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 Nov. 26, 2024:
Richmond inspector general report details misconduct by registrar’s office
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
Monday, Richmond Inspector General James Osuna’s office published the results of an investigation into alleged misconduct in the city’s Office of Elections, finding evidence to support all but one of the 26 claims.
The majority of the claims outlined in the report involve General Registrar Keith Balmer or Deputy General Registrar Jerry Richardson, and detail nearly $500,000 in misused city funds.
Several of the claims revolve around security services — chief among them the hiring of a security service without a proper procurement process, despite the fact that the city already had a security service under contract.
Balmer and others also appear to have used excessive funds to decorate the office, from a $7,585 furniture order from LaDiff to a $7,500 payment to VCU Arts students for a mural with no procurement process.
McClellan proposes federal recognition for Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia
Reported by VPM News’ Sean McGoey
The Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia has been recognized by the state since 2010, when the General Assembly passed a resolution admitting the tribe to the Virginia Council on Indians. But the Nottoway nation is not among the seven Virginia tribes granted recognition at the federal level.
Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D–Richmond) filed legislation last week to change that.
“The Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia has a rich culture and long history in what is now present-day Dinwiddie, Isle of Wight, Nottoway, Sussex, and Southampton counties,” McClellan said in a statement Friday after introducing the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act on the House floor.
“In honor of Native American Heritage Month, I’m introducing legislation to finally extend long-overdue federal recognition of their sovereignty. I look forward to continued collaboration with Chief [Lynette] Allston and the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia.”
In other news:
- Trial in ex-FOIA officer’s case set for next September after unusually hostile scheduling process (The Richmonder)
- Virginia inmate fears she will die from inadequate medical care. Her doctor agrees. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
- New national intelligence institute opening at UVa (The Daily Progress)*
In case you missed it:
- No fireworks and much agreement at the first Republican candidate forum for Senate District 10 (Cardinal News)
- Sunday morning fire shuts down Sub Rosa Bakery (Style Weekly)
- A city’s ‘no cursing’ signs are being sold. People have spent thousands. (The Washington Post)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
