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eight years, while WTVR found the federal Environmental Protection Agency had cited the city in 2022 for corroded and outdated equipment.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.
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Virginia
Shaw, Rivière carry West Virginia in win over 15th-ranked Duke women in game featuring 6 ejections
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) — Sydney Shaw scored 16 points and reserve Celia Riviere scored 12 as West Virginia overcame the ejection of six players just before halftime to beat 15th-ranked Duke 57-49 Friday night.
The undefeated Mountaineers (4-0) finished the game with just five players.
West Virginia lost backups Gia Cooke, Carter McCray, Madison Parrish, Jordan Thomas and Kierra Wheeler in a dust-up between the squads. The Mountaineers also lost starter Jordan Harrison.
Duke (2-2) lost Jordan Wood in the skirmish, which took 15 minutes for officials to sort through.
Wood blocked Harrison’s shot attempt as time expired at the half, then flexed on her in a stare down. When the two exchanged shoves, the Mountaineers’ bench emptied before the teams were separated. Departing the bench carries an automatic ejection.
“I’m disappointed in the ending of the half,” WVU coach Mark Kellogg said. “I think we’re better than that — we’re going to learn a huge lesson — but I’m so proud of that group five.”
Normally a reserve, Rivière was on the court at the end of the half. Trailing 23-20 at halftime, West Virginia emerged from the break and proceeded to outscore the Blue Devils 20-6 in the first six minutes of the third.
Rivière scored eight and Shaw had seven during that span, which saw the Mountaineers expand their lead to 40-29 with 4:03 remaining in the third.
The Blue Devils drew within 53-49 with 37 seconds left before Shaw atoned for some late turnovers and made 5-of-6 foul shots in the last 43 seconds to clinch it.
Cooke scored 12 for West Virginia before her ejection.
Taina Mair scored 10 points for Duke
Up Next
Duke travels to South Florida on Thursday. West Virginia hosts Appalachian State on Thursday.
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Virginia Giuffre repeatedly refuted allegations that President Donald Trump was involved in the crimes of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in sworn testimony and her memoir.
One of Epstein’s most prominent accusers said she did not believe Trump was involved in any of Epstein’s sexual abuse of minors.
Although she has made no allegations against Trump, she has described meeting him in contexts unrelated to Epstein’s crimes.
Why It Matters
Newly disclosed emails and court documents from investigations into Epstein, released by the House Oversight Committee, have renewed scrutiny on Trump’s relationship with both Epstein and Giuffre.
With both political parties invoking the scandal in ongoing debates, the precise nature of Trump’s interactions with Epstein and whether he was alleged to have participated in Epstein’s criminal activities remain central questions.
Trump has also faced internal pressure from within his own MAGA base to disclose the full details of his relationship with the disgraced financier.
As divisions persist over whether the scandal implicates more Democrats or Republicans, the factual accounts of those directly involved, including Giuffre, are central to understanding any political or legal implications.
The inclusion of Trump and former President Bill Clinton in the newly released correspondence underscores the scandal’s bipartisan reach and the ongoing public demand for transparency regarding Epstein’s network of associates and political friends.
Both Trump and Clinton deny any wrongdoing and have never been charged with criminal activity.
Trump also said earlier this year that he declined an invitation to go to Epstein’s private island. “I never had the privilege of going to his island, and I did turn it down, but a lot of people in Palm Beach were invited to his island. In one of my very good moments, I turned it down. I didn’t want to go to his island,” he said.
Newsweek reached out to the Clinton Foundation and the White House outside of normal working hours via the contact forms on their websites for further comment.
What To Know
The House Oversight Committee on Wednesday released more than 20,000 pages related to Jeffrey Epstein, including emails referencing Trump, as part of ongoing inquiries into Epstein’s criminal activities and relationships.
Among the released correspondence is a 2011 email from Epstein to his convicted co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, in which Epstein stated: “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is Trump.. [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him.”
The emails released by the House Oversight Committee included the name “Virginia,” which the White House asserted referred to Virginia Giuffre.
Names of victims were redacted initially in accordance with their families’ wishes, according to Representative Robert Garcia, the leading Democrat on the US House Oversight Committee, as per BBC News.
While an email released by the committee quoted Epstein as saying, “Trump knew about the girls,” Giuffre’s account and those of other key witnesses—including Maxwell’s recorded testimony—do not corroborate any allegation against Trump.
Maxwell herself reportedly stated to the Justice Department that “Trump acted as a gentleman” and denied observing any inappropriate behavior by him.
What Giuffre Has Said About Trump
Giuffre’s own account, both in sworn depositions and her posthumously published memoir Nobody’s Girl, provides a consistent narrative regarding Trump.
While Trump and other high-profile individuals are mentioned, no new accusations or suggestions of any inappropriate behavior by him have emerged from Giuffre’s previous statements, and the record remains consistent with her longstanding position: she did not witness or allege any misconduct by Trump related to Epstein’s crimes.
In a November 2016 deposition, unsealed as part of the so-called “Epstein document dump,” Giuffre said: “I don’t think Donald Trump participated in anything. That would have to be another assumption. I never saw or witnessed Donald Trump participate in those acts, but was he in the house of Jeffrey Epstein? I’ve heard he has been, but I haven’t seen him myself, so I don’t know”.
Although Giuffre further testified that she never saw Trump and Epstein together, she did say they were good friends. But she only encountered Trump at Mar-a-Lago during her employment, and that Trump “never flirted with me.”
In her memoir, Giuffre alleged an initial meeting with Trump when her father, employed at Mar-a-Lago, introduced her for a locker-room attendant job.
She said: “Trump couldn’t have been friendlier, telling me it was fantastic that I was there. ‘Do you like kids?’ he asked. ‘Do you babysit at all?’”
She also recalled attending a lavish Halloween gathering in October 2000 at the Hudson Hotel in New York City, writing in her memoir: “On Halloween, along with other guests that included Donald and Melania Trump, Maxwell and Prince Andrew attended a party hosted by German supermodel Heidi Klum at The Hudson, a swank hotel.”
What People Are Saying Now
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “The Democrats are using the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax to try and deflect from their massive failures, in particular, their most recent one — THE SHUTDOWN!”
He added: “The Democrats cost our Country $1.5 Trillion Dollars with their recent antics of viciously closing our Country, while at the same time putting many at risk—and they should pay a fair price. There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats!”
In a statement following the disclosure of new emails, a White House spokesperson said Giuffre “repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and ‘couldn’t have been friendlier’ to her in their limited interactions.”
Addressing the renewed focus brought by the document releases, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the emails were “selectively leaked” by House Democrats to “liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.”
“The more Donald Trump tries to cover up the Epstein files, the more we uncover. These latest emails and correspondence raise glaring questions about what else the White House is hiding and the nature of the relationship between Epstein and the President,” Representative Robert Garcia, the leading Democrat on the US House Oversight Committee, said in a statement.
Annie Farmer, a key Epstein accuser and witness in Maxwell’s sex trafficking trial, called for “the full release” of the so-called Epstein files: “The estimated one thousand women and girls who were harmed by Epstein and his associates deserve full transparency.”
What Happens Next
The release of the emails and thousands of pages of Epstein-related correspondence has further fueled demands for greater transparency and a comprehensive investigation into the extent of Epstein’s associations and possible abuses.
Survivors and advocacy groups are pressing Congress and law enforcement for the full public release of all related documents.
Lawmakers have indicated potential additional disclosures in the coming months.
WASHINGTON (7News) — There’s no going back now. Playoff football has taken over the DMV.
From here on out, high school football teams in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia will be fighting to keep their seasons alive. The postseason began in Maryland last week, so on Friday, the regional semifinals begin.
In the meantime, teams in DC and Virginia will kick off the playoffs on Friday.
7News continues to lead the way in covering the biggest games in the region every week. This week marks the 11th week of 7News on Your Sideline. All football season, join the 7News Sports team of Scott Abraham and Natalie Spala as they preview our Games of the Week!
Join 7News Sports at 11 p.m. every Friday for a recap of the night’s matchups from across the region.
#3 Richard Montgomery at #2 Churchill
7News’ “Game of the Week” takes us to Potomac, Maryland, for the 4A Regional Semifinals between #3 Richard Montgomery and #2 Churchill. The Churchill Bulldogs (9-1) stormed past Clarksburg, 36-6, a week ago to advance to the semifinal round. The Rockets (7-3) had a tougher time in their opening round of the playoffs. They squeaked by Seneca Valley, 10-9, to keep their season alive. Churchill and Richard Montgomery kick off Friday at 6:30.
#5 Broad Run at #4 Heritage
In Leesburg, the postseason stage has been set. In the VA Class 4, Region C First Round, Heritage High School hosts Broad Run. The Pride (6-4) and the Spartans (2-8) saw each other during week five of the regular season. Heritage took down Broad Run, 27-19. The Spartans began the season 0-8, but entered Friday’s matchup with back-to-back wins over Park View and Tuscarora. Whatever magic the Spartans have found in recent weeks, they’ll look to keep that going as they try to pull off the upset. Heritage and Broad Run kickoff at 7 p.m.
Other matchups where 7News will be On Your Sideline:
MD 4A Regional Semifinals – #6 Blair at #2 Wheaton, 6:30 p.m.
MD 4A Regional Semifinals – #4 Blake at #1 Paint Branch, 6:30 p.m.
MD 4A Regional Semifinals – #4 Northwest at #1 Quince Orchard, 7 p.m.
MD 4A Regional Semifinals – #5 DuVal at #1 Wise, 7 p.m.
MD 2A Regional Semifinals – #4 Largo vs. #1 Frederick Douglass, 6 p.m. (game is being played at Eleanor Roosevelt High School)
VA Class 6, Region D First Round – #3 Madison at #2 Langley, 7 p.m.
VA Class 6, Region D First Round – #4 South Lakes at #1 Yorktown, 7 p.m.
VA Class 5, Region D First Round – #5 Briar Woods at #4 John Champe, 7 p.m.
WCAC Division 1 Semifinals – #4 St. John’s at #1 DeMatha, 7 p.m. (game is being played at Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex)
OTHER GAMES
Virginia Playoffs
VA Class 6, Region B First Round – #8 Gar-Field at #1 Colonial Forge, 7 p.m.
VA Class 6, Region B First Round – #5 Patriot at #4 Woodbridge, 7 p.m.
VA Class 6, Region B First Round – #7 Forest Park at #2 Battlefield, 7 p.m.
VA Class 6, Region B First Round – #6 Independence at #3 North Stafford, 7 p.m.
VA Class 6, Region C First Round – #8 West Potomac at #1 West Springfield, 7 p.m.
VA Class 6, Region C First Round – #5 Alexandria City at #4 Fairfax, 7 p.m.
VA Class 6, Region C First Round – #7 Falls Church at #2 South County, 7 p.m.
VA Class 6, Region C First Round – #6 Mount Vernon at #3 Lake Braddock, 7 p.m.
VA Class 6, Region D First Round – #4 Marshall at #1 Centreville, 7 p.m.
VA Class 6, Region D First Round – #3 Washington-Liberty at #2 Westfield, 7 p.m.
VA Class 5, Region D First Round – #6 Lightridge at #3 Potomac Falls, 7 p.m.
VA Class 4, Region C First Round – #6 Tuscarora at #3 Woodgrove, 7 p.m.
VA Class 3 Region B First Round – #8 Warren County at #1 Kettle Run, 7 p.m.
VA Class 3 Region B First Round – #5 Brentsville at #4 James Monroe, 7 p.m.
Maryland Playoffs
MD 4A/3A Regional Semifinals – #3 Oxon Hill at #2 Potomac, 6:30 p.m.
MD 3A Regional Semifinals – #3 Damascus at #2 Oakdale, 6:30 p.m.
MD 2A Regional Semifinals – #3 Gwynn Park at #2 Wi-Hi, 6:30 p.m.
WCAC Playoffs
WCAC Division 2 Semifinals – #3 Archbishop Carroll at #2 Paul VI, 7 p.m.
WCAC Division 2 Semifinals – #4 Bishop O’Connell at #1 St. Mary’s Ryken, 7 p.m.
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