Across Virginia
Photo Courtesy of Jack Mayer, Office of Governor Northam.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Virginia’s statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee was removed from the United States Capitol overnight. A representative from the governor’s office was present for the removal along with United States Senator Tim Kaine and Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton.
Each state is entitled to display two statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection, and for 111 years, the Confederate statue has stood along with America’s first president George Washington as Virginia’s contributions. The two statues were added in 1909, which was 44 years after the Confederacy rebelled against the United States and was defeated. The Lee statue had been one among 13 located in the Crypt of the Capitol, representing the 13 original colonies.
“We should all be proud of this important step forward for our Commonwealth and our country,” said Governor Northam. “The Confederacy is a symbol of Virginia’s racist and divisive history, and it is past time we tell our story with images of perseverance, diversity, and inclusion. I look forward to seeing a trailblazing young woman of color represent Virginia in the U.S. Capitol, where visitors will learn about Barbara Johns’ contributions to America and be empowered to create positive change in their communities just like she did.”
Earlier this year, Governor Northam signed legislation establishing the Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol charged with studying the removal and replacement of the Robert E. Lee statue. The eight-member commission, chaired by State Senator Louise Lucas, voted unanimously on July 24, 2020 to recommend removal of the statue. At the request of the Commission, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Virginia will accept ownership of the statue.
“Confederate images do not represent who we are in Virginia, that’s why we voted unanimously to remove this statue,” said Senator Louise Lucas. “I am thrilled that this day has finally arrived, and I thank Governor Northam and the Commission for their transformative work.”
On December 16, 2020, the Commission selected civil rights icon Barbara Rose Johns to replace the Robert E. Lee statue, after receiving public input from Virginia residents during several virtual public hearings. In 1951, sixteen-year-old Barbara Johns led a student walkout at Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, protesting the overcrowded and inferior conditions of the all-Black school compared to those of White students at nearby Farmville High School. This garnered the support of NAACP lawyers Spottswood Robinson and Oliver Hill who took up her cause and filed a lawsuit that would later become one of five cases reviewed by the United States Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka when it declared segregation unconstitutional in 1954. Historians consider Johns’ protest a pivotal moment that launched the desegregation movement in America.
“As of this morning, Virginia will no longer honor the Confederacy in the halls of the United States Capitol,” said Delegate Jeion Ward, who sponsored legislation creating the Commission. “When I think of Barbara Johns, I am reminded of how brave she was at such a young age. It’s time for us to start singing the songs of some of the Virginians who have done great things that have gone unnoticed. This is a proud moment for our Commonwealth, and I am humbled to have been a part of it.”
The General Assembly must approve the replacement before a sculptor can be commissioned. If approved, Johns would complement the statue of Washington, and would be the only teenager represented in the collection. Governor Northam has introduced a budget that includes $500,000 to replace the statue.
LEESBURG, Va. (AP) — Officials in Virginia’s Loudoun County have voted to rename the county’s portions of U.S. Routes 50 and 7. That’s because one of the roadways was named after a Confederate commander, and the other was named after an ardent segregationist. WTOP reports that the board voted on Tuesday to begin the process of making the changes. U.S. 50 has been called John Mosby Highway. Mosby was a Confederate commander during the Civil War. U.S. 7 has been known as Harry Byrd Highway in the stretches contained in Loudoun County. Byrd was a Virginia governor from 1926 to 1930 and later a U.S. Senator.
Loudoun Supervisor Koran Saines said Byrd was known for his zealous opposition to integration. Saines authored the motion to the begin the process of naming the two highways. Supervisor Juli Briskman headed another motion to have the county inventory public roads, buildings and other entities named for racist figures. “Residents, especially those of color, shouldn’t have to drive on, walk on, play in or pay taxes to support public infrastructure that glorifies those who would tear apart our nation, and continue a system of racism and oppression, well beyond the end of the Civil War,” Briskman told fellow board members.
According to the latest numbers released this morning by the Virginia Department of Health there are 123 new probable or confirmed coronavirus cases, 6 new hospitalizations, and 4 new deaths being reported in the Roanoke Valley. 68 new cases ,4 new hospitalizations and 2 new deaths in Roanoke County, and 43 new cases, 1 new hospitalization and 1 new death in Roanoke City, and 18 new cases, 1 new hospitalization, and 1 new death in Botetourt County.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was informed late yesterday by Operation Warp Speed that, like other states, Virginia’s estimated allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses will be less than initially planned for the next few weeks. Virginia is now planning to receive 370,650 doses of vaccine in December 2020 from two manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna. This is down from the previously expected 480,000 doses.
Virginia’s health care personnel (HCP) and long-term care facility (LTCF) residents remain top priority groups. Eighteen Virginia hospitals received initial shipments of the Pfizer vaccine this week, and they began dispersing a total of 72,125 doses to frontline healthcare workers. Virginia has already placed an order for 146,400 doses of the Moderna vaccine, which if approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), will begin arriving the week of December 21.
CDC and Operation Warp Speed provide regular estimates to states for vaccine distribution planning; these estimates remain subject to change. VDH is working closely with the CDC to ensure a smooth and equitable vaccine deployment.
Press Release From Terry McAuliffe Campaign: Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea today endorsed Terry McAuliffe for governor, joining a growing list of prominent Virginia leaders backing Terry for Virginia since he launched his campaign just last week. In his endorsement, Mayor Lea touted Terry’s big, bold vision to create a more equitable Virginia by making an unprecedented investment in education and ensuring all Virginians benefit from the Commonwealth’s post-COVID economic recovery.
“Since he announced his campaign just last week, Terry McAuliffe has demonstrated his vision for the future of our Commonwealth is big, bold, and consequential. Terry has made racial equity central to his education and COVID plans, pushing to address inequalities that have plagued our communities for generations,” said Mayor Sherman Lea (Roanoke). “He will lift up our communities by making sure our kids have a quality education, fighting this opioid and heroin epidemic, and helping small businesses recover from the COVID pandemic. Virginia is ready for big ideas and bold action. We are ready for Terry.”
Last week, Terry launched his campaign by releasing his bold plan to strengthen Virginia’s education system. As governor, Terry will dramatically increase teacher pay and get it above the national average for the first time in Virginia history, expand preschool to every 3 and 4-year old child in need, and get every single Virginia student online. During his tenure as Virginia’s 72nd governor, Terry’s administration provided grant funding for preschool for children in need, which included support for a community-based early childcare center in Roanoke.
“I’m proud to have the support of such a strong leader in Roanoke. Mayor Sherman Lea has been a great leader for his city during this pandemic and I know that together we will rebuild a post-COVID economy that is stronger and fairer for all Virginians,” said Terry McAuliffe. “We need to go big and bold to end inequities for communities of color as we go through this recovery process. From ensuring all children have access to a world-class education to creating new pathways to good paying 21st Century jobs, we will address the disparities that have held back Black and Brown communities for far too long.”
Mayor Lea joins a growing list of prominent Virginia leaders who are supporting Terry McAuliffe for governor, including Senate President Pro-Tempore L. Louise Lucas, House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, Senate Appropriations and Finance Committee Chair Janet Howell, House Appropriations Chair Luke Torian, House Education Committee Chair Delegate Roslyn Tyler, House Transportation Committee Chair Delores McQuinn, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, Newport News Mayor McKinley Price, Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck, and Portsmouth Mayor-Elect Shannon Glover.
Earlier this week, Terry announced his plan to create an equitable post-COVID economy. As governor, Terry will take bold and decisive action to create jobs, protect workers, invest in mental health services, and rebuild Virginia’s thriving network of small businesses, particularly Black and Brown-owned businesses.
A project by student at an area college is looking to highlight the problem of food insecurity and is suggesting ways his peers could give back. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has this In-Depth Report.
According to the latest numbers released this morning by the Virginia Department of Health there are 152 new probable or confirmed coronavirus cases, 4 new hospitalizations, and 7 new deaths being reported in the Roanoke Valley. 73 new cases ,4 new hospitalizations and 4 new deaths in Roanoke County, and 61 new cases and 3 new deaths in Roanoke City, and 18 new cases in Botetourt County. No new cases are being reported in Salem.
Virginia’s DMV is preparing to accept and process drivers license applications from residents who don’t live here legally. A new law permits it as of January, and DMV is working to reach Hispanics in advance. It’s estimated that 300,000 undocumented immigrants in Virginia will qualify for what are called driver privilege cards. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
NEWS RELEASE: RICHMOND – Beginning January 2, 2021, Virginians may apply for a driver privilege card at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Applications will be accepted by appointment only; appointments can be made at dmvNOW.com/appt.
This change in Virginia law, authorized by the Virginia General Assembly, creates a driving credential for individuals who are non-U.S. citizens and cannot meet Virginia’s legal presence requirements, making them ineligible to receive a standard or REAL ID-compliant driver’s license in Virginia.
Customers may be eligible to obtain a driver privilege card if they meet the following criteria:
- are a non-U.S. citizen who is a resident of Virginia
- have reported income from Virginia sources or are claimed as a dependent on a tax return filed in Virginia in the past 12 months
- do not have a driving privilege that is currently suspended or revoked in Virginia or any other state, to include insurance-related infractions
“We are pleased to offer this new credential to give thousands of tax-paying Virginians the opportunity to drive legally on our roadways, something they previously have not been able to do,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. “Like applicants for any driving credential, driver privilege card applicants must prepare for their visit by gathering necessary documents and studying for all required testing. A good place to start is the DMV webpage dedicated to this new credential, dmvNOW.com/dpc.”
In order to obtain a driver privilege card in Virginia, the following documents must be provided:
- Two proofs of identity (e.g., foreign passport and Consular identification document issued by country of citizenship)
- Two proofs of Virginia residency (e.g., monthly mortgage statement and utility bill)
- Proof of Social Security number (if one has been issued) or the individual’s taxpayer identification number (e.g., W-2 form or ITIN letter)
- Tax return documentation (e.g. Virginia Resident Form, Virginia Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return Form or Virginia Nonresident Income Tax Return Form, filed in the past 12 months)
All documents must be originals and are subject to verification, however; printouts of approved online residency documents may be accepted.
The steps to obtain a driver privilege card vary based on a customer’s licensed driving history. Applicants will be required to pass a vision screening. DMV encourages those eligible to make an appointment for the new year, study and prepare for applicable tests atdmvNOW.com, and organize the documents necessary to obtain a driver privilege card. An interactive document guide, available on DMV’s website, helps to prepare customers for their visit.
According to the latest numbers released this morning by the Virginia Department of Health there are 197 new probable or confirmed coronavirus cases, 2 new hospitalizations,and 2 new deaths being reported in the Roanoke Valley. 113 new cases 2 new hospitalizations and in Roanoke County, and 34 new cases in Roanoke City, 5 new cases and 2 new deaths in Salem, and 45 new cases in Botetourt County.
Mark Herring
Virginia Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring today formally announced he is running for re-election. In a video posted online, Herring spoke about his record defending health care and Virginia’s coronavirus safety measures in court.
Herring will face off with Norfolk Delegate Jay Jones in the Democratic primary. Virginia Beach Delegate Jason Miyares has announced he’s running on the Republican side.