Virginia

Virginia’s new legislative session kicks off Wednesday

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

Virginia’s new legislative session kicks off Wednesday

Incoming House Speaker Don Scott is ready to get to work.

“I think there are a lot of things that we can agree on with the governor,” said Scott, D-Portsmouth. “I think there will be a lot of bipartisan legislation coming out.”

After a heated election season marked by tight races and record spending, leaders are cooling the rhetoric as they ready for the legislature to reconvene Wednesday for its annual session. Democrats recently held the Senate and took back the House of Delegates, but with Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin wielding power from the executive branch, neither party will have total control.

“We all have to come together in order to progress legislation,” Youngkin said at a news conference after the elections. “We’re going to have to find a way to get things done. I’m optimistic that we can.”

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Middle ground

Scott said he believes both parties are largely on the same page when it comes to the need for more funding to help with addiction and mental health.

A recent report from a panel that conducts research for the General Assembly concluded that staff and patient safety is lacking at state psychiatric hospitals. The report, issued by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, found many facilities struggle with overcrowding, staffing shortages and structural hazards.

“I think we can all agree that the mental health system needs more upgrading and more work and investments,” Scott said.

He also expects both parties will work together on plans to bring new professional sport teams to Virginia.

Youngkin reached a tentative deal last month with the parent company of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals to move those teams to Alexandria. But it needs the legislature’s approval.

“Bringing the teams to that region could benefit the entire commonwealth by bringing in some revenue to help deal with transportation,” Scott said.

Editorial: Let this legislative session advance the cause of government transparency

Although gun safety legislation is trickier, Scott is holding out hope for some middle-of-the-road solutions.

A bill last year allowing a $300 income tax credit for the purchase of safety equipment, such as gun storage safes or trigger locks, was signed into law by the governor after passing the legislature with nearly unanimous support.

The measure is intended to incentivize responsible gun ownership and help prevent children from accessing firearms. Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States since surpassing car accidents in 2020.

“I think there is some hope in getting another bill like that out, and I think there is some hope in getting the governor to sign it,” Scott said.

The speaker-elect said one possible measure would involve strengthening the rules and penalties for leaving a firearm in a vehicle.

“The chief of police in my city says a lot of these guns (used in crimes) are getting out because irresponsible gun owners are leaving them in unlocked cars and people are stealing them,” he said.

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Budget

The state budget is another area that will require compromise. The General Assembly is tasked this year with crafting a two-year plan for the state.

“I would ask us to commit ourselves to deliver a budget on time when you adjourn sine die in March,” Youngkin told legislators at a joint committee hearing last month. “Virginians deserve it, and I know we can do it.”

Legislators last year debated a series of amendments to the 2022 budget. Negotiations went into overtime after the Senate and House clashed over tax cuts. A consensus wasn’t reached until late August.

Youngkin’s budget proposal — unveiled last month — will serve as a starting point for this year’s negotiations. His plan would cut income taxes by 12% across all income brackets and raise the state sales tax from 4.3% to 5.2%. It would also expand the sales and use tax base to include digital goods.

This year’s negotiations will be spearheaded by House Appropriations Committee Chair Barry Knight and Sen. Louise Lucas, the newly-elected chair for the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Lucas, a Portsmouth Democrat, has signaled she’s less than impressed with the governor’s proposal.

“I will not support a budget that further erodes Virginia’s long-term revenues or uses worn out gimmicks in a budget when a predicted recession has not yet materialized,” Lucas wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

More surprisingly, the proposal also faced criticism from at least one Republican. Sen. Bill Stanley of Franklin County recently told Cardinal News the governor’s plan is “tone deaf” and said he believes increasing sales tax will disproportionately hurt rural and inner-city residents.

Meanwhile, Knight, a Virginia Beach Republican, said it was a good starting point.

“Like any proposal, it’s a proposal,” he previously told The Virginian-Pilot. “Every governor’s budget is put out there, and then we take it and go through it from there.”

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Constitutional amendments

While there may be some middle ground to be found, Democrats and Youngkin aren’t likely to see eye-to-eye on longstanding culture war issues. And with narrow majorities in both chambers, Democrats won’t have the votes to override a veto from the governor.

Constitutional amendments, however, allow legislators to circumvent the executive branch. A constitutional amendment must pass the General Assembly during two legislative sessions with an election in between. The amendment then only needs approval from Virginia voters to take effect.

Scott said Democrats have already begun prefiling amendments.

Five legislators introduced a measure that would protect reproductive rights, including Lucas and Sen. Mamie Locke of Hampton.

“Every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” it states. “This right to make and effectuate one’s own decisions about all matters related to one’s pregnancy shall not be denied, burdened, or infringed upon, unless justified by a compelling state interest.”

Abortion rights have become a focus in Virginia since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in 2022.

Locke further introduced an amendment that would automatically restore voting rights to residents who’ve served their time for a felony conviction. Those with a felony conviction lose the right to vote in Virginia, and the only way to get it back is to receive approval from the governor.

Meanwhile, Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, prefiled an amendment that would remove language in the state constitution defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Since Roe fell, same-sex marriage advocates have become concerned that the Supreme Court might also overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Given the state’s election schedule, any potential new amendments wouldn’t go before the state’s voters for approval until 2026.

Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com

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Virginia

Stanford gets win over Virginia Tech, freshman Ebuka Okorie calls game

Published

12 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Stanford gets win over Virginia Tech, freshman Ebuka Okorie calls game

Freshman guard Ebuka Okorie lifted Stanford over Virginia Tech with a game-winning, step-back 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds left to give the Cardinal a 69-68 win at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia, on Jan. 7.

Okorie sized up his defender, Virginia Tech freshman Neoklis Avdalas of Greece, before getting into his sweet spot and rising up.

Okorie scored 31 points, going 11-for-18 from the floor with four 3-pointers, including the go-ahead bucket. His four made from long-distance tied a collegiate career-high. He added six assists and had only one turnover.

Virginia Tech led 31-24 at the end of the first half. However, Stanford came out of the second half and switched gears. The Hokies were outscored in the second half 45-37.

Virginia Tech was led by Avdalas with 21 points. Hokies sophomore guard Ben Hammond scored 14 points off the bench.

Chisom Okpara had an off night for Stanford, scoring just four points on 1-of-11 shooting, but still the Cardinal would get some help in the scoring department from Donavin Young and Oskar Giltay, who chipped in with 11 and eight points, respectively.

Stanford continues its road trip with a visit to No. 23 Virginia on Saturday, Jan. 10. Virginia Tech has a home game Saturday against California.

Stanford vs. Virginia Tech: Ebuka Okorie hits game-winning shot

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University named among ‘Top Wedding Vendors’ by Virginia Living magazine

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

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University named among ‘Top Wedding Vendors’ by Virginia Living magazine

Hopwood & LaRue Catering and Events at the University of Lynchburg has been named a “2026 Top Wedding Vendor” by Virginia Living magazine.

Hopwood & LaRue was listed among Central Virginia vendors in the following categories: Catering, Venue-Event Space, and Venue-Gardens & Estates. For earning a top spot, vendors are listed in the digital “2026 Top Wedding Vendors” guide and receive a virtual badge to share on their website.

According to Virginia Living, the annual list spotlights “vendors who help make Virginia weddings truly unforgettable — from florists and photographers to venues, planners, and more. … This exclusive online list is a companion to ‘Weddings 2026,’ featured in our February issue, one of the year’s most anticipated editorial sections.”

Through Hopwood & LaRue Catering and Events couples can plan weddings at University-owned facilities, including Snidow Chapel and Claytor Nature Center’s Cloverlea Farmhouse.

The company also offers event planning and a full range of beverage and catering services, including vegan, vegetarian, and ethnic options, along with “special curated menus” designed to help clients “develop their ideal cocktail hour and reception dinner experience for themselves and their guests.”

Referring to the 491-acre Claytor Nature Center specifically, Marsh described a typical event: “On their special day, the wedding ceremony typically takes place at the reflection pond, which holds a magical view of Sharp Top and Flat Top mountains,” she said.

“Cocktail hour is then enjoyed [on] the ash lawn, and the reception dinner is later paired with desserts, drinks, and dancing under our extra-large, tented reception area. And the sunset views are just as exceptional as the dining experience.”

According to Marsh, Hopwood & LaRue’s wedding sales have “increased significantly in the past year, and our Cloverlea wedding bookings have quadrupled since 2025. We now have over a dozen weddings and events lined up at Cloverlea for 2026 and are excited to book more and also look ahead into 2027.”

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Instant takeaways from Cincinnati Bearcats basketball loss at WVU

Published

2 days ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Instant takeaways from Cincinnati Bearcats basketball loss at WVU

The Cincinnati Bearcats lost to the West Virginia Mountaineers 62-60, dropping to 0-2 in Big 12 play.

MORGANTOWN, WV – The Cincinnati Bearcats have started Big 12 play in a hole, losing to West Virginia on the road Tuesday night, Jan. 6, 62-60. UC came back from a 13-point deficit in the first half, had a late lead, but for a second straight Big 12 game couldn’t close.

Up 57-52 with 4:46 to go on a Moustapha Thiam dunk, the Bearcats wouldn’t score again until a Jizzle James 3-pointer with three ticks left on the clock. They would get a final steal and a desperation heave that didn’t fall, and now are winless in two Big 12 starts with 16 remaining on the schedule.

The Mountaineers have recorded all of their wins at Hope Coliseum and are 10-5 (1-1) while UC drops to 8-7 (0-2). Hope Coliseum attendance was 9,903.

Honor Huff led West Virginia with 24 points and, at 5-foot-10, pulled down eight rebounds. Chance Moore added 14 points and Treysen Eaglestaff had 10, including the go-ahead 3-point heave with 1:12 left in the game.

“We’ve got to finish, we had a five-point lead there,” Miller said. “The shot Eaglestaff hits, you’ve just got to go play the next possession. You can’t defend it any better than that. You can’t foul the 3-point shooter (Huff) and we’ve got to step up and make some plays. We’ve got to convert more plays. Sometimes, guys are going to jump up and make a crazy shot. That’s just basketball.”

It’s the first loss this season for the Bearcats when they’ve led with two minutes remaining in the game. Last season, they were 19-0 in such situations, and overall, Wes Miller’s teams are now 88-8. But, on this night, Eaglestaff was “eagle eye” avoiding a shot-clock violation and nailing a “prayer” in Miller’s terms.

“I picked it up and was looking for Honor (Huff) because he was the hot hand,” Eaglestaff said. “I’m looking for him and I heard ‘3-2-1, I’ve got one second left, I’ve got to throw it up!’ I’m like praying, ‘Please go in!’”

As called by a couple of coaches as he released it, it tickled the nylons and gave West Virginia the lead for good.

Jalen Celestine led UC with five treys and 15 points. Day Day Thomas had nine points, making a pair of second-half 3s early to give UC a brief lead early in the second half, but didn’t score over the final 18:30.

The Bearcats were 12-of 35 from the arc, with West Virginia making 11-of-23. West Virginia takes a 14-12 lead in the all-time series and has now won eight of the last 10 meetings. In the Big 12, the Mountaineers are now 4-2 against the Bearcats and have won the last three contests.

“When you win a game like that, you feel really fortunate,” West Virginia coach Ross Hodge said. “A lot of things had to go right in the last four-minute stretch. They had a belief that they could still win the game, not necessarily knowing how we were going to win it, but just our belief that we could still win it.”

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UC’s Wes Miller: Us against world

Miller made the comment on his post-game radio show with Dan Hoard and Terry Nelson. When asked in the post-game media conference, he clarified.

“I think our locker room has to have that mentality,” Miller said. “The noise is loud and people are going to doubt and everybody’s going to be against us. If we’d have won the last two games it wouldn’t be that way. Sometimes you have to recognize that’s fickle. We have to just make sure we stay tight and resilient as a team and we will. We’re right there very night against really good teams. We’ve just got to keep pounding the rock. It’ll crack.”

Top scorer Jalen Celestine, UC’s second-oldest next to Kerr Kriisa, agreed.

“We’re only two games in the Big 12,” Celestine said. “We’ve got a lot of basketball left.”

Tyler McKinley, Kerr Kriisa injury updates

Kerr Kriisa was greeting West Virginia friends in sweats before the game and did not play. He was officially listed “out” on the Big 12 game day injury report. Kriisa was recruited by Bob Huggins and played for the Mountaineers in 2023-24, including three games against UC.

As for Kriisa’s next availability, Miller said it was “day to day”.

Tyler McKinley practiced in Morgantown on Monday and was available for Tuesday’s game. Still, Halvine Dzellat was the first post player off the bench.

“I thought he looked good tonight,” Miller said. “I thought that was the best he’s looked. Yesterday (Jan. 5) was the first time he’s practiced since the day before the Georgia game (Dec. 13). It feels like ages ago. He looked good and felt good.”

McKinley finally came in at 8:57 of the first half and 47 seconds scored his first points since the Xavier game. Before halftime, he made a putback that cut the West Virginia lead to three points at the break. He finished with six points, making all three of his shots in just under nine minutes on the court.

West Virginia’s Brenen Lorient, a 6-foot-9 forward, didn’t play vs. No. 3 Iowa State, but returned against the Bearcats.

Cincinnati Bearcats dig early hole

Treysen Eaglestaff had the first five points of the game for West Virginia. UC got it to 10-6 less than five minutes in on a turnaround jumper by Thiam, then they would score for nearly four and a half minutes. West Virginia’s biggest lead was 19-6.

Within six minutes, UC was able to whittle it down to 25-24, as the crowd let out a handful of boos. McKinley’s putback before half cut the deficit to three at 31-28.

The Bearcats came back to lead early in the half, and again late in the game with an 11-0 run that flipped the script from 52-46 WVU to 55-52 UC with a timeout at 3:49. The lead would go to 57-52 before the Bearcats went cold once again.

Honor Huff hoists

The 5-foot-10 transfer from Chattanooga was hot early in the half, making his first five shots before finishing the stanza 5-for-9 with 16 points. The Bearcats were more effective with him in the second half. But late, Huff delivered with his final 3-pointer and a pair of clutch free throws. He was 6-for-10 from the arc, but was most impressed with his eight rebounds among UC’s towers.

“That’s good for me, eight rebounds,” Huff said. “I’m going to have to help no matter what my size is. I put emphasis on putting myself in the right positions to grab rebounds.”

Baba Miller, 13 inches taller than Huff at minimum, led UC with seven rebounds. West Virginia beat the Bearcats on the boards 37-33.

10 Bearcats played before halftime

Down 13 with some of the starters cold, Wes Miller played 10 guys in the first half, including McKinley’s first minutes since the Georgia game.

“Kerr’s injury has been difficult,” Miller said. “We were starting to find real rhythm with older players. Kerr goes down and that’s difficult, but we have some young guys that are ready to contribute.”

Miller mentioned Keyshuan Tillery, who played almost nine minutes and hit a big 3-pointer and Shon Abaev (four points in less than 12 minutes), making key plays in the second half.

“He’s been waiting to break out,” Miller said. “It’s coming.”

Cincinnati Bearcats injuries have been critical

“It’s been something like I’ve never experienced, because it’s been so inconsistent,” Miller said. “Jalen Celestine with the back, we’re getting him where he can practice. T-Mac (McKinley) has been up and down. Kerr now, Jalen Haynes (transfer big man still out). It’s felt like one thing after another. It’s been hard to figure out and Jizzle wasn’t with us. There’s been quite a lot to deal with in terms of roster consistency. It hasn’t been the easiest month, but good things are ahead for us.”

Cincinnati Bearcats Big 12 schedule

The Bearcats are back on the road in Orlando, where Moustapha Thiam returns to face his old UCF team on Sunday at 5 p.m. on ESPN2. The Knights played in Stillwater against Oklahoma State Tuesday night, Jan. 6. The Bearcats return to Fifth Third Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 14 vs. Colorado at 7 p.m.

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