RICHMOND, Va. (WCYB) — With Virginia lawmakers returning to Richmond this week, education has remained a big topic for both parties.

According to recent projections from the Virginia Department of Education, state schools will need about $1.2 billion over the next two years to simply operate.

With this hurdle to overcome, lawmakers are also planning an improved public school funding formula.

A step in the right direction according to Lieutenant Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi.

“This is an opportunity to do it in a very thoughtful way, to make sure that we are positioning Virginia to support those localities that have students with the highest needs. Those include our students with special needs, students that are English language learners and students coming from lower economic situations,” Hashmi said.

On the topic of school funding there is also the School Construction and Modernization Fund.

Developed by Delegate Israel O’Quinn back in 2022, the fund is set aside for localities to invest in school construction projects putting a portion of funding in, while the state matches the rest.

Bristol, Virginia Public Schools were the first to utilize these funds, building the Virginia Intermediate School in 2024.

“Being able to have a school building with the latest technology and students not having to sit beside a rain barrel in the middle of their classroom really changes the student experience. There’s been a lot of really good upgrades done around Southwest Virginia and really across the whole Commonwealth,” O’Quinn said.

With the expense of some major projects, O’Quinn says some localities have found it difficult to match their portion of the funding. This paved the way for bill O’Quinn filed this year which would allow counties and school districts to finance these projects by borrowing from the state, receiving the state’s low interest rate.

“This would allow localities to be able to build up on those efforts and hopefully get to the point where they can fix those problems faster,” O’Quinn said.

Richmond, Virginia, will make way this weekend for a host of events related to the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger, who will become the first woman to serve as the state’s governor.

Events are scheduled Friday through Sunday, some of which are open to the public and some of which are ticketed.

The theme of the weekend’s events is “United for Virginia’s Future,” a slogan which Spanberger’s team says reflects the deep pride and collective strength that will move the state forward.

Friday’s events

Made in Virginia Market, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., 17th Street Market (100 N 17th St., Richmond, Virginia)

The market is open to the public and will include performances by Pusha T, ELONCE, SynHERgi, Holy River and TeezySoDope.

More than 40 Virginia artisans, small businesses and food vendors will pack the market and offer a wide array of products, eats, art, games and more. Details are available on the Spanberger Inaugural Committee website.

Welcome reception, Friday evening, Virginia Museum of History and Culture

Tickets are required to attend the reception, which will be hosted by Spanberger and her husband, Virginia’s incoming first gentleman, Adam Spanberger.

Saturday’s events

Interfaith prayer breakfast, Saturday morning, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Spanberger and her husband will host a breakfast ahead of the inauguration ceremony to bring together Virginians from different faith backgrounds. Admission to the event is by invitation only.

Inauguration ceremony, noon, Virginia State Capitol

The main event will be held at noon, outdoors on the South Portico of the state Capitol. During the historic ceremony, Spanberger, Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi and Attorney General-elect Jay Jones will be sworn in.

While the event is free, tickets were awarded by a lottery. Winners have been selected and notified. The ceremony will be livestreamed on WTOP.com when it begins.

Inaugural parade, following inauguration ceremony, Capitol Square in Richmond

More than 25 groups from across Virginia will march through Capitol Square in Richmond immediately following the inaugural ceremony. The parade is open to attendees of the ceremony.

A full list of parade participants is available on the Spanberger Inaugural Committee website.

Inaugural ball, doors open at 6:30 p.m., program begins 8:15 p.m., Richmond Main Street Station

Tickets are required to attend the inaugural ball, which will be hosted by the Spanbergers. The celebration will feature live performances, food and libations.

Sunday’s events

First gentleman’s breakfast, Sunday morning, Science Museum of Virginia

Pancakes are on the menu for Sunday morning’s breakfast, which is intended to allow incoming first gentleman Adam Spanberger to introduce himself to his fellow Virginians. Tickets are required to attend.

Executive Mansion open house, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Virginia Executive Mansion

Sunday’s open house at the Executive Mansion, as the name implies, is open to the public. However, entry into the governor’s residence is first come, first served.

Guests are invited to enter at the Capitol Square entrance.

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.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Former NBA guard Delonte West was arrested last month in connection to an assault and robbery in Fairfax County, Virginia, according to police.

On Dec. 21 around 6:36 a.m., a person reported that they were assaulted and robbed by West, the Fairfax County Police Department said. Officers found him nearby, and he was arrested.

The 42-year-old faces charges of robbery and assault. Police did not give the exact amount of money that West stole, but confirmed it was less than $50.

He was released from jail on a $1,000 bond.

This is not the first encounter that West had with Fairfax County police. In June 2024, West was arrested after a brief police chase, where officers said they had to administer Narcan.

SEE | Former NBA player Delonte West arrested after chase, suspected drug overdose in Virginia

At that time, he was issued a warrant for violation of conditions of release and charged with resisting arrest.

West, a Maryland native, was also at the center of a case in 2020 when he got into a fight with a friend after the two were kicked out of MGM.

The case gained attention after a Prince George’s County police officer recorded and allegedly posted a video of West in handcuffs after the fight.

READ | Md. cop suspended, accused of filming, posting former NBA player Delonte West in handcuffs

While in the NBA, West played for the Boston Celtics, and the Seattle SuperSonics, who later relocated and were renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder.