Virginia
Virginia’s Pro-Life Landscape: An Analysis
Prolife and pro-abortion laws got here to a mutual draw on this 12 months’s brief legislative session.
Virginia’s Normal Meeting, the Commonwealth’s legislature, adjourned Feb. 25. A reconvened session is deliberate for April 12 to cope with any vetoes by Governor Youngkin and state finances issues.
Prolife and pro-abortion laws got here to a mutual draw on this 12 months’s brief session. (The Normal Meeting sits for an prolonged interval in even-numbered years and a shorter session in odd.) Professional-life payments handed by the Republican Home of Delegates — together with a Born Alive Safety Act — went to die in committee within the Democratic Senate. Professional-abortion payments handed by the Senate — together with a state constitutional modification to ascertain a “elementary proper to reproductive freedom” in Virginia — have been stopped within the Home of Delegates.
The Virginia “Defending Life Day” March, held Feb. 1, prioritized the defeat of the state constitutional modification in addition to the enactment of the Born Alive Safety Act and several other different payments. Born Alive Protections grew to become an issue when former Governor Ralph Northam was requested, in a 2019 radio interview, if he would help laws then being pushed by Fairfax County Democratic Delegate Kathy Tran to repeal all restrictions by beginning on abortion in Virginia. Going past the invoice, Northam appeared to help medical negligence of handicapped newborns, saying “The toddler can be delivered. The toddler can be saved comfy. The toddler can be resuscitated if that’s what the mom and the household desired, after which a dialogue would ensue between the physicians and the mom” as to the kid’s destiny.
When Democrats took management of the Virginia Legislature in 2019, they repealed all pro-life legal guidelines then on the books, branding them “TRAP” (focused restrictions on abortion suppliers) laws. That mentality possible led to Senate defeat of the Born Alive Safety Act this session, in addition to an knowledgeable consent invoice that might have restored the requirement that girls be told of a kid’s gestational improvement on the time of a proposed abortion.
Maybe the least controversial prolife invoice — which nonetheless failed — was laws directing the state to develop a complete web site of abortion options accessible to girls. The invoice, which died in a Senate committee, nearly actually confronted the identical opposition from pro-abortionists confronted by pro-life being pregnant facilities, the objects of nationwide rhetorical assaults and bodily assaults.
Governor Youngkin had requested the state finances be amended in order that Virginia observe the federal Hyde Modification for Medicaid-funded abortions. The Hyde Modification at present funds Medicaid abortions in circumstances of hazard to the mom’s life, rape or incest. Virginia makes use of state cash for a fourth class, which Youngkin requested to remove: paying for abortions if the unborn youngster could be born with disabilities. The Home of Delegates took it out however the Senate put it again in. Anticipate a struggle when the Normal Meeting reconvenes April 12 to cope with government messages and vetoes.
Some would possibly have a look at this 12 months’s legislature as a lot ado and nothing, however that’s not true. Given the partisan break up between the 2 chambers, it was possible that no abortion laws — pro-life or pro-abortion — was going to emerge.
This 12 months’s session was extra about drawing redlines. Virginia elects a brand new legislature Nov. 7, and Democrats will run on “defending girls’s rights” from “extremism.” Their minimal aim will probably be to protect the established order — no prolife laws after its repeal in 2020 — by holding the State Senate. Their superb can be to take again the Home of Delegates.
Recapture of the legislature would do two issues: permit Democrats to ship pro-abortion laws to Youngkin who, although more likely to veto it, would allow them to tar a Governor with doable presidential aspirations as “excessive.” Extra importantly, it will allow them to cross a state constitutional modification enshrining abortion in Virginia and provides them the argument why they need to be re-elected in 2025. (Amendments should cross the legislature twice earlier than going to well-liked referendum.)
Virginia is taken into account a “purple” state — one that would flip both manner in elections — and its off-year elections handled as a bellwether for the following presidential marketing campaign. How abortion would possibly play amongst suburban voters (the DC suburbs and the Richmond-Norfolk hall) might affect Democrats’ nationwide playbook in 2024.
Although the present session of the legislature could have been largely characterised by all sides posturing to its base, the truth that a pro-abortion state constitutional modification failed is enormously vital. Had it handed — which could have been doable if a couple of weak-kneed Republicans within the decrease home (which they management by 2-3 votes) caved — it will have given Democrats the initiative, going into the November elections, to push even tougher for the constitutional change.
Virginia
Virginia hospital halts NICU admissions after babies found with ‘unexplainable fractures’
A hospital in Virginia shut down its neonatal intensive care unit after three pre-term babies were found with “unexplainable fractures” – more than a year after several newborns suffered similar injuries.
Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond paused all admissions to its NICU and initiated an internal investigation after medical officials made the disturbing discovery in late November and December.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are not admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time,” the hospital said in a statement on its website, adding that it informed families, authorities and regulatory agencies of their findings.
“While fractures occasionally happen with pre-term babies since they lack full fetal bone development, we are actively working to determine how these fractures occurred.”
The medical center said the injuries shared similarities to an incident involving four babies last summer, explaining that they are taking immediate steps to enhance safety measures in the hospital wing.
Safety improvements include mandatory training for staff who interact with minors, refined examinations, new security, an observer system, and live-streaming technology allowing parents to view their babies.
Footage from the NICU has also been provided to “proper authorities,” with healthcare professionals reviewing hospital surveillance, the medical center said.
“The process is thorough and time-consuming, but they are making steady progress,” the hospital wrote.
“So far during our review of the videos, no misconduct or accidental actions have been found. The safety of our NICU babies is our highest priority and we are actively working to pursue additional precautions to prevent any future incidents.”
The Virginia Department of Health, along with state police, is also probing the unsettling situation, according to Fox Richmond.
Henrico police said no charges have been filed.
“Henrico County is prepared to utilize all available resources to ensure a thorough investigation,” police said in a statement to the outlet.
“Henrico police are partnering with Child Protective Services within Henrico’s Department of Social Services, Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Health Department, and the Attorney General’s Office to ensure all evidence is examined meticulously.”
Virginia
Obituary for Virginia Kay Gregory at EVARTS FUNERAL HOME
Virginia
West Virginia Pursuing Big-Name Talent in the Transfer Portal • The Voice Of Motown
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — New West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez has been hard at work putting together his staff, attempting to keep players on the current roster, and finding players in the transfer portal.
Since Neal Brown was fired earlier this month, West Virginia has lost 18 players to the transfer portal, including Jaylen Anderson, Ryder Burton, Raleigh Collins, Hudson Clement, TJ Crandall, CJ Donaldson, Will Dixon, Aiden Ellis, Ric’Darious Farmer, Ayden Garnes, Josiah Jackson, Trey Lathan, Sullivan Weidman, Tomas Rimac, Bryce Briggs, Josiah Trotter, Johnny Williams IV and Obinna Onwuka.
Since Rodriguez has taken over, he has brought two players from Jacksonville State – former Martinsburg High School players Jarod Bowie and Jacob Barrick – as well as Tulsa offensive line transfer Walter Young Bear, Jordan Scruggs, a cornerback from South Alabama and Oran Singleton, a wide receiver from Eastern Michigan.
Rodriguez now has his eyes set on several players who are set to Morgantown in the coming weeks. Here’s who West Virginia is currently targeting in the transfer portal:
1. Cam Vaughn: Vaughn tells me that he has already visited West Virginia, but has other visits set up in the coming days. Vaughn, a freshman from Temple, Georgia, 49 receptions for 804 yards and 5 touchdowns last season under Rodriguez at Jacksonville State. Vaughn is a big (6’2) receiver with great speed who would be a perfect big-play receiver for the Mountaineers. (8/10 confidence)
2. Fred Perry: Perry, a 5’11 safety from Vienna, Georgia, is another former Jacksonville State player who has visited West Virginia since Rodriguez became the head coach of the Mountaineers. An All-Conference player last year, Perry finished his junior year with 97 tackles (42 solo), nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. (9/10 confidence)
3. Hauss Hejny: Hejny, a 6’0 freshman quarterback from Aledo, Texas, Hejny had 15 rushes for 65 yards at TCU during his freshman season, but did not throw a pass. Hejny has followed several WVU-related accounts over the last couple of days on social media and clearly has interest, but it remains to be seen if West Virginia has the same level of interest. Since entering the portal last week, Hejny has reportedly been contacted by BYU, James Madison, UCF, Utah, and Utah State. Hejny would be an ideal backup to presumed starting quarterback Nicco Marchiol, but he may want to play immediately. With elite speed and athleticism, Hejny could make his way on the field next season in certain spots while he develops under Marchiol for the next two seasons. West Virginia has its starter, but will need to add depth with freshman Khalil Wilkins not yet ready to step in to lead the program yet. (7/10 confidence)
4. David Pantelis: In four seasons with Yale, David Pantelis has 127 career receptions 1,778 career receiving yards, and 17 career touchdowns. That’s an average of 14 yards per reception. He also averaged 52.3 yards per game. Pantelis was exceptional in 2024, finishing the season with 69 receptions for 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games. (8/10 confidence)
5. Adam Tomczyk: A 6’3 250 pound defensive end, Tomczyk is an under-the-radar player who the coaching staff has identified as a Power 4 talent who can contribute immediately. According to his social media footprint, Tomczyk and West Virginia have major mutual interest right now. (9/10 confidence)
6. Matthew Henry: A 6’1 wide receiver from Miami, Florida, Henry had 63 receptions for 1,179 yards and 6 touchdowns this season at Western Illinois before entering the transfer portal. Henry is an ultra-talented receiver who has a ton of experience. (8/10 confidence)
7. Mo Westmoreland II: A two-time JUCO All-American, 2 time Conference USA first team All-Conference player and Conference USA’s Sack Leader in 2024 with 7.5 sacks, Westmoreland is an experienced, proven player on the defensive line that West Virginia is very high on. (9/10 confidence)
8. Chris Henry, Jr.: The son of former West Virginia wide receiver Chris Henry and the “nephew” of Adam “Pacman” Jones, Henry, Jr. is the #1 rated wide receiver, the #1 player in California and the #6 overall rated player in the nation, and is reportedly being heavily recruited by Rodriguez and the Mountaineers. Although he is currently still “locked in” as a commit at Ohio State, there are multiple programs, including West Virginia, attempting to steal him from the Buckeyes. Henry recently told national recruiting analyst Tom Loy that Oregon, Tennessee, Alabama and West Virginia are all heavily pursuing him, despite his current commitment to Ohio State. On his interest in West Virginia, Henry said, “Rich Rod coached my pops (the late Chris Henry, Sr.) and my uncle (Adam “Pacman” Jones). It’s West Virginia.” (5/10 confidence)
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