As the nation prepares to celebrate its independence, WHRO-FM 90.3 invites you to join Raymond Jones for a special edition of “A Local Touch – Music with a Virginia Connection” this Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. This week’s program features a carefully curated selection of classical music perfect for the eve of the Fourth of July.

The evening begins with a July 4th Concert from Colonial Williamsburg, a historically rich performance that captures the spirit of early America. This will be followed by Randall Thompson’s “The Testament of Freedom,” a stirring composition that sets to music the powerful words of Thomas Jefferson, a key figure in Virginia’s—and America’s—history.

Next, we travel to Staunton for “Heifetz on the Air,” presenting an episode entitled “Independence Day.” This segment promises to bring a unique musical experience, celebrating the essence of American freedom.

The journey continues back in Norfolk, with the Old Dominion University Schola Cantorum, led by the esteemed Lee Tepley, performing “A Capella Americana.” And finally, the program wraps up with a charming and patriotic performance by Williamsburg’s own Dean Shostak, who will play “Yankee Doodle” on a fiddle reputedly owned by the legendary Davy Crockett.

Tune in this Wednesday at 9:00 PM for an evening of exceptional music with a Virginia connection, celebrating the eve of Independence Day in true patriotic style.

And then join us on the Fourth of July as well for a rich celebration of American music throughout the day, capped off by the next program in our “Classical Americana” series at 9:00 p.m.: “Wonderful Town – The Sounds of New York, New York”. Lara Downes swings you through the sights, sounds and stories of the city that never sleeps, from Gershwin capturing the soul of New York in the roaring 20s, to Jessie Montgomery doing the same, almost a century later.

Celebrate the Fourth with us at WHRO-FM 90.3, or stream online!

RICHMOND, Va. –Tuesday will be mostly sunny and pleasant, with afternoon highs in the mid 80s. Tonight will be seasonably cool with a low in the lower 60s. The heat and humidity will start to return on Wednesday, with highs in the upper 80s to near 90.

More heat and humidity is expected Thursday (the 4th) into the weekend. Highs will be in the upper 90s Thursday and Friday, and will stay in the 90s Saturday and Sunday. The heat index will be in the triple digits at times and a few scattered storms will be around each afternoon and evening.

🌀Track Hurricane Beryl with CBS 6 Interactive Hurricane Tracker

In the tropics: Hurricane Beryl continues as a major hurricane (category 5) after crossing the Windward Islands and will approach near Jamaica on Wednesday. Beryl will gradually weaken, but could still be a hurricane when it is forecast to move over the Yucatan Peninsula.

Another disturbance is in the eastern Atlantic and will likely develop into a tropical depression over the next few days. The next name on the Atlantic list is Debby. More information can be found in the CBS 6 Hurricane Tracker.

Stay With CBS 6, The Weather Authority.

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Senate Democrats in Richmond once again failed to pass a bill to fix issues with a state veterans education benefit program Monday. It was the second special session held to address the issue and dragged into the evening.

“We have a bill that will solve everyone’s problems. But instead, we’re not going to vote on it because of a procedural objection,” said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, chastising Republicans for failing to cross party lines and approve a sped-up vote on the majority’s suggested changes to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, or VMSDEP.

The program was reined in by the legislature and Governor Glenn Youngkin during the recent budget cycle after costs were projected to skyrocket in the coming years. The families of injured vets complained and an effort to roll back the changes while maintaining the program’s sustainability has been a challenge ever since.

Last Friday the House of Delegates passed a so-called “clean repeal” 92-0. It included directions for a state watchdog to study the program and bring findings and suggestions for changes before the 2025 session. That study is still expected by early September.

But Senator Louise Lucas, that chamber’s leading Democrat, refused to hear the House bill Monday and instead pitched her own fix: one that rolled back much of the changes, and included millions of dollars in funding over the next two years.

Surovell said there were also constitutional issues with the House’s measure, but Republican Senator Mark Peake challenged that assessment and argued enough Senate Democrats were in support to pass it.

“We’re here, it’s our second time here, the House has done their job. We should have voted on this bill,” Peake said from the chamber floor Monday.

The Senate will now have to return at a to be determined date to approve their new effort without Republican support. The House would also then have to return to approve the bill. A spokesperson for House Speaker Don Scott had no comment as of Monday evening.

In a statement sent after Monday’s session, Governor Youngkin condemned the Senate’s fruitless, second return to Richmond and asked both chambers to return again as early as next week.

“If they can’t agree on coming back together to fix this, I will call them back to do exactly that,” he said.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.