Grading Virginia’s Schools 

The Virginia Department of Education said 84.5% of the state’s schools met full accreditation standards in the latest school year, down slightly from 89% the year before. It’s the lowest accreditation number since 2017.

This is the first year that schools are being evaluated on their performance since the Covid pandemic gave them a three-year grace period.

No school was denied accreditation based on last year’s evaluation, but Gov. Glenn Youngkin said “too many students and schools are not on track for success.”

Virginia plans to introduce a new system next year to categorize schools as being in one of four new categories: “distinguished,” “on track,” “off track” or “needs intensive support.”

Paying for Helene

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators from hard-hit states asked their colleagues to act quickly to “address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents” after Hurricane Helene. Both of Virginia’s senators signed the letter.

Without action, officials warned it could be months before individuals who suffered damage from Hurricane Helene can access disaster relief funding. “The only way that you can get that is to pass legislation,” state Sen. Travis Hackworth said.

Many state residents are being warned to boil water before they drink it, and the Department of Health said everyone should avoid contact with lakes and rivers as they may have been polluted during the storm.

In the aftermath of the storm, the James River at Richmond crested just below 15 feet at Richmond and is dropping to safer levels.

Three Virginia Cities Among Best in South

Virginia is the gateway to the South, so it makes sense that as the region added 1.4 million residents last year, many ended up right here in the commonwealth.

In fact, USA Today reports that Virginia boasts three of the top ten cities in the South: Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Richmond. The first two cities were in the top 5, while the state capital was number 10.

All three Virginia cities were noted for their resiliency, overall mild climate, and affordable homeowners insurance premiums. 

In addition to the cities in the top 10, seven other Virginia localities made the top 100. 

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➤ Richmond: The Virginia Repertory Theater will remain in operation after a successful fundraising campaign brought in some $600,000 in less than two weeks. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: Dominion Energy said its $9.8 billion Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project remained “on time and on budget” as it is being built 27 miles off the coast. (Details)

➤ Statewide: The D.C. Council passed a law allowing the District to bring civil lawsuits against Virginia drivers who rack up fines on D.C. roads. (Details)

➤ Farmville: Four GOP leaders in the 5th Congressional District lost their positions after refusing to sign a loyalty pledge to the party’s House candidate, state Sen. John McGuire. (Details)

➤ Quantico: The FBI will pay $22 million to settle a lawsuit by 34 female recruits who said they were discriminated against during their draining. (More)

➤ Richmond: Virginia has no plans to hand-count ballots this year. State law requires all precincts to use machine-readable ballots. (More)

➤ Undefeated James Madison opens Sun Belt Conference play against the University of Louisiana Monroe on Saturday. (Details)

➤ The Executive Director of Cavs Futures, who oversees recruiting for the University of Virginia, said money isn’t the only factor in attracting student-athletes to the school. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach native Bobby Price is living out his dream as a player for the Washington Commanders. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NHL 

➤ VFP, a maker of pre-manufactured structures, will expand its operations in Duffield and add at least 50 employees. (Details)

➤ LL Flooring (formerly Lumber Liquidators) will remain in business but operate fewer stores after it was sold to its largest shareholder. (Details)

➤ British Airways will add more weekly flights from Dulles Airport to London next year as it also expands its network of domestic destinations. (More)

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➤ An arborist turned a dead oak tree that had stood since Revolutionary times into a tombstone—to itself—at Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery. (Details)

➤ Rep. Jennifer McClellan will name one of her constituents in the Fourth Congressional District as “2024 Veteran of the Year.” Nominations are due by Oct. 24. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach and Richmond are listed among the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 10 most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies. (Top 10)

Can JMU make the college football playoffs this season?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Too soon to tell

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you (or your children) build with LEGOs?

1. Yes: 53%
2. No: 47%

What is the state tree of Virginia?

Show me the answer