🌱 Filer Proposes Increase in Minimum Wage + Navy Commander Reassigned

Hey, neighbors! Carla Varner here with a fresh edition of the Norfolk Daily.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and warmer. High: 71 Low: 55.

Here are the top three stories today in Norfolk:

1. In an attempt to fill hundreds of city job vacancies Norfolk City leaders have proposed increasing the minimum wage from $12 to $18. Norfolk City Manager Chip Filer recommended the increase in pay, going beyond the state's plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2026. Deputy City Manager Catheryn Whitesell said that Norfolk is down almost 800 workers. (13newsnow.com WVEC)
2. The commander of a Norfolk-based destroyer who refused the COVID-19 vaccine and sued the service has been removed from command and temporarily assigned for 60 days to a shore command. The unidentified officer was barred from going underway with his ship on Apr. 11 under a new Navy policy that prohibits unvaccinated personnel from going underway on Navy ships. The commander and others have sued on the basis of having their religious freedoms infringed upon. (Daily Press)
3. Norfolk native and former Bulldog David McCormack announced over social media that he will be entering the 2022 NBA Draft. McCormack said in a statement, "I can't imagine ending my career at Kansas better than we did this past season, as national champions." He played his first two years of high school basketball at Norfolk Academy. (News 3 WTKR Norfolk)

Today in Norfolk:

• Transfeminine Social Support Group At LGBT Life Center(6:30 PM)
• Shawn Colvin: Steady On 30th Anniversary Tour At Clay and Jay Barr Education Center (7:30 PM)
• Saxsquatch + Sexbruise? At Elevation 27 (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• If you're in the market for a new home you won't want to miss these three open houses in the Norfolk area. These homes in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth are ready for you to move right in. (Norfolk Patch)
• The Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center will extend its hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. by appointment. Walk-ins are welcome on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m. (WAVY.com)
• Sign up for "A World of Learning in Norfolk", a celebration of learning with programs and activities exploring education, health, music, fitness arts, science, history, and more. The online event is hosted by the City's Norfolk's Believe in Learning initiative and will take place May 7 to 14.

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— Carla Varner