Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry (then in Virginia, now in West Virginia). He hoped to arm enslaved people and form an “Army of Liberation,” but instead was captured and executed.

The Virginia Flyover scours the Commonwealth to bring you an overview of what is happening in your neighborhood and elsewhere. We need your help! If we've missed a story that people should know about, please press reply and let us know.

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DoJ Sues Commonwealth

The federal Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Commonwealth, the State Board of Elections, and the Commissioner of Elections, claiming that Virginia cannot cancel voter registrations within 90 days of Election Day even if the registered voter is not a citizen.

The filing came one day after activist groups, including the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights and the League of Women Voters, filed a lawsuit making similar claims. Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares insist there is no merit to either lawsuit, and they vow to fight back.

"Virginia’s election will be secure and fair, and I will not stand idly by as this politically motivated action tries to interfere in our elections, period," Youngkin responded.

The governor issued Executive Order Number 35 in August, calling for a daily review of voter lists and the removal of voters who are not eligible. The governor’s office said 6,303 noncitizens were removed from the voter rolls before he even issued the executive order.

UVA Health in Triumph and Turmoil

The University of Virginia Children’s Hospital has been rated best in the state by U.S. News & World Report for four straight years, including 2024.

However, the success comes amid allegations that UVA Health is poorly administrated. Last month, 128 doctors and faculty members signed a letter saying they have no confidence in CEO Dr. Craig Kent or School of Medicine Dean Dr. Melina Kibbe.

Kent faced similar allegations when he was Dean at Ohio State’s College of Medicine in 2017.

The university has defended the embattled administrators and promised to address faculty concerns.

Helene Damage: Where to Find Help

Weeks after the storm moved through, many in Southwest Virginia are still struggling to clean up after Hurricane Helene. However, help is available.

State government officials have worked with local agencies to provide shelter, deliver health care, distribute water, remove debris, and test the safety of drinking water. The Virginia Department of Health is still available to offer other aid.

In addition, residents in 16 localities who lost a job because of the hurricane have until December 1 to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Unemployment in the region jumped 25% the week after Helene passed through.

Finally, FEMA is staffing three offices: in Tazewell, Independence, and Damascus. Residents have until December 2 to register for federal disaster assistance.

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➤ Statewide: Tuesday was the final day to register to vote in the Commonwealth, although anyone who missed the deadline can still vote via provisional ballot on Election Day. (Details)

➤ Natural Bridge: The state has until today to tell a court what it intends to do with three giraffes it seized from the Natural Bridge Zoo last year. Two of the animals are pregnant. (Details)

➤ Hampton Roads: Virginia Task Force Two’s Mission Ready Package—Water Rescue team returned home after helping in Orlando during Hurricane Milton. (More)

➤ Floyd County: A 36-year-old Western Virginia man has been charged with two felonies and several misdemeanor offenses relating to his alleged conduct during the U.S. Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021. (More)

➤ Danville: Three community colleges are collaborating on ways to address the region’s housing shortage. (Details)

➤ Rockingham County: The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources unveiled a plan to move the dam that created Lake Shenandoah. The lake would also contain less water under the proposal. (Details)

➤ Washington Commanders star rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been nominated for Pepsi Rookie of the Week for the sixth consecutive week. If Daniels were to win, it would be his fifth Rookie of the Week award. (Cast your vote here)

➤ The University of Richmond returns from a bye week to host Delaware on Saturday in a battle of two undefeated teams in the Coastal Athletic Association. (More)

➤ UVA and Virginia Tech will both have home games at noon on Saturday, with the Cavs hosting North Carolina and the Hokies welcoming Georgia Tech. (Schedule)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NBA | NHL

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➤ The Roanoke Regional Business Leadership Fund expressed “grave concerns about the future and viability of downtown Roanoke.” (Read why)

➤ Super Radiator Coils of Minnesota plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Chesterfield, the fourth addition to the plant since it opened in 1980. (More)

➤ Optimum Technologies plans to add 40 new jobs at its Sterling manufacturing plant after a $1 million expansion. (Details)

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➤ The Richmond Raceway will host Track Laps for Charity on Wednesday to benefit the Autism Society of Central Virginia. (Details)

➤ A pair of giant pandas will pass through Dulles Airport this week on their way from China to the National Zoo in D.C. (More)

➤ The marching band from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach strutted its stuff for a national television audience on NBC’s Today Show. (Details)

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