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 Aug. 16, 2023:
Richmond school board signs off on outside review of June graduation shooting
Reported by VPM News’ Megan Pauly
The city's school board approved a third-party investigation into the June 6 Huguenot High School graduation shooting that killed a graduating student and his stepfather.
Last month, the school board received a 7-page internal review of the shooting — including districtwide recommendations to implement. Those included adopting enhanced security protocol for all graduations and large events, as well as more robust mental health and communication plans in the event of future crises.
That report wasn’t enough for board members like Shonda Harris-Muhammed, who has lingering questions about Richmond Public Schools' responsibility in keeping students and staff safe — and preventing another incident in the future.
Bingo hall takes Richmond casino referendum to court
Reported by VPM News’ Whittney Evans
A Richmond Circuit Court judge heard a charitable organization’s arguments Tuesday for removing a casino referendum from the citywide November ballot.
Richmond Lodge No. 1 of the Good Lions Inc. — a nonprofit that runs gaming events at a bingo hall in Southside — is asking the court to reverse its July decision to allow the referendum to be placed on the November ballot.
Chief Judge W. Reilly Marchant said he’ll decide next Wednesday whether the nonprofit can present its case to the court that the city’s process for awarding the half-billion-dollar casino complex was unconstitutional.
In other news:
- Defendants in Irvo Otieno second-degree murder case may be tried separately (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
In case you missed it:
- More inspections of Mountain Valley's pipeline needed, federal safety agency says (The Roanoke Times)*
- Danville Casino gets its 3-month report card (Cardinal News)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
