More School Districts Sue Over Youngkin Mask Order, And More Va. Headlines

Staff Report and News Wrapup, Virginia Mercury

January 25, 2022

• As his ban on school mask mandates drew another legal challenge from a coalition of local school officials, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said school districts resisting his order “aren’t recognizing the rights of parents.”—Washington Post, Richmond Times-Dispatch

• Youngkin has proposed $3.5 billion in budget amendments, without specifying how he would pay for them.—Richmond Times-Dispatch

• Some congressional Republicans, including Virginia Rep. Rob Wittman, are now touting infrastructure funding they voted against.—ABC News

• A state lawmaker wants to prohibit police from using fake documents in interrogations after Virginia Beach police were caught using phony DNA reports.—Virginian-Pilot

• A delegate from Arlington filed a bill to make it easier to crack down on predatory towing companies.—ARLnow

• Another bill would reform Virginia’s recall laws as more groups try to use them to resolve political fights rather than oust officials for clear-cut wrongdoing.—Loudoun Times-Mirror

• “As Virginians greet the prospect of a new governor and a divided legislature, the politically purple state offers a microcosm of a country clenched in a raging argument over its identity and future.”—Washington Post

• A teacher’s union in Chesapeake is fighting its school board’s decision to make masks optional.—Virginian-Pilot

• The Virginia Bar Association elected its first Black president.—Virginia Business

• Lee Enterprises, the corporate owner of many Virginia newspapers, is asking investors for help fighting off a hostile takeover bid by “vulture hedge fund” Alden Global Capital.—Associated Press

• Richmond’s City Council voted 8-1 to try to give the city a do-over vote on a proposed casino.—Richmond BizSense

• Six Husky puppies were stolen from a Hampton pet salon. Most have been returned home, but two are still missing.—Virginian-Pilot

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