Early voting is now underway for the June 20 primaries. Want to know who’s running? See our election guide.
Del. Ballard easily wins re-nomination
The incumbent took 91.7% of the votes at a mass meeting. So far, there’s no Democrat on the ballot for this Republican-leaning district in the New River Valley.
Trademark infringement case forces Rocky Mount’s “Buddy’s BBQ” to change its name
A Tennessee restaurant chain has the same name, so Buddy’s BBQ in Franklin County is holding a contest to pick a new name.
Amid controversy, Lynchburg Electoral Board hires a new registrar
Democrats claimed the current registrar was unfairly ousted. This isn’t the first time that Lynchburg has faced controversy over a change in registrars.
Some countries are worried about falling birth rates. Most Virginia localities’ are even lower.
China, Japan, Italy, Russia and South Korea are all worried that they’re not producing enough babies. Some places in Virginia have even lower rates. Here is how that’s playing out.
Politics
Kaine’s effort to remove Mountain Valley Pipeline provision from debt-limit deal fails
The U.S. senator from Virginia had said the expediting of permits to build and operate the 303-mile gas pipeline was completely unrelated to the nation’s debt ceiling. His effort failed on a vote of 30-69.
Economy
Virginia Tech researchers close to developing biodegradable material to reduce medical waste
A Virginia Tech researcher is partnering with a Charlottesville company to create materials that could replace some medical plastics.
Culture
Southwest Virginia congregations join growing wave of disaffiliations from United Methodist Church over LGBTQ+ ministers and marriages
This week, 264 congregations in Southwest Virginia, Northeast Tennessee and North Georgia split from the United Methodist Church over concerns about same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ ministers. Nationwide, nearly 4,000 congregations have broken with the UMC.
education
Virginia Press Association hires attorney to review award to VMI student newspaper
Since receiving the association’s top award in early May, The Cadet has come under scrutiny for its ties to an alumnus who has helped fund it.
weather
Atmospheric spin cycle repeating cool, damp weather
Stuck low-pressure systems are stymying the start of summerlike weather – but read to the end to find instructions for entering a summer heat prediction contest.
OPinion
Here’s why newspapers are reducing print days
In “the old days, typically 80% or more of a newspaper’s revenue came from advertising. Now advertising dollars have been drained away by online competitors.
news briefs
Virginia Tech bias policy upheld by appeals court; more …
From elsewhere: VMI’s chief diversity officer resigns amid alumni war over DEI. New federal tailpipe rules would put stricter limits on Virginia’s heavy truck emissions. DMV-issued farm use tags required beginning July 1.
Sports
Jay Woolfolk juggles being a quarterback and a pitcher for UVa
Sometimes the University of Virginia quarterback can’t throw in spring practice because he’s scheduled to pitch for the baseball team.
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