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 Feb. 6, 2024:
Bill requiring solar planning framework dies, returns, dies again
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
A bill to create a planning framework for solar development that keeps up with Virginia’s rapidly growing electricity needs died after extensive debate this week — then quietly came back to life, before petering out a day later.
As recommended by the state Commission on Electric Utility Regulation, Sen. Creigh Deeds (D–Charlottesville) sponsored a bill that would have set regional and local planning requirements, and created frameworks to support that planning. Del. Rip Sullivan (D–Fairfax) carried a version of the bill in the House, which failed in committee.
The proposals would have created a technical assistance center, made up of state universities, to research renewable energy implementation and offer help to localities in picking solar projects. Localities would also be required to set clean energy goals in their comprehensive plans — and barred from implementing restrictive ordinances allowing for little or no solar construction.
But concerns over impacts to forest and farmland, as well as whether the bill usurped local land use authority, ultimately sank the legislation.
“I’ve never brought a bill that caused so much consternation on the floor of this body,” Deeds told his Senate colleagues after an hour of debate Monday.
LGBTQ+ groups sue Trump over trans health care ban
Reported by VPM News’ Whittney Evans
The American Civil Liberties Union and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are suing President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over an order to halt gender-affirming medical care for people under age 19.
In a Jan. 28 executive order called “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” Trump directed federal agencies to revoke funding for institutions receiving federal research or education grants if they provide gender-affirming medical care for people under 19.
One of seven plaintiffs in the suit — filed Tuesday in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland — is Willow, a 17-year-old transgender girl who moved to Virginia in 2023. Her recent appointment for hormone treatment with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU was canceled after Trump’s order.
“When the Tennessee legislature passed a law that banned gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, I knew we had to leave the state so that my daughter could continue to receive the care she needed,” Willow’s mother, Kristen Chapman, said Tuesday at a press conference organized by the ACLU. “I thought Virginia would be a safe place for me and my daughter. Instead I am heartbroken, tired and scared.”
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth
- Plea deal reached in embezzlement case against Model Tobacco developer (Richmond BizSense)
- Texts show DPU officials believed backup generators were on during early hours of water crisis (The Richmonder)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
