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ACLU files lawsuit over Virginia guidelines for transgender students

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ACLU files lawsuit over Virginia guidelines for transgender students


The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia filed two lawsuits Thursday against the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) on behalf of two transgender students challenging the department’s 2023 model policies.

Virginia law authorizes VDOE to issue model policies regarding the treatment of transgender students, and the policies are required to reflect “evidence-based best practices” for the inclusion of trans students in public schools. The ACLU of Virginia, along with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, claim the 2023 model policies fail to comply with that mandate.

“VDOE’s 2023 model policies harm the very students they’re supposed to protect,” ACLU of Virginia Senior Transgender Rights Attorney Wyatt Rolla said. “They contradict both their legal mandate and the evidence-based best practices they’re supposed to reflect, and they have already resulted in discrimination that violates state and federal law.”

The lawsuits alleged that VDOE not only ignored its statutory mandate to consider evidence-based best practices but directed public schools to adopt discriminatory policies “in furtherance of an ideological and political agenda.” Freshfields Co-Counsel and Partner Andrew Ewald stated the model policies’ harmful effects on transgender and nonbinary students makes it “hard to avoid the conclusion that their authors were purposefully trying to erase gender-nonconforming students from the classroom.”

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The plaintiffs alleged that, as a result of the model policies, they received harmful and discriminatory treatment at school simply because they are transgender. One of the plaintiffs, Jane Doe, is a high school student whose teacher refused to address her by her correct first name. The other plaintiff, Lily Loe, is a middle school student who was prohibited from participating on a girls’ sports team.

The ACLU of Virginia previously expressed concern over the model policies after they were released in July 2023, stating the policies allow trans students to be forcibly outed to their parents and limit students’ access to restrooms consistent with their gender identity. The 2023 policies revised the state’s 2021 model policies, reversing the guidance on trans and nonbinary students’ participation in sports, access to facilities, and name and pronoun usage.

Unlike the 2021 policies, the updated guidelines do not recognize LGBTQ+ students as a protected class and reflect Governor Glenn Youngkin’s emphasis on ensuring parents’ rights in education. The 2023 guidelines require parental permission for students to be called by their chosen names or pronouns and to receive counseling services regarding their gender. According to Jane Doe’s parent Jill Doe, however, the model policies fail to protect parents’ rights: “VDOE’s model policies do the opposite of what they’re supposed to: they undermine my ability to parent my child, they undermine our school district’s ability to educate her, and most of all, they undermine my child’s health and wellbeing.”

LGBTQ+ advocates have urged VDOE to prioritize the privacy and rights of students, claiming students should be allowed to decide who knows about their transgender status in order to prevent bullying and harassment. State Attorney General Jason Miyares, however, concluded in August 2023 that the model policies comply with anti-discrimination laws and that school boards are required to follow them. The plaintiffs are now asking the York and Hanover County Circuit Courts to vacate the 2023 model policies and rule that school districts do not need to adopt them.

According to the ACLU, there are currently 11 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the Virginia state legislature. Virginia, however, is not the only state dealing with challenges to transgender students’ rights in public schools. The Iowa legislature recently declined to advance a bill that would have removed gender identity as a protected class under the state’s civil rights law. In January, the Ohio legislature overrode its governor’s veto of a bill that bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth and restricts transgender participation in sports.

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In 2023, a report by the Trevor Project found that 53 percent of LGBTQ+ students reported being verbally harassed at school because people thought they were LGBTQ+. The report also found that the students who found their schools to be gender-affirming reported lower rates of depression and attempted suicide.



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Virginia Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Night results for Feb. 28, 2026

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Virginia Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Night results for Feb. 28, 2026


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The Virginia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

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Here’s a look at Feb. 28, 2026, results for each game:

Powerball

Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m.

06-20-35-54-65, Powerball: 10, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Monday, March 02, 2026

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Pick 3

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

Night: 1-7-2, FB: 7

Day: 6-6-5, FB: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

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Night: 3-0-2-2, FB: 8

Day: 8-2-7-9, FB: 3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

Night: 1-3-5-7-5, FB: 9

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Day: 4-4-7-7-0, FB: 7

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Cash Pop

Drawing times: Coffee Break 9 a.m.; Lunch Break 12 p.m.; Rush Hour 5 p.m.; Prime Time 9 p.m.; After Hours 11:59 p.m.

Coffee Break: 13

After Hours: 04

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Prime Time: 10

Rush Hour: 02

Lunch Break: 07

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Cash 5

Drawing every day at 11 p.m.

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04-14-16-30-39

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Bank a Million

Bank a Million draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m.

02-03-04-05-08-35, Bonus: 14

Check Bank a Million payouts and previous drawings here.

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Millionaire for Life

Drawing everyday at 11:15 p.m.

13-20-28-44-48, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Center for Community Journalism (CCJ) editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Virginia U.S. Sen. Kaine: Strikes on Iran ‘a colossal mistake’ – WTOP News

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Virginia U.S. Sen. Kaine: Strikes on Iran ‘a colossal mistake’ – WTOP News


As Republicans praise President Donald Trump for taking military action against Iran, Democrats are demanding Congress provide authorization for the attack and a more detailed explanation of its ultimate goals.

WTOP’s Mitchell Miller joined anchor Del Walters earlier to talk about the political reaction to the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran.

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As Republicans praise President Donald Trump for taking decisive military action against Iran, Democrats are demanding Congress provide authorization for the attack and a more detailed explanation of its ultimate goals.

Virginia U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, who serves as the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Iran has a long history of terrorism in the Middle East, but that “does not relieve any president of the responsibility to act within the law, with a clear strategy and with Congress.”

Like many other Democratic lawmakers, Warner said Congress can’t be sidelined.

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“The Constitution is clear: the decision to take this nation to war rests with Congress and launching large-scale military operations — particularly in the absence of an imminent threat to the United States — raises serious legal and constitutional concerns,” Warner said in a statement on Saturday.

Warner and other Democrats called for the administration to fully brief lawmakers and explain the specific aims of the U.S.

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine has a war powers resolution that was prepared before the attack took place, and there’s a push to quickly bring it to the Senate floor for a vote.

In a statement released Saturday, Kaine noted that for months he has “raised hell about the fact that the American people want lower prices, not more war.”

“These strikes are a colossal mistake, and I pray that they do not cost our sons and daughters in uniform and at embassies throughout the region their lives,” he said.

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Kaine said the Senate should immediately return to session to vote on his war powers resolution.
He said all senators need to go on the record on what he referred to as, “this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action.”

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican, has a war powers resolution pending in the House.
He called for Congress to convene Monday to consider it.

The Norfolk-based aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is in the region to support the military action against Iran. The carrier and its sailors have already been at sea for more than eight months.

Kaine said it could end up being the longest deployment for a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War. The carrier previously supported U.S. military operations off the Venezuelan coast.

House speaker says lawmakers were briefed

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Saturday that Iran is “facing the severe consequences of its evil actions,” noting that the president and the administration had made extensive efforts to pursue a diplomatic solution to “the Iranian regime’s sustained nuclear ambitions.”

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“The Gang of 8 was briefed in detail earlier this week that military action may become necessary to protect American troops and American citizens in Iran,” Johnson said.

The briefing of the top congressional leaders, which included Warner, took place before the president’s State of the Union address earlier this week.

Johnson said he also received updates from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) praised Rubio for providing updates on the situation, and said he looks forward to administration officials briefing all senators about the military operations.

“I commend President Donald Trump for taking action to thwart these threats,” he said.

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One of the first officials to publicly praise the president for attacking Iran was U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Republican ally of Trump.

“As I watch and monitor this historic operation, I’m in awe of President Donald Trump’s determination to be a man of peace but at the end of the day, evil’s worst nightmare,” he said in an X post. “Well done, Mr. President.”

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game Online Without Cable

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How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game Online Without Cable


If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

This weekend’s college basketball slate kicks off with a blockbuster showdown between the No. 11 Virginia Cavaliers and the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils. They’ll be playing in Durham, where Duke has been undefeated for over a year. Virginia (25-3), however, has been on point all season and stands a chance at snapping the Blue Devils’ home court winning streak.

At a Glance: How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game

  • Stream: Sling
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Date, time: Saturday, Feb. 28 at noon ET

The Cavaliers are coming off a big 90-61 win over NC State, and are looking to extend a nine-game winning streak. The Blue Devils are hot off a massive 100-56 victory against Notre Dame. Duke is seeking another shot at the title this year after falling to No. 1 Houston in last year’s Final Four.

If you don’t have a way to watch Saturday’s Virginia vs. Duke game, read on. Ahead is a quick guide on how to livestream Virginia vs. Duke with Sling, plus key details about the matchup.

How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game Online

Saturday’s Virginia vs. Duke matchup will air on ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can watch the game online using any live TV streaming service that carries the channel. One of our favorites is Sling, which offers flexible packages and a great channel lineup.

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ESPN is included in Sling’s Orange and Orange + Blue packages. The Orange plan carries 30+ channels, including CNN, TNT, HGTV, and ID, as well as ESPN. This plan is available as a monthly subscription, starting at $45.99 a month, but Sling also offers short-term passes that are ideal for catching individual games or tournaments. A one-day pass costs $4.99, a three-day pass costs $9.99, and a seven-day pass costs $14.99.

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If you want more channels, upgrade to the Orange + Blue package. This plan starts at $60.99 a month and carries 50+ channels, including local networks (in select markets), Fox News, NFL Network, and everything in the Orange package.

Virginia vs. Duke Game Date, Start Time

The next Virginia vs. Duke basketball game takes place on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tip-off is at noon ET.



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