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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Thursday, February 17, 2022
Governor signs into law measure ending school mask mandates
Reported by VPM News' Ben Paviour
Virginia school districts officially have two weeks to prepare for mask mandates to end. Yesterday, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill into law that allows parents to opt their children out of wearing facemasks at school. School districts have until March 1st to comply. The measure updates a law passed last year, requiring schools to open for in-person learning and to fully follow CDC guidelines when possible
Lawmakers switch gears on recently passed bike law
Reported by VPM News' Ian Stewart
Cyclists may have to adjust their riding style again after the state Senate approved changes to a law that’s barely a year old. Bicycle advocates say the changes could be detrimental. The current law allows cyclists to ride side by side and says drivers can legally change lanes to avoid bikers when possible. The update, sponsored by Republican Senator Richard Stuart, back peddles those changes. It calls for bikers to move into single file when a car comes up from behind.
Box found at base of Richmond’s Jefferson Davis monument
Reported by VPM News' Patrick Larsen
A box was discovered in the base of the Jefferson Davis monument in Richmond. It resembles a time capsule found just down the street at the Robert E. Lee monument. Historical records maintained by the Valentine Museum show the box was originally intended for a never-built temple in Monroe Park. Crews were on site to remove parts of the remaining memorial to the president of the Confederacy, when the box was found. They’re in the process of taking down Confederate iconography around the city, which will then be given to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.
In Other News:
Bills stripping pollution permitting power from citizen boards find bipartisan support - VPM
Henrico poised as White House pushes Congress on semiconductor chip incentives - Richmond Times-Dispatch
More Starbucks workers in the Richmond region seek union representation – Richmond Times-Dispatch
Petersburg church sends appeal to Virginia Supreme Court after it was taxed - Progress-Index
In Case You Missed It:
Residents link cancer-causing emissions to health problems in Radford - VPM
Update: Teachers say RPS is planning to eliminate most of its online program - VPM
Proposed license plate honoring crusading African American paper clears Senate – Virginia Mercury
Chickahominy Pipeline developer pauses development plans after federal ruling – Richmond Times-Dispatch
