Virginia
Cornel West to appear on Virginia presidential ballot
Dr. Cornel West, the independent candidate running in the 2024 presidential election, qualified for the ballot in Virginia’s general election, according to a letter sent to West’s campaign by the Virginia Department of Elections.
“After review, the Department of Elections has reconsidered its decision not to qualify Drs. West and Abdullah and their names will appear on the ballot,” the letter reads of West and his running mate, Dr. Melina Abdullah.
The letter was exclusively obtained by CBS News.
The West-Abdullah campaign was previously denied ballot access by the Department of Elections after an issue with the necessary forms required for submission in the commonwealth.
Sources within West’s campaign tell CBS News this was due to challenges around the validity of their elector forms.
“The Department has confirmed that the campaign did submit paperwork in April but was not made aware of a new form that would be required after July 1 regarding the electors’ citizenship and residency,” the letter states.
In a statement to CBS News, the West-Abdullah campaign confirms they received the letter and will appear on the ballot in Virginia.
“Virginia voters will now have the opportunity to choose a candidate, Dr. Cornel West, who represents their values,” a spokesperson for the West-Abdullah campaign said.
West now joins former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver, Independent Claudia De la Cruz and Green Party candidate Jill Stein on the ballot in Virginia.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy removed his name from the ballot in the Old Dominion after he announced he was suspending his campaign and endorsing Trump.
The West-Abdullah campaign has tried to gain ballot access in several battleground states.
Though Virginia is not considered a battleground state by CBS News, the Trump campaign has attempted to put the commonwealth in play this cycle by holding several campaign rallies there. President Biden won Virginia by 10 points in 2020.
As well as Virginia, West and Abdullah will also appear on the ballots of the battleground states of Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Georgia, and could potentially have minor impacts on the outcome of the presidential race.
The Arizona Secretary of State’s office said that West failed to file the necessary paperwork by the August deadline. In Nevada, the West-Abdullah campaign missed the deadline to submit sufficient signatures.
The campaign was denied ballot access in Pennsylvania after losing a legal challenge, which found that 14 of West’s 19 presidential electors lacked the required affidavits.
“We’ve already faced a negative outcome at the state level, which is why we’re moving forward with a federal court complaint. Despite this, we’re not at ‘game over’ yet in PA,” said a spokesperson from the West-Abdullah campaign. “We believe the federal courts may provide some relief, as the current system unfairly burdens First Amendment rights.”
Virginia
Virginia Heat Wave: Richmond high temperatures near or above 100°. Heat index could exceed 110°.
RICHMOND, Va. — A big ridge of high pressure will lock into place over the next few days, keeping temperatures significantly above normal, creating a dangerous combination of heat and humidity.
Highs will be near or above 100° for at least Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and the heat index could exceed 110°.
An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for most of the region Thursday and Friday. Click here for the latest heat alerts.
The highs will challenge records on multiple days. Due to the high heat index values, and the very warm overnight lows, this will be the biggest heat wave since July 2012.
A few isolated storms are possible Friday, especially north and northwest of Richmond.
There is a better chance of a few storms over the weekend.
Rain chances will increase for Monday and Tuesday, and this should allow highs to drop to near-normal levels.
The drought continues for the Commonwealth. Since last week, the severe (level 3 out of 5) and extreme (level 4 out of 5) drought areas have dropped by a few percent, with the area of moderate drought (level 2 out of 5) expanding.
(WTVR)
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Va. (WSET) — Adult adoptees in Virginia can now obtain copies of their original birth certificates under a new state law that took effect Wednesday, ending restrictions that had been in place for nearly 50 years.
House Bill 301 establishes a process allowing adult adoptees to request their original birth certificates from the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records. The law also allows birth parents to file a form indicating their preferred level of contact with adoptees.
The legislation marks a significant change in Virginia adoption law. Since 1976, most adoptees have been unable to access their original birth certificates, documents that are generally available to other adults in the commonwealth.
Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg, who served as chief co-patron of the measure after language from his earlier House Bill 664 was incorporated into the final legislation, said the new law concludes several years of legislative efforts.
“This is a day that many adoptees and families have waited years to see,” Walker said in a statement. “Today, Virginia restores a simple but meaningful right: the ability for adult adoptees to obtain their own original birth certificate.”
Walker thanked Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Charlottesville, for helping carry the legislation during the 2026 General Assembly session. He also recognized advocates, adoptees and families who supported the effort, including the Virginia Adoptee Rights Alliance, a coalition that advocated for expanded access to original birth records.
Walker also reflected on someone much closer to home for us at ABC13: the late anchor Mark Spain, whom he credited with bringing the issue to his attention in 2022.
EARLIER: Why Virginia law makes it hard for adoptees to get information about their birth parents
Mark’s compassion and determination helped launch this effort,” Walker said. “While it is bittersweet that he is not here to see this day, his legacy lives on in the lives that will be impacted by this law.
Adult adoptees seeking their original birth certificates can submit requests through the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records by clicking this link.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for thousands of Virginians. For many adult adoptees, this law provides an opportunity to better understand their own story, their family history, and where they came from. I’m grateful to everyone who helped make this day possible,” Walker concluded.
A Virginia law going into effect Wednesday seals the criminal records of many convicted of low-level offenses.
The Clean Slate Law allows for the automatic sealing of certain offenses, including traffic infractions and misdemeanor convictions like shoplifting, trespassing, distribution of marijuana and disorderly conduct. Eligible misdemeanor convictions will be automatically sealed after seven years if the person has not been convicted of any other crime in Virginia, any other state, the District of Columbia or a United States territory during that time.
RELATED | Virginia sees gun sale boom as ‘assault firearms’ ban put on hold
The law also allows for petition processes to seal certain convictions or deferred dismissals.
Sex crimes, violent felonies and protective order violations are among the instances not eligible for petition sealing. The petitioner must not have been convicted of any other felony within the past 10 years in order for a circuit court to grant a petition.
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Under the law, there are exceptions where sealed records may be disseminated and used, including for background checks for firearm purposes and employment screenings for law enforcement and emergency medical services agencies.
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