Thursday's top stories
The top news stories from Virginia politics
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Today’s Sponsor:
Good morning, Virginia Scope readers! I am Senator Aaron Rouse and I am running to be the next Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. As a State Senator and Virginia Beach City Councilman, I’ve seen how the needs of Virginians all across the Commonwealth have been ignored – pushed to the side because of political games. Virginians are ready for a new generation of leadership that lifts everyone up with the best public schools and good-paying jobs, protects the rights and freedoms of all, and safeguards our environment so future generations of Virginians have a place to call home. That’s why I’m running to be your Lieutenant Governor. Today, I am releasing my official launch video, “Know Me,” and I would be honored if you would take a few minutes to watch it. If you like it, share it with your friends, family, and colleagues!
Top stories of the day:
GOP senators push to use skill games to help pay for schools - RTD
by Michael Martz
A pair of Republican senators are looking ways to legalize electronic skill games and use the state revenues they generate to pay for school construction.
Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, and Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, want to take advantage of the General Assembly remaining in session to act on potential revenue bills as a way to overcome a political roadblock from Gov. Glenn Youngkin. (The legislature did not adjourn after it passed the budget on Monday.)
Congress clears major aviation policy bill, after months of delays - Politico
By Oriana Pawlyk
The House voted Wednesday to send the biggest aviation bill in five years to President Joe Biden’s desk.
The bill, H.R. 3935, cleared on a 387-26 vote, would inject $105 billion into the Federal Aviation Administration over five years and guide policy for everything from drones and air taxis to technology intended to help planes avoid runway collisions. It will also add five long-haul, round-trip flights a day to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, despite objections from D.C.-area lawmakers.
UVa president says he's willing to accept consequences for breaking up campus protest - Daily Progress
by Emily Hemphill
If all of you decide I’m not the right leader, that’s your choice,” said University of Virginia President Jim Ryan. “That’s how I feel.”
Though no university officials have publicly called for Ryan to resign, Ryan's tone and demeanor were marked by a resignation of their own at the university's Faculty Senate meeting last Friday.
Search warrants claim ‘pattern of money laundering’ at some cannabis-related stores - Cardinal News
by Susan Cameron
Newly unsealed search warrants in Washington County allege that some of the cannabis-related stores that were targeted in a region-wide raid last fall were involved in money laundering.
Dozens of stores across Southwest Virginia were raided in September. While the ownership structure of many of the shops is unclear, the search warrants show that the homes and banking records of two people who owned multiple locations also were searched. Among the items that were seized were a number of guns — pistols, rifles and shotguns — as well as ammunition, computers, cellphones and vehicles, including two Rolls-Royces.
Prince Edward schools that helped usher in Brown v. Board still in disrepair - VPM News
by Megan Pauly
A small group of Robert Russa Moton High School students in Farmville began gathering in secret months before an April 23, 1951, walkout to protest the unequal conditions of school facilities for Black students.
“It was the same type of secrecy that was developed during the Manhattan Project,” said John Stokes, one of the walkout’s organizers. “We had to trust everyone so we could pull this thing off.”
