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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Tuesday, October 19, 2021:
In 2019, the Richmond Times-Dispatch published an investigation detailing problems with the state’s adult guardianship system. That reporting led JLARC, the state’s legislative research group, to review the system. Megan Pauly has more.
A national Republican group helped draft a congressional map considered by Virginia’s redistricting committee. As Ben Paviour reports, their involvement wasn’t disclosed until a meeting yesterday.
Nearly 30 real estate companies in the greater Richmond area are being prosecuted for alleged housing discrimination. Attorney General Mark Herring’s Office of Civil Rights filed lawsuits yesterday against companies in Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico. The suits allege that the companies refused to consider applicants who openly discussed using vouchers to pay rent. The Virginia Fair Housing Law makes it illegal to discriminate against renters who use housing assistance. In a statement, Herring said every Virginian has “the right to a safe, comfortable home, regardless of whether they have some assistance paying their rent.”
If Princess Blanding succeeds in her bid for the governor’s office, she’ll make history in more ways than one. Meg Schiffres has more details about the third party candidate.
Voters in Chesterfield County can now cast their ballots in several satellite locations. Yesterday, early voting sites opened at The libraries are: North Courthouse, La Prade , Meadowdale, Clover Hill and the Ettrick-Matoaca branches. Registered voters can drop off signed absentee mail ballots or vote curbside at each location. The early voting sites are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Two Saturdays in October -- the 23rd and 30th -- are also an option. Election day is November 2nd.
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center has submitted a proposal to acquire Charlottesville's statue of Robert E. Lee -- and transform it into a new public art installation. The non-profit’s “Swords into Plowshares” proposal, would melt Lee’s statue and use the bronze material for a new piece of art. It would then be offered to the city. The center says the piece will, quote, “represent the desires of the entire community for values-driven, socially just objects in our public spaces.” Charlottesville City Council has until January 2022 to decide who will acquire the statue.
Former colleagues in the House of Delegates say Frank Hargrove, 94, has died. Hargrove represented Hanover County in the House for 28 years. When planning for retirement in 2010, Hargrove recounted to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, that he was kicked out of the Democratic Party because he tried to help then-Sen. Barry Goldwater get elected as president. So, Hargrove joined the GOP. House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) described Hargrove as a Virginia institution, saying he was “a passionate advocate for the people of his district.”
