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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Thursday, February 10, 2022
Hundreds attend memorial service for Bridgewater College officers
Reported by WMRA’s Randi B. Hagi
More than 3,000 people, including Gov. Glenn Youngkin, attended Wednesday's memorial service honoring the officers killed at Bridgewater College last week. Officers John Painter and J.J. Jefferson were shot and killed at Bridgewater College on February 1. Family, friends, and colleagues took turns eulogizing the two men, known by many on campus as the “dynamic duo.”
Absentee votes aren’t currently sorted by precinct, but Senate bill could change the process
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
The Virginia Senate is set to take up a bill that would require local registrars to sort absentee votes by precinct. Currently, those votes are recorded in central pots, where geographic data is lost. Sen. David Suetterlein’s bill would require registrars to sort voting data by precinct, which he says can help clear up election night confusion. It’s also useful for political map-drawers to know where votes come from. The pair tasked with drawing Virginia’s new voting districts last year couldn’t use the 2021 election as reference, because of this issue.
School masking opt-out bill passes state Senate
Reported by VPM News’ Megan Pauly
The state Senate signed off on legislation yesterday to allow parents to opt their children out of public school mask mandates. A similar bill is also being considered in the House of Delegates. This would change the current law which requires school districts to follow CDC guidance to the maximum extent possible. The Chesterfield chapter of the NAACP and a coalition of parents from across the state are urging Virginia lawmakers to re-visit the proposal. In a press release, the groups stress that school districts should follow CDC guidance, which recommends universal masking in schools regardless of vaccination status.
In Other News:
Full Senate strikes Natural Resources nominee – VPM
Republicans block constitutional amendments on gay marriage, voting rights – VPM
UPDATE: NFL says it will not allow Dan Snyder to conduct his own investigation into allegations against him – Richmond Times-Dispatch
CDC preps guidance for governors on relaxing COVID rules, but states forge ahead – Virginia Mercury
In C ase You Missed It:
Fairfax County Report Recommends Renaming Lee Highway And Lee-Jackson Highway - DCist
“No time runs against the king:” State collecting on decades-old college debts - VPM
VA Senate scraps effort to abolish mandatory minimum sentences - VPM
Some county parents call school COVID rules discriminatory – The Daily Progress
Deaf Chesterfield pup on Team Fluff in Sunday's Puppy Bowl – Richmond Times-Dispatch
