Palmyra court ruling on Afghan child who couple says Marine abducted and more Va. headlines

The state Capitol. (Ned Oliver/ Virginia Mercury)

• An Afghan couple is accusing a Marine who previously lived in Virginia of abducting a baby girl they’re related to and were raising after her parents were killed. The Marine, a devout Christian and graduate of Liberty University, says he saved a war orphan who was in danger. “The fate of the Afghan child is now being debated in secret proceedings in a locked courtroom in the village of Palmyra, Virginia, home to about 100 people.”—Associated Press

• Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration wants another delay in the process of updating history and social sciences standards for public schools, with a final vote potentially scheduled for February.—VPM

• A state commission decided against moving forward with a plan to consolidate Virginia’s costly juvenile jail system, which is “three-quarters empty.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch

• A plan to create Virginia’s first onshore wind farm in Botetourt County won approval from the state. It still needs an OK from local authorities and a buyer for the energy it would produce.—Roanoke Times

• Dominion Energy wants to turn a vacant lot in downtown Richmond into an electric vehicle charging park.—WRIC

• The Cordish Companies, a casino developer that lost out on the failed casino project in Richmond, is now partnering with the city of Petersburg to potentially build there.—Richmond Times-Dispatch

• “Metro could open the long-delayed Silver Line extension to Dulles International Airport in time for Thanksgiving travel, but transit executives say there aren’t enough trains.”—Washington Post

• The jet of flames that erupted in a Dinwiddie High School classroom last week was caused by a flammable liquid demonstration. One student remains in the hospital.—NBC12

• A Washington Commanders fan who won a $14,000 stadium raffle prize says the check he got from the team bounced.—WUSA9

by Staff Report, Virginia Mercury

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