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Letters for May 5: Virginia Beach council members who opposed collective bargaining better be on site working the next disaster

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Letters for May 5: Virginia Beach council members who opposed collective bargaining better be on site working the next disaster


For shame

Re “Virginia Beach rejects collective bargaining of city employees” (April 30): Virginia Beach City Council has made the decision not to support collective bargaining for its employees. What a shame. Our city employees do their best to keep things running smoothly. They do this, despite some challenges in working conditions, despite the fear of the consequences of speaking up about problems encountered on the job and despite pay and benefits that are not on par with other regions in our state.

It would be wise to study our city versus Chesterfield County, a much more accurate comparison than to our surrounding jurisdictions. For the council members who voted against collective bargaining, please let me know that the next time we have a jet plane crash in our city, you will respond without hesitation, even though that could permanently endanger your health and safety. Our firefighters, emergency medical services personnel and police officers responded.

The next time we have an attack in the city workplace and police officers, EMS personnel and firefighters respond to that emergency, I hope you will do your part and respond as well, even though your life would be in danger. You can arrange for a photo op to show to your constituents. The next time we have a major storm move through here with damaging winds, rains and flooding and our first responders and our public works folks are out in the elements to help all of us, please let me know that you will do your part as well.

For all of these emergencies, you simply need appropriate gear, training, years of experience and a willingness to truly serve our community. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.

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Ginny Diezel, Virginia Beach

Help needed

“It takes a village to raise a child” is a well-known proverb that emphasizes the importance of a community positively interacting and providing for children to grow up in a safe and healthy environment.

Children are innocent, reliant, sweet and sometimes sour beings who are oblivious to the world and its hardships. As parents, we need our families, neighbors, churches and businesses to play their roles within the village and take accountability to assist with child care. Together, we should ensure that we all thrive and secure our jobs and future.

Expenses mount and being a parent is challenging, especially with the cost of living. All businesses are entitled to make a profit, but the real profit is when we start supporting the needs of families in our community. It would be ideal to have affordable and alternative child care centers in our communities that are friendly to people with disabilities and offer after-school care and recreational activities.

We propose finding a way of giving back to our families, where the burden of child care is no longer a discussion. We need the support of community resources, along with businesses and professionals agreeing to work together to provide coordinated care.

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Care is love and support from those around you every day. Together, we can decrease our level of violence and poverty while increasing prosperity for our youth, who are our future.

Chiquita Hubbard, Virginia Organizing member, Newport News

Clean energy

This year Virginia lawmakers advanced multiple measures to promote cleaner air, lower energy costs and foster economic growth — efforts that will create good-paying jobs and attract clean energy investment.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin now has an opportunity to sign into law a policy within his energy plan, which calls for leveraging federal energy investment. The crucial policy to achieve these goals is the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank, which will free up millions of dollars of federal clean energy funding under the Inflation Reduction Act. Introduced by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, this legislation passed out of the General Assembly with bipartisan support.

The Savings Achieved Via Efficiency Act from Del. Michael Webert and Sen. Creigh Deeds recently became law. This legislation “strengthens energy efficiency standards that were set to expire next year. It also renews the authority of the State Corporation Commission to approve energy efficiency programs for Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power,” according to an April 29 article by energynews.us.

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Youngkin signed into law legislation expanding distributed solar generation through shared solar programs. This ensures an equitable energy transition by increasing the number of Virginians who can access solar.

When implemented in tandem, these bipartisan policies will help purify our air, create good-paying clean energy jobs, lower electric bills and secure a cleaner energy future in Virginia.

Heidi Dragneff, Virginia Beach

Student debt

A recent Daily Mail headline read, “Biden cancels $6 billion in student loans for 317,000.” The article stated, “President Joe ​​Biden’s latest handout brings the total forgiveness to $160 billion for 4.6 million borrowers ahead of November’s election. It doubles-down on Biden’s promise to wipe out student debt after the Supreme Court ruled he could not take the sweeping action he wanted earlier in his administration.”

This debt is not cancelled; it is merely added to the other handouts this administration has strapped on our backs. Please do not vote for this socialist puppet.

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Dan Bahen, Chesapeake



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Snow expected tonight across DC, Maryland, Virginia: Forecast, totals, winter weather alerts

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Snow expected tonight across DC, Maryland, Virginia: Forecast, totals, winter weather alerts


A quick-moving winter storm will likely bring the first meaningful snowfall of the season to the D.C. region tonight, with slippery travel expected overnight into early Sunday as temperatures stay cold enough for snow to stick.

What we know:

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The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Washington, D.C., central and northern Maryland and northern Virginia from 8 p.m. tonight through 7 a.m. Sunday.

Forecasts call for:

  • 1 to 3 inches of snow for much of the Washington–Baltimore region
  • 4 to 5 inches possible in parts of Baltimore County and northeastern Maryland
  • A brief period of rain at the start in some spots before quickly changing to snow

Meteorologists say a narrow band of heavier snow could set up late tonight, briefly dropping visibility to less than half a mile and allowing snow to pile up faster.

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Snow totals and impacts

Once the precipitation turns fully to snow, travel may become slippery across the region.

Expected snowfall amounts:

  • D.C. metro: 1–3 inches
  • Montgomery and Prince George’s counties: 1–3 inches
  • Howard and Anne Arundel counties: 1–3 inches
  • Baltimore region: 2–4 inches, with isolated 5-inch totals
  • Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria): 1–3 inches

Temperatures fall into the upper 20s and low 30s, helping the snow accumulate on untreated roads, sidewalks and bridges.

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Why this storm matters

This system marks the first snow of the season that will actually stick for the D.C. area. The storm arrives as yet another blast of Arctic air drops into the Mid-Atlantic.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the weakening of the polar vortex is allowing cold air to spill south, setting the stage for any moisture tonight to fall as snow.

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What’s next

Snow is expected to taper off by mid to late Sunday morning. A Gale Warning is also in effect for the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac starting Sunday morning, and wind chills near 0°F are possible late Sunday night into Monday.

Residents should monitor local forecasts and plan for slower travel overnight and early Sunday.

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The Source: This story is based on forecasts and advisories from the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington and the FOX Forecast Center.

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Virginia mosque attacked, Muslim advocates call for hate crime charges

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Virginia mosque attacked, Muslim advocates call for hate crime charges


Community members are calling for the man accused of attacking a Muslim community center in Virginia to be charged with hate crimes after he was recently arrested. The mosque says the man has attacked its members multiple times.

Virginia mosque attack

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What we know:

The latest attack happened on Nov. 28, at the Dar Al Nur Community Center in Fairfax County. In security footage shared by the mosque, a man can be seen berating a group of women leaving prayer. When they see the man, they run back through the door and threaten to call the police.

The man is then seen swatting at the camera, while shouting, “F—ing Muslims! Get the f— out of here!”

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Police arrested Dr. Tony Hsiao shortly after the incident, charging him with assault, trespassing and destruction of property. Hsiao was arrested last year on similar charges. 

What they’re saying:

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Hsiao has not been charged with a hate crime, and advocates say that’s unacceptable.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called pubically Friday for state and federal officials to charge Hsiao with a hate crime.

“[F]ederal authorities must hold him fully accountable by filing hate crime charges,” CAIR attorney Ahmad Kaki said in a statement. “no one should be able to get away with repeatedly attacking the same house of worship. We must send a message that all faiths are welcome and safe in Fairfax County and throughout our nation.”

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The Source: Information in this story is from the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Fairfax County Police Department.

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Virginia Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026

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Virginia Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026


HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) – The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2026 on Wednesday.

This year’s group of athletes, coaches, administrators, and contributors whose influence spans generations, levels of competitions across the state. This includes one man from Richmond, who has also been named the 2026 Distinguished Virginian.

The Class of 2026 inductees are as follows:

  • Bobby Ukrop (Richmond): Robert S. “Bobby” Ukrop has been named the “2026 Distinguished Virginian” presented to an individual with a sports background who is a distinguished citizen of the Commonwealth based on outstanding life accomplishment”. A former basketball player at the University of Richmond, Ukrop has been a transformative community leader, leading initiatives throughout Central Virginia including the founding of Richmond Sports Backers, construction of the Diamond baseball stadium, efforts to “Drown-proof Virginia” learn to swim initiative.
  • Grant Hill (Reston): ACC Player of the Year; two-time consensus All American; two-time NCAA Champion; one of the ACC’s 50 Greatest Players; 19-year NBA career – 17,137 points -7-time NBA All-Star- 3-time NBA Sportsmanship Award; Olympic Gold Medalist; member of the College and Naismith Memorial Basketball Halls of Fame. National broadcaster for both NCAA and NBA games. Co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks (NBA) Orlando City SC (MLS), Orlando Pride (NWSL) and the Baltimore Orioles (MLB).
  • Marcellus “Boo” Williams (Hampton): Widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential youth basketball coaches in the nation, Williams has helped shape the careers of countless young men’s and women’s players. Walt Disney Wide World of Sports named Williams its 2001 Volunteer of the Year; The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame presented him with its 2013 Human Spirit Award. Williams currently operates his youth basketball programs from the 135,000 sq. ft. Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton.
  • Michael Vick (Newport News): The former Virginia Tech standout and NFL quarterback, Vick became one of the most dynamic players of his generation. At Virginia Tech, Vick led the Hokies to the 1999 National Championship game and was a 1st team All-American and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. The #1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft, Vick played in the NFL for 13 seasons, earning 4 Pro Bowl selections and the 2010 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. After his retirement, Vick was a commentator for Fox NFL Sunday. He is currently the head coach of the Norfolk State University Spartans.
  • Wally Walker (Charlottesville): Often credited with starting the prominence of UVA basketball, Walker led the Cavaliers to their first NCAA tournament berth in 1976 when he was the MVP of the ACC Tournament. Walker was the #5 overall pick of the 1976 NBA draft and played for 8 NBA seasons winning two NBA Championships. Following his playing career, Walker moved to the front office, to become the President of Seattle SuperSonics.
  • Kristi Toliver (Harrisonburg): One of the most accomplished basketball players in Virginia history. Toliver was the 2009 ACC Player of the Year, a 2-time All-American, NCAA National Champion, 1st round WNBA selection, 2-time WNBA Champion and a 3-time WNBA AllStar. Toliver is currently the associate head coach of the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA.
  • Terry Driscoll (Williamsburg): A visionary leader in collegiate athletics, Driscoll served with distinction as the Director of Athletics at William & Mary for 22 years, during which the Tribe won 114 Conference Championships, had 118 teams with 100% graduation rates and oversaw a dramatic increase in funding for new facilities and the College’s endowment. A true “Scholar-Athlete” himself, Driscoll was an Athletic and Academic All-American, the #4 overall pick in the 1969 NBA draft, and a championship professional coach in Europe.
  • Roland Lazenby (Wytheville): A former reporter with the Roanoke Times, Lazenby is best known for his award-winning author of over 60 sports books that has vaulted him to the top of his profession. Widely regarded as an “expert or authority” on NBA basketball, several of his most prominent books are “go to” references on Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
  • Tony Bennett: Former University of Virginia basketball coach, two-time Naismith Coach of the Year, and national championship coach as long stood among college basketball’s most respected leaders. Over an 18-season head coaching career, including stops at Washington State and the University of Virginia, he compiled a remarkable 433-and-169 overall record. He took over Virginia in 2009 and transformed the Cavaliers into a powerhouse, amassing a 364- 136 record while becoming the programs all-time wins leader. His crowning achievement came in 2019, when his team captured the NCAA national championship- a milestone that delivered Virginia its first ever national title in men’s basketball. Under Bennett’s stewardship, Virginia won six regular season conference titles, two conference championships, and made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.

The 53rd induction events are set for Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa/Short Pump.

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