The House of Delegates voted unanimously to repeal changes to a program that provides free tuition to the families of those killed on active duty or who are at least 90% disabled.

Dozens of veterans and family members were in the gallery while the House voted. Delegates to completely repeal the changes. The House then voted to add back $20 million a year that was included in the budget to help public universities off-set the cost of the program, which serves more than over 6,000 veterans and their families.

“I’m a veteran myself. And so making sure that we take care of our veterans is my highest priority,” Speaker of the House Don Scott, D-Portsmouth.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin called a special session of the legislature after public outcry from veterans’ groups when the cuts were passed as part of the state budget in May without a separate public hearing.

Though Youngkin signed the changes as part of the budget, he ended up calling for a complete repeal and created a state task force to look at potential cuts.

“We’ll look at what the governor’s task force says and what changes, if any, are necessary,” Scott said.

Meanwhile, the Senate has wrestled with keeping some of the changes in place.

The cost of the program rose from $12 million in 2019 to $65 million in 2023. The Senate set up its own subcommittee to look at changing the program.

The committee took testimony Friday from veterans and the families of first responders who are disabled or were killed in the of duty, who are also covered under the program.

Ella Hestser, 20, of Virginia Beach told a Senate committee that college may be unaffordable if she and her brother become ineligible for the program. Both of her parents were in the military. Her mother suffers from PTSD.

“I’ll be in massive amounts of debt, as well, as I’m sure all these other families who were promised this benefit,” Hestser said.

The Senate is scheduled to return Monday, July1.

Lawmakers could bring the session to a close if they chose to pass the repeal language approved by the House of Delegates, or vote on their own bill, which would trigger a round of negotiations with leaders in the House.

By this point in the season Notre Dame should know exactly where it stands in the College Football Playoff race.

Realistically, unless the wheels completely come off, the Irish shouldn’t be any worse than 7-2 when Virginia comes to South Bend.

The date at Texas A&M starts the season, there are a few landmines to sidestep, like a dangerous Louisville team and road games at Purdue and Georgia Tech, but the real key will be what happens the week before this November 16th game.

Virginia might be the letdown moment after facing Florida State.

Again, assuming all is going at least okay and the Irish have at least seven wins, either this will be a momentum game after a big win over the Seminoles, or desperation time in the final home game of the season before going to New York City to face Army and then LA to play USC.

We’re talking mid-November here for this, so only about a gajillion things will change between now and then, but in the meantime, here are 5 things Notre Dame fans should know about Virginia.

It’s been a really, really rough run for Virginia football.

From several close losses on the field, to a tragedy in 2022 off of it, there’s hope after two straight seasons with just three wins in each.

This late in the season the team will be full of experience across the board no matter what, but as long as the veterans tighten up from the start this season, and if the mistakes that have been a crusher slow down, this could be a dangerous post-Florida State hangover team for the Irish to deal with.

The Cavalier skill parts won’t be bad, they should be in a bit of a groove this late in the season. The O line couldn’t get the ground game going and was miserable in pass protection.

Four starters are back, and UCF transfer Drake Metcalf is a good center, but by this point in the year this bunch had better be night-and-day better than it was in 2023, or it’ll be a long day.

There’s size, experience, and talent on the Virginia defensive front, but pressuring Riley Leonard should be a problem.

Virginia generated just 11 sacks last season, and it mattered. Most of those game in the first four games, and it was a struggle in key moments as the season went on.

Let’s not overplay this TOO much, but in a game that might be lacking big storylines outside of the Game After Florida State thing, former Notre Dame RB/WR will now be a big deal for Virginia.

Tyree was a solid runner for the Irish with 1,162 yards and eight scores in his first three seasons, and then he played a bigger role as a true receiver. He left with 82 grabs for 945 yards and seven scores, and now he’ll be in the slot for Virginia.

To keep reiterating this, we’re talking about a game that will happen in mid-November. Teams change, seasons change, guys get hurt, guys step up, and yeah, yeah, yeah. However, this aspect should matter.

Virginia should have a better, more consistent passing game, but it has to run well to win.

The Cavalier offense ran for over 140 yards three times last year – the team was 3-0. It was 0-9 when it didn’t.

Virginia will be plucky, and it’ll make this a game for a while, but it’ll miss out on several key opportunities.

Expect lots of bending by the Notre Dame defense, but not a lot of breaking.

After the Florida State game the Irish will be workmanlike, with the lines and defense taking over as the game goes on. It won’t be perfect, but it’ll be a good win for the Irish to keep the College Football Playoff momentum going.

Notre Dame 34, Virginia 19
– Virginia 2024 Preview
5 Things To Know
– Aug 31: Texas A&M
– Sept 7: Northern Illinois
– Sept 14: Purdue
– Sept 21: Miami Univ.
– Sept 28: Louisville
– Oct 12: Stanford
– Oct 19: Georgia Tech
– Oct 26: Navy
– Nov 9: Florida State

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The 6th annual Hill of Heroes Day was held at the Virginia War Memorial on Saturday to honor service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

On Saturday, June 29, the 6th annual Hill of Heroes Day was held at the Virginia War Memorial and featured 12,000 flags honoring Virginians who have lost their lives in battle since World War II.

The event also hosted activities such as demonstrations by military working dogs, crafts and a book sale.

Continue scrolling to view the celebrations held at the Hill of Heroes Day event to honor all American service members.