The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.
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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Dec. 16, 2024:
Tracking cellphone-free school policies across Central Virginia
Reported by VPM News
As winter break approaches, school divisions across Virginia are finalizing plans to implement new policies restricting students’ use of cellphones and other electronic devices during the school day.
In a July executive order, Gov. Glenn Youngkin directed the Virginia Department of Education to release model policies for cellphone-free education and called on districts to implement their own plans by Jan. 1.
Youngkin’s order cited American Psychological Association research findings that prolonged use of social media sharply increases mental health risks for adolescents and studies that found cellphone use during class harmed students’ grades and test scores.
“Creating a cell phone-free education environment in public schools is not only a prudent measure but an essential one to promote a healthier and more focused educational environment where every student is free to learn,” Youngkin wrote.
VPM News compiled information on the cellphone policies of school districts across Central Virginia.
Former Richmond judge sought inappropriate relationships, commission finds
Reported by VPM News’ Dean Mirshahi
Richmond Circuit Court’s former chief judge acted inappropriately with two female attorneys who tried cases before him, a state commission that investigates judicial misconduct concluded.
W. Reilly Marchant, who retired from the bench in June, admitted it was improper to seek personal relationships with the attorneys — but denied claims that he tried to kiss one, according to a Sept. 25 agreement he signed with the Virginia Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission.
Under the deal, Marchant agreed he wouldn’t accept any future judicial appointments and would not be included on a list of judges who can be temporarily recalled to the bench. The commission ended its inquiry after the agreement with Marchant.
Marchant oversaw several notable cases during his time in Richmond, including the Huguenot High School graduation shooting, the city’s second casino referendum and the dispute over removing Richmond’s Robert E. Lee statue.
In other news:
- Amazon revives plans for $350 million Goochland County fulfillment center (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
In case you missed it:
- Youngkin wants to restrict funding for localities that don’t comply with immigration enforcement (Virginia Mercury)
- JMU receives $2.5M gift for new library wing (Virginia Business)*
- Years in the making, Biscuit Run Park opens (The Daily Progress)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
