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General Assembly Democrats release redistricting map
The map shows most of Southwest Virginia drawn into the 9th District, which would likely be the last remaining Republican stronghold out of the state’s 11 districts.
Politics
Spanberger ends agreement between state law enforcement agencies and ICE
This won’t affect the almost two dozen agencies in Southside and Southwest Virginia that have entered into agreements with ICE.
Local
Saturday meeting: White Rock school moves ahead by looking back
The city is revamping an empty elementary school to become a community center. Officials will share next steps for the historic nomination process, and how it can expand the project’s budget, at a public meeting.
Culture
Arrests made, dozens of charges filed in Natural Bridge Zoo animal cruelty case
Five people face charges in Rockbridge County related to allegations of animal cruelty at the roadside zoo, in a case initiated by the state attorney general’s office’s Animal Law Unit.
education
Emory & Henry to offer free tuition to some Virginia students
The Emory & Henry Promise program, which will launch this fall, will cover tuition for eligible in-state students.
eCONOMY
Coalfields Expressway project gets $3 million in federal funding
The money will be used to widen a two-lane section of the highway in Buchanan County to four lanes.
OPinion
The Pentagon tweet about VMI could be a threat. It could also be an opportunity. Here’s how.
Here are some options for how the new political drama over the Lexington military school will play out.
Health Care
State funding cuts to HIV programs leave Southwest and Southside with gaps in care
The region’s only provider of wraparound care through the Ryan White program closed two offices and laid off staff after losing state funding. Now 600 clients are served by three case managers.
news briefs
Headlines from across the state: DOT push to prohibit free buses would impact cities including Richmond; more …
From elsewhere: Virginia on track to reform probation following bipartisan bills. Virginia watermen push back against terrapin protections on crab pots. Nelson County officers describe capturing kangaroo on the loose.
Sports
NIL could be made more transparent with new bill calling for work group on student athlete endorsement deals
The legislation comes as Virginia’s state universities have resisted calls to be more forthcoming about how they are complying with new compensation rules, which took effect last July, that allow schools to pay athletes directly.
WEATHER
Signs of a pre-Valentine’s Day thaw, but winter still has a few cards to play
Saturday’s snowstorm had a hard north edge. The wintry pattern may not end as sharply, but looks to loosen next week.
Cardinal 250
Virginia now has two mobile museums devoted to the American Revolution. One is exclusively for Southwest Virginia.
The first mobile museum was so popular that the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission has added a second.
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