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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Friday, November 5, 2021:
Virginia’s governor-elect, Republican Glenn Youngkin, toured the executive mansion and met with its current inhabitant, Democrat Ralph Northam yesterday. As Ben Paviour reports, Youngkin called the meeting the beginning of a new friendship.
Incoming Attorney General Jason Miyares says his office will focus more on addressing crime. Miyares’ transition team includes former Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as well as former Governors Bob McDonnell and Jim Gilmore. He will replace Democrat Mark Herring, who has held the office for the last eight years.
One of the country’s most prominent white nationalist leaders took the stand yesterday in the trial against organizers of the 2017 Unite the Right rally.
Attorneys confronted Richard Spencer with evidence -- they say -- shows how he helped plan racist, antisemitic violence in Charlottesville. Whittney Evans reports.
Voter participation grew significantly in Virginia’s General Election this year. More than 3 million people cast ballots, which is nearly 55 percent of registered voters in the state. According to analysis from the Virginia Public Access Project, there was a 15 percent increase in ballots cast – compared to the last governor’s race in 2017. State data show the turnout was higher than any other gubernatorial election in Virginia since 1997. This number could go up slightly in the coming days. Mailed absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day can still be counted if they’re received by noon Friday.
Petersburg City Councilor John Hart has resigned. His departure comes amid allegations that he no longer lives in the area he was elected to serve -- a requirement under the city’s charter. Prompted by a concerned citizen, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office launched an investigation. According to The Progress Index, Hart told the office he had moved into his mother’s house due to health concerns. Hart will still receive $1,800 per month, along with benefits, until his council term ends in December 2022. Hart was first elected to the City Council in 2014.
