| Dear friends, I was so glad to see so many friendly faces for our monthly meeting this week where we learned about the plans for Virginians to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of America. The key word is celebrate! For a few years I have been concerned that our leaders would indulge the America haters and spend our 250th year lamenting every problem, conflict and tragedy that ever unfolded in our brief history instead of promoting the best of our past and future. Fortunately we have leaders now who prioritize our remarkable evolution and successes and want to inspire future generations to love Virginia and honor America. We hope to play a role in these celebrations with special gatherings, shows, seminars and perhaps (if money is raised) the creation of a permanent monument to honor the occasion. In the meantime, I hope you will now make plans to join us for The Virginia Forum with Mike Emanuel, the Chief Washington Correspondent from FOX News. It’s going to be an intriguing evening of insider stories about Mike’s adventures covering multiple Presidents and the ways modern journalists can regain the confidence of their audiences. Get your tickets here now…. I’ll see you at The Virginia Forum!!!   John Reid Founding Chairman of The Virginia Council Get your tickets today for our next event! 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: Former Mayor Stoney declines multiple requests for interviews after water crisis By Tyler Layne Miyares, 20 other attorneys general want AI app DeepSeek banned from government devices | WRIC ABC 8News By Bryan Nadeau CORTEZ: Trump transitions greatly affect Virginia gubernatorial race By Daniel P. Cortez Democrats see silver lining to layoffs in Virginia as they seek to rally voters for governor's race - Washington Times By Seth McLaughlin Richmond knew by 10am that the water might run out, new report finds - Axios Richmond By Sabrina Moreno The rush is on: Virginia candidates collect signatures to get on primary ballot | WVTF By Brad Kutner Fairfax County Supervisor's motion to review locker room policy fails without support By Nick Minock Republicans fight to restore party-run primaries, challenge new state law • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears takes on big challenge in governor's race | AP News By Olivia Diaz  The Virginia Council monthly meeting was held last Thursday, March 6 at Park Lane Tavern. Cheryl Wilson, who serves as the Executive Director for the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, joined us to discuss the 1300 exciting celebrations planned for 2025-2026 all over the Commonwealth, most notably in nearby Williamsburg. Cheryl said the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience would traverse the state and reach every middle school in Virginia. The Commission, which was created by the General Assembly for the purpose of planning for and commemorating the 250th anniversary of Virginia's participation in American independence will be active through 2031. About – Virginia American Revolution 250 Commemoration – VA250 The VA250 Commission has chosen “To Form a More Perfect Union” as its theme. Our overarching goals are: to educate Americans, including our students, about our history, our founding ideals, and our system of government; to engage with every community and every Virginia locality in events that tell a complete story; and to inspire us all to commit to the values inherent in American citizenship. Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor updates: Youngkin announces virtual, statewide hiring event | WRIC ABC 8News By Makayla Sanchez Glenn Youngkin's administration hosts mega job fair as DOGE cuts target MD, DC, VA | Fox News By Charles Creitz ICE, FBI agents arrest 3 dozen illegal immigrants in Virginia amid increased enforcement By 7News Staff Despite profiling concerns, more law agencies are joining street-level immigration enforcement • Virginia Mercury By Tim Henderson Immigrant advocates decry order for Virginia State Police, local jails to assist ICE | FFXnow By Angela Woolsey Feds to Virginia schools: End race-based policies or risk losing funds • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline UVA Board Dissolves DEI Office | Bacon's Rebellion - By James A. Bacon DEI Office Dessolved at Univesity of Virginia to Comply with Trump’s Executive Order | National Review By James Lynch C'villeBubble on X: "🚨Is @UVA School of Medicine exempt from the Trump EO and federal laws? "Though the resolution orders UVa to dissolve its DEI Office, other DEI divisions within the university, such as UVa's School of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will not be affected." https://t.co/f6wUfVVvNJ" / X Audit reveals inefficiency, errors in how Virginia maintains its state buildings | WRIC ABC 8News By Ryan Nadeau End race-based policies or risk losing funds By Nathaniel Cline Antisemitism resolution passed after tense debate | Fourth Estate By Juliana Marcello Voting rights restorations drop for 3rd year in a row under Youngkin By Dean Mirshahi Bill would create ‘shared obligation’ for wrongful conviction compensation By Megan Pauly ICE enforcement rattles Northern Virginia neighborhoods | WVTF By Brad Kutner Enough already: Extend the length of Virginia’s regular legislative sessions • Virginia Mercury By Roger Chesley  Articles, News, & Quotes: Congressional Reporter for Vanity Fair Leaks Planned ICE Raids in DC Suburbs, Warns Targets to Avoid Highways | The Gateway Pundit | by Kristinn Taylor Statement of Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85 | Bacon's Rebellion - Wins. VMI. And a Pronounced Exit | Bacon's Rebellion - By Gordon C. Morse ‘Partisan choice’: VMI superintendent responds after vote not to extend contract • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline Trump DOJ uses footnote to rescind Merrick Garland memo targeting parents as 'domestic terrorists' | Just The News By Jerry Dunleavy Lee Enterprises, Richmond Times-Dispatch parent company, victim of cyberattack - Axios Richmond By Karri Peifer Henrico's $2.3 billion GreenCity development and arena project could be in jeopardy By Karri Peifer Virginia Tech-led team expands hunt for critical minerals - Cardinal News By Matt Busse Man convicted of planning mass shooting at Prince William County church after 4-day trial By Nick Minock Suspect who caused UVA lockdown arrested By Forrest Holt & Steve Rappaport Hey Kaine And Warner: Care To Explain Your Votes Allowing Males To Compete In Women Sports? — Kerry: By Kerry Dougherty VDH emails contradict city's water crisis report By Samuel B. Parker Nearly half of Virginia's college graduates leave the state within 5-10 years after they get their diplomas - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Prosecutions are up and crime is down in Loudoun County By Nick Minock Navy Shipbuilding Crisis: GAO Finds Billions Spent Without Strategy as Fleet Goals Remain Unmet By Mike Schuler Trump’s plan to ‘resurrect’ American shipbuilding could mean opportunity for Tidewater | WAVY.com By Brett Hall Hundreds protest Trump policies in downtown Richmond By Brandon Jarvis Study: Virginia is becoming less Christian - Axios Richmond By Karri Peifer & Carly Mallenbaum News Links: Quantico Security Arrest, Temple Project Approval, and Military DEI Crackdown By Uriah Kiser Culture wars reach warfighters as area military bases ordered to scrub online content - Fredericksburg Free Press By Taft Coghill, Jr. Bonchie on X: "Democrats and the press have spent nearly a decade obsessing over some morons with tiki torches who were essentially never heard from again but continue to say nothing about this stuff. They never cared. It was all political." / X Jury convicts man in mass shooting plot at Haymarket church | Headlines | insidenova.com By InsideNova Staff Charlottesville unveils historical marker recognizing sale of enslaved people By Meghin Moore 'Dangerously understaffed:' Inmates describe fear and violence behind Red Onion’s walls • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods Give Me Liberty | Virginia Museum of History & Culture Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Give Me Liberty highlights Virginia’s leading role in the American Revolution. In Pittsylvania County, descendants mourn family cemeteries lost to development, or to memory - Cardinal News By Grace Mamon The Mariners' Museum in Newport News offers a rare view of history on Saturday. By Susan Smigielski Acker  Interviews & Videos of Interest DAVE BRAT on the Budget and DOGE Team Youngkin - Spirit of Virginia on X: "Gov. @GlennYoungkin talks with @IngrahamAngle about the dismantling of DEI and a restoration of merit-based opportunity at UVA: https://t.co/IbMSa1o10G" / X Heritage's JONATHAN BUTCHER Discusses President Trump's Education Agenda (1) Libs of TikTok on X: "MUST WATCH: Senator Mark Warner (D) fumbles and squirms through an interview on MSNBC after he accidentally admitted the truth that Trump secured our border and Biden did not. He desperately tries walking back his comments to do damage control for praising Trump 😂 https://t.co/v7fxjp5cA7" / X MARK TAPSCOTT Reflects on Tuesday's Presidential Address Keep Life Thriving in VA! - YouTube By The Family Foundation Another View with Barbara Hamm Lee A conversation with Congressman Bobby Scott The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty ThinkingWest on X: "Can't stop thinking about this Roger Scruton quote: “We do not merely study the past: we inherit it, and inheritance brings with it not only the rights of ownership, but the duties of trusteeship…Things fought for and died for should not be idly squandered. For they are the https://t.co/LjEx0pyUjU" / X FOIA Friday: Virginia Health Department withheld records on Richmond water crisis • Virginia Mercury By Staff Cardinal begins publishing legal notices - Cardinal News By Staff (9) EKO on X: "THE 1776 PROPHECY" / X "As we approach the 250th anniversary of our independence," the report challenged, "we must resolve to teach future generations an accurate history of our country so that we all learn and cherish our founding principles once again." The-Presidents-Advisory-1776-Commission-Final-Report.pdf  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. |
