| Dear friends and citizens, The interregnum between Christmas and New Year's is a great time for reflection of the year past and prognostication of the year ahead. Between all the holiday parties, celebrations and gatherings, hopefully you've had a chance to do this with your personal life. And I hope it includes some accomplishments of note along with some exciting plans for the year ahead. Rest assured that The Virginia Council has been undergoing the same process as an organization. We will work to be a source for truthful reporting, insightful analysis, and information designed to elevate the civil discourse for those committed to engaging with our representative government. Those who believe the unique experiment of the republic, a land guided by divine providence (as our founders did) need to get out, show up, and effect the correct changes to make sure that we still live in the light of the sunrise and not of the sunset. We look forward to the new year with new possibilities as we celebrate 250 years of these United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Happy New Year! 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 Virginia Government updates: Virginia governor powers affordability plan to retain talent and workers | Fox News By Abigail Spanberger Former high-ranking Richmond official Traci Deshazor chosen as next Virginia Secretary of Administration By Sarah Vogelsong Democrats’ Supposed Savior Makes Case To Trump Voters By Hitting President Where It Hurts | The Daily Caller By John Loftus Governor Youngkin speaks about FEMA review council recommendations and unreleased report By Roxy Todd Spanberger Transition Teams Stonewall on NDA Disclosure By Josh Stanfield Spanberger names longtime National Guard leader as next veterans secretary • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Virginia needs more housing, but what kind and where? - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey (21) Governor Glenn Youngkin on X: "CHART OF THE DAY: Virginia is #1 in the nation in active registered apprenticeship programs! Virginia has over 220,000 open jobs, and with our record $156 billion in private sector business investment, there are another 85,000 permanent jobs and 40,000 construction jobs on the https://t.co/LsERpaMvlp" / X A federal lawsuit is seeking judicial oversight of the Virginia Department of Corrections By Brandon Jarvis Where the national redistricting fight is heading in 2026 By Jane C. Timm Trump “battleship” plans have ties to Hampton Roads By Steve Walsh (21) Governor Glenn Youngkin on X: "CHART OF THE DAY: Virginia is #1 in the nation in active registered apprenticeship programs! Virginia has over 220,000 open jobs, and with our record $156 billion in private sector business investment, there are another 85,000 permanent jobs and 40,000 construction jobs on the https://t.co/LsERpaMvlp" / X  Articles, News, & Quotes: Deputy saves Christmas delivering abandoned packages found on Virginia roadside By Wayne Covil Santa Claus's bone fragment is in an Annandale Church | WAMU By Matt Blitz Fredericksburg woman chosen to decorate White House for the holidays By Desiree Montilla Rail operators step forward as Shenandoah corridor debate enters new phase | Nvdaily | nvdaily.com By Ryan Fitzmaurice Trial in Shenandoah County school names lawsuit ends; verdict not expected for months | Nvdaily | nvdaily.com By Alex Bridges The Confederacy Goes on Trial, Along With Schools Named Jackson and Lee - The New York Times By Clyde McGrady Dominion offshore wind project paused over cited national security concerns • Virginia Mercury By Shannon Heckt Dominion Energy sues over Trump administration order pausing offshore wind projects | AP News The politics of the pause: 6 things to know about Trump administration's suspension of offshore wind - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey U.Va. paid McGuireWoods over $1.8 million in legal fees during DOJ investigations - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper By Brendan Bordwine ((( C-Ville🫧 ))) on X: "🚨UVA Children's Hospital can no longer provide transgender services for kids 11-18 or @HHSGov will stop $$$ @uvahealthnews updated its website after 12/18 regulatory action But @uva hasn't yet issued press release or guidance https://t.co/gPsknzNg8H https://t.co/X6Gox8gT32" / X Virginia Democratic operative arrested on child pornography charges By Jon Burkett Group Asks DOJ to Look Into Soros-Backed Virginia Prosecutor Accused of Leniency for Illegal Immigrant Suspects | The Gateway Pundit | by Margaret Flavin War Sales While Wearing the Uniform The Pentagon accuses Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-Va) for seeking profit in Ukraine while funded by the U.S. government By Tony Seruga Isle of Wight man sentenced to 8 years after FBI seize historic stockpile of explosives | 13newsnow.com By Christopher Collette & Tracy Cooper Fewer Amtrak trains means future progress as a bevy of projects get underway in Virginia By Benton Graham History & Tradition  Martha Washington spent the Christmas of 1775 in an unusual place: At war - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey The First Christmas of the American Revolution By Jonathan Horn A New American Renaissance - by Matthew Ehret On Benjamin West, Incubator and Coordinator By Matthew Ehret Colonial Williamsburg home may have housed 1st Christmas tree in America – The Virginian-Pilot By Wilford Kale Crossing The Delaware: Washington’s Courage on Christmas Eve - Guest Matthew Spalding with Lee Smith The Quiet President Who Started 2 Lasting Christmas Traditions — The Coolidge Review By the Editors Times Square to hold second ball drop in July to mark America's 250th birthday | New York Post By Ryan King Virginia Museum of History & Culture Reserve tickets to Thomas Paine's Common Sense Commemorative Dinner, Saturday, January 31, at 6:30 pm The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty  JD Vance Gets America’s Creed and Heritage Right By Daniel McCarthy Trump’s DOJ offers states confidential deal to remove voters flagged by feds • Virginia Mercury By Jonathan Shorman Your Choice: Limited Government or Unlimited Government By Steve McKee Twisted History  The Left's Crusade Against Statues Is About Destroying America By Hayden Daniel U.S. Capitol unveils Barbara Rose Johns statue, replacing Robert E. Lee - UPI.com By Darryl Coote 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 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 |
