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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Tuesday, April 20, 2021:
In leaked audio published on Sunday by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Gov. Ralph Northam’s staff questioned the Virginia Inspector General’s authority to investigate alleged violations at the parole board. VPM News legal and justice reporter Whittney Evans broke down the incident.
All Virginians age 16 and older are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Northam was joined by Sen. Mark Warner on Monday to update Virginians on the state’s vaccination progress.
Attorney General Mark Herring is asking the Virginia Supreme Court to dissolve a restraining order preventing the state from taking down the Robert E. Lee Monument in Richmond. In a brief Herring filed today, he asked the court to uphold the October 2020 Richmond Circuit Court ruling that said the state can legally remove the statute. A group of residents wanting the monument to remain standing filed an appeal in January. They say the lower court erred in its ruling.
Uptown Gallery, one of Richmond’s first artist co-op galleries, has been struggling to get people through its doors in the last year due to the pandemic. But later this week, they’re getting ready to reintroduce themselves to the neighborhood.
Dominion Energy is scrapping plans for a second new office tower. Richmond BizSense reports the company made the decision after selling its natural gas business to Berkshire Hathaway. Dominion also says it expects many employees to continue working from home. Plans originally called for a 17-story building next to its tower at 600 Canal Place.
Chesterfield County’s Planning Commission will hold a public hearing this evening on rezoning almost 60 acres of agricultural land off Route 360 to allow for new housing developments. Commission staff is recommending approval for 400 townhouses and multi-family homes, as well as a nearly 200-unit independent living facility. Developers say once built, over 70 students could attend nearby schools. Two of those schools are alreadyabove capacity. The planning commission meeting starts at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on the county’s website and YouTube Channel.
- Alexandria's City Council voted to create an independent civilian board to review it’s police department. Colleen Grablick at our partner station WAMU has the details.
