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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of July 1, 2025:
Virginia Democrats celebrate new maternal health care laws
Reported by VPM News’ Jahd Khalil
Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling (D–Henrico) — and more than a dozen of her Democratic colleagues — took the stage Monday outside a Portsmouth preschool, with a tent shielding a crowd of about 100 people from the midday sun.
“It’s a hot day, but a great day,” said House Speaker Don Scott (D–Portsmouth). “Too many mothers, too many babies have been suffering and dying because of a broken health care system.”
The bills are Democrats' answer to disparities in maternal mortality, a long waitlist for subsidized child care, and access to health care. Racial disparities in maternal health outcomes are still stark: Black women die at a rate more than twice that of white women within 42 days of giving birth, according to a 2024 report from the Virginia Department of Health.
One of the new laws allows pregnant people to get insurance on the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange as part of a special enrollment period. Another begins the process of developing a mobile app with resources for pregnant Medicaid recipients.
Changes to the health care workforce are also now law: State doula coverage extends into the postpartum period, private insurers must pay licensed midwives as certified nurse midwives, and more midwives will be allowed to establish private practices.
UVA community honors Ryan with ‘Run for Jim’ after surprise ouster
Reported by VPM News’ Hannah Davis-Reid
The morning after his unexpected resignation as University of Virginia president, Jim Ryan gathered at UVA’s Madison Hall along with a group of about 400 students and community members for a “Run for Jim” — an homage to “Run with Jim,” a 2-mile, 30-minute jog around the Charlottesville campus with students that Ryan has held regularly since 2021.
Before beginning the run, Ryan thanked organizers: “It has been an honor to be a part of this community, and Katie and I look forward to continuing to be a part of this community as civilians for years to come. I know it can feel like a pretty dark place that we're in right now, but the sun continues to rise every morning, and this race is not over.”
The day was marked by an outpouring of appreciation for Ryan’s tenure and continued disbelief at his decision to step down — amid a pressure campaign from President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice over an investigation into UVA’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
“You can tell that he actually cares about the student body and creating an inclusive environment, which is really important as a minority who did not really go to a school that was that diverse,” said rising third-year Mackenzie Bullock.
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth:
- New rules aim to simplify development review process in Richmond (The Richmonder)
- Ranked-choice voting in Charlottesville 'didn't make a powerful difference' (The Daily Progress)*
- With a big, British backer, a Southside Virginia mine reopens (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
