Predictions and endorsements ahead of midterms and more Va. headlines

The state Capitol. (Ned Oliver/ Virginia Mercury)

• In an appearance Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin predicted Republicans will win full control of Congress in the midterms and dodged questions about whether the GOP should try to impeach President Joe Biden.—ABC News

• Anti-Trump Republican Liz Cheney endorsed Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger in Virginia’s closely watched 7th District race, saying Spanberger is “dedicated to working across the aisle to find solutions.”—Washington Post

• Some Hampton Roads voters (and former Vice President Mike Pence) are confused about Norfolk no longer being part of the competitive 2nd Congressional District, where Democrat Elaine Luria is facing Republican Jen Kiggans.—Virginian-Pilot

• Youngkin signaled he would not support a proposal from Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, to ban medical gender transitions by minors. “I do believe that, at the end of the day, these are decisions that are going to have to be made between parents, a child and a trusted physician,” the governor said.—WRIC

• A former Virginia French teacher who now lives in France is asking the Supreme Court of Virginia to reinstate his free speech and religious freedom lawsuit after he was fired for refusing to use a transgender student’s preferred pronouns.—Associated Press

• A race for a seat on the Loudoun County School Board has become a “microcosm of LGBTQ identity politics.”—Washington Post

• Virginia ranks among the bottom third of states in public health spending, according to a new state report, and was one of seven states to reduce spending prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.—Cardinal News

• Roanoke County is struggling to find retired law enforcement officers willing to take part-time jobs as school resource officers. The positions are funded by state grant money.—Roanoke Times

• Washington County is the latest Southwest Virginia jurisdiction taking steps to try to use local power to restrict abortion.—Bristol Herald Courier

• Southwest Virginia’s Mountain Lake Lodge has opened a “Dirty Dancing” shop to try to capitalize on its ties to the famous 1987 movie. “The shop has also been styled after the dance studio where Johnny taught Baby to dance.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch

by Staff Report, Virginia Mercury

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