Gene Marrano
Image: LU Athletics Facebook
(from Liberty.edu) Liberty is headed back to the NCAA Tournament after defeating Lipscomb 73-57 in the ASUN Championship in front of an ASUN Championship record crowd of 7,728 fans in the final game at the Vines Center. Liberty is now 30-4 this season as the Flames are back-to-back ASUN Champions for the first time in school history. Caleb Homesley was named the MVP of the ASUN Tournament while Darius McGhee and Scottie James were named to the All-Tournament Team
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic legislators in Virginia have dramatically reshaped the state in two months, sweeping aside many of the state’s old business-friendly and socially conservative laws and replacing them with a broad, progressive policy agenda.
Lawmakers wrapped up this year’s session Sunday — apart from passing the state budget — after advancing the South’s strictest gun laws, broadest LGBTQ protections and some of its loosest abortion restrictions. Democrats had not had full control of the legislature for more than two decades, and their years of pent-up frustrations yielded one of the most consequential sessions in Virginia’s history.
Some of Virginia’s scores of Confederate monuments could soon be removed under legislation state lawmakers approved Sunday. The Democratic-led House and Senate passed measures that would undo an existing state law that protects the monuments and instead lets local governments decide their fate. The bill’s passage marks the latest turn in Virginia’s long-running debate over how its history should be told in public spaces.
Virginia lawmakers have also approved a broad expansion of gambling options in a state that’s been largely loath to embracing new betting options in the past. Lawmakers gave final approval Sunday to legislation to allow voters in Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Norfolk and Portsmouth to hold local referendums later this year on whether to approve casinos. Legislators also have approved the expansion of slot-like machines and signed off on online lottery sales and sports betting. Gov. Ralph Northam still needs to give final approval before the legislation can become law.
(From VDH) The first presumptive positive case in Virginia is a Marine Base Corps Quantico resident who is at Fort Belvoir. The second individual is a resident of the City of Fairfax in their 80s who traveled on a similar Nile River cruise as other positive coronavirus (COVID-19) patients. The patient began to develop symptoms of respiratory illness on February 28, was hospitalized on March 5, and remains in stable condition. Health officials will provide more information on these case investigations and what is being done to identify and monitor other close contacts and protect the health of Virginians. The Virginia Department of Health will hold a news conference at 1pm to provide a status report.
Governor Northam and Cabinet officials have been briefed. Officials at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and the Virginia Department of Health are working cooperatively, according to longstanding public health protocols. The teams are in regular and close communication with federal, state, local, and private sector partners.
Public health officials caution that evidence has not been seen of COVID-19 spreading in Virginia and said the risk is low. Public health officials remind people in Virginia and on military installations to take precautions:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers approved a proposed change to the state’s constitution on Friday that supporters said would curb political gerrymandering, prompting an outcry by some Democrats who called it harmful to African Americans.
The state House narrowly voted to approve the proposed constitutional amendment that would task a bipartisan commission made up of lawmakers and citizens with drawing new congressional and legislative maps every 10 years. The measure, which critics called deeply flawed, passed last year with broad bipartisan support now heads to voters for a final decision in the fall.
Virginia lawmakers also gave final passage Friday to a sweeping energy bill that would overhaul how the state’s utilities generate electricity, a measure environmental groups and other renewable energy advocates considered a historic step toward addressing climate change.
The state Senate advanced the Virginia Clean Economy Act on a vote of 22-17, sending the bill to Gov. Ralph Northam a day after the House passed it. The measure was a top priority of leaders of the new Democratic majority that took control of the General Assembly in last fall’s elections.
At a news conference today announcing Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea’s Re-election bid, Roanoke City Council member Anita Price told WFIR NEWS that she will NOT be seeking a seat on the council for the next election. Price, A former Roanoke City School teacher says she is still committed to working with children and remaining active in the community. She will continue to serve out her term on council until the end of the year. Another incumbent, Michelle Davis, has announced that she will not seek reelection as well.
Stephanie Moon- FB photo
Another candidate for Roanoke City Council has announced her bid – and its a familiar face: former City Clerk Stephanie Moon will seek the Democratic endorsement to run for one of the three vacant seats on the Roanoke City Council in the upcoming May 2 Firehouse Primary Election. Moon says she is “uniquely qualified to serve the citizens of Roanoke,” after being employed by the city for 40 years. That makes at least 6 candidates so far that have formally announced bids. Incumbents Anita price and Michelle Davis are not seeking new terms.
Cindy Petersen -courtesy Taubman Museum
The executive director at the Taubman Museum calls it “a new winter arts and culture celebration” – and plans for it to be an annual event. More on Roanoke Arts Pop! from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Click below to hear an extended conversation on Arts Pop!
(from Roanoke Children’s Theatre release) Brett J. Roden, Producing Artistic Director for RCT: Professional Theatre for Schools & Families, officially announced today that the Company will rebrand and become VIRGINIA CHILDREN’S THEATRE. The rebrand reflects the Company’s commitment to providing top-notch professional mainstage productions and high-quality theatre, dance and music education for audiences across the Commonwealth. The rebrand and name change will go into effect in Fall 2020 with the upcoming 2020-2021 Season.
“What an incredible opportunity for the Roanoke Valley to be the home of the Professional Children’s Theatre of Virginia,” says Roden. “I am thrilled to spearhead the newly established VCT. The possibilities are endless. This rebrand will allow our company to soar and continue to strive for more! Our roots will always be RCT, this is just the bigger and better version.”