Redistricting Special Session Today

The House of Delegates is set to meet at 4 p.m. this afternoon in a special session to discuss potentially redrawing congressional district maps. Six of Virginia’s 11 congressional seats are currently held by Democrats, and redistricting could cost the GOP as many as three seats.

Redistricting at this time would require a constitutional amendment, which would need to be passed twice by the General Assembly with a House vote in between before it could be placed on the ballot for voters to consider.

By scheduling the session ahead of Nov. 4, the House could hold another vote in January and meet that schedule. The move is seen as a response to partisan redistricting measures that could increase the number of Republican representatives from other states.

Virginia Republicans blasted the potential redistricting, with Gov. Glenn Youngkin calling it “a desperate grab for power” and the campaign of Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears labeling it a “desperate political stunt” to pull her off the campaign trail.

Man Killed Fleeing ICE

Jose Castro-Rivera, a 24-year-old Honduran national, was struck and killed by a vehicle on I-264 in Norfolk last week. A Department of Homeland Security official stated that the incident began with a “targeted, intelligence-based immigration enforcement operation” that involved stopping Castro-Rivera’s vehicle.

Virginia State Police investigated and said Castro-Rivera was “fleeing from a pursuit initiated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when he exited his vehicle and attempted to cross the interstate.” Troopers were not involved in the initial stop.

“The death of this illegal alien is a direct result of every politician, activist, and reporter who continue to spread propaganda and misinformation about ICE’s mission,” the agency wrote in a follow-up statement.

The Honduran consulate has agreed to pay for his body to be sent back to Honduras.

Derailed Train Spills Coal

A CSX freight train derailed in New Kent County on Saturday, dumping carloads of coal into a wetland. The incident involved at least 53 railcars and two locomotives. No injuries were reported.

CSX said its employees are “focused on recovering the remaining equipment and product, repairing our infrastructure, and completely restoring the area.“

The cause of the derailment, which forced Amtrak to cancel two scheduled trains, is under investigation.

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➤ Richmond: An advocacy organization testified before Virginia’s new nursing home advisory board that nearly half of the Commonwealth’s 141 facilities are on an abuse watch list due to staffing levels, quality ratings, or inspection results. (Details)

➤ Virginia Beach: Six Democrats have entered a primary to run against Republican incumbent Rep. Jen Kiggans next year in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. (More)

➤ Statewide: Proposed changes to Virginia’s Standards of Learning benchmarks would force students to achieve higher test scores, which could drive down the pass rate. (Details)

➤ Fairfax County police charged a teenager with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and shooting from a vehicle after a young boy was shot to death last week. (More)

➤ Campbell County: Officers are seeking a motorcyclist who eluded them after a pursuit on Route 29 on Saturday. The suspect was last seen wearing a black hoodie and riding a black and red sports bike. (More)

➤ Charlottesville: University of Virginia Athletics said it received a multi-million-dollar gift from a “friend of the program” to support Virginia football. It’s the fourth large donation of the year, more than doubling the amount raised between 2016 and 2024. (Details)

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➤ UVA football moved to No. 15 in both the AP and coaches polls after its thrilling OT win on the road at North Carolina. The Cavs are 7-1 on the year. (Rankings)

➤ Virginia Wesleyan women’s soccer improved to 7-1-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference with a 1-0 win over Roanoke College. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech women’s volleyball visited Florida State yesterday. (Details)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | Soccer | PGA | LPGA | Tennis | F1 | NASCAR

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➤ XCAL Shooting Sports and Fitness in Loudoun County has an unusual business model. It offers yoga and shooting under one roof. (Details)

➤ Appalachian Power said it will slash electricity costs for its Virginia customers. Residential rates are scheduled to start dropping beginning next month. (More)

➤ A Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce survey said 44% of business leaders in the region are seeing their company decline due to the federal government shutdown. Almost half expect to see a decline in the next six months. (Details)

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➤ Developers unveiled plans to transform the former First National Exchange Bank building in Roanoke into a destination, including a hotel, a concert venue, and a restaurant. (Details)

➤ The Virginia General Assembly launched an updated website ahead of its meeting scheduled for today. The goal is to provide better public access to the state government. (More)

➤ The Virginia Institute of Marine Science completed a survey of striped bass spawning in the Chesapeake Bay and reported that recruitment is less than the historical average in the Commonwealth’s waters. (Details)

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➤ Scientists at Weinberg College made a groundbreaking discovery about how memory truly works—revealing a simple mental training program that can help reverse even severe memory loss. No drugs, no supplements—just a few 3-minute techniques. Watch the video now before Big Pharma pulls it offline.

Have you ever done yoga?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Daily!
4. Never!

Friday’s Results:

What’s your favorite soda? 

1. Coke: 22%
2. Dr Pepper: 21%
3. Other: 20%
4. Pepsi: 19%
5. Mountain Dew: 18% 

What royal personage was Prince George County named for?

Show me the answer