Feb. 20 Newsletter: Defining 'attend'
Weather: The Northeast is bracing for snow on Sunday night, but right now it looks like it'll just be rain here. High of 66 today.
On this date in 1973, a House committee approves a statewide referendum on pari-mutuel betting in Virginia, but it ultimately wasn't approved by the public until 1988.
Today's newsletter sponsored by CareScout. If you think the long-term care system needs a shake-up, we agree. We’re designing a new ecosystem of support and care for our aging loved ones.
In FOIA officer case, judge grills city’s lawyers over lack of candor on missing phone
A Richmond judge on Wednesday sharply questioned how the city of Richmond and its lawyers could have looked at a mostly blank cell phone without figuring out something had happened to the text messages that should have been on it.
A city attorney contended that Donald "attended" because he was available to participate by phone if needed.
- “My clients attended. They were there. They were available,” the city attorney said.
The judge told him “available isn’t present,” and said she understood her own instructions to mean anyone participating remotely should be in attendance “the entire time.” Read more here.
RPS offers new budget asking for additional city funding to reinstate raises, other programs
Superintendent Jason Kamras unveiled a new budget yesterday that gives 2% raises to most employees and restores summer school.
- It also requires the city to provide an extra $21 million in funding in this year's budget, something Kamras acknowledged probably won't happen.
“I think it is extremely unlikely … and I'm being very transparent about that with everybody here tonight,” he said.
The move is intended to satisfy critics who asked Kamras to provide a "needs-based budget" for the upcoming year ahead of negotiations over the city contribution. Read more here.
Is NASCAR rehabbing its image correctly? We asked the Richmonder who used to make their ads.
Longtime motor sports reporter Randy Hallman checked in with a Richmond advertising legend, John Adams.
Adams, who handled NASCAR's advertising as head of The Martin Agency, liked the approach, but wants NASCAR to invest in spreading the message. Read more here.
Today's sponsor:
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In other news
- Democrats unseat 3 members of VCU's governing board (Times-Dispatch)
- CoStar CEO Andy Florance, one of the three, said "we should all be concerned about the negative impact of hyper-politicalizing of our education system."
- Meteorologist Matt DiNardo explains the "dirty rain" that fell on Saturday night (8News)
- The dust got picked up as the weather system moved through Oklahoma.
- Powhatan looks like a girls basketball contender in win over Monacan
- High school basketball playoffs start tonight across the area.
- Country singer Megan Moroney to play $9 show in Richmond. Here's how to snag tickets (CBS 6)
- Tickets will be available at the National's box office beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
The editor's desk
VCU plays its biggest basketball game of the year tonight against the Saint Louis Billikens. What is a Billiken? Well, I'm still a little unclear even after reading this. Give me a Hokie bird any day.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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