Morning Chesapeake! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Chesapeake? Post it to Chesapeake photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. VA eliminates 25,000 unfilled positions nationwide amid Democratic criticism (wtkr.com) — Veterans in Chesapeake should watch how a nationwide VA move to cut 25,000 long-vacant positions could affect staffing at the city’s new clinic, already criticized for opening at roughly a quarter of needed staff. Federal officials insist patient care won’t suffer, but Virginia lawmakers are pressing for assurances that the Chesapeake facility will still be fully operational by January 2026.
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2. Chesapeake School Board prohibits employees from asking others to use preferred pronouns (wtkr.com) — Chesapeake residents should know the School Board has voted 7–2 to bar district employees from asking students or coworkers to use pronouns that differ from their biological sex, effective immediately. The change to Policy 8-02 came after extensive public comment, with most speakers opposing the move and some warning it could create a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ staff and students.
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3. I-64's next major traffic shift will stick around deep into 2026 (pilotonline.com) — Drivers from Chesapeake should know that I-64’s Hampton segment is shifting traffic into the right lanes between exits 267 and 268 as early as Tuesday night, a pattern expected to last well into 2026. The change supports the Hampton Roads Express Lanes network that will eventually stretch from Newport News to the I-264/I-664 interchange in Chesapeake, and VDOT suggests I-664 as an alternate route during the work.
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4. Flock cameras lead to Chesapeake man's arrest in Rockbridge County (13newsnow.com) — A man from Chesapeake was arrested in Rockbridge County after license plate-reading Flock cameras flagged a vehicle stolen from Virginia Beach, leading deputies to box in the car at a truck stop. Authorities say the suspect faces several serious charges, including abduction, vehicle theft, attempted robbery, and burglary, and that a stolen firearm was safely recovered.
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5. Virginia Gov. Youngkin's last budget includes $50 million to improve Child Protective Services, foster care (kentucky.com) — Virginia’s outgoing governor is proposing $50 million to overhaul Child Protective Services and foster care, a move that would affect families and social workers in Chesapeake and statewide. The three-year Safe Kids, Strong Families plan would raise pay for front-line staff, centralize CPS intake, expand overtime for urgent cases, and better connect child welfare with behavioral health, though the incoming administration may revise the budget.
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Ok Chesapeake! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
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