CHESAPEAKE — “We win Virginia, the race is over,” former president Donald Trump told a crowd of more than a thousand at Historic Greenbrier Farms in Chesapeake on Friday.

Former President Donald Trump speaks to a crowd over 1,000 people at a June 28 rally in Chesapeake, Virginia. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)

He and opponent President Joe Biden each held rallies following their debate the night before. Biden held one in Raleigh, North Carolina earlier in the day.

In a roughly hour and a half-long speech, Trump took several victory laps for not entering America into new wars and pressing Congress to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 during his first term.

Trump made several factually inaccurate statements during his remarks. One example was his false claim that in 2020, protesters in Portland, Seattle and Minneapolis were “ripping people apart and killing people” during demonstrations that roiled the nation after a Black man, George Floyd, was killed by a white police officer.

With border security still a key issue for Trump in this election, he alleged without proof that other countries are releasing droves of people from prisons and mental institutions to come into America.

Before the former president took the stage, the gathering had a county fair vibe, but Trump-themed. Attendees milled about, perused Trump merchandise, and visited food trucks in a large field on Historic Greenbrier Farms.

Chesapeake resident Renee Cobb said she’s not been particularly pleased by either presidential candidate and that this presidential election feels like picking between the “lesser of two-evils.”

Policy-wise, she gravitates Republican, so attending the rally was a way for her to hear directly from Trump more about his plans should he be elected.

“He really skirted a lot of questions that I would have been interested in,” Cobb said of the debate the night prior.

Cobb described the debate as a “s— show” for both candidates, though she thinks it went worse for Biden. The president, age 81, spoke in a voice that was often soft and raspy, stumbled over his words at points, and appeared to lose his train of thought a few times. A June Gallup poll found the American voters surveyed “are nearly twice as likely to say Biden is too old to be president (67%) as say this about Trump (37%).”

“My biggest thing from the debate last night was that the Democrats are even saying Biden isn’t fit,” Cobb said.

Trump played into those impressions throughout his speech Friday, taking jabs at Biden and often calling him “Crooked Biden” and “Sleepy Biden.”

Meanwhile, Rich Vanderford’s vote for Trump has never been in question. The North Carolina resident drove to Chesapeake on Friday to attend the Trump rally.

He said that he’s been frustrated with the rising cost of living and inflation in recent years and hopes that Trump will be able to help alleviate that. He also supports Trump’s plans for tighter U.S.-Mexico border security and the former president’s more assertive stance when engaging with foreign governments.

“I feel like World War III is right around the corner,” he said of international conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions between Israel and Hamas, which governs Gaza in the West Bank.

Trump mentioned that he’s the only “competent” candidate that can prevent that, saying he wants America to have defense systems similar to Israel’s dome.

Former President Donald Trump shakes hands with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin at a rally in Chesapeake, June 28, 2024. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)

Speakers at the event included Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, GOP U.S. Senate nominee Hung Cao, former Republican governors Bob McDonnell and George Allen and U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, who represents the second congressional district.

Youngkin, who endorsed Trump in March, said “Joe Biden’s path to retirement runs through Hampton Roads.”

Kiggans’ race against Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal could likely be close by November, as the Virginia Beach-anchored district often oscillates between partisan control.

“What we saw last night was elder abuse,” Kiggans said Friday afternoon of Biden’s performance in the presidential debate.

Smasal’s campaign is buffeted by investments from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and potential next Speaker of the House, Hakeem Jeffries, has endorsed her.

The Democratic Party of Virginia organized a nearby gathering earlier in the day that was supposed to support Smasal’s campaign, but she pulled out at the last minute. The event, featuring military veterans and DPVA chair Susan Swecker, put Trump on blast for past comments referring to military members killed in action as “suckers” and “losers.”

Representatives from Smasal’s campaign, DPVA and DCCC did not provide comment by the time of this publication as to why Smasal — a Navy veteran — did not attend.

by Charlotte Rene Woods, Virginia Mercury

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and X.

The Virginia House of Delegates voted 92-0 Friday to reverse recent cost-cutting measures aimed at a state program that helps the families of killed or wounded soldiers go to college without paying tuition.

In a quick and drama-free morning at the Capitol, the House easily passed a repeal bill nearly every Democratic and Republican member had co-sponsored, drawing sustained applause from military families who had filled the House gallery to support its passage.

The outrage many of those families have expressed over what they saw as an underhanded effort to strip benefits for military service is what drew delegates back to Richmond for a rare late June workday.

“It’s often been said if you find yourself in a hole you don’t want to be in, stop digging,” Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights, said prior to the vote. “Today, I’m glad that we stopped digging.”

The legislation, which now faces an unclear fate in the Virginia Senate, would fully restore the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education program to its former state, before policymakers adopted narrower eligibility criteria for the program in May.

House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said that as a veteran himself taking care of veterans is his “highest priority.” But he added he couldn’t predict how the Senate would react to the unanimous, bipartisan action by the House.

“Far be it from little old Don to ever presume what the Senate might do,” Scott said, adding that he’ll leave it to Senate Finance and Appropriations Chair Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, to “work her magic.”

Last week, Lucas refused to docket a bill identical to what the House passed Friday. The Senate will reconvene Monday, and can either take up the bill the House approved or continue pursuing alternative proposals it has put forth that stop short of fully reversing the actions taken earlier this year.

Virginia Senate returns to Richmond but fails to pass any bills

In a show of numbers in favor of repealing the changes, nearly all 100 delegates and 20 senators signed on as patrons for the bill the House approved Friday.

The budget is set to take effect Monday with the start of a new fiscal year, but the Democratic-led General Assembly and Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin haven’t agreed on the best way to respond to an outcry from military families and veteran groups angered by policymakers doing little to seek public feedback on a significant policy decision impacting veterans.

In a statement FridayThursday, Youngkin thanked the House for its vote and called for the Senate to support the bill fully reversing the VMSDEP changes.

“We must ensure that any potential changes to the program occur transparently in a regular legislative session with input from our valued veterans and their families,” the governor said.

The recent changes to the VMSDEP program — inspired by growing concerns in the higher education world that colleges and universities were being asked to enroll a rising number of students for free — impose a stricter Virginia residency requirement, prevent the waivers from being used for advanced degrees or a second undergraduate degree and require participants to first pursue other forms of financial aid before using the program.

The changes weren’t made through regular legislation subject to committee hearings, public feedback and a recorded vote by lawmakers on the VMSDEP issue alone. Instead, the changes were tucked into a nearly 700-page budget, a process advocates for veterans have blasted as lacking both transparency and input from the families directly impacted.

Democratic leaders in the Senate have been less eager to fully reverse the VMSDEP changes, arguing the costs of the program have ballooned so rapidly they’ve become too large to ignore or push off to a later date. Data presented at legislative hearings showed the financial impact of the program on universities had swelled from about $12 million in 2019 to more than $65 million in 2023.

That growth came as more and more participants signed up for the benefit, partly due to the state ramping up efforts to market the VMSDEP program to military families who were eligible for it under the prior rules.

The Senate convened last week to take up the VMSDEP issue, but produced nothing to show for it after failing to take up any legislation. Senate leaders released a new proposal Thursday evening that would not fully reverse the changes but would instead delay them for a year and provide $45 million in funding to cover the cost to higher education institutions.

The Senate also called for legislative researchers to study the program and provide more comprehensive data on how it’s used.

“The House and Governor should accept this proposal, as it is the only solution that funds the cost of the program and provides an independent review of the data to help with additional program recommendations,” Lucas said in a news release.

Speaking to reporters after Friday’s vote, Scott, the House speaker, indicated more conversations may need to happen between the House and the Senate. He also said it’s possible the House will have to return at a later date if the Senate chooses to only pass the proposal it unveiled Thursday.

“If they vote on it and it comes to the House, we’ll give it due consideration at that time,” Scott said.

by Graham Moomaw, Virginia Mercury

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and X.

Early on June 9, 2024, at about 2:06 a.m., a routine traffic stop in Warren County arrested 29-year-old Xavier Davonne Roy of Front Royal. The stop was conducted by Lieutenant S.M. Collins of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office on Virginia Avenue.

Lieutenant Collins noticed something suspicious during the traffic stop and called for backup. K9 Master Deputy Gregory and his canine partner, K9 Roman, were dispatched to the scene. K9 Roman quickly detected something inside the vehicle, leading officers to thoroughly search.

The search revealed a small bag containing a white rock-like substance, a zippered pouch with a more significant amount of a white powdery substance, and a single blue pill. These items are suspected to be illegal narcotics and have been sent to a lab for detailed analysis.

In addition to the suspected drugs, officers found a Ruger handgun loaded with a magazine and a set of digital scales with white powder residue. This combination of items suggested not only drug possession but also intent to distribute.

XAVIER ROY

As a result of the findings, Xavier Davonne Roy was arrested on several serious charges. These include:

• Felony possession of a controlled substance, schedule I or II, with intent to distribute (18.2-248)
• Felony possession of a controlled substance, schedule I or II, while in possession of a firearm (18.2-308.4)
• Felony possession of a controlled substance, schedule I or II (18.2-250)
• Misdemeanor possession of controlled paraphernalia (54.1-3466)

These charges reflect the gravity of the situation and the ongoing efforts of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to combat drug-related activities in the community.

The use of K9 units like Roman is crucial in such investigations. Dogs trained to detect narcotics often find substances that human officers might overlook. This case highlights the importance of these specialized units in ensuring community safety.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to identify the substances found and gather more evidence. The results from the lab tests will play a critical role in the prosecution of the case.

This arrest underscores the commitment of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to maintaining law and order. By taking dangerous substances and firearms off the streets, they aim to create a safer environment for all residents.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump pitched to undecided voters Thursday night during the first debate of the presidential campaign — trading insults over their policy differences, immigration and who represents a threat to democracy.

During the debate from CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta, the two men argued over who can do better for Americans during the next four years on a broad swath of issues, ranging from the economy to climate change to foreign policy. Each repeatedly accused the other of lying.

Biden early in the debate spoke softly at several points, coughed and gave several somewhat confusing answers. At one point, Biden appeared to lose his train of thought and ended an answer with the statement that “we finally beat Medicare.”

The two disagreed sharply over access to reproductive rights, including abortion, with Trump arguing Democrats’ position is “radical” and Biden saying that leaving decisions up to the states has been “terrible” for women.

Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, did not shake hands at the beginning, a break from past debates.

Near the end of the debate, Trump said political violence was “totally unacceptable,” though he went on to downplay the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, defending the conduct of his mob of supporters.

Trump initially did not directly answer a question about whether he would accept the results of the election if he lost. When pressed by moderator Dana Bash, Trump conditioned his answer.

Jabs over personal conduct

Even with rules meant to minimize crosstalk, the debate — moderated by Bash, anchor and chief political correspondent, and Jake Tapper, anchor and chief Washington correspondent — saw many moments of acrimony.

While Trump had harsh words about Biden’s border policy and Biden blasted his predecessor for appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, they saved their harshest criticism for the other’s personal conduct.

Referring to reports that, as president, Trump said veterans killed in action in France during World War II were “suckers and losers,” Biden, invoked his son, Beau, who was a National Guard veteran and later died of brain cancer.

“My son was not a loser and was not a sucker,” Biden told his predecessor, scowling. “You’re the sucker. You’re the loser.”

Trump denied he ever made the remark, first reported in The Atlantic and confirmed in other reports.

Biden at several times attacked Trump’s credibility and truthfulness, saying after one answer, “Every single thing he said is a lie.”

“I never heard so much malarkey in my whole life,” he said in response to another of Trump’s answers.

Trump brought up the conviction of Biden’s son, Hunter, on federal gun charges this year. And he said that Joe Biden could face prosecution for his performance on border security.

Trump and his legal team argued in front of the Supreme Court in April that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution.

Trump’s conviction

Thursday’s event was the first presidential debate where one participant was a convicted felon.

A New York state jury in May found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels for an affair she testified they had that Trump didn’t want to harm his 2016 election prospects.

Trump has denied the affair and it hasn’t affected his support within the GOP, though his sentencing July 11 could affect his campaign strategy.

Trump rejected his criminal conviction during the debate and reiterated his stance that he didn’t have a sexual relationship with an adult film star.

“I didn’t have sex with a porn star,” Trump said, marking the first time such words, or anything near them, have been uttered during a presidential debate.

“I did nothing wrong, we have a system that was rigged and disgusting,” Trump said. “I did nothing wrong.”

Trump also responded to the question by referring to Hunter Biden.

“When he talks about a convicted felon, his son is a convicted felon,” Trump said.

Jan. 6 disagreement

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release a ruling within days in another trial involving Trump, this time on whether presidents enjoy complete immunity from criminal prosecution for their actions while in office.

The justices’ decision will determine whether a federal trial against Trump for election interference stemming from his actions on Jan. 6, 2021 can proceed.

During the debate, Trump said that “on January 6 we were respected all over the world,” but that changed after Biden took office.

Trump seemed to imply that the people who stormed the Capitol building were “innocent” and “patriotic,” saying that “you ought to be ashamed of yourself” for those people being in prison.

Biden said that Trump encouraged the “folks” who attacked the U.S. Capitol building and U.S. Capitol Police officers.

“If they’re convicted, he says he wants to commute their sentences,” Biden said, criticizing Trump’s behavior that day. “These people should be in jail. They should be the ones held accountable.”

Biden rejected the idea that the people who attacked the police and disrupted the electoral certification were patriots.

Divide on abortion rights

Reproductive rights — including access to abortion — sharply divided Biden and Trump, who sparred over which political party’s stance is better.

Trump said that he agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision earlier this month to leave access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, in place. And he said he wouldn’t seek to limit access if elected president in November.

“I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it,” Trump said, adding that the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion was a good thing.

“We brought it back to the states and the country is now coming together on this issue,” Trump said. “It’s been a great thing.”

Trump said he supports exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the woman.

Biden rejected Trump’s classification that Democrats are “radical” on abortion policy and said he supports reinstating the protections that existed under Roe v. Wade.

“It’s been a terrible thing,” Biden said of leaving decisions about abortion access up to state lawmakers, comparing it to leaving civil rights decisions up to the states.

Trump said during an interview with Time magazine released in April that his campaign was on the brink of releasing a policy regarding mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion. The campaign has yet to release that policy.

Trump suggested that he would be okay with states limiting or barring access to contraception during a May interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station. But he quickly walked back those comments in a social media post.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative-leaning think tank, has suggested that another Trump administration could block the mailing of mifepristone by enforcing the Comstock Act.

The group included the proposal along with dozens of others in Project 2025, its 920-page blueprint for a second Trump administration.

The 1873 anti-obscenity law hasn’t been enforced in decades and is referred to as a “zombie law” by reproductive rights organizations, but it is still technically a law.

A future Republican attorney general seeking to enforce the law to block the mailing of mifepristone would likely see the law challenged in court, likely working its way up to the Supreme Court.

Mifepristone is one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions, which are approved for up to 10 weeks gestation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The two-drug regimen accounts for about 63% of all abortions within the United States, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

First of two debates

The two presidential debates this year are a departure from past years, with both candidates ditching the proposed schedule from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.

Biden and Trump later agreed to two debates, the one held Thursday by CNN and another one on Sept. 10 that will be hosted by ABC News.

CNN opted to hold its debate at its studios in Atlanta, Georgia, without an audience. Thursday night’s debate was also earlier than any other presidential debates, which have traditionally begun in September or October.

The television news network created frustration ahead of the debate with the White House Correspondents Association when it decided to keep the pool, the group of journalists that travel everywhere with the president, out of the room.

Kelly O’Donnell, president of the WHCA, released a statement Thursday afternoon that the organization was “deeply concerned that CNN has rejected our repeated requests to include the White House travel pool inside the studio”

“The pool is there for the ‘what ifs?’ in a world where the unexpected does happen,” wrote O’Donnell, who is also the senior White House correspondent for NBC News. “A pool reporter is present to provide context and insight by direct observation and not through the lens of the television production.”

CNN’s rules also said that neither Biden nor Trump was allowed to bring props or pre-written notes into the debate area.

Each stood behind “a uniform podium” and was not allowed to interact with campaign staff during the two commercial breaks.

Biden was scheduled to travel with first lady Jill Biden to Raleigh, North Carolina, immediately after the debate wrapped. They’re set to participate in campaign events on Friday morning before traveling to New York later in the day.

The Bidens are then expected to travel to Red Bank, New Jersey, on Saturday for more campaigning before heading back to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.

Trump will attend a campaign rally Friday afternoon in Chesapeake, Virginia. In a release announcing the event, Trump criticized Biden on inflation, crime and drug addiction, and immigration.

This is a developing story that will be updated.

by Jennifer Shutt, Virginia Mercury

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and X.

In this last segment of the Warren County School Board meeting of June 26, 2024, the board discussed several key 2024-2025 school year issues, including approving salary scales, insurance rates, and the substitute plan. The board also addressed concerns raised by board members regarding these agenda items.

Salary Scales Approval

The board reviewed and discussed the proposed salary scales for the 2024-2025 school year, which reflect the increases previously approved for teachers, instructional assistants, and the rest of the staff.

Board member Melanie Salins raised concerns about the trade worker category, noting that it lists increased pay for degrees, but not all trades require a bachelor’s degree. Salins suggested changing the phrasing to reflect certification requirements relevant to those trades.

Dr. Ballenger agreed with that suggestion, acknowledging that trade certification requirements should be more clearly defined. He mentioned that the board had discussed this in cabinet meetings and planned to work with Mr. Helmick to establish these certification requirements for the next year.

A motion was made to approve the 2024-2025 salary scales. The motion was seconded, and the board voted favorably, with all members approving.

Insurance Rates Approval

The board considered three options for the insurance rates for the 2024-2025 plan year. Dr. Ballenger recommended option three, which involves a 7.9% increase in employee premiums.

Board member Salins expressed frustration with the timing and legibility of the uploaded documents, noting that teachers had called her to express their concerns about being unable to review the information.

A motion was made to approve option three for the insurance rate proposals. The motion was seconded, and the board voted favorably, with all members approving, except Salins, who abstained.

Substitute Plan Approval

Board Chair Kristen Pence emphasized the importance of addressing underlying issues with staff absences and exploring ways to reduce the reliance on substitutes.

The board discussed the substitute plan for the 2024-2025 school year, which involved renewing the contract with ESS, the current substitute management company. Several board members expressed concerns about the performance and costs associated with ESS.

Board member Tom McFadden highlighted the need to include specific metrics and an on-site presence in the contract. Board Chair Kristen Pence emphasized the importance of addressing underlying issues with staff absences and exploring ways to reduce the reliance on substitutes.

Dr. Ballenger and Mr. Jody Lee, Director of Personnel, agreed that the contract should be revised to include:

• Specific performance metrics.
• A clause for an on-site ESS representative.
• Clear guidelines on how substitutes are hired and managed to ensure accountability and efficiency.

The board decided to postpone the approval of the ESS contract until revisions can be made. The revised agreement will be presented at the next meeting for final approval.

The board moved to enter a closed meeting to discuss personnel matters, including the personnel report, the superintendent’s evaluation, and an employee grievance. The board seconded and approved the motion to enter a closed meeting.

Watch the Warren County School Board Meeting of June 26, 2024, in the exclusive Royal Examiner video by Mark Williams.

(Part 4 is covered in the video from 2hr25 to the end.)

The Warren County School Board held an in-depth discussion on the non-labor fiscal year 2023-2024 budget, providing a detailed comparison of appropriations, expenditures, and current balances across various cost centers. This review aimed to identify potential savings and necessary adjustments to balance the budget effectively.

Key Budget Considerations

Non-Labor Budget Overview

The board reviewed the non-labor budget, including all expenses outside salaries and benefits. The report compared the appropriations and expenditures for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2023, with the current fiscal year’s appropriations, expenditures, encumbrances, and pending payments. As of the meeting date, the available balance for non-labor expenses stood at $469,230, though this amount is expected to decrease once all costs are audited and accrued.

Utilities and Pending Payments

Board members noted that utility bills for June had not yet been received, which could significantly impact the final available balance. Other pending payments, such as the food service bill from Sodexo, will also be accrued back to the fiscal year that ended.

Carryover Funds

The board discussed the lack of a formal agreement with the County Board of Supervisors regarding the return of unspent funds for capital improvements. Although past years have seen requests for carryover funds to be used for transportation and equipment, the current financial climate and the county’s need to maintain a balanced budget make such returns uncertain.

Superintendent Dr Chris Ballenger discussed budget adjustments with the school board.

Proposed Budget Adjustments

Insurance Costs

Three options were considered for handling the increase in insurance costs:

1. The division covers the entire increase.
2. The cost is split between the division and employees.
3. Employees cover a 7.9% increase in premiums, with the division covering the remainder.

Dr. Ballenger recommended the third option to minimize employees’ financial burden while addressing the increased costs.

Staff Positions

Several staff positions were recommended for hold or removal to help balance the budget:

• An agriculture teacher position.
• An additional kindergarten teacher due to lower enrollment numbers.
• An additional reading specialist position.
• A dean position at Skyline High School.
• A fourth-grade teacher position at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School.
• Three special education teacher positions, with plans to repurpose these roles for registered behavior technicians (RBTs) and a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA).

Non-Labor Budget Cuts

To address the budget shortfall, the following non-labor budget cuts were proposed:

• A $100,000 reduction in the overall non-labor budget.
• Specific cuts to the substitute budget ($148,000) and technology budget ($20,000).
• Limiting the increase in the substitute budget to $300,000, focusing on efficient use and monitoring of leave.

Board Discussion and Concerns

Board members expressed concerns about the impact of budget cuts on classroom resources and educational quality. They highlighted the need for careful monitoring of spending, especially in areas like substitute teaching costs. The high markup from the external substitute management company (ESS) was a particular point of contention, with suggestions to explore ways to reduce reliance on such services and keep more funds within the community.

The board acknowledged the difficult decisions required to balance the budget and emphasized the importance of proactive planning for the next fiscal year. They agreed to focus on efficiency and cost-saving measures that do not adversely affect students’ educational experiences.

The proposed fiscal year 2025 school operating budget was approved, amounting to $76,193,989, with a capital improvement facilities budget of $1,307,500. Despite some members abstaining due to concerns about the budget process and final allocations, the majority voted in favor of the proposed budget.

Watch the Warren County School Board Meeting of June 26, 2024, in the exclusive Royal Examiner video by Mark Williams.

(Part 3 is covered in the video between 1hr20 to 2hr20.)