Dogwood Daily: Northam suspends rule that allegedly allowed prison officials to strip-search children

By Sean Galvin

December 6, 2019

Welcome to today’s edition of the Dogwood Daily. We’ve got a round-up of all of today’s Virginia news coming right up.

But first…

Happy Friday! Here’s some good environmental news for a change. Conservation efforts in aimed at protecting the state’s water supply appear to be working.

Five things you need to know today …

  1. Northam bans prison officials from strip-searching children: Gov. Ralph Northam has suspended a policy that allowed prison officials in the state to strip-search children. The suspension comes after an 8-year-old girl was forced to endure a strip search in order to see her father at Buckingham Correctional Center in Dillwyn, Virginia. “I am deeply disturbed by these reports, not just as governor, but as a pediatrician and a dad,” Northam said in a statement. “I’ve directed the secretary of public safety and homeland security to suspend this policy while the department conducts an immediate investigation and review of their procedures.” –The New York Times
  2. Herring supports nonpartisan redistricting– Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria), the incoming leader of the Democratic majority in the House of Delegates, said she continues to support nonpartisan redistricting efforts. Herring told journalists yesterday that she continued to back a constitutional amendment to move the redistricting process from the legislature to an independent commission. The General Assembly first approved the proposed amendment last year, but it would have to clear the legislature again to go on the ballot in a state referendum. -Richmond Times-Dispatch  
  3. Commission recommends getting rid of racist laws– The Commission to Examine Racial Inequity In Virginia Law recommended scrapping nearly 100 Jim Crow-era laws that are still on the state’s books. While most of the laws are already defunct, the commission said removing them is necessary for the state to move on from its racist past. The report issued Thursday is just the commission’s first; they next plan on a broader look of Virginia’s current state code.  -The Washington Post
  4. Port of Virginia could be affected by economy– The Port of Virginia has been a boon to the state economy, but economists warn that it will face obstacles as the global economy cools. The port saw a 23% increase from 5 years prior, according to a study from the College of William & Mary, and the port was responsible for 7.5% of the state’s total economic output last year. Some economists warn, however, that a stagnating global economy fueled by Trump’s trade war with China, could potentially slow the port’s long-term growth. –The Virginian-Pilot
  5. Carvana announces massive new inspection center– Carvana is planning on constructing an inspection and reconditioning center in Chesterfield County that will potentially employ 400 workers. The online car retailer announced plans to invest $25 million to create the 191,000 square foot facility. The reconditioning center will be designed to take used cars and put the vehicles through an extensive inspection and body repair process so that they’re ready for sale on the company’s website. –Richmond Times-Dispatch

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