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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of June 30, 2025:
Ryan's exit as UVA president met with surprise around the commonwealth
Reported by VPM News’ Sean McGoey
University of Virginia President Jim Ryan unexpectedly announced his resignation on Friday, a day after The New York Times reported that the US Department of Justice was pressuring him to step down as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on college campuses nationwide.
DOJ’s Civil Rights Divisionwas reportedly seeking Ryan’s resignation as a condition for settling an ongoing investigation into the public university’s DEI practices — which it was already working to dissolve, following a January executive order by Trump.
The resignation sparked strong reactions across the commonwealth, many of them upset with the federal government exerting unprecedented pressure on Ryan and the school in Charlottesville. A crowd of supporters, several carrying signs in support of Ryan’s work, gathered at the UVA Rotunda and marched to the president’s residence on Carr’s Hill.
Jeri Seidman, chair-elect of the UVA Faculty Senate, told VPM News that she was shocked by Ryan’s exit.
“They went for Columbia, and they went for Harvard, and then they came for us,” Seidman told VPM News. “I think every university should now be worried about the DOJ believing that they can have a say in the administration of a university.”
State lawmakers explore parole changes amid abuse claims at Red Onion
Reported by VPM News’ Dean Mirshahi
Two state lawmakers floated potential changes to Virginia’s parole system last week after discussing their recent visits to Red Onion State Prison, a facility in Wise County facing claims of deteriorating conditions and prolonged lockdowns.
Virginia abolished discretionary parole for felonies committed since Jan. 1, 1995. The General Assembly’s efforts to bring back parole in Virginia have been rejected, although the Legislature has restored some eligibility.
Sens. Dave Marsden (D–Fairfax) and Danny Diggs (R–York County) said they backed a study to examine how Virginia could modify parole, but stressed it would take time. Their suggestions included making some parole board members permanent and not up to gubernatorial approval.
The senators’ ideas were shared during and after the latest meeting of the Corrections Oversight Committee, where they and other members heard that more than half of the 507 complaints processed by the state’s prison ombudsman from March to May involved Red Onion.
“What we have done with that is that we have removed hope from our facilities,” Marsden said about parole eligibility after his Red Onion visit. “There is desperation as a result of that.”
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth:
- Will Mayor Avula publish city payment data as required by code? Maybe. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.