Virginia
Virginia launches probe into Richmond water crisis as legislature begins work • Virginia Mercury
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday that the state has already launched an investigation into last week’s water crisis in Richmond through the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water, pledging to uncover the root causes of the failure.
“We need to wait to see what that tells us,” Youngkin said during his annual State of the Commonwealth address before a joint session of the General Assembly, which had been pushed back by several days because of the utility failure. “But I believe that there will be findings that there were operational challenges, technical challenges, and equipment challenges.”
The crisis, which also delayed the start of the 2025 General Assembly session, erupted after backup power systems at Richmond’s water treatment plant failed to reboot properly during a winter storm. The failure triggered “a cascade” of problems, including water pump malfunctions and flooding, according to Mayor Danny Avula, leaving thousands under a boil water advisory.
Lawmakers briefly convened last Wednesday to gavel in before returning home, leaving the city to grapple with the fallout.
Now, multiple investigations are in motion. Avula has called for an independent third-party review to uncover the root causes, while Youngkin stressed Monday that the state-led probe could offer additional answers.
The crisis has also reignited scrutiny of years-long neglect. The Richmond Times-Dispatch revealed last week that city officials had failed to replace key aging infrastructure for eight years, while WTVR found the federal Environmental Protection Agency had cited the city in 2022 for corroded and outdated equipment.
Avula noted how Richmond’s water woes could serve as a “springboard” for pushing state and federal governments to fund infrastructure upgrades.
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, emphasized the urgency of addressing infrastructure needs highlighted by the crisis.
“When people can’t flush their toilets, that’s got my attention,” she told The Mercury.
Lucas noted that while the state legislature might consider funding options to help localities like Richmond modernize aging systems, tapping into federal resources will also be critical to addressing long-term infrastructure challenges.
Maternal health focus
Despite discussions over Richmond’s water crisis, lawmakers moved forward with regular business Monday, including a planned focus on maternal health initiatives.
In December, both Youngkin and Democratic lawmakers highlighted maternal health as a priority for the 2025 session, signaling potential bipartisan collaboration. Proposed measures include Medicaid expansions and workforce development for doulas and midwives.
Speaking with reporters at the state Capitol Monday, House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, welcomed Youngkin’s attention to the issue. “I’m glad that the governor’s eyes are finally open” on maternal health,” she said, adding that he “recognizes there is a disparity when it comes to maternal healthcare in our Black community.”
Herring emphasized that Democratic lawmakers have been “leading” on maternal health for some time, noting that Youngkin has opposed some of their efforts.
Last summer, the governor vetoed a bill carried by Herring to reestablish a maternal health data task force, only to create his own version a month later.
Before the veto, he amended the bill to remove the term “birthing people,” which aims to acknowledge that, while pregnancy is most common in cisgender women, transgender and nonbinary individuals can also become pregnant and often face challenges accessing competent medical care.
In his veto statement, Youngkin wrote that the legislation “politicized an otherwise noncontroversial issue.” When asked by The Mercury, he declined to clarify if he was specifically referring to the term “birthing people.”
On Monday, Herring once again pushed back on Youngkin’s claims of politicization, arguing that it was the governor who had politicized the issue.
Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, highlighted another veto from Youngkin, this one blocking her bill to require unconscious bias training for nursing license renewals. The measure, which Locke carried with other Black women senators and Sen. Chris Head, R-Botetourt, aimed to address racial disparities in healthcare outcomes.
“Women whose skin is darker than my wife’s skin have significantly worse outcomes,” Head said during a Senate floor speech defending the bill last year. “Something needs to be examined and done about that.”
Federal cuts loom
Virginia Democrats are raising alarms over President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to dramatically cut the federal workforce, a proposal that could disproportionately impact Northern Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area.
The plan, part of a conservative initiative called Project 2025, seeks to replace federal employees with political appointees under a Republican administration.
Del. Mark Sickles, D-Arlington, voiced his concerns on the House floor Monday, highlighting the crucial role federal workers play in Virginia’s economy and the commonwealth’s overall success.
“This House respects them, wants them here in Virginia, Mr. Speaker, and they deserve substantial credit for the commonwealth’s success,” said Sickles. He warned that treating federal employees as expendable risks undermining the state’s stability and prosperity.
The controversy follows Trump’s re-election in November on a platform that included cutting “wasteful” federal spending. Youngkin joined other Republican governors in endorsing Trump’s plan, stating that the federal government could benefit from the same “streamlining” and efficiency measures applied at the state level.
“We stand by President Trump as he works to do the same with the federal government,” Youngkin and others wrote in a joint statement.
Sickles countered that the federal workforce has been a cornerstone of Virginia’s economic and national reputation, emphasizing its importance to the commonwealth’s success.
He also cautioned that Trump’s proposals could lead to “another period of chaos in Washington,” with citizens soon realizing the impact of these cuts.
“At a time when we need to value, nurture and strengthen our federal employees, we should not treat them as expendable,” Sickles added.
New faces elected
The Virginia General Assembly also welcomed newly elected lawmakers on Monday, including Del. JJ Singh, D-Loudoun, and Sens. Luther Cifers, R-Prince Edward, and Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun.
Srinivasan, who previously served in the House for a year, takes over the Senate seat vacated by Suhas Subramanyam, now a member of Congress. Cifers, a business owner, replaces Sen. John McGuire, who also departed for Congress.
Virginia special elections add new faces, but leave General Assembly balance intact
Singh made history as the first Sikh American elected to the Virginia General Assembly. He described his election as a meaningful milestone that reflects the state’s commitment to religious freedom and the trust placed in him by the people of Loudoun County.
“In a state that values religious freedom… it’s important in our state’s history, but also because it shows that the people of Loudoun County trust me and believe that it’s a place where you’re free to practice whatever religion you want,” Singh told The Mercury.
Singh also praised House District 26 — which includes Brambleton, Aldie, Arcola, and South Riding — as a model of diversity and unity. He described it as “a place where people of all different sorts of faiths and nationalities can come together, freely practice their religion, have their own ideological beliefs, and come together and work together as one.”
Election year tensions
Del. Michael Feggans, D-Virginia Beach, also took to the House floor Monday to highlight the legislative priorities of House Democrats, emphasizing their focus on investing in public schools, mental health services, and safeguarding abortion rights.
Feggans also outlined goals to make housing and child care more affordable, expand financial aid for college students, lower tuition costs, and reduce the cost of groceries, healthcare, and prescription drugs. He underscored the party’s commitment to enshrining reproductive rights, marriage equality, and voting rights in the Virginia Constitution.
“Together, we can make Virginia the best place to live, work, learn, and raise a family,” Feggans said. “Now is the time to unleash the commonwealth’s full potential and ensure that every Virginian shares in its prosperity.”
However, House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, expressed surprise at Democrats’ silence during Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth address. Gilbert pointed to issues he believed should have garnered bipartisan support, including eliminating the car tax and taxes on tips, securing affordable and reliable energy, deporting violent criminals in the country illegally and cracking down on street gangs and drug cartels.
“I think in the last election, there were a number of things that perhaps the other side put all their bets on that did not go so well at the ballot box,” Gilbert said. “If my colleagues want to keep doubling down on these things, I frankly encourage them to keep doubling down because the winds are blowing in a different direction.”
Gilbert suggested that voters are starting to reassess what lawmakers support and warned Democrats that the next election “may be a much different endeavor” if they fail to embrace the issues he believes resonate with Virginians.
Gilbert’s comments come as Virginia heads into a critical election year, with the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates on the ballot later this year — a fact not lost on lawmakers as they navigate the 45-day General Assembly session.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
Worshippers assaulted outside of Virginia mosque
A Virginia doctor has been arrested and charged with attacking a Fairfax County mosque as worshipers were leaving prayer. The mosque says it’s the second time the man has attacked the same mosque.
FAIRFAX, Va. – 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
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!”
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:
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.”
The Source: Information in this story is from the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Fairfax County Police Department.
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.
Copyright 2025 WWBT. All rights reserved.
Virginia
Feds want graduate nursing programs to reduce costs. This Virginia nurse worries changes will increase debt.
RICHMOND, Va. — University of Virginia graduate nursing student Nelly Sekyere worries that proposed federal loan cuts could prevent future students like herself from pursuing advanced nursing degrees that are helpful in filling shortages in underserved communities.
Sekyere’s parents moved to the United States from Ghana to pursue the American Dream. They worked hourly wage jobs to support their two kids and ultimately became licensed practical nurses, but they never had much money.
Nelly Sekyere
“My dad’s credit score was to the point where it was just awful. He had to file for bankruptcy. He was in so much debt,” Sekyere said.
Still, their children had big dreams and understood the value of hard work. Sekyere, who currently works as a nurse for a local health department, is now a student at UVA pursuing her doctorate to become a family nurse practitioner and to teach others who want to be nurses.
“I do plan to work in underserved communities and rural regions because that is something I am used to, and I feel that is where my expertise are needed the most,” Sekyere said.
She is able to pursue the doctorate because she qualifies for $200,000 in federal graduate degree loans. She said that without the loans, she couldn’t afford the degree.
“I would not. I physically could not afford it,” Sekyere said.
But future nursing graduate students like her may not be able to access as much federal loan money under graduate loan program changes within the One Big Beautiful Bill. Those changes would mean students enrolling in post-baccalaureate nursing programs would be eligible for half the amount of money in federal graduate loans they are currently allowed to take out.
Currently, they can take out $200,000 in federal graduate loans. That number would drop to $100,000 if the changes take effect.
“This impacts those that are pursuing a master’s in nursing, a doctorate of nursing practice or a PhD in nursing,” said Cindy Rubenstein, Director of Nursing and a professor at Randolph Macon College. “Those graduate programs actually prepare nurses to be advanced practice nurses whether that is a Nurse Practioner in primary care, midwives specialists, and also as educators and nurse scientists.”
On its website, the U.S. Department of Education states “95% of nursing students borrow below the annual loan limit and are therefore not affected by the new caps. Further, placing a cap on loans will push the remaining graduate nursing programs to reduce costs, ensuring that nurses will not be saddled with unmanageable student loan debt.”
Rubenstein said she understands the administration’s desire to control tuition costs and limit borrowing amounts. But she says the reality is that the proposal does not take into account the cost of key professional programs that we have shortages in.
“Health care training at the graduate level is more expensive than other training programs and other graduate degrees and that is because of the requirements for clinical practice,” Rubenstein said.
Both Rubenstein and Sekyere worry that reducing the amount of federal loan money a person can take out to pursue those higher nursing degrees will stop people from entering the programs because they either don’t qualify for a private loan or the interest rate is too high.
“I likely foresee in the future that graduate students are going to get themselves into private loan debt and with these programs there is no student loan forgiveness, there is no leniency, there is no income driven plans for you to be able to pay that back,” Sekyere said.
The federal loan changes are slated to take effect July 1 of next year. The Education Department is still working to define exactly which professional programs will no longer be eligible for the higher loan amounts and may make changes based on public comments.
CBS 6 asked Congressman Rob Wittman (R-1st District), who voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill, about the changes to the graduate nursing loans, and he sent us the following statement:
“Our healthcare professionals, especially our nurses, work tirelessly to serve our communities and ensuring pathways to training and education is essential. This proposed rule from the Department of Education has not yet been finalized, and there will be another opportunity for public comment. I will continue to monitor this situation as it develops and I remain committed to addressing the affordability of higher education.”
CBS 6 is committed to sharing community voices on this important topic. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom.
📲: CONNECT WITH US
Blue Sky | Facebook | Instagram | X | Threads | TikTok | YouTube
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.
Utah repeals ban on collective bargaining for teachers, firefighters, police unions
Vermont-based fighter wing deploying to Caribbean amid tensions with Venezuela, US senator says – The Boston Globe
Virginia mosque attacked, Muslim advocates call for hate crime charges
Washington state takes stock of flooding damage as another atmospheric river looms
When does Wisconsin volleyball play again? NCAA tournament next match
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Republican House leader signals plan to begin contempt proceedings against Bill and Hillary Clinton
Three years on, former MEP Kaili remains in limbo still awaiting trial
Afghan CIA fighters face stark reality in the U.S. : Consider This from NPR
Video: Behind the Supreme Court’s Push to Expand Presidential Power
Kilmar Abrego Garcia seen for first time since release, pledges to ‘continue to fight’ Trump admin
-
Alaska6 days agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Ohio1 week agoWho do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Texas7 days agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Washington3 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa5 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Miami, FL6 days agoUrban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion
-
Cleveland, OH5 days agoMan shot, killed at downtown Cleveland nightclub: EMS
-
World5 days ago
Chiefs’ offensive line woes deepen as Wanya Morris exits with knee injury against Texans
