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 June 12, 2023:
Hanover school board proposes new book-removal policy
Reported by VPM News’ Lyndon German
Parents in Hanover County are raising concerns over a proposed school board policy on removing books from school libraries.
The proposal could more quickly remove books that contain “sexually explicit” or “persuasively vulgar” material than the district’s current policy.
“These are books that are age-inappropriate, they have zero educational value or suitability. Zero. None,” said Steve Ikenberry, school board representative for the Cold Harbor District.
Ikenberry suggested more than a dozen books that meet the criteria.
Richmond rezones land for Southside fire training facility
Reported by VPM News’ Sterling Barbett
The Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals recently approved an exception that will permit construction of a new fire training facility near the Hickory Hill Community Center — weeks after City Council greenlit the project over multiple committee rejections.
As VPM News previously reported, City Council voted to move forward with the plans to build a new facility in Southside. But council OK'd the site over Urban Design Committee and City Planning Commission rejections, widespread community concern — and, apparently, without the correct zoning.
In other news:
- What’s next for the court cases challenging Mountain Valley Pipeline? (Virginia Mercury)
- Illegal marijuana delivery is flourishing in Richmond — for now (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- Shenandoah National Park holds comment period for camping permit system (Daily News-Record)
In case you missed it: