Thursday, April 24, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1867, African Americans in Richmond began a protest against a privately operated company that refused to allow black passengers on its horse-drawn streetcars.

In Purcellville, the police will remain on the job, but the vice mayor's future is uncertain. The Virginia Flyover has details in our Top Stories, while Around Virginia explains how FEMA delays are impacting our state.

Later today, we'll be sending you a special message from our sponsor, Pacaso, sharing an exciting investment opportunity in their luxury home platform.

We're sponsored today by Prime Biome, with tips for helping you have smoother, younger-looking skin.

NICU Nurse Faces More Charges

Authorities charged former neonatal intensive care unit nurse Erin Strotman with six more counts of child abuse. That brings the total number of charges filed to 12, with more expected later this year.

Strotman is accused of injuring at least four infants in the NICU at Henrico Doctors' Hospital, where she worked in the summer of 2023 and again in the fall of 2024, prior to the discovery of the injuries.

The hospital's staff found that several newborns had suffered what they described as "unexplainable fractures" while in the unit.

Strotman waived her right to a jury trial and requested a bench trial that would begin in 2026. She is scheduled to return to court on May 28.

Plot Thickens in Purcellville

The Virginia State Police will conduct a criminal investigation into the actions of Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl "Ben" Nett, who served as a town police officer until he was terminated this month following allegations he misused sick leave.

Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney Bob Anderson wrote that Nett appears to have violated state law by serving as vice mayor while also a member of the police force, a dual role that gave him "oversight over the department that employs him."

This week, the town council voted to fund the police force through 2026. It had earlier proposed shuttering the force to save about $3.2 million.

The council added that it will schedule a full budget session to consider whether the town has the financial capacity to continue operating a police department beyond next year.

Virginia Beach Officer Charged

Anthony Paul, a Virginia Beach police officer, has been charged with two counts of felony custodial indecent liberties with a child.

The incidents allegedly occurred in 2019, before Paul joined the force. He is accused by a now-adult man who says he was 16 at the time and alleges that Paul touched him improperly during sleepovers.

According to the criminal complaint, Paul "admitted to a sexual act between him and the 16-year-old" but declined to provide further details.

Paul is on administrative duty and will remain employed during an investigation, though his "police powers" have been suspended.

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➤ Statewide: The federal government is behind schedule in delivering aid to help Virginia recover from Hurricane Helene and other recent natural disasters. (Details)

➤ Chesapeake: Sentara College of Health Sciences said it will discontinue its nursing and non-nursing degree and certificate programs. The school currently has 460 students enrolled. (More)

➤ Fairfax: Attorney General Jason Miyares spoke with crime victims and their families at the Victim Voices Roundtable. "It's hard when you have this horrific feeling that the government that is supposed to be your voice has failed and they have failed you," Miyares said. (Details)

➤ Harrisonburg: Authorities arrested 22-year-old Katelynn Ann Hipes after a five-day search. She is a suspect in the shooting death last week of Kevin Scott Small of Shipman. (More)

➤ Alexandria: A teenager was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries after a stabbing incident at West Potomac High School. The victim is in stable condition, and the suspect, another teenager, is in custody. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Two Republican organizations will spend six figures to run a series of ads criticizing the voting records of Democrats in the House of Delegates on key issues. Democrats have a two-seat majority in the House going into November's election. (More)

➤ The Washington Capitals topped the Canadiens 3-1 Wednesday night in Game 2 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The teams meet again on Friday in Montreal with the Caps leading the series 2-0. (More)

➤ Liberty men's golf captured the Conference USA championship with a 15-under-par score over the tournament's three days. (Leaderboard)

➤ Two UVA softball stars, Jade Hylton and Eden Bigham, were named the most recent ACC Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. (More)

➤ Changes in name, image, and likeness policies are driving the future of college sports at all levels. Sign up for NIL Wire and stay ahead of the games.

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➤ UVA Health University Medical Center was named Virginia's best hospital by Newsweek magazine and ranked 49th nationally. (Details)

➤ Development is underway on several attractions at the site of Virginia Beach's former Pembroke Mall, including a seven-story apartment complex, a comedy club, and a hotel. (More)

➤ Dominion Energy would be exempted from more strict federal coal pollution regulations under a series of executive orders President Trump recently signed to promote the coal industry in the U.S. (Details)

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➤ April is Autism Acceptance Month, and some Central Virginia parents are helping to raise funds and expand educational and community opportunities for their children with autism. (Details)

➤ The Herndon Farmers Market opens for the season on May 1. It will operate every Thursday morning from 8 a.m. to noon through October. (More)

➤ Hurricane season officially starts in June, though no hurricane on record has made landfall in Virginia. Experts say geography and wind patterns tend to protect the Old Dominion from direct hits. (See the Map)

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