% of the vote in the primary after already having clinched the nomination.

In Arkansas, Maine, Massachusetts and Texas, votes totals at the time Trump was declared the winner also showed the former president leading by huge statewide margins. Trump also was leading across every geographic region.

In these states, the AP analyzed where the votes had been reported at the time the winner was declared and compared them to places where votes had not yet been reported. The AP concluded that even if Haley significantly improved her performance in areas where the vote had yet to be counted, she would not be able to overtake Trump for the lead.

The AP declared Trump the winner of Minnesota's GOP primary at 9:26 p.m. EST, less than a half hour after polls closed. At the time, he was leading Haley statewide by more than three-to-one and was winning by roughly the same margin in most of the state’s geographic regions. Votes had not yet been reported from the Twin Cities, the state's most heavily Democratic area.

Although only an estimated 2% of the statewide vote had been counted from 13 out of the state’s 87 counties, the AP’s analysis of the state's voting history found that Trump’s sizable lead in the areas with reported votes was highly likely to hold. The analysis also showed that, even if later updates showed massive vote swings in Haley's favor, Trump would still maintain the lead.

In Alabama and Colorado, the AP called the races for Trump based on the available vote results at the time the calls were made. Trump was declared the winner in Alabama at 8:45 p.m. EST, with initial vote results from 10 of the state’s 67 counties showing him winning about nine out of every 10 votes. Haley’s statewide vote percentage was in the single digits. Trump had huge leads in every region of the state. He was declared the winner in Colorado at 9:09 p.m. EST with an estimated 44% of the statewide vote counted, including a large share of the vote coming from the population centers of Boulder and Denver.

Earlier in the night, the AP declared Trump the winner in North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Virginia, where an analysis of available vote totals at the time the races were called also showed no path for Haley to take the lead from Trump.

In the run-up to Super Tuesday, Trump had won by wide margins in eight of the nine contests where he and Haley both appeared on the ballot. His 11-point win in New Hampshire was the narrowest of his victories.

Trump started the day with a big delegate lead over Haley, but despite the 854 GOP delegates at stake on Super Tuesday, the earliest he could win enough delegates to clinch the nomination is March 12. He would need to win about 90% of the nearly 1,100 delegates at stake on Super Tuesday through March 12 to wrap up the nomination by that date.

Super Tuesday is made up of presidential contests in 16 states and American Samoa. More than 70% of the delegates needed to mathematically clinch either the Democratic or Republican presidential nominations will be decided based on Tuesday’s contests.

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Associated Press reporter Maya Sweedler contributed.

NSU, ODU political analysts break down Super Tuesday in Virginia, NC

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:06:22 +0000

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Super Tuesday is here to determine the presidential primaries in which voters in 15 states go to the polls, including in Virginia and North Carolina. Also included in Super Tuesday voting is the American Samoa.

Political analysts from Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University break down Super Tuesday and its expected impact on the presidential race.

It was designed to be the day when voters decide who the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates will likely be.

Super Tuesday in Virginia is all about a president, a former president, and a former governor of South Carolina who also happens to be a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Dr. Eric Claville of Norfolk State expects former President Donald Trump to cement the Republican nomination after Super Tuesday votes come in.

“I think on Super Tuesday what we will see are both parties now claiming their candidate and start to lay out the framework for the national campaign," Claville said.

Dr. Ben Melusky of ODU thinks Trump will get more than 700 delegates, but he expects Nikki Haley to hang around.

“I think he is really going to just put the nail in the coffin and say, look, mathematically, she's done," Melusky said.

Super Tuesday was designed to be the pivotal moment of presidential campaigns, and this campaign will be no different. It marks the beginning of the final march to the White House, and Melusky thinks Trump should have enough delegates by the end of March to be the official nominee.

“I see her sticking around until the end of March," Melusky said of Haley. "That is when Donald Trump’s first trial is supposed to begin.”

However, Claville sees things a little differently.

“I think Nikki Haley ends her official campaign at the end of Super Tuesday," Claville said.

Haley seems to be looking for any opportunity to be in position in case something drastic happens to Trump, but remember, some key donors have left Haley.

“I think her money runs out … post-Super Tuesday," Claville said. "I mean if she cannot win a state on [Super Tuesday], do you keep throwing money at the race? No.”

Who does Donald Trump take as his running mate, assuming he is the ultimate winner and legally allowed to continue his campaign?

“I’ve seen Kristi Noem bandied about," Melusky said. "That might be a very interesting candidate as well as Tim Scott.”

Noem is the governor of South Dakota. Sen. Tim Scott was a presidential candidate before dropping out and is from South Carolina.

“But my money though? I believe Tim Scott is the vice-presidential nominee," Claville said.

How do they rate each candidate's campaign right now?

“Out of 10, I give each candidate a five," Claville said. "Donald Trump, who is fighting many different fronts, is fighting his legal battles. And he is also fighting the battle with his own party. … It is divided."

He said President Biden "starts to now utilize all of his legislative achievements the entire time. He’s been in Washington from the Senate to now in the White House and also as vice president.”

Said Melusky: "For Donald Trump? I would go slightly higher. I would go with six, mainly because of what he has done to try to unify the Republican Party up to this point. ... For Joe Biden, I'd say probably a four out or 10 at this point, just because he has so many issues that he needs to be getting out in front of…it is make or break for Nikki Haley. It will be officially Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump after Super Tuesday."

As for President Joe Biden, Michigan voters sent him a message, as many voted "uncommitted” instead of voting for him due to his international policies dealing with Palestine and Israel.

“The opposition got over 100,000 votes," Melusky said. "Thirteen percent of the population came out and said no.”

Smoother sailing is expected for President Biden Super Tuesday since it appears none of those Middle East issues have come to surface for Super Tuesday.

"I think you'll also start to see fractures and parties start to come together," Claville said, "and you'll see a coalescing around that particular candidate for that party, and the national campaign.

Which has already begun.

“Biden is going down to the southern border," Melusky said. "Immigration issues at the border has jumped up to the top issues for individuals, so you have Joe Biden going down to the border ironically with Donald Trump going to the border as well.”

North Carolina is also going to the polls to vote, however, there are many more races on the ballot including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and U.S. House of Representatives among them.

In the House races, it could be a big night for Republicans.

“About 10 out of 14 seats in North Carolina are solidly Republican until 2030," Claville said.

Those primary wins for Republicans could greatly increase the slim margin Republicans now have over Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The winner of the House seats on Super Tuesday primary day will likely win the general election in November because those House seats are Republican leaning.

“What we are finding in North Carolina on Super Tuesday," Claville said, "you will see that the Republican Party will solidify their control of the politics both on the gubernatorial level, congressional level and also [the] local level.”

AG Miyares joins 26 other attorneys general with letter to Meta

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:02:47 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) -- Attorney General Jason Miyares along with 26 other state attorneys general sent a letter to Meta demanding that Instagram prohibit child-modeling accounts.

“Meta’s negligence and lack of proper safeguards only aids and abets child exploitation," said Attorney General Miyares. "Even after Meta employees alerted leadership that its algorithms promoted images of minors to users who had demonstrated pedophilic or predatory interests on its platforms, the company failed to take any real action or ban the monetization of underage accounts.”

The letter cited a recent Wall Street Journal article that reported Meta’s own staff alerted leadership that new paid subscription features on Facebook and Instagram were being misused by ‘parent-managed minor accounts’ to profit by providing ‘pin-up style photos of children’ to male subscribers who were ‘often overt about sexual interest’ in children.

Attorneys general of the following states also signed on to the letter: Arkansas, Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.

To read the full letter click here.

Trump and Biden pick up easy victories across the US in Super Tuesday primaries – as it happened

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 06:19:34 +0000

Trump and Biden pick up most delegates of any state in key win; Haley notches up surprise victory by beating Trump in Vermont

Over at CNN, Ronald Brownstein has an analysis piece which looks a little at the potential weakness of Donald Trump support away from his core base. Brownstein writes:

[Trump’s] performance so far reflects his success at transforming the Republican Party in his image. He’s reshaped the Republicans into a more blue-collar, populist and pugnacious party, focused more on his volatile blend of resentments against elites and cultural and racial change than the Ronald Reagan-era priorities of smaller government and active global leadership that former South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley has stressed.

But while the primaries have underscored Trump’s grip on the GOP, they have also demonstrated continued vulnerability for him in the areas where he has labored since he first announced his candidacy in 2015 – particularly among the white-collar suburban voters who mostly leaned toward the GOP before his emergence. The early 2024 nominating contests have shown that a substantial minority of Republican-leaning voters remain resistant to Trump’s vision.

Trump wins Virginia GOP primary

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:53:06 +0000

Donald Trump is projected to win the GOP primary in Virginia, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Trump faced off against former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley for the GOP nomination, who had made a last-minute pitch to voters in the commonwealth during an appearance last week. Haley was also coming out of her sole primary victory in Washington, D.C.

Forty-eight delegates are up for grabs on the Republican side in Virginia.

Meanwhile, Biden is expected to win the Virginia GOP primary; Biden beat Trump in the state in 2020 by 10 points.

Biden wins Democratic primary in Virginia

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:48:46 +0000

President Biden is projected to win the Democratic presidential primary in Virginia, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Biden was not expected to receive a serious challenge in the Democratic primary. Ninety-nine delegates are up for grabs in Virginia in the Democratic side.

Some Democrats have been pushing members of their party to cast a ballot for “uncommitted” in some of the primaries as a form of a protest vote against the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump is expected to win the Virginia GOP primary; Biden beat Trump in the state in 2020 by 10 points.

Biotechnology trade groups urged Youngkin to veto bills creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Virginia

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:06:53 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- All eyes are on Gov. Glenn Youngkin as some stakeholders are urging him to veto bills to create a board that would review the cost of certain prescription drugs.

Two bills, one in the House and one in the Senate, would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board for Virginia. The board would have the power to cap the price of medications if it determines companies are charging more than necessary.

“This is an exciting opportunity to see real savings for Virginians who are facing the unconscionable decision between having food on the table, or a roof over their head, or the drugs they need to stay alive or to stay healthy,” said Del. Karrie Delaney (D-Fairfax), who authored the House version.

However, not everyone thinks the board is a good idea. The Virginia Biotechnology Association sent a letter to Youngkin urging him to veto the bills, saying they would “stifle necessary investments in continued research and development, threatening the ability of Virginia biotechnology companies to bring new medicines to market.”

Delaney said she disagrees with the assessment, stating that many pharmaceutical companies spend more money on marketing than producing the actual drug.

“If these companies come to the board and they are able to demonstrate that the rising costs that we are seeing [are] directly correlated to the innovation of some new and important drug, then that cost will not be impacted,” Delaney said.

However, the association said the bills could also impact whether or not Virginians have access to drugs currently on the market.

"The artificial setting of prices and reimbursement limits would make it unfeasible for certain drugs to be sold in Virginia, reducing the availability of critical therapies that Virginians rely on to stay healthy," the association said.

Delaney said she believes that’s unlikely.

“[The idea] that somehow these companies would pull out of the market to take no profit over less profit -- I think [it's] absolutely fear-mongering.”

A spokesperson for Youngkin wouldn’t say whether or not Youngkin has reviewed the letter. However, he did tell 8News that Youngkin "will review any legislation that comes to his desk.”

Liberty University will pay $14 million, the largest fine ever levied under the federal Clery Act

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 23:35:36 +0000

Liberty University has agreed to pay an unprecedented $14 million fine for the Christian school's failure to disclose information about crimes on its campus and for its treatment of sexual assault survivors, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday.

The fine is by far the largest ever levied under the Clery Act, a law that requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to collect data on campus crime and notify students of threats. Schools must disseminate an annual security report that includes crime reports and information on efforts to improve campus safety.

Liberty has marketed itself for years as having one of the nation’s safest campuses, with more than 15,000 students enrolled at the school in Lynchburg, Virginia. But its police department had a single officer with minimal oversight for investigating crimes during most of the time period reviewed by federal investigators, 2016 to 2023.

The U.S. Department of Education said it identified numerous cases that resulted in the misclassification or underreporting of crimes. And there were several incidents that the university determined to be unfounded, without evidence the initial report was false.

“This was especially common with respect to sexually based offenses, including rape and fondling cases,” according to the department's Final Program Review Determination.

Federal investigators cited a case in which a woman reported being raped, with the attacker telling her he had a knife, the final program review stated.

Liberty's investigator "unfounded this case based on a claim that the ‘victim indicates that she consented to the sexual act,'” the final program review stated. “In point of fact, the victim’s own statement merely indicated that she ‘gave in’ in an attempt to get away from the perpetrator.”

That episode was ultimately counted in the crime statistics, the final program review stated, after Liberty’s Clery compliance officer realized the case was “mishandled at several points in the process."

Many victims of sexual crimes feared reporting because of concerns of reprisal, the final program review stated. Several were punished for violating the student code of conduct known as "The Liberty Way," while their assailants were left unpunished.

“Consequently, victims of sexual assault often felt dissuaded by Liberty administration’s reputation for punishing sexual assault survivors rather than helping them," the final program review said. “Such fears created a culture of silence where sexual assaults commonly went unreported.”

The university said in a statement Tuesday that it is “fully committed to maintaining the safety and security of students and staff without exception.”

The school said it would continue to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Education. And it noted that it has made more than $10 million in significant improvements since 2022 toward complying with the Clery Act and other laws, including in educational programming, new leadership and staffing.

Liberty also acknowledged past problems, including “incorrect statistical reports as well as necessary timely warnings and emergency notifications that were not sent.” But the university also said the U.S. Department of Education used methods and calculations that were “drastically different from their historic treatment of other universities.”

“Liberty disagrees with this approach and maintains that we have repeatedly endured selective and unfair treatment by the department,” the school said.

But Dustin Wahl, co-founder of Save71, an alumni-led organization that advocates for changes, said Liberty is trying to shift the blame.

“Liberty should be apologizing to the students who have been harmed over the years and demonstrating a commitment to change," he said. "Not because they are being dragged along by the government, but because they genuinely want to be transparent and fix the problems.”

Before Tuesday, the largest Clery Act fine in history was $4.5 million against Michigan State in 2019, according to a February report from the Congressional Research Service. Federal investigators said Michigan State failed to adequately respond to sexual assault complaints against Larry Nassar, a campus sports doctor who molested elite gymnasts and other female athletes.

In 2016, Pennsylvania State University was hit with a then-record fine of $2.4 million in the wake of child sexual-abuse complaints against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

The $14 million fine against Liberty University appears to be a small fraction of its total operating revenues, which were $1.2 billion without donor restrictions in fiscal year 2022, according to an annual report. The school’s net assets were $3.5 billion.

But Clery Act violations are “bigger than just the fines,” said Abigail Boyer, associate executive director at the Pennsylvania-based Clery Center, which provides training and assistance to campuses.

“Hand in hand with the fines is institutions navigating how they’re now being perceived publicly as a campus that may or may not be focusing on the safety and well being of students,” Boyer told The Associated Press.

Liberty has become one of the world’s largest Christian schools since its 1971 co-founding by religious broadcaster Jerry Falwell Sr. In 2022, the school said it hit a record of 115,000 students pursuing degrees online, beyond the more than 15,000 on campus.

The Clery Act investigation became public knowledge in 2022 in the wake of litigation over its handling of sex assault cases.

Lawsuits by former students and employees have accused the school of botching sexual assault reports or failing to investigate allegations of rape. The litigation was filed under under Title IX, the federal law that protects against sex discrimination in education and often overlaps with Clery.

Liberty settled a civil lawsuit filed by 12 women in 2022 after they accused the school of fostering an unsafe environment and mishandling cases of sexual assault and harassment.

The lawsuit said the university had a “tacit policy” of weighting investigations in favor of accused male students, and it said the university retaliated against women who did make such reports.

The terms of that lawsuit’s settlement were not disclosed. But at the time, Liberty outlined a number of changes it undertook to improve campus security and review how it responds to incidents of sexual harassment or violence.

Tuesday’s announcement comes three years after Liberty’s acrimonious split with former president Jerry Falwell Jr., whose exit followed his posting of a provocative photo of himself online as well as revelations of his wife’s extramarital affair. Falwell and the university have since filed lawsuits against each other over his departure.

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This story corrects the name of the U.S. Department of Education document that is being quoted. It is the Final Program Review Determination, not the settlement agreement.

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Finley reported from Norfolk, Virginia. Associated Press writers Sarah Rankin, Collin Binkley and Moriah Balingit contributed to this report.

Va. polls have closed for Super Tuesday primaries

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 23:33:02 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Polls have officially closed for the 2024 presidential primaries.

While President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are considered likely to win, results are still coming in following the 7 p.m. poll closure -- even then, anyone remaining in line will still be allowed to vote.

Virginia is one of over a dozen states and one territory, American Samoa, that held 2024 presidential primaries on March 5. Plenty of electoral college delegates were up for grabs -- though not enough for anyone to secure that sought-after presidential nomination.

Nearly 100 delegates were at stake for Democratic candidates and 48 for Republicans. The six Republican candidates and three Democratic ones are all hoping to bring in the largest pool of electors.

Stay with 8News as results come in on our live election page, which will update frequently throughout the night with voter tallies from the Associated Press.

Biotechnology trade groups urged Youngkin to veto bills creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Virginia

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 23:04:20 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- All eyes are on Gov. Glenn Youngkin as some stakeholders are urging him to veto bills to create a board that would review the cost of certain prescription drugs.

Delaney said she disagrees with the assessment, stating that many pharmaceutical companies spend more money on marketing than producing the actual drug.

However, the association said the bills could also impact whether or not Virginians have access to drugs currently on the market.

Delaney said she believes that’s unlikely.

“[The idea] that somehow these companies would pull out of the market to take no profit over less profit -- I think [it's] absolutely fear-mongering.”

A spokesperson for Youngkin wouldn’t say whether or not Youngkin has reviewed the letter. However, he did tell 8News that Youngkin "will review any legislation that comes to his desk.”

WATCH: Nikki Haley hosts campaign rally in Richmond

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 22:13:38 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley hosted a rally in Richmond Thursday afternoon ahead of Super Tuesday, one of the biggest voting days in the nation.

The rally began at 12:30 p.m. at the Westin Richmond Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 29.

The former South Carolina governor's campaign event comes days before Former President Donald Trump -- the second Republican candidate on the ballot -- is expected to visit the Commonwealth.

Trump will stop in Virginia on his campaign trail at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, March 2.

Jury reaches a verdict in Natural Bridge Zoo case

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 21:24:08 +0000

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) -- A jury in Rockbridge County has reached a verdict on an animal cruelty case involving Natural Bridge Zoo after more than 10 hours of deliberation on March 4.

The jury ruled that the state was justified in seizing 100 animals from the zoo on Dec. 6, 2023. The decision came in just before midnight and revealed that 71 animals will go into state custody and 29 will be returned to the zoo. Here is a full list of animals:

71 animals returned to the state:
12 White Capuchins
5 Brown Capuchins
6 cotton top tamarins
1 female gibbon
3 ground hornbills
14 macaws
1 green Burmese python
5 red ear sliders
1 Painted Turtle
1 Skink
14 Tortoises
1 Mini Donkey
1 Dog (Kuvasz Type)
4 giraffes
2 Ball pythons

Here is a list of 29 animals to be returned to the zoo:

2 Red Ruffed Lemurs
3 Black and White Lemurs
6 Ring-Tailed Lemurs
1 Male gibbon
2 sacred ibiss
A kookaburra
1 Macaw
4 Amazon Parrots
2 Pink Grey Cockatoos
A Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
A Serval
1 albino python
1 Donkey
2 Llamas
A Sheep

"This isn't pulling back the curtain and showing you how the zoo is actually managed. If they wanted to do that, they would have come at noon. If they wanted to do that, they would have come when the animals were at their normal exhibits," shared Erin Harrigan, the Defense Attorney.

"I ask you to come back and give Rockbridge County these animals. They have been cared for in the last two months more than they ever were at Natural Bridge Zoo," concluded Michelle Welch, the Senior Assistant Attorney General.

The prosecution needed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that each animal was subject to cruel treatment or inadequate care that was causing an immediate threat to the animal's life safety or health.

A post-trial motions hearing will be held on April 4 at 2 p.m.

Liberty University fined $14 million for violations of the Clery Act by U.S. Department of Education

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 19:10:52 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The U.S. Department of Education has announced it has imposed a $14 million fine against Liberty University for violations of the Clery Act, which requires institutions to provide information about public safety issues, including sexual assault, to the university community.

The fine is a result of a settlement agreement with the university for "material and ongoing violations of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), including with respect to its published crime statistics and treatment of sexual assault survivors," according to the department.

A spokesperson for the department said this is the largest fine ever imposed for violating the Clery Act, which holds that institutions must provide information about public safety issues to current students, parents, employees, prospective students and employees, as well as public postsecondary schools participating in federal student aid programs.

As a part of the settlement, the university agreed to spend $2 million over the next two years for on-campus safety improvements and compliance enhancements. The department said progress will be audited by an outside accounting firm.

The department will also conduct its post-review monitoring of the university through April 2026 to ensure that the school carries out these improvements.

"Any further lapses in Clery Act compliance could jeopardize the terms of the University’s participation in the federal student aid programs or result in other administrative sanctions against the institution," the spokesperson said.

After the department received several complaints that alleged the university had violated the Clery Act on several occasions, in February 2022, Federal Student Aid (FSA notified Liberty that it would conduct a program review to evaluate Liberty’s compliance.

In May 2023, the FSA Clery Group issued a report identifying "significant violations" of the Clery Act by the university. Liberty provided FSA more information in response to the program review report, and on Monday, March 5, FSA issued a Final Program Review Determination (FPRD) letter that upholds 11 findings in the program review report.

To view the full report, including the 11 findings, click here.

The settlement requires Liberty to fully comply with the Clery Act and provide reasonable assurance that violations will not recur.

FSA will monitor Liberty’s ongoing remedial actions, including the school’s increased spending on campus safety improvements.

To file a Clery complaint with FSA, contact CleryComplaints@ed.gov, and provide the specifics of the alleged failure of compliance with the Clery Act and supporting documentation.

To learn about or file a Title IX complaint, including complaints about sex discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual violence, visit the department’s Office for Civil Rights' website.

Murder trial begins for Hampton father charged with killing 4-year-old son, Codi Bigsby

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 19:09:52 +0000

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Opening statements are expected Tuesday in the murder trial for Cory Bigsby, the man accused of killing his 4-year-old son. Cory Bigsby was charged with second-degree murder and concealing a dead body.

Jury selection in the case began Monday morning but will extend into Tuesday morning.

It’s a case that has gripped Hampton Roads ever since we learned of the little boy's disappearance. Codi Bigsby has never been found, but this trial will determine whether his father is guilty of killing him.

Cory Bigsby reported his son missing in late January 2022. But as the case progressed the father went from a person of interest to a murder suspect. Tributes to Codi were all over Hampton's Buckroe section, including a fence at a nearby soccer field.

Amanda Randall, Alissa Hendry and Sharon Bailey are members of Team Codi and are attending the trial. The group of moms formed shortly after his disappearance with a mission to find justice for the little boy.

"It’s just weird how a young child vanished," Randall said. "He just disappeared. We just wanted to know what happened with Codi."

"We are excited to get to this day," Hendry said as jury selection began more than two years after Codi's disappearance.

Cory Bigsby faces from five to 40 years if convicted on the charge of second-degree murder. If he is found guilty, Bailey says it may bring some closure to Codi's short life.

"I pray in my heart that I hope that he will find his heart and tell us where he is so he can have a proper burial," Bailey said.

The following is a timeline of developments in the case:

Jan. 31, 2022: Cory Bigsby reported Codi Bigsby missing. The boy was last seen at his Buckroe Pointe Apartment Townhome. Since his disappearance, police and the community have conducted several searches for Codi. A few days after the missing report, Cory was arrested for child abuse. Bigsby was facing seven child neglect charges after court documents revealed he admitted to leaving his children home alone. We’re told 15 more charges for child neglect were added for leaving the children home alone. After Codi went missing, former Hampton Police Chief Mark Talbot led the investigation. Hampton police said early on Cory Bigsby was the only suspect.

June 13, 2022: A preliminary hearing for Cory Bigsby is held on the seven felony child abuse charges against him. A judge decides there is enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury.
July 5, 2022: A grand jury indicts Cory on 23 additional counts of child abuse. Totaling to 30 charges against him.
Jan. 27, 2023: A Hampton judge ordered a second competency exam for Cory Bigsby. A judge initially ordered an exam when the defense team called Bigsby's competency into question in November.
June 5, 2023: A grand jury indicted Cory Bigsby for allegedly murdering Codi Bigsby and hiding his dead body. Court documents show the grand jury believes that Codi Bigsby was murdered around June 18, 2021.
June 21, 2023: Cory Bigsby was released from jail on bond. He remained on house arrest. He cannot have contact with his other young children who live out of state. He will also have a curfew and will not be able to leave the home unless it’s for a doctor’s appointment or court appearance.
Nov. 8, 2023: Circuit Court Judge James Hawks rules Cory Bigsby's statements can be used in the trial. The statements consist of two written confessions by Cory Bigsby and another signed by him made while he was in custody.

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