VA's AG Office Green-Lit Protest Crackdown, Local Swim League Bans Trans Students, and more
VA's AG Office Green-Lit Protest Crackdown, Local Swim League Bans Trans Students, and more
Historic Triangle News Roundup April 28 - May 4
Good morning! A couple days ago I sent out an update about some changes at Round the Triangle. Short version: no more news quizzes, one podcast, and my AI-assisted school board summaries will now include work sessions for the WJCC school division.
And now for the top headlines last week:
VA Attorney General’s Office Green-lit Crackdown of Campus Protests
Since last weekend, VA law enforcement has violently suppressed student-led protests on college campuses calling for divestment from Israel, which the International Criminal Court ruled could be committing genocide in Gaza.
In a meeting with students, UMW President Troy Paino shared an email with students from the VA Attorney General’s Office that said it was the state’s legal position that encampments were “disruptive” to school activities.
“The university or college has the authority to refuse to allow such activities,” the email read. “The Attorney General will vigorously defend the university or college from any challenge to this authority.”
Virginia State Police violently clear UVA Pro-Palestine protest yesterday with tear gas. Video by Maggie Glass, @maggieglass08 @29NewsWVIR
VA Peninsula Swim Union Quietly Banned Trans Students in February
In a close 7-6 vote, the VPSU decided to amend its rules to not follow the USA Swimming policies that allow student athletes to compete based on their chosen gender, instead requiring them to compete based on sex assigned at birth.
One board member opposed the rapid approval of the amendment, suggesting teams be surveyed for input but was shot down by President Corinne Picataggi. VP Mike Bermudez, a lawyer, expressed concern about discrimination.
This revelation comes as VA Attorney General Jason Miyares publicly denounced updates to Title IX regulations, which were expanded in part to better protect the LGBTQI community. The changes did not apply to student athletics.
Other Headlines
Demand at Virginia's free and charitable clinics continues to surge, rising 11.5% this year on top of a 28% rise the year before. This spike has been tied to the 376,000 Virginians who lost Medicaid after pandemic era exceptions expired.
A federal jury in VA couldn’t reach a verdict in a lawsuit filed by three Iraqi men alleging torture at Abu Ghraib prison by VA defense contractors CACI Premier Technology, who they said directed U.S. military guards to physically abuse them.
The Mountain Valley Pipeline is nearing completion with a final cost estimate of $7.85 billion after construction challenges and delays. One environmentalist said the pipeline is “destroying our mountains and endangering us.”
Heads Up
VA residents will need a Real ID-compliant Driver’s License to board a plane soon.
You can check out passes to museums/historic sights from the library.
Digging has started up again at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Upcoming Events
When: TODAY 10 am - 4 PM
Where: Yorktown Waterfront, 331 Water St
Teacher Tuesdays at Alewerks Brewing:
When: Tuesdays, 12 - 9 PM
Where: 189B Ewell Rd, Williamsburg
Mom + Me Spring Blooms Centerpiece Workshop:
When: Friday, May 10, 7:30 PM
Where: 201 Monticello Ave. Suite 4117, Williamsburg