New Jay Jones Allegations

Republican Del. Carrie Coyner—who shared disturbing text messages she received from Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones in 2022—said that during a 2020 conversation, Jones suggested to her that it might be beneficial if some police officers were shot.

Coyner said she was defending the concept of qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that protects officers from civil suits if they are acting in the line of duty. “Well, maybe if a few of them died, that they would move on, not shooting people, not killing people,” Coyner said Jones told her.

Jones denied making the statement. “I have never believed and do not believe that any harm should come to law enforcement, period,” Jones said.

During his two terms in the House of Delegates, Jones sponsored legislation that would have ended qualified immunity for police. Both current gubernatorial candidates have vowed to keep qualified immunity.

Men’s College Basketball Preview

NCAA basketball season begins next month. In the Commonwealth, hope arises in the fall.

The University of Virginia, led by new Coach Ryan Odom, earned a No. 20 ranking in the Sports Illustrated preseason college basketball poll. The team will be led by a revamped frontcourt including international recruits.

Virginia Tech is rebuilding after last year’s 13-19 finish. The Hokies added Izaiah Pasha, Jailen Bedford, and Amani Hansberry through the transfer portal, but they’re picked to finish in the bottom half of the ACC.

After winning the Atlantic 10, VCU must rebuild a new roster with a new coach. They’re still predicted to repeat as champions. Last year’s runner-up, George Mason, is picked to finish sixth in the conference.

In the Sun Belt Conference, James Madison hopes to build off a 13-5 season last year, which earned the Dukes a share of the regular season title. Old Dominion will look to improve on last year’s 8-10 conference record.

Otters Born in Norfolk

The Virginia Zoo celebrated the birth of triplets—three Asian small-clawed otter pups. The animals are considered a “vulnerable” species.

Their parents—Mom Elbe and Dad Jilin—moved to the zoo in Norfolk last year as part of a breeding program aimed at boosting the species.

“Parents and pups are all doing great, and the pups are growing like weeds,” the zoo announced. “A little more every day, hitting all the important milestones we should expect.”

The babies were born on August 25, and they are expected to remain indoors, away from public display, until at least the end of the year.

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➤ Newport News: The latest Christopher Newport University statewide poll shows Democrat Abigail Spanberger maintaining a double-digit lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the race for governor, 52% to 42%. The survey was completed on Oct. 1, before disturbing text messages sent by attorney general candidate Jay Jones were made public. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Virginia’s Maternal Mortality Review Team has enough resources to operate until next August, but it may have to shut down then unless federal lawmakers provide more funding. (More)

➤ Blacksburg: A federal executive order may make it more difficult for Virginia Tech to bring in researchers. The university stated that approximately 300 of its 3,800 teaching and research faculty members are currently on H-1B visas, which now require a $100,000 application fee. (Details)

➤ Statewide: The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the EPA, promising to work together to promote practices that benefit the environment across the Commonwealth. (More)

➤ Roanoke: Virginia soybean farmers could lose up to $1 billion in sales to China this year because of an ongoing tariff battle. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Sentara Health Plans will stop offering certain Medicare Advantage plans in Virginia and two other states at the end of the year. Consumers will have the opportunity to select a different plan during open enrollment next week. (More)

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➤ Virginia Tech added No. 2 wrestling recruit Bo Bassett after he decommitted from Iowa. (Details)

➤ The Washington Wizards NBA team signed former Kentucky forward Skal Labissiere to an Exhibit 10 contract, meaning he’ll have a chance to fight for a spot on the active roster in training camp. The season starts later this month. (More)

➤ Randolph-Macon men’s soccer hosts No. 20 Virginia Wesleyan today. (Stats)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NHL | NBA | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Main Street in Blacksburg is alive with construction. Projects include a gym, apartments, and a restaurant. (Details)

➤ The Manning Institute of Biotechnology at UVA held a “topping off” ceremony to mark the installation of the building’s final steel beam. The facility is scheduled to open in 2027. (More)

➤ Rite Aid, which had as many as 65 locations in Virginia two years ago, announced that “all Rite Aid stores have now closed.” (Details)

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➤ The Virginia Department of Historic Resources celebrates Archaeology Month each October. (Events)

➤ Virginia farmers are deploying precision agriculture techniques to reduce fertilizer runoff and improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. (Details)

➤ The Smithsonian warned the White House that to move the Space Shuttle Discovery, it might have to be taken apart. “Discovery is the most intact shuttle orbiter of the NASA program, and we remain concerned that disassembling the vehicle will destroy its historical value.” (More)

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What’s the cutest zoo animal born in Virginia in the last year?

1. Poppy the Hippo
2. Otters
3. Cheetahs
4. Other

Tuesday’s Results:

Have you ever run for public office? 

1. No: 39%
2. Yes: 31%
3. Not yet!: 30%

What year was Space Shuttle Discovery installed at Virginia’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center?

Show me the answer