SCOTUS Denies Virginia’s Request

The Supreme Court said it will not hear Virginia’s case to block a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the state’s ban on convicted felons being allowed to vote.

The suit was filed by two men who claim that taking away their right to vote violated the Virginia Readmission Act, which allowed the state back into the Union after the Civil War.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares argued that the law could only be enforced by Congress, not the courts.

Under current law, former felons must apply to the governor to have their civil rights restored. A bench trial is scheduled for October.

Train Derails in Augusta County

No injuries were reported after a train derailed in Augusta County on Monday off East Side Highway, about a mile and a half north of Dooms Crossing Road.

At least 17 Norfolk Southern cars jumped the tracks. According to railroad officials, five of them were carrying hydrochloric acid, and ten more were carrying polyethylene.

Hazmat teams were working to clean up the site, and service on the line was expected to return to normal sometime yesterday.

Styrofoam Ban Set To Start

Food vendors with 20 or more locations in Virginia will no longer be allowed to pack their offerings in polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam. The statewide ban takes effect next Tuesday.

The ban was enacted in 2021, but its implementation has been delayed until now by the political process.

This portion of the law also applies to the National School Lunch Program. 

The law will expand to cover smaller businesses starting next July.

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➤ Salem: HCA Health Services of Virginia settled lawsuits with five families whose babies suffered abuse while they were patients at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. Erin Strotman, a former nurse in the NICU, faces criminal charges in connection with the abuse. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Temperatures will be in the 90s in many places again today, which puts a strain on air conditioners and boosts energy costs. Appalachian Power offered tips on how to keep cool without breaking the bank. (More)

➤ Richmond: The Virginia Poison Center warned that taking some common prescription drugs can cause photosensitivity, while other drugs can result in more sensitivity to heat overall. (More)

➤ Fairfax: Democrats will select their nominee to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly at an all-day caucus on Saturday. Republicans will choose their candidate on June 28. (Details)

➤ Eastern Shore: William & Mary’s Center for Conservation Biology warned there are only 18 ospreys in this area, indicating an “early complete collapse” of the species on the Eastern Shore. However, the birds are thriving in the upper tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. (Details)

➤ Sussex County: Virginia State Police said a tractor-trailer hauling hogs for Smithfield Foods overturned, allowing several of the animals to escape. (More)

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➤ Brooklyn Nets star Cam Thomas returned to his hometown of Chesapeake recently to host a free basketball clinic and said he hopes to come back every year. (Details)

➤ Former NFL and UVA football player Chris Harrison was sentenced to almost six years in prison for his role in an embezzlement case involving real estate projects in the Richmond area. (More)

➤ UVA football coach Tony Elliott is entering his fourth year at the helm, and the pressure is on for him to make a bowl game. (Scenarios)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ Newport News-based shipbuilder HII said the Virginia-class submarine Massachusetts is close to delivery now that the boat has hosted its first onboard meal. (Details)

➤ The Commonwealth’s first Buc-ee’s is scheduled to open in Rockingham County with a ribbon-cutting on Monday. It contains 120 fuel pumps, 20 EV chargers, and 74,000 square feet of retail space. (More)

➤ The Virginia Beach Restaurant Association objected to an increase in the city’s meals tax, which will jump from 5.5% to 6% on Tuesday. (Details)

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➤ Virginia Agriculture Week runs through June 28 to highlight the $82 billion that agriculture contributes to the Commonwealth’s economy. (Details)

➤ The “Willardville” estate in the Shenandoah Valley is on the market for $3.8 million. It’s named for its late owner, TV personality Willard Scott. (See Photos)

➤ Animal services agencies across Hampton Roads are caring for 23 dogs that were displaced by a house fire in Virginia Beach last week. (More)

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Should felons have their right to vote restored after serving their sentences?

1. Yes, automatically
2. No, never
3. Only on appeal

Tuesday’s Results:

Have you ever lived in a house without central air conditioning? 

1. Yes: 59%
2. No: 22%
3. I still do!: 19%

What do ospreys eat?

Show me the answer