| Dear friends and citizens, It was wonderful to see so many of our friends, volunteers, & supporters for the annual Christmas party this year. Thanks to those who could join us in celebration of The Virginia Council and our accomplishments this year. Accomplishments that were driven by our ALL volunteer, uncompensated Board of Directors. This past year the Board and our volunteers have donated 2,100 hours of their time. That equates to $72,000 of donated time! We are so thankful for all the volunteers who stepped up to help this year. And a special heartfelt thank you to all those who donated the funds to help underwrite our activities and mission. As a reminder, The Virginia Council is a 501c 3 organization (tax deductible contributions are welcome), and every penny we raise goes directly to underwrite our missions of sharing truthful historical education, of enlightening civil discourse, and engaging in activities that are designed to increase the awareness and respect for the symbols of our Commonwealth, the exceptional Founders of our country and the revolutionary ideas of personal human dignity that are under attack from reactionary forces that would not only destroy the physical reminders of our past, but the basic freedoms and laws that they represent. That is why the battle for our physical memorials is so vital and connected to the present day. We look forward to an exciting and busy year in 2026 as we all celebrate the 250th anniversary of America's founding, and the special roles Virginians played in creating our exceptional country. Sincerely,  Will McGurn Interim President, The Virginia Council  Buffet dinner begins at 5:30 PM. Can’t make dinner? Join us for the speakers and book signing at 6:15 PM. Space is limited—please RSVP to save your seat. Optional buffet dinner includes an appetizer, 3 entrees, rolls, dessert and soft drink for $32.50 which includes tax and gratuity. Please RSVP here  The Virginia Council Board of Directors at the annual Christmas Party Brandon and Nan Taylor were our gracious hosts for The Virginia Council 2025 Christmas party. It was a wonderful holiday party with lively conversation, delicious food, and the board was able to convey our gratitude in person to some of our most passionate supporters, partners, and friends. Many thanks to all our members, near and far! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! Virginia Government updates: Spanberger sets early governor agenda – NBC4 Washington By Julie Carey At Va. journalists’ forum, Spanberger talks energy policy, combating health care concerns • Virginia Mercury By Shannon Heckt Virginia Democrats move toward a 10-1 map that would eliminate all but one Republican House seat - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Spanberger stops short of full embrace of redistricting effort in Virginia - POLITICO By Alec Hernandez & Brakkton Booker The Interview | Lt. Governor-Elect Ghazala Hashmi - RVA Mag By Landon Shroder VanValkenburg looks to return Virginia to multistate voter data partnership By Dean Mirshahi Virginia officials to weigh conforming to One Big Beautiful Bill tax breaks | WVTF By Brad Kutner Elected officials suggest higher sales tax could be top contender to fund N. Va. transit | FFXnow By Scott McCaffrey Right-to-work reforms possible for Virginia By Jahd Khalil Dem Committees Resolve: Repeal "Right to Work," Institute Ranked Choice Voting, Oppose Expansion of Surveillance By Josh Stanfield Virginia lawmakers talk day-one priorities ahead of General Assembly session By Kate Nuechterlein (1) Philip Van Cleave VCDL on X: "Horrible gun-control bills to be introduced in January - inside info" / X Democrats revive clean-energy bills as Spanberger prepares to take office • Virginia Mercury By Shannon Heckt Spanberger taps Del. Candi Mundon King as Virginia’s next secretary of the commonwealth • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Republicans criticize Spanberger’s pick for Public Safety and Homeland Security Secretary | WRIC ABC 8News By Tyler Englander Youngkin highlights mental health system progress as term nears end By Cameron Thompson UVA’s President Was Right to Resign By John D. Sailer UVA workers and students march for higher pay and collective bargaining By Gabby Womack House Spending and Amount Raised: Post-Election 2005-2025 By VPAP.ORG  Articles, News, & Quotes: Justice Dept. Sues Loudoun School Board Over Locker Room Case | News | loudounnow.com By Patrick Lewis DOJ: Loudoun students' suspension over locker room incident risks district's federal funding • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline Full Board hears from Mahoney on Justice Department agreement and research at U.Va. - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper By Cecilia Mould UVA presidential search committee pushes on, with two special Board meetings on the horizon By Kate Nuechterlein Poll: Consumer sentiment steady in Virginia, remains above national level By Pat Thomas Large solar farms in Virginia can produce ‘rapid’ stormwater runoff, researchers find By Katherine Hafner A pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster is rising in Virginia. Here's what that means. - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Virginia among states removing some food, drinks from SNAP coverage | wusa9.com By Luke Eggleston Youngkin announces $689M LS Cable investment, expected to create 430 jobs in Chesapeake | 13newsnow.com By Christopher Collette Report: Chronic absenteeism drops to 14.8% in Virginia | 13newsnow.com By Germyah Batey U.Va. receives clean FY 2025 audit opinion, marking end of multi-year material weakness - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper DOJ Entirely Drops ‘Disparate Impact’ Standard in Civil Rights Law By Jarrett Stepman Pot-Obsessed VA Legislators & Drunk Racoons: What Next?? By The Family Foundation Virginia roads rank second in the US: report | WRIC ABC 8News By Jessie Nguyen (2) Rich Baris The People's Pundit on X: "A plurality of LIB Democrats told us exactly that, which is to say, they believe Charlie Kirk's own views and beliefs were "most responsible" for his murder. Only 29% said the mental health of the perpetrator. It gets MUCH more concerning when you look at age and education. https://t.co/GFkr1Kh7ng" / X History & Tradition  Restoring a National Treasure: George Washington’s Iconic Mansion at Mount Vernon Reopens After Historic $40 Million Restoration Ahead of America 250 | George Washington's Mount Vernon Trump threatened to veto NDAA over base names, Rep. Strickland says - Roll Call By John M. Donnelly December 2nd, The Doctrine that Defined America’s Voice — James Monroe Birthplace & Boyhood Home House Passes "CLEAN" NDAA Strickland & Beyer amendments for removing Civil War names struck down Austin techie plans 650-foot statue of George Washington By Gwen Howerton 'Young Washington' Trailer: Angel Studios Unveils Presidential Biopic Young Washington (2026) - IMDb 250 years ago today, Virginians went to war against their governor (and won) - Cardinal News By Thomas Becher The hero of the Battle of Great Bridge was a sentry who took on an entire British platoon. He was also a free Black man. - Cardinal News By Leah Small WATCH: Battle of Fredericksburg anniversary inspires special FAM program - Fredericksburg Free Press By Ted Schubel VMHC Monthly Events Template 2026 Marshall Scholar Lecture Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America Wednesday, January 21, at 5:30 PM (1) InfantryDort on X: "🧵The Republic Failure Pattern: Observed across every collapsed republic in history This is not ideology or opinion. Every republic-to-empire transition in recorded history follows the same structural breakdown. Different cultures. Similar sequence. If you study Rome, Athens, https://t.co/XnkmZi5b63" / X Encyclopedia Virginia Releases Free E-Book on Virginia’s Early Revolution - Virginia Humanities PHOTOS: Wreaths Across America comes to Fredericksburg - Fredericksburg Free Press By Ted Schubel  The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty Why DOJ Rejection of Disparate Impact Matters By Tony Kinnett Harmeet Dhillon announces new second amendment section of DOJ Civil Rights division | Just The News By Misty Severi Prospective pastor fights Virginia tuition aid ban for religious degrees at Fourth Circuit | Courthouse News Service By Joe Dodson Virginia gun rights advocates worry blue sweep will create more gun control By Sapphira Mohammed The Left Doesn't Believe in the Constitutional Order By David Harsanyi DHS Further Modernizes Citizenship Verification By Fred Lucas Supreme Court Vacates Ruling That Upheld New York School Vaccine Mandate | The Epoch Times By Zachary Stieber ‘Checkmate’: U.S. Supreme Court Delivers Huge Win for Religious Exemptions • Children's Health Defense By Suzanne Burdick, Ph.D. ‘Assault on Our Sovereignty’: How George Soros Funds Foreign Government Lawsuits Against American Gun Makers By Chuck Ross Teaching Critical Thinking vs. Judgement: A Legal Perspective By James A. Bacon No due process guarantee in fast-track removal proceedings, Trump administration argues • Virginia Mercury By Ariana Figueroa Could increased transparency reduce the use of solitary confinement in Virginia’s local jails? • Virginia Mercury By Eric Bonds, Aaliyah Anderson, & Tabitha Van Doren News groups challenge Virginia’s prior restraint on distribution of court records | Courthouse News Service By Sydney Haulenbeek Twisted History  Confederate statues from Charlottesville get a contemporary twist in L.A. - C-VILLE Weekly By Lisa Provence Help us to stop the further destruction and degradation of our historic past today! Help us fight for an honest, legal process to determine the fate of these historic pieces of art from Richmond. Decisions made by the mob are not a democratic process, but tyrannical. There have been some victories, but Virginia's monuments and history are still at risk of being erased. PLEASE DONATE HERE Sunday talk looks at Richmond-born Moses Ezekiel - Jewish, Confederate, artist Sunday, Samantha Baskind, Distinguished Professor of Art History at Cleveland State University, will speak at Norfolk’s Chrysler Museum of Art and explore the sculptures, life and legacy of Moses Ezekiel Sunday talk looks at Richmond-born Moses Ezekiel - Jewish, Confederate, artist By Kate Nowak Announcing The Virginia Council membership reward program. Sign up today on our website for the various levels of support!" Freedom 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. P. O. Box 5 Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103, United States |
