The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.
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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of July 13, 2023:
Hanover school board installs new leadership
Reported by VPM News’ Lyndon German
Bob May, of the South Anna District, and Steve Ikenberry, of the Cold Harbor District, will be the board's new chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively. Both were first appointed to the board in May 2021 and their four-year terms end in June 2025.
During its first meeting under new leadership, the board revisited its equity policy and did away with its Community Equity Advisory Board. The CEAB was formed in late 2018 to explore opportunities that promote equity, diversity and inclusivity throughout the school division.
Retired Army sergeant turns his experiences into unique musical theater
Reported by VPM News’ Omega Ilijevich
When Jim O’Ferrell was first deployed to Iraq in 2006, he found refuge in his guitar. While overseas, he gave other soldiers lessons with guitars shipped to him by his brother — and began to write songs about his time in the service.
After retiring from the Army in 2008, he founded The Jim O’Ferrell Band — or The J.O.B — with guitarist Jason Crawford. The pair brought the songs O’Ferrell wrote from the battlefield back home to Richmond.
Now, the local act’s music serves as the score to a new musical called “Sound of the Guns,” written by O’Ferrell himself. The musical's run at Richmond’s Firehouse Theatre ends Friday.
In other news:
- Richmond's new panhandling signs — for drivers (Axios Richmond)
- Chesapeake board to again consider banning Satan Club and other groups from school facilities (The Virginian-Pilot)*
In case you missed it:
- Report: Smithfield Foods holds majority of Chinese-owned Virginia farmland (The Smithfield Times)*
- A tiny fish that fuels an Atlantic ecosystem now fuels industry debates (The New York Times)*
- Virginia Tech student has become a national ‘go-to’ source on state legislative elections (Cardinal News)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
