Calls for Gaza Ceasefire Disrupt Biden Rally, Teachers Protest School Funding Slashes, and more
Calls for Gaza Ceasefire Disrupt Biden Rally, Teachers Protest School Funding Slashes, and more
Historic Triangle News Roundup January 21 - 27
Good morning! It’s Sunday, Jan. 28, and I’m reading about the Patawomeck Indian Tribe’s struggle against racist Virginia laws that have impeded their efforts to earn federal recognition.
January is almost over! Let’s look at the top stories last week.
Local teachers and staff rally in face of slashed state education budget
This week, Williamsburg-James City County school division teachers and staff called for supporters to join them at the “Fund our Schools Rally and Lobby Day” in Richmond on Feb. 19 from 8 am to 2 PM.
The event is being organized to protest the anemic state education budget proposed by Gov. Youngkin, which only provides a 0.2% increase in funding for WJCC schools in the coming fiscal year and no money for teacher raises.
This month, UVA's Weldon Cooper Center released a report that showed public school enrollment in Virginia is decreasing at a rate faster than previously projected.
New online tool shows high-risk wildlife-vehicle collision areas, biodiversity corridors, and more
The newly published Virginia Habitat Connectivity Hub takes users through data being collected and analyzed as part of Virginia Safe Wildlife Corridors Collaborative’s mission “to protect people and wildlife.”
According to State Farm, Virginia is in the top 10 states when it comes to drivers hitting animals. In 2022, there were a reported 6,100 collisions, which killed four people and injured over 500, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Wild Virginia is hosting a webinar on how to use the Habitat Connectivity Hub on Feb. 6 at 6:30 PM, where attendees can learn more about driving safety in their area as well as current infrastructure development progress.
Other Headlines
At a campaign rally in Manassas this week, President Joe Biden was interrupted by Pro-Palestine protesters, who called for a ceasefire in Gaza. The International Court of Justice ruled this week that it is “plausible” Israel is committing genocide.
James City County joins other counties in Virginia where remote workers now make up the biggest employment sector, according to figures from DataUSA. New research has shown “return-to-office” mandates haven’t had great outcomes.
Virginia municipalities are growing more frustrated with Airbnb’s refusal to comply with an Oct. 2022 state law that requires the company to submit property addresses and gross receipts for their operations.
Upcoming Events
When: TODAY, Jan. 28 at 2 PM
Where: Hampton History Museum, 120 Old Hampton Ln
When: Feb. 1-29
Where: 2110 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg
“Life in the Reservation Community”:
When: Monday, Feb. 5 at 7 PM
Where: Hampton History Museum, 120 Old Hampton Ln
Community Spotlight: Grove Connections
Do you live in Grove neighborhood want to get more involved in community organizing? Check out the Grove Connections website or follow on Facebook.
That’s a wrap for January! Keep an eye out for a January news quiz coming out later this week. Also did you know that the guy who fought to get documents released related to the Richmond high school graduation shooting was from York County?
Contact Me!
Cover photo from Biden Manassas rally, credit: AP Photo/Alex Brandon