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More Virginians are home-schooling their children
By Judi Dalati/ Capital News Service About 1.3 million students across Virginia went back to school after summer vacation. But for Alison Hatter’s three children, that didn’t require getting on a bus or even going outside. Instead, their classroom is the kitchen of the family’s home in Floyd County. “We usually wake between 6-7 a.m., […]
Kehinde Wiley’s ‘Rumors of War’ unveiled in Times Square ahead of Richmond debut
By Morgan Edwards / Capital News Service NEW YORK — Artist Kehinde Wiley unveiled his monumental statue “Rumors of War” in Times Square on Friday — his response to the Confederate sculptures scattered throughout the South, especially in Richmond, which eventually will serve as its permanent home. The statue is closely modeled after the statue of […]
Same-sex unions make up 4 percent of Virginia marriages
By Patricia Cason / Capital News Service Same-sex couples have made up 1 of every 26 marriages in Virginia since such unions were legalized in the commonwealth in 2014. In a half-dozen localities — ranging from cities such as Richmond and Norfolk to rural communities like Buena Vista — same-sex couples represent approximately 1 of […]
Southwest Virginia looks to rock climbing for revenue boost
By Jeff Raines In light of dwindling coal resources and shrinking populations, eco-tourism is becoming an alternative source of revenue in the coalfield counties of Southwest Virginia as residents seek to diversify their economies. The Southwestern Virginia coalfields — comprised of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell and Wise counties, alongside the city of Norton […]
Population expected to shrink in rural Virginia
By Emma North “More and more people are relocating to Highland County, Virginia, everyday!” the county’s website says. Online, local officials offer resources and encouragement for people to relocate to Highland County, the most sparsely populated in Virginia. A brochure urges readers to consider Highland’s “elevated lifestyle.” But Highland County faces an uphill battle in attracting new residents. […]
Voter registration up in Democratic strongholds
By Kelly Booth Over the past four years, voter registration has grown more in Virginia localities that tend to vote Democratic than in localities that usually go Republican. That could spell trouble for the GOP heading into November’s elections. Between August 2015 and August 2019, voter registration increased 9% in the state’s Democratic strongholds but […]
Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax’s $400 million suit could face uphill fight
By Jeff Raines/ Capital News Service Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax has filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against CBS for their reporting on sexual assault claims made against him. While defamation cases are common in the courtroom; winning one is not. Fairfax must prove CBS either knowingly reported false claims or intentionally did not investigate them, […]
Virginia’s poverty rate drops to 10.1%, new data show
By Sravan Gannavarapu/ Capital News Service Virginia’s poverty rate has fallen by a full percentage point, to about 10%, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. The proportion of Virginians living in poverty dropped from 11.1% in 2015-16 to 10.1% in 2017-18, the data showed. The state’s poverty rate remained well below the […]
Horse racing returns as gaming parlors open in Virginia
By Emma Gauthier/ Capital News Service Horses soon will race again at Colonial Downs, and Virginians will be able to bet on them and play slots-style machines in a casino-like setting at four other locations across the commonwealth. The Colonial Downs Group will resume horse racing at its track in New Kent County and offer off-track […]
Descendants of Dred Scott, Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney, talk reconciliation
Alexandra Zernik/ Capital News Service Descendants of those involved in the milestone Supreme Court decision preventing African Americans from becoming citizens will come together and share their story of reconciliation and repentance, 162 years after the decision. Lynne Jackson and Charles Taney will speak at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center at Virginia […]
Governor’s amendment would ban using a phone while driving
By Kathleen Shaw/ Capital News Service Drivers in Virginia would face penalties for using a phone behind the wheel under legislation that Gov. Ralph Northam has amended and sent to the General Assembly for approval. “The time has come for the commonwealth to implement an effective and fair law to combat distracted driving,” Northam said. “Too […]
Governor signs bill requiring clergy to report child abuse
Corrine Fizer/ Capital News Service In response in part to the child sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, Virginia will have a new law on July 1 requiring priests, ministers, rabbis and other clergy members to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. Gov. Ralph Northam has signed into law two bills — HB […]