| Dear friends, The inauguration of the 47th president, Donald Trump, is just one day away, and the coverage surrounding this historic event is sure to be thrilling! Our upcoming Virginia Forum guest, Mike Emanuel, has been Fox News' Chief Washington correspondent for over 15 years, and we're excited to hear his insights on Trump's second term as well as his perspective on all things Washington. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting evening on March 22nd. Be sure to purchase your tickets before Wednesday, January 22nd to take advantage of early bird pricing—use the code EARLYBIRD for $5 off general admission tickets and EARLYBIRDVIP for $10 off VIP tickets here. We truly hope you will join us! Riley Shaia  Riley Shaia Executive Director of The Virginia Forum Get your tickets today for our next event! Early Bird prices are only available until January 22nd, so act fast! Use the discount code EARLYBIRD for $5 off General Admission or EARLYBIRDVIP for $10 off VIP tickets. Mike Emanuel March 20, 2025 at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center VIP Reception begins at 5:45pm Program Begins at 7pm with doors opening at 6:15pm for General Admission ticket holders.  PURCHASE TICKETS HERE Want to know more about Mike Emanuel?? Mike Emanuel currently serves as chief Washington correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined FNC in 1997 as a Los Angeles-based correspondent. Emanuel also anchors FOX NEWS LIVE on Sunday afternoons at 1pm and was in the chair during an historic moment in the 2024 campaign. It was Sunday, July 21st when President Biden suddenly dropped out of the campaign and Emanuel had it first on Fox. Previously, Emanuel provided the latest breaking election news from Washington, DC during FNC’s Democracy 2020 election coverage. Additionally, Emanuel has covered both the House and Senate proceedings surrounding both impeachments of President Donald Trump, lawmakers passing tax reform, the confirmation hearings for the Trump and Biden Cabinets, and the confirmation hearings for President Trump’s three Supreme Court nominees. He also covered Secretary Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. In his role, Emanuel has reported on key congressional races, the IRS scandal, the hearings surrounding the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya attacks and President Barack Obama’s 2012-2016 State of the Union addresses from Capitol Hill, among other events. Come hear him speak about how the Washington D.C. press will cover the exciting and historic second term of President Trump in 2025! Virginia Election Updates: Spanberger rallies for gun reform, calls gun violence the top threat to kids • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt EPA: Richmond got water plant inspection report years ago, responded this month By Tyler Layne Pumps filled with incorrect fuel contributed to sewage leaks in James River By Melissa Hipolit Jason Miyares on X: "Fixed it. https://t.co/67LEQRIZ3Y" / X Governor Glenn Youngkin reiterates his support for Department of Government Efficiency | 13newsnow.com By Emily Harrison Samuel B. Parker on X: "Under Mayor Levar Stoney, the city issued 32 severance packages collectively worth over $950K. But officials won't disclose documents or answer questions on which employees, specifically, received those severance packages and how much each employee received. https://t.co/r8T7Jyn54C" / X Virginia's ban on same-sex marriage may have been rendered moot but remains in the state constitution - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey CNU poll: Spanberger up, data centers down (except maybe in Southwest Virginia) - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Statewide Candidate Fundraising: 2024 By VPAP  Register today for The Virginia Council monthly meeting as we present legislative updates from Craig DiSesa, Nancy Smith, & Stephen Haner. Wednesday, January 29th at 12 Noon We'll be meeting at Park Lane Tavern in Short Pump. Chris DiSesa is the President of Middle Resolution and will give an education issue update. Nancy Smith is Political Director of Middle Resolution and will present on election integrity. Stephen D. Haner is the Senior Fellow for State & Local Tax Policy at the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy and he will discuss energy concerns. REGISTER HERE Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor updates: 'Virginia is winning': Youngkin delivers optimistic State of the Commonwealth speech • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Historic push for constitutional protections in Virginia gains momentum • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods People Sure Are Noticing How Terrible Tim Kaine's Line of Questioning for Pete Hegseth Was By Rebecca Downs Pete Hegseth Hearing: Tim Kaine Beclowned Himself. — Kerry: By Kerry Dougherty Gov. Youngkin Condemns Biden for Granting Clemency to Two Virginia Cop Killers | The Gateway Pundit | by Cassandra MacDonald Va. casino revenue rose 32% in 2024 over previous year, lottery reports show - Virginia Business By Beth JoJack Youngkin wants to create committee to oversee all gambling in Virginia By Brendan Ponton & Noah Kim Criminal Charge Against Loudoun County Superintendent Dropped After Victim Is Paid Off By Luke Rosiak Parental rights at center of reproductive health debate • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods (2) C'villeBubble on X: "🚨 American Muslims in Palestine (AMP) may have used "funds for...benefiting or providing support to terrorist orgs." AMP & Students for Justice in Palestine were founded by same man. Is UVA SJP involved with AMP? https://t.co/w4nqf6QiYP" / X January 14, 2025 - Attorney General Miyares Holds American Muslims for Palestine Accountable for Refusing to Comply with Investigation Richmond’s Tavares Floyd controversy inspires General Assembly push to tighten campaign finance system By Graham Moomaw Virginia Democrat’s Bill Would Restrict Religious Homeschooling By Rebecca Downs Op-ed: Opportunity knocks for all Virginians By Pastor Will Archer Kids Deserve More Advocacy Day — The Family Foundation More education freedom through education savings accounts and expanded tax credit for families. Republicans push for 'opportunity scholarships,' but Democratic leadership is a no right now | WVTF By Michael Pope Virginia looks to build new offices in downtown Richmond By Michael Martz These bills would regulate high-risk artificial intelligence use in Virginia • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline  War Veterans Memorial Protection Act of 2025 Legislation of interest to members of The Virginia Council - HB 1884 and companion Senate bill: Virginia needs new legislation to legitimate the protection of monuments and memorials to our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who have served as proud Americans without regard to politics or political issues. Honoring the patriotism of veterans without regard to political or social issues is of utmost importance to those serving our country. Loss of community civility is a notable mark of recent efforts to remove or relocate war memorials and markers. The Code permits local governments to decide on these contentious issues through a fiat declaration by the local governing board or public referendum. Governing fiat or simple majorities both seem authoritarian and divisive to the community regardless of the outcome. A process of decency that engages a higher standard of reasonableness for voter participation could promote social harmony. The destruction of the monuments on Monument Avenue is notable for how the monuments were removed. It did not implement a referendum. The process outlined in the Code did not deter the violence and ensuing social strife of the moment. To any neutral observer, the display had the character of mob rule. Militancy rather than civil decency was displayed. The manner in which the monuments were treated overshadowed the purposes for which they were erected. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Commonwealth, some localities opted to implement referenda, for example, Halifax or Charles City. Reasonableness moderated passionate perceptions of social justice. This is especially true because voter participation rose nearer to supermajority thereby legitimating the contentious dispositions. The Virginia Council has worked with Senator Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. (R-S12) and Delegate Wren Willams (R-H47) to introduce legislation that would address the legitimacy of removing or relocating the memorials of war veterans. Delegate Williams’ HB 1884 and Senator Sturtevant’s companion bills, The War Veterans Memorials Protection Act of 2025, address the flaws in the existing Code. The focus is on legitimacy or how these memorials of veterans ought to be retreated. The bill will require both a local referendum, as well as a supermajority election. It permits local governing bodies to certify the will of the people. It will penalize the decimation of monuments and historic markers. And for newly erected monuments they can stand up to 40 years. Patriotic Americans and Virginians are offended when statues and memorials to our military and war veterans are damaged, desecrated or removed. Every statue, memorial or marker honoring an American Veteran or their ally should be legitimately protected and respected in Virginia. The Virginia Council, Government Affairs Committee Scott Daniels, Chair Renita Sommers Eric Bannon Wayne E. Boese John Kwapisz Cynthia Baker Steve Kemp Bill Byrd F. Neal Thompson Robert Crouch Articles, News, & Quotes: About the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commemoration Established by the General Assembly to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence, the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) will mark the nation’s semiquincentennial by bringing Virginians together to learn more about Virginia’s key role in shaping the nation Avula calls Bingham departure an ‘amicable separation’: ‘We need a different skill set moving forward’ By Sarah Vogelsong & Graham Moomaw 2.8 magnitude earthquake rattles Henrico By Tom Lappas Perdue agrees to pay $4 million for child labor violations at Accomac plant By Ryan Murphy One Man’s Fight for Transparency | Bacon's Rebellion - By Walter Smith Funding approved to study placing nuclear microreactor in Wise County - Cardinal News By Susan Cameron HANER: Don’t Adjust Legislator Pay for Inflation Without Doing the Same on Taxes By Shaun Kenney Virginia Democrats, Youngkin and Trump interested in Virginia’s drone problem | WVTF By Brad Kutner Navy names Virginia-class sub after Norfolk By WTKR web staff VCU surpasses $500 million in sponsored funding for the first time - VCU News - Virginia Commonwealth University By David Oglethorpe Second tunnel, traffic shifts coming in HRBT Expansion's 2025 By Anthony Sabella MONUMENTS • MOCA Removed from their original outdoor public context and installed within the galleries of MOCA and The Brick, the decommissioned Confederate statues featured in MONUMENTS will be shown in their varying conditions, from unmarred to heavily vandalized. Northern Virginia Family Service and SCAN merge | Headlines | insidenova.com By Jonathan Hunley Navy names Virginia-class sub after Norfolk By WTKR web staff Federal inspectors say the Navy wasted $1.8 billion on a program to modernize cruisers By Steve Walsh Sex offender who identifies as transgender exposes himself to kids again at Va. school By Nick Minock Call of the Wild - richmondmagazine.com By D. Hunter Reardon 1775 was the real year of revolution. In Virginia, the celebrations kick off in Roanoke. Here's why. - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Virginia's fastest-growing counties, mapped - Axios Richmond  Interviews of Interest MICHAEL PHILLIPS Addresses April Bingham's Resignation PHILIP VAN CLEAVE Previews Gun Lobby Day Interview: As water crisis settles, Danny Avula prepares for the 'long haul' as mayor By Michael Phillips CHRIS LaCIVITA Reminisces About the 2024 Campaign Sears-Spanberger Deadlocked+Court Destroys Biden's Title IX Trans Agenda By The Family Foundation The Latest Headlines With MIKE EMANUEL The State of DEI in 2025 With KAREN MICHAEL The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty I See Dead Amendments: President Biden Issues Otherworldly ERA Declaration – JONATHAN TURLEY CFPB Proposes Stronger Protections Against Debanking By Lee Fang Medical Freedom is directly Linked to Education Freedom By Sheila M. Furey, MD NC Court Candidate: 5K Ballots With No ID Were Counted Illegally By Breccan F. Thies  The Virginia Council has been blessed with unwavering support from the community since its founding a few years ago. And we decided to add some new ways to thank you for your ongoing assistance in our efforts to educate and inform Virginians. "Announcing The Virginia Council membership reward program. Sign up today on our website for the various levels of support!" Member level: Simple membership is free when you sign up for our email newsletter or attend a monthly meeting. Liberty level: For an annual contribution of $100 you get the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings and a commemorative Virginia Council lapel pin. Patriot level: When you step up to make an annual contribution of $250 you receive first access to tickets to our annual Christmas and Patriot Parties, the commemorative Virginia Council pin, and the newsletter and monthly meeting access. President's Council level: For a commitment of $1000 you receive the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings, 2 lapel pins, 2 invitations to both of our annual parties, and 2 VIP tickets to one Virginia Forum lecture of your choice. We hope you'll find these rewards an added incentive to help fund our efforts to restore a full view of Virginia's history, monuments & role that government plays in our lives. We appreciate all your support and encouragement and look forward to bringing you more compelling voices of liberty, freedom, and conscience over the next year. To become a Liberty, Patriot, or President's Council member, please make a contribution here. To volunteer, click here. The Executive Board of the Virginia Council If you are interested in donating appreciated securities, we now have an account to make it easy for you (see the information below). Contact us HERE for more details.  The Virginia Council Preserving Virginia’s history and creating a more prosperous future for all Virginians. Stay Hopeful. Stay Connected. |
