VPM Daily Newscast: June 20, 2023
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 20, 2023:
Morrissey promises ‘wake-up call’ for Dems as Aird focuses on abortion
Reported by VPM News’ Ben Paviour
The primary pitting Sen. Joe Morrissey against former Del. Lashrecse Aird is among the most closely watched in the state. Aird has a large fundraising advantage and has support from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and Sen. Tim Kaine.
But in an interview Monday, Morrissey said he’d single-handedly knocked on nearly 10,000 doors and had a connection with his constituents that Aird can’t match.
“I take care of my constituents' concerns. And they have always taken care of me at the polls,” he said.
For Democrats trying to retake Virginia legislature, fiery primaries are first hurdle
Reported by VPM News’ Ben Paviour
It's been nearly two years since Virginia Democrats' two-year dominance of state politics came to an abrupt end at the hands of Republican Glenn Youngkin, who won control of the governor's office and helped his party retake Virginia's House.
This year, with all 140 seats of the legislature up for grabs, Democrats see an opening to hold their control of the state Senate, turn the tide in the House of Delegates and blunt Youngkin's agenda for the rest of his term. But first, they're sorting out their own differences in expensive and fierce primaries spurred by a scrambling of the state's legislative voting maps.
In other news:
- Virginia’s first ranked-choice election is vexing some Arlington voters (The Washington Post)*
- Richmond International Airport has entered growth mode after COVID-19, plans for overseas trips (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
In case you missed it:
- Portsmouth man who barricaded himself in Henrico home Sunday in police custody (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
- Governor Youngkin pays tribute to WWII Heroes in Normandy visit (Royal Examiner)
- Right-wing media circulating video of Charlottesville students at Pride event (The Daily Progress)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
