RICHMOND — Two delegates, both former journalists, introduced legislation Monday to protect student journalists from censorship and shield reporters from having to disclose confidential sources.
Dels. Chris Hurst, D-Montgomery, and Danica Roem, D-Prince William, urged the General Assembly to pass such legislation.
RICHMOND — Delegate Elizabeth Guzman (D-31 Fauquier, Prince William) filed legislation last week that would increase the age Virginians could smoke or use nicotine products with minors in motor vehicles. The proposed bill would raise the current age from eight to 16 years old.
“As a mother, it was of great surprise to me to learn that children over the age of eight can be exposed to second-hand smoke in vehicles,” Guzman said in a press. “Virginia needs to update its code to reflect the evidence-based results of medical studies.”
RICHMOND — The Family Foundation and other groups that oppose abortion are urging Virginia legislators to oppose ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. They say the ERA, which is currently before the full Senate, is anti-women, anti-American and “a smokescreen for abortion.”
Conservative activists held a news conference and met with legislators this week to voice concerns about the ERA, which they refer to as the “Everything Related to Abortion Act.” They said the proposed constitutional amendment uses women as pawns to push forward an abortion-rights agenda.
RICHMOND — Del. Karrie Delaney (D-Fairfax) and 14 other members of the Virginia General Assembly sent a letter Friday to state Transportation Secretary Shannon Valentine and other officials requesting toll relief for federal workers commuting without pay during the federal government’s shutdown.
“These residents are still going to work every day to ensure our nation’s operations continue, but they are not receiving a paycheck,” Delaney said. “They are trying to figure out how they are going to make ends meet, and here we have an opportunity to provide some relief from the tolls they incur during their commute.”
STAFFORD COUNTY — (Press Release) At 4:27 p.m. Thursday, the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department responded to a reported water rescue on the Aquia Creek. The caller reported two teenagers, who had been paddleboarding since 6 a.m., on the water calling for help.
Due to strong winds and low tidal conditions, there was an extreme drop in the water level leaving the paddle boat stranded. The teens were approximately 150-200 feet from the shoreline.
OCCOQUAN — (Press Release) VFW Post 7916 received a very special award and recognition for its work in supporting our troops deployed overseas. Known as the “Phantoms”; Charlie Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, Task Force Shadow, received multiple crates of “goodies” from VFW Post 7916 for the holidays. In the crates were all kinds of foodstuffs, candy, canned goods, towels, and much more. In appreciation, the Phantoms flew a US Flag on a combat mission to be presented to VFW Post 7916.
Accompanying the flag was the Operation Resolute Support certificate with a citation that read:
RICHMOND — For now, Virginia will remain among a trio of states — joining only Kentucky and Iowa — with a lifetime ban on voting rights for people convicted of a felony.
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections killed an attempt to allow Virginians who have been convicted of a felony to vote.
STAFFORD — (Press Release) A suspect was charged on Tuesday night with identity theft following a traffic stop conducted by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.
On January 8, 2019, at approximately 8:55 p.m., a deputy initiated a traffic stop in the area of 20 Prosperity Lane in North Stafford after observing a vehicle turn left on a red light.
WOODBRIDGE — (Press Release) Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Firefighters responded to the report of a Commercial Structure Fire at 14135 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Woodbridge. OWL VFD arrived on scene within minutes and reported a fully involved fire at Meadow Farms Nursery.
The fire broke out at 11:04 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2019.
MANASSAS — Kenneth Nixon won election to the Manassas School Board.
Before he was sworn in, the school division says he won’t take the seat. The school division did not say why Nixon didn’t accept the position.
