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 Dec. 1, 2023:
Youngkin administration delays rules meant to root out bad cops
Reported by VPM News’ Ben Paviour
In 2020, Virginia lawmakers worked with law enforcement groups to pass new rules aimed at decertifying police officers facing allegations of misconduct. But three years later, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration has prevented key parts of the law from going into effect — a move a top Democrat said is in clear violation of the law.
The proposed standards require officers to “treat all individuals with dignity and respect” and “uphold the public trust.” The proposal spells out types of misconduct that can lead to desertification, including making false arrest, tampering with evidence or a witness, or engaging in a sexual relationship with someone in custody.
But the regulation — and several others related to law enforcement training and accountability — has spent the last 465 days under review of Youngkin’s secretary of public safety, Terrance Cole, even though law required the standards to be passed within 280 days of the law going into effect.
Richmond to open two new shelters ahead of winter
Reported by VPM News’ Lyndon German and Meghin Moore
As rates of unhoused people have risen in the City of Richmond, elected officials have begun to answer public demands to provide more permanent housing solutions for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
On Thursday, Nov. 30, Richmond officials announced that a 150-bed inclement weather shelter in Northside operated by the Salvation Army would be opening on Dec. 1, after City Council allocated $1.3 million to renovate two housing shelters earlier in November.
There will also be a 50-bed family shelter opening up on Dec. 1 in the Monroe Ward neighborhood. The Northside shelter will be open through April 15, 2024 with potential for extended year-round services, while the Monroe Ward shelter will be open year-round.
Starting Friday, there will be 200 beds available for unhoused people in the “capital of compassion.”
In other news:
- Who’s the boss of Virginia’s public university boards? (Inside Higher Ed)*
- Del. Sam Rasoul to participate in hunger strike, praying for peace (The Roanoke Times)*
- Richmond mayor Levar Stoney files paperwork to run for Va. governor (The Washington Post)*
In case you missed it:
- Recount date set in Henrico Circuit Court clerk’s race (Henrico Citizen)*
- How Virginia Beach students, families are navigating new transgender student policies (The Virginian-Pilot)*
- Virginia State University named one of best HBCU bands in U.S. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.