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. 11, 2024:
Sen. Mark Warner 'open' to nixing HTS’ terror group designation
Reported by VPM News’ Jahd Khalil
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a Sunni Islamist group, took control over the Syrian capital city of Damascus on Saturday, during a swift and unexpected series of victories. In 2018, the US State Department designated HTS a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
On Tuesday, Democratic Sen. Mark Warner said he’d consider removing the terrorist designation for HTS, echoing remarks from President Joe Biden over the weekend.
“I'm open to that, but that's got to be based upon the performance of this group,” said Warner. “HTS has tried to redefine itself. I've seen some of the interviews with their leader, who is saying the right things. But this is not a case where words alone, it will be actions.”
The federal classification means it is illegal for US citizens to provide “material support or resources” to FTOs and allows for prosecution or financial sanctions. Leader Abu Mohammad al-Golani al-Golani, who was previously a member of the Sunni Islamist groups the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda, has had a $10 million FBI reward for information on his location since 2017.
Virginia mental health panel OKs slate of General Assembly proposals
Reported by VPM News’ Dean Mirshahi
The Virginia Behavioral Health Commission voted Tuesday on several proposed law and budgetary changes ahead of the 2025 General Assembly session.
High-profile cases, including the in-custody death of 28-year-old Irvo Otieno at a state psychiatric hospital, have driven additional state funding and legislation to bolster Virginia’s mental health care system.
This includes “Irvo’s Law,” which allows loved ones to be with family members undergoing a mental health crisis at the hospital; more money for mobile crisis units and crisis receiving centers; and to address staffing issues as well as other challenges.
In other news:
- Augusta County forest fire was manmade, Forest Service says (News Virginian)*
- Virginia to receive $275M federal grant to expand chip factory in Manasssas (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
- Developer closes out year with $6M in deals in Scott’s Addition, Willow Lawn area (Richmond BizSense)*
In case you missed it:
- Harrisonburg launches new public transportation branding (Daily News-Record)*
- ‘Unprecedented’ energy demand from data centers poses big challenges for Virginia, commission says (WHRO News)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
