UVA Names Acting President

The University of Virginia announced that the school’s chief operating officer, Jennifer “J.J.” Wagner Davis, will serve as acting president once current president Jim Ryan leaves the post.

Ryan, who is resigning under pressure from critics, is expected to step aside by Aug. 15.

UVA’s outgoing and incoming rectors sent a joint letter to the community praising Ryan for his accomplishments and explaining how the next president will be selected.

“The search process will include input from a full range of stakeholders, including faculty, students, staff, and alumni,” they wrote. “This process will commence shortly, and we will continue to keep the community informed.”

Speed Cameras Deployed in I-64 Work Zones

The New Kent County Sheriff’s Office began using vehicle-based LiDAR speed enforcement cameras this week in work zones on I-64.

A 30-day warning period runs until Aug. 1 to give drivers time to adjust. After August 1, speeders face a $100 fine but no points off their license.

The cameras will flag vehicles going more than 11 mph over the posted speed limit.

County officials approved the system in response to an increasing number of accidents in construction zones.

New State Laws Take Effect

If you are not wearing a seatbelt in the back seat of a car, you’re already in violation of one of the new state laws that went into effect on Tuesday. 

Other new laws aim to provide better maternity care by allowing Medicaid to cover up to 10 doula visits during pregnancy and expanding postpartum patient rights.

Additional laws restrict student cell phone use in school and ensure that children who are successful content creators are compensated.

The expansion of the state’s seatbelt laws follows a state study that found one-third of 2024’s crash deaths involved passengers who were not buckled up.

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➤ Statewide: U.S. Census Bureau data show the number of Virginia residents 65 and older increased 13.7% since 2020, and the population younger than 18 dropped by 1.5%. (Details)

➤ Henrico County: Officials with the county and the city of Richmond met to discuss ways to ensure access to clean drinking water. (Five Takeaways)

➤ Lorton: Officials unveiled a plan to turn 37 acres of a landfill into a power generator by covering the site with Fairfax County’s largest solar array. (Details)

➤ Stafford County: A 35-year-old man allegedly threatened another person with a BB gun during a road rage incident last week. Sheriff’s deputies found the suspect’s vehicle, conducted a high-risk stop, and found a BB gun in the vehicle. (More)

➤ Statewide: AAA estimates that 2.1 million Virginians are expected to travel over the upcoming holiday weekend, with today listed as the most likely “getaway day.” (Details)

➤ Blacksburg: Scientists at Virginia Tech developed a test that uses ants to determine whether the invasive spotted lanternfly has moved into an area, making it easier to fight the pest. (More)

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➤ UVA men’s basketball plans to play a non-conference game against Ohio State at a neutral court on Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. (Details)

➤ NHL free agency is underway. Click the following link to see what signings the Capitals made after a busy week of drafting and trading. (More)

➤ Liberty men’s basketball coach Ritchie McKay was co-winner of the Virginia Sports Information Directors Coach of the Year award. The Flames won 28 games and the Conference USA championship. (Details)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Wimbledon

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➤ Virginia has 394,000 acres of roadless forest land, the most in the southeast. A planned change to federal policy may soon open some of that land to development. (Details)

➤ The Federal Aviation Administration will provide more than $5 million to fund infrastructure upgrades at seven airports in Virginia. (More)

➤ Hale’s Restaurant in Shawsville closed after serving meals for more than 57 years. The owners gave no reason for the closure. (Details)

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➤ Virginia State Police wants you … to vote that its troopers drive the best-looking cruisers in the nation. The winning vehicle will be featured in the annual calendar of the American Association of State Troopers. (Details)

➤ The state Department of Wildlife Resources said officers will carry out operation Dry Water this summer as part of a crackdown on boating while intoxicated. (More)

➤ The Diocese of Arlington ordained the largest group of priests in years: 12 men ready to serve its growing population. (Details)

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Should the federal government open more national forest land in Virginia for development?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure

Tuesday’s Results:

Will you set off fireworks this Independence Day? 

1. I’ll leave it to the pros: 39%
2. No, and stay off my lawn: 33%
3. Yes!: 28%

What delegate to the Continental Congress submitted the July 2 resolution declaring independence from the British?

Show me the answer