• As his ban on school mask mandates drew another legal challenge from a coalition of local school officials, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said school districts resisting his order “aren’t recognizing the rights of parents.”—Washington Post, Richmond Times-Dispatch• Youngkin has proposed $3.5 billion in budget amendments, without specifying how he would pay for them.—Richmond Times-Dispatch• Some congressional Republicans, including Virginia Rep. Rob Wittman, are now touting infrastructure funding they voted against.—ABC News• A state lawmaker wants to prohibit police from using fake documents in interrogations after Virginia Beach police were caught using phony DNA reports.—Virginian-Pilot• A delegate from Arlington filed a bill to make it easier to crack down on predatory towing companies.—ARLnow• Another bill would reform Virginia’s recall laws as more groups try to use them to resolve political fights rather than oust officials for clear-cut wrongdoing.—Loudoun Times-Mirror• “As Virginians greet the prospect of a new governor and a divided legislature, the politically purple state offers a microcosm of a country clenched in a raging argument over its identity and future.”—Washington Post• A teacher’s union in Chesapeake is fighting its school board’s decision to make masks optional.—Virginian-Pilot• The Virginia Bar Association elected its first Black president.—Virginia Business• Lee Enterprises, the corporate owner of many Virginia newspapers, is asking investors for help fighting off a hostile takeover bid by “vulture hedge fund” Alden Global Capital.—Associated Press• Richmond’s City Council voted 8-1 to try to give the city a do-over vote on a proposed casino.—Richmond BizSense• Six Husky puppies were stolen from a Hampton pet salon. Most have been returned home, but two are still missing.—Virginian-Pilot

Source: Washington Post January 25, 2022 13:14 UTC