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How will Biden not seeking reelection impact down-ticket races in Virginia? – WTOP News

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How will Biden not seeking reelection impact down-ticket races in Virginia? – WTOP News


President Joe Biden’s decision to no longer seek reelection may have a big impact at the polls this fall in Virginia.

Visit WTOP’s Election 2024 page for our comprehensive coverage. Listen live to 103.5 FM for the latest. 

President Joe Biden’s decision to no longer seek reelection may have a big impact at the polls this fall in Virginia.

Karen Hult, professor of political science at Virginia Tech, said many Democrats “breathed a real sigh of relief,” while others were disappointed that their primary ballots were “no longer relevant.”

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“I do think there may be an impact on the down ballot races,” she said.

Hult said that anything can change, especially if this is a wave election — landslide votes where a political party makes major gains.

“That is if the Republicans win big, which is not out of the question, or if the Democrats do better than expected, that can make differences that the other races as well,” she said.

She said the U.S. Senate seat held by Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine could be one of the most impacted races, “as well as all 11 U.S. House districts (has) candidates from both parties competing.”

“Most of the other races in the state are probably along predictable lines,” she added.

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When it comes to the shift of focus for the Republican Party, Hult said that happened right away.

She said she believes that the campaign for former President Donald Trump was ready for Biden’s decision.

“The attacks started almost immediately,” she said. “Those had been prepared at the end of the Republican convention, they’re on TV airwaves in many parts of the country.”

And with Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance speaking in Virginia on Monday, and more campaign events to come from both parties across the state, Hult said Virginia voters have a lot of say in this election.

“Virginia is in play for the presidential race,” Hult said. “And that can make a difference with the congressional races as well.”

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In terms of history, she said the U.S. is seeing something that just doesn’t happen: “We’ve never had a presidential candidate withdraw this late in the election season. … And we’ve not had an incumbent president withdraw from a reelection bid since 1968, when Lyndon Baines Johnson withdrew in March of 1968.”

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Virginia

Best Virginia Falls to Zoo Crew

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Best Virginia Falls to Zoo Crew


Pittsburgh – Best Virginia committed 18 turnovers and fell 91-79 to Zoo Crew in the second round of TBT in the Pittsburgh Regional Monday night. Forward Esa Ahmad led Best Virginia with 15 points, forward Wesley Harris and guard Tarik Phillip chipped in 13 points apiece, while Zoo Crew forward Mike Young led all scorers with 23 points.

Wesley Harris scored the game’s first points, but Zoo Crew guard Nike Sibande answered with a three to begin the back and forth first half.

Best Virginia struggled to extend its lead to two possessions while Zoo Crew went up four with 27 seconds remaining in the first quarter but an offensive putback with a slam dunk by forward Sagaba Konate put Best Virginia back within two to end the quarter.

Best Virginia outscored Zoo Crew 9-4 to begin the second quarter, capped off with a tough drive to the basket and a three by guard Taz Sherman for a 5-0 spurt to give a 34-31 lead.

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Zoo Crew responded with a 10-3 run, grabbing the momentum and 41-37 advantage with 3:37 remaining in the half.

Guard Tarik Phillip regained the lead with a 5-0 spurt of his own but, again, Zoo Crew answered with an 8-2 run for a five-point advantage with 40 seconds remaining and took a 49-46 lead into halftime.

Zoo Crew took control of the game in the second half, while Best Virginia played discipline, the Pitt faithful cheered their band of Pitt alum to a seven-point advantage midway through the third quarter.

Best Virginia quickly tied the game at 58, but as fast as they tied the game, BV gave the lead back and Zoo Crew held a five-point lead at the end of the third.

Zoo Crew stretched its lead to 11 and held a ten-point advantage when the Elam ending of 91 was announced as Zoo Crew coasted to the finish line for a 91-79 victory.

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West Virginia celebrates the return of EA Sports College Football 25

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West Virginia celebrates the return of EA Sports College Football 25


MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) – The highly anticipated EA Sports College Football 25 is here as fans across the country will play as their favorite school.

Whether your a viewer or a fan in the stands WVU football is as exhilarating as it gets. But as of midnight eastern time July. 19 College Football fans across the country can see Milan Puskar Stadium in full next-gen gaming form on EA Sports College Football 25.

This is the first time since 2013 gamers across America can use the Mountaineers likeness on their PlayStation or Xbox consoles.

“I think the fanbase has been wanting this nostalgia so for it to come back is amazing,” said West Virginia Director of Esports Josh Steger.

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“People have been playing this before it ended in 2014 but now there is this full generation of kids that never played this game and never have been introduced so this is the first time experiencing it and I think it is something the community has been missing for a long time.”

The main reason why the game discontinued all these years is due to a lawsuit made by former players against the EA Sports developers over the use of their likeness. Legends of the game like former Quarterback Geno smith and Wide Receiver Tavon Austin did not see a dime or their name in the game.

Due to the Supreme Court ruling in 2021 that found the NCAA had violated antitrust laws by stopping student athletes from making any money the WVU stars of today can now get paid in full from College Football 25.

“It’s so many hours that I probably spent growing up on NCAA football 14 with Denard Robinson,” said West Virginia Quarterback Garrett Greene.

“Just so many great memories with my childhood friends on that game so it’s cool for me to be in the game and to have my buddies play with me is very special. I think it will be really cool to run our offense and different playbooks for different teams. So I think it will be very cool to run our offense and teach my buddies how to play Quarterback. It will be cool that some little kid maybe in Tallahassee or wherever is going to play as me.”

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For the game itself there are so many ways you can experience the thrill of College Football right in your living room. Steger says this is a make or break game for EA Sports but feels confident this was worth the long wait by the fans.

“Now you can put a name with the number and you don’t have to speculate,” said Steger.

“Players now, how NFL players have done in the past, they can literally just go oh wait a second this is my rating! This is really good. Especially for parents who are trying to get their kids into sports or football and they can say hey look it’s Garrett Greene and the kid can actually tell it’s Garrett Greene.”

For the game itself there are so many ways you can experience the thrill of College Football right in your living room. Steger says this is a make or break game for EA sports but feels confident this was worth the long wait by the fans.

“I’ve been waiting like ten years for this game so I’ve been playing this 14 game ever since it came until now and I heard about the new game and I’m excited,” fan Kevin Kiser said.

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“I’ve waited forever ten years in the making,” fan Caleb Dennison said.

“My Xbox 360 better get ready to take a break because I bought a PlayStation 5 just for this game so I’m really excited. I pre-ordered it and got the homecoming edition with the locker, jersey, and football in it and I’m ready to take the Mountaineers to the championship finally.”



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Virginia maintains strong wetlands protections despite federal rollbacks

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Virginia maintains strong wetlands protections despite federal rollbacks


Virginia’s State Water Control Board rejected a petition to weaken wetlands protections, maintaining the state’s strong regulatory stance despite federal rollbacks.

Sarah Vogelsong reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • The State Water Control Board denied a petition by David Schnare to reduce state wetlands protections, following the Supreme Court’s weakening of federal regulations.
  • Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality emphasized that the Supreme Court decision does not affect state laws or the scientific definition of wetlands.
  • The decision highlights Virginia’s bipartisan support for wetlands conservation, crucial for water quality, carbon storage, and flood prevention.

Key quote:

“Think of wetlands as a big universe. Federally, only a portion of that universe is regulated by the federal government. But what scientifically is a wetland is still the same.”

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— Mike Rolband, DEQ Director

Why this matters:

Wetlands are vital for maintaining water quality, reducing flood risks, and storing carbon. Virginia’s stance ensures continued protection of these ecosystems, which face threats from regulatory changes and development pressures.



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