Day Of Tumult At Liberty Ends With Falwell Resignation, Universities Struggle To Contain COVID-19 Cases, Long-Lost Watermelons; More

From the Virginia Mercury:

By Graham Moomaw

August 25, 2020

NEWS TO KNOW
Our daily roundup of headlines from Virginia and elsewhere.

• The strange saga of Jerry Falwell Jr. got stranger Monday as Reuters reported that a Miami pool attendant claimed he had sex with Falwell’s wife, Becki, “while Falwell looked on.” Other outlets later reported that Falwell had agreed to resign as president of Liberty University. But by Monday evening, Falwell was telling reporters he was not resigning. Late Monday night, he said he had indeed resigned.—Reuters, Washington Post, News & Advance, Wall Street Journal

• Some VCU students expect the university’s climbing coronavirus numbers (59 as of Monday) to mean an abrupt end to the in-person school year. “I think we’ll be done in no more than two weeks,” said a forensic science and chemistry major.—Richmond Times-Dispatch

• Virginia Tech leaders are asking students to follow new social distancing rules, including a mandate that masks be worn at parties.—Roanoke Times

• Gov. Ralph Northam said he isn’t planning on mandating a COVID-19 vaccine in Virginia, despite State Health Commissioner Norm Oliver’s support for the idea.—WRIC

• After watching other schools’ attempted reopenings, Virginia State University said it will switch to fully online classes.—Progress-Index

• A federal appeals court upheld the convictions of two white supremacists who participated in the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, while finding that portions of the Anti-Riot Act may infringe on free speech.—Daily Progress

• Portsmouth Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke, the daughter of Sen. Louise Lucas, was served with a misdemeanor summons after a local resident complained that her call for the police chief’s resignation may have violated a local ordinance.—WAVY

• A Republican-sponsored bill to impose more transparency on the Virginia Parole Board cleared a state Senate committee on a bipartisan vote.—Roanoke Times

• As other localities consider creating civilian review boards for police oversight, members of a board created in Charlottesville in 2018 say having subpoena power, community buy-in and funding are key.—VPM

• A Warrenton 7-11 was robbed by an ax-wielding man for the second time in two months, according to police. In both robberies, the man demanded money and vape pods.—Prince William Times

• A particularly sweet heirloom watermelon varietal that was “lost to time” is making a comeback in Hampton Roads, where restaurants are planning to use a foodie couple’s crop in “beers, cocktails, barbecue sauces and salads.”—Virginian-Pilot

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