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 May 02, 2023:
Youngkin’s board, leadership picks lower in racial, gender diversity
Reported by VPM News’ Ben Paviour
Nearly 75% of the 735 people Youngkin appointed to state boards last year listed their race as caucasian, up from 63% in Northam’s first year in office. Sixty percent of Youngkin’s picks identified as male, compared to 53% in Northam’s first year.
State Sen. Lamont Bagby (D–Richmond), who leads the General Assembly’s Black caucus, said the numbers weren’t surprising because Youngkin “already told us who he is and what he thinks.” Bagby said he’d heard from unspecified state employees worried Youngkin might punish their efforts to build a more diverse workforce.
“Are they offending the governor by taking a close look at the number of women that are considered for positions, the number of Black individuals that are in leadership?” Bagby said.
‘Give us another try’: New health center focuses on needs of women veterans
Reported by VPM News’ Phil Liles
Women are the fastest growing group in the veteran population, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s affairs. But health care for women vets is still catching up
The newly created Women’s Health Center on the campus of the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center will expand services for thousands of women vets. The new 12,000-square-foot building opened to patients in April.
In other news:
- Latinas in Virginia form cleaning co-op for safety and fair wages (The Virginian–Pilot)
- Charlottesville defense sector has stealthy presence, big impact. (Virginia Business)
In case you missed it:
- Richard Stewart kept history alive. His death leaves it in jeopardy. (The Washington Post)
- How Scalia Law School became a key friend of the Court (The New York Times)
- Under new ownership, Blue Bee Cider set to move from Scott’s Addition to Henrico (Richmond BizSense)