Dogwood Daily: The Virginia prosecutor fighting white supremacy

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. And if you’re a fan, please forward to three friends who need to know what’s going on in the Commonwealth and tell them to subscribe here. 

But First…

LeClairRyan, the 30-year-old Richmond law firm, announced Wednesday that it is going out of business. A few years ago, the firm had nearly 400 attorneys, but it has experienced a mass exodus over the last two years. 

5 Things you need to know today

1. A Virginia-based prosecutor is fighting back against white supremacy – U.S. Attorney Thomas Cullen, chief federal prosecutor for the Western District of Virginia, is using the federal judiciary to fight back against against white nationalist violence. Cullen is prosecuting the so-called “Rise Above Movement,” a white supremacist group, for their role in the deadly neo-nazi rally in Charlottesville in 2017. The prosecution is the “the first time federal authorities have tried to disrupt a violent white supremacist terrorist organization on charges other than drug- or gun-dealing or murder.” – The Washington Post
   
   
2. Fairfax school officials allegedly made jokes after student reported sexual assault – A 16-year-old student at Oakton High School has filed a lawsuit against the Fairfax County School Board for their “offensive and inadequate response” after she was assaulted. Now, a jury in Alexandria federal court will decide whether the school’s reaction was so dismissive as to violate the girl’s civil rights under Title IX. The girl testified that when she was called in to speak to administrators they asked “accusatory questions” about her clothing and behavior. – The Washington Post
   
   
3. Culpeper County moves forward with drug court to help those struggling with addiction – The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to create a drug court to provide resources and counseling to repeat drug offenders who “otherwise seem to get stuck in a revolving door of incarceration.” The court wouldn’t launch until at least 2021 and would cost an estimated $380,000 per year, but Supervisor Sue Hansohn said “It’s not that much money if it saves one life…I think it’s time we give this a chance.” – Culpeper Star-Exponent
   
   
4. Trump administration looking to house hundreds of migrant children in Northern Virginia – The Trump administration is looking to lease space in Northern Virginia to accommodate 440 unaccompanied migrant children in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun or Prince William county for up to 15 years. The Department of Health and Human Services has been sending unaccompanied minors to facilities in several states, including Virginia, due to a surge of children the government has deemed unaccompanied. Currently, there are about 130 children being held in Virginia. – NBC4
   
   
5. Health Wagon to provide free medical care in southwest Virginia this month – The Health Wagon, which provides health care for under-served individuals in Appalachia, will return to the Wise County Fairgrounds later this month as part of a partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense. The DoD will host its Innovative Readiness Training program, a military training program the week of Aug 19-26, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, and during the event, residents can get free medical care, including eye exams, dental fillings, extractions, general health care and veterinary services. – Bristol Herald-Courier

From the Gram