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 July 19, 2023:
VEC head says unemployment benefits backlog is nearly done
Reported by VPM News’ Jahd Khalil
The Virginia Employment Commission’s Carrie Roth told the Commission on Unemployment Compensation, a bipartisan group of delegates and state senators, that VEC had eliminated its adjudication backlog and its potential fraud case backlog. She also said that its first-level appeals backlog had been reduced by 33% since November.
VEC was inundated with unemployment benefits claims in the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns. Advocates and constituents said Tuesday that the Virginia Employment Commission was still falling short — and even questioned its methods.
Navy vet Hung Cao enters GOP race to challenge Sen. Tim Kaine in 2024
Reported by The Associated Press
Retired Navy combat veteran Hung Cao, who ran an energetic but unsuccessful campaign last year for a blue-leaning northern Virginia U.S. House seat, has set his sights on the U.S. Senate, announcing Tuesday that he's seeking the 2024 Republican nomination to challenge Democrat Tim Kaine.
“We are losing our country. You know it. But you also know you can’t say it. We’re forced to say that wrong is right,” he said in a video announcement.
In other news:
- Portsmouth Chief Schools Officer to become superintendent in Goochland County (The Virginian-Pilot)*
- Va. congressman blames Md. for political 'cloud' over FBI headquarters (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
In case you missed it:
- No deal for former Goochland golf course at auction; owner weighs property’s future (Richmond BizSense)*
- Firefighters, wildlife biologists safely rescue young bear in downtown Roanoke (The Roanoke Times)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.