Northam Draws Criticism For Response To I-95 Shutdown; Luria Runs For Re-Election; Roanoke Schools Mask Mandate; More

A Staff Report, the Virginia Mercury

January 7, 2022

• Amid questions over how the state handled the snowy shutdown of Interstate 95, Gov. Ralph Northam drew criticism for telling a radio interviewer: “I am getting sick and tired of people talking about what went wrong.”—Washington Post

• Rep. Elaine Luria is running for re-election in the redrawn 2nd Congressional District, which will require her to move from Norfolk to Virginia Beach.—Virginian-Pilot

• Dr. Danny Avula, who oversaw Virginia’s COVID-19 vaccination effort, is stepping down from his post as Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin prepares to take office.—Richmond Times-Dispatch

• “Virginia COVID-19 cases continue to soar and have pushed hospitalizations above the peaks seen in September, but hospitals still have bed space.”—Daily Press

• Youngkin appointed George “Bryan” Slater, who served in former Gov. Jim Gilmore’s cabinet, as his secretary of labor.—Washington Post

• The Roanoke County School Board reversed its earlier vote to rescind its mask mandate, saying it hadn’t properly consulted with lawyers.—Roanoke Times

• A Richmond teacher’s union says omicron-related staffing shortages could make it “untenable” to continue in-person classes.—Richmond Times-Dispatch

• Three people have been charged in an alleged forgery scheme to spring a Loudoun County inmate from jail by faking a judge’s signature.—WTOP

• A Petersburg hip-hop artist turned an old Sears store into an indoor bike track.—WTVR

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