Politics and Policy News from The Minnesota Sun

Virginia Department of Education Releases New ‘Equity Audit Tool’ as Most Schools Continue Distance Learning

October 23, 2020October 23, 2020 Corinne Murdock

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released a new “equity audit tool” last week. The tool is part of VDOE’s “Navigating EdEquityVA,” which focuses on providing tools and resources to dismantle inequities in education.

Included within the checklist are evaluations of “anti-racism,” various biases such as gender and ethnic bias, support of racial justice groups like Black Lives Matter (BLM) and Black Power, proportional disciplinary action across races, and equal representation throughout groups and classes.

Host Fredericks Holds Roundtable with Tim Anderson, Reeves, DeSteph, Kiggans, and Cooper About a Law Enforcement Citizen Review Board

October 23, 2020October 22, 2020 Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed a roundtable consisting of Tim Anderson, Sen. Bryce Reeves, Sen. Bill DeSteph, Sen. Jen Kiggans, and Kristen Cooper to the show to discuss the current citizen review board legislation and how it will make police and communities unsafe.

Senator Amanda Chase Takes a Run for the Governor of Virginia to Advance the Policies for the People

October 23, 2020October 22, 2020 Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed state Senator Amanda Chase to the show to discuss her run for Virginia governor next year.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales Joins Political Organization to Defund the Police and Shrink the Justice System

October 22, 2020October 21, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales is on the steering committee of “Our Black Party,” a political organization to defund the police. Morales has stated explicitly that she wants to defund the police and shrink the criminal justice system.
The Code of Virginia states that Commonwealth’s Attorneys are “a part of the department of law enforcement of the county or city in which [s]he is elected or appointed.” It is unclear whether Morales’s leadership within Our Black Party conflicts with her duties as a Commonwealth attorney.

Candidate for Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District, Bob Good Talks About His Ground Game and Having President Trump’s Back

October 22, 2020October 21, 2020 Julie Carr

Wednesday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed Virginia’s Fifth District congressional candidate Bob Good to the show to explain how he will always have President Trump’s back.

Virginia Senate Gives Governor Power to Oust Police Officers

October 22, 2020October 21, 2020 Jacob Taylor

The Criminal Justice Services Board (CJSB) will have the responsibility of decertifying officers engaged in misconduct or criminally charged and implementing statewide conduct standards for law enforcement, if the Senate’s omnibus policing and reform legislation is signed into law.

Last Friday, the president of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Delegates both signed the legislation, and on Wednesday the bill was communicated to Governor Ralph Northam for final approval.

Steve Bannon Describes How the Withering Fire of the Right Is Going to Force Biden to Answer Questions

October 21, 2020October 20, 2020 Julie Carr

Tuesday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed political strategist Steve Bannon to the program to discuss how the Biden campaign is now traumatized while Trump surges.

Policy Advisor, Commentator, and Farmer Martha Boneta Joins Host Fredericks to Discuss the Deceit of Denver Riggleman

October 21, 2020October 20, 2020 Julie Carr

Tuesday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed policy advisor and Virginia farmer Martha Boneta to the show to discuss her shock of Denver Riggleman’s latest actions during a CNN interview.

Spanberger and Freitas Square Off in Debate on COVID, Health Care and National Security

October 21, 2020October 20, 2020 Jacob Taylor

Incumbent Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Republican challenger state Del. Nick Freitas (R-Culpeper) took part in their first debate Tuesday night, discussing a wide array of ongoing issues on the national and state levels.

The forum was moderated by Washington Week Managing Editor and a national political reporter for The Washington Post, Robert Costa, lasting a little less than an hour.

Breitbart News Political Editor Matt Boyle Reviews the Biden Business Model and Their Culture of Corruption

October 21, 2020October 20, 2020 Julie Carr

Tuesday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed Breitbart News Political Editor Matt Boyle to the show to outline the culture of corruption surrounding Joe Biden, his family, and his outer orbit.

Sen. Louise Lucas Does the Expungement Two-Step

October 21, 2020October 21, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Senator Louise Lucas is a patron for a bill that would expunge records of her current felony charges if passed.
Senate Bill 5043 originally was designed to expunge criminal records relating to marijuana possession and open container violations. The latest version of the bill is much more expanded. It covers 76 crimes – many of them felonies.

Virginia Vote Counters: No Winners on Election Night

October 20, 2020October 19, 2020 Jacob Taylor

As November 3rd draws closer, general registrars and their staff in central Virginia are working extremely hard to get as many ballots counted as possible on election night, even though the results will not be official until Friday of that week.

On Monday, The Virginia Star spoke with registrars from Henrico, Hanover, New Kent and Goochland counties, and discussed the timing of ballot counts.

Dr. Christine Hoffman of Job Creators Network Discusses Healthcareforyou.com, Voting Safety, and the Irrational Fear of COVID

October 20, 2020October 19, 2020 Julie Carr

Monday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed Dr. Christine Hoffman, M.D. to the show to discuss HealthCareForYou.com, voting safety, and to explain the irrational fear of contracting COVID.

Faith, Family, and Freedom: Republican Candidate for Florida’s Tenth Congressional District, Vennia Francois Pushes the Conservative Message to Oust Val Demings

October 20, 2020October 19, 2020 Julie Carr

Monday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed the 10th congressional district of Florida candidate (R) Vennia Francois to the show to discuss her ground game against Democratic incumbent Val Demings.

Juneteenth Is Now a Legal Holiday in the State of Virginia

October 18, 2020October 17, 2020 Jacob Taylor

Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation this week passed during the General Assembly 2020 special session into law making Juneteenth an officially recognized holiday in the Commonwealth.

Juneteenth will now be a permanent, statewide holiday allowing all state employees to get a paid day off from work.

Dr. Carol Swain Joins Fox and Friends Weekend to Weigh in on Biden’s Crime Bill of 1994 and Minnesota School of Social Work’s Shaming of White Kids

October 18, 2020October 18, 2020 Julie Carr

Dr. Carol M. Swain appeared on Fox News Channel’s Fox and Friends Weekend Edition with host Pete Hegseth this past Saturday to discuss Joe Biden’s attempt to explain away his Biden Crime Bill in 1994.

Loudoun County Schools Turn to Black Lives Matter for Curriculum, Tries to Hide It

October 18, 2020October 18, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests reveal Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) reliance on material from Black Lives Matter (BLM) and other similar organizations.
One parent issued a FOIA request to LCPS Public Information Officer Wayde Byard. Specifically, the FOIA request concerned any LCPS collaboration with Southern Poverty Law Center and BLM.

Lynchburg Registrar’s Office on Allegations of Improper Absentee Ballot Counting: ‘We Will Do Better in the Future’

October 17, 2020October 16, 2020 Corinne Murdock

The Lynchburg Registrar’s Office maintains that allegations of improper absentee ballot counting were a result of an unintentional oversight of ballot law. No Republican officials were present per The Code of Virginia.
On Monday, the only workers present to process absentee ballots were “non-party affiliation.” Emails shared with The Virginia Star reveal that some of these workers had identified as Democrats up until last year.

Senate Lawmakers Pass Conference Report for Criminal Justice Reform Legislation

October 17, 2020October 16, 2020 Jacob Taylor

During potentially the final day of the lengthy 2020 special session, Senate legislators adopted and passed the conference committee report on a bill that allows judges in certain criminal cases to issue the sentences instead of the jury.

The conference report that was unanimously agreed upon by the six conferees, two Republicans and two Democrats, passed the Senate by an almost exact party line vote of (Y-22 N-16).

Steve Cortes: ‘The Battle We’re Fighting Is Trump and the Deplorables vs. The Credentialed Crony Powerful Money Interests and Big Tech’

October 17, 2020October 16, 2020 Julie Carr

Friday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredericks welcomed Senior Strategic Advisor to the Trump-Pence 2020 campaign Steve Cortes to the show. Cortes weighed in on The New York Post story about the Biden family emails and how no one in the mainstream media questioned them.

Virginia’s First Congressional District Congressman Robert Wittman Describes How Pelosi’s Purpose Lies in Politics Not People

October 17, 2020October 16, 2020 Julie Carr

Friday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed Virginia’s First District Congressman Robert Wittman to the show to discuss how the Speaker of the House is holding up the passing of a bill that would help many suffering Americans.

In Lieu of Lynchburg: Steve Bannon and John Fredericks Urge Listeners’ to Volunteer as Election Officials

October 17, 2020October 16, 2020 Julie Carr

Friday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed political figure Steve Bannon to the show to explain how the Democrats will steal the election and urged Trump supporters to become an election official.

Legislation Allowing Localities to Establish Law Enforcement Civilian Review Boards Heads to Governor’s Desk

October 16, 2020October 15, 2020 Jacob Taylor

Compromised legislation that gives localities the authority to establish law enforcement civilian review boards (CRB) successfully passed final votes in the Senate and House of Delegates Wednesday afternoon, and now goes to the governor’s desk for final approval.

Joint conference committee reports for Senate Bill 5035 passed the Senate (21-Y 17-N) and for House Bill 5055 passed the House (53-Y 35-N), mostly along the party lines of both chambers.

YourChoice Direct Care Dr. Chad Savage, M.D. Examines the Affordable Care Act and the Need for Healthcare Marketplace Competition

October 16, 2020October 15, 2020 Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed Dr. Chad Savage to the show to explain the Affordable Care Act and how the Trump administration is creating competition and transparency in the healthcare marketplace.

Dean of Liberty University’s School of Business Dave Brat Urges Those Who Don’t Have a Voice to Get One and Vote

October 16, 2020October 15, 2020 Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed Liberty University’s School of Business Dean Dave Brat to the show to weigh in on the double standard of Big Tech and the realistic possibility that America could turn socialist.

Lynchburg Registrar Accused of Counting Absentee Ballots Illegally Without Republicans Present

October 16, 2020October 15, 2020 Corinne Murdock

The Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) and the Lynchburg Republican City Committee are accusing the Lynchburg Registrar’s Office of violating election laws by counting absentee ballots without Republicans present. Individuals who previously registered as Democrats for years assisted in counting ballots, this time registered as “non-party affiliation.”
65 of the “non-party affiliation” individuals were Democrats last year.

Congressman Ben Cline of Virginia’s Sixth District Discusses What Voters Want and How Nancy Pelosi Continues to Campaign on the Misery of the American People

October 15, 2020October 14, 2020 Julie Carr

Wednesday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed Congressman Ben Cline of Virginia’s Sixth District to weigh in on Nancy Pelosi’s CNN meltdown and the main concerns of Virginia voters.

Senate and House Advance Budget Legislation to Conference Committee

October 15, 2020October 14, 2020 Jacob Taylor

Lawmakers in the Senate and House of Delegates advanced their biennial budget to a formal conference committee on Wednesday and assigned conferees to represent the bodies, but much of the work on compromising has already been conducted.

Before the two legislative bodies agreed to send the budget to a joint conference committee, however, the Senate first had to adopt a batch of seven committee amendments to the budget legislation.

Candidate for Congress in Virginia’s Second District Scott Taylor Talks About His Opponent Luria’s Absence and Unaccountability

October 15, 2020October 14, 2020 Julie Carr

Wednesday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed Virginia congressional candidate Scott Taylor to the show to discuss his campaign’s upcoming events and his invisible opponent Elaine Luria.

Loudoun County School Board Backpedals on Policy Limiting Free Speech Indefinitely After Public Outcry

October 15, 2020October 14, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Loudoun County School Board voted this week to revise their “Professional Conduct” policy governing employee speech off of school property. Up until the latest meeting, members recommended to approve and accept the policy.
Apparently, public outcry from teachers unions and community members led to this decision.

VA Democrats Want To Issue Mandatory ‘Vaccination Cards’ Costing $121 Million

October 14, 2020October 14, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Virginia plans on spending nearly $121 million on CARES funding for COVID-19 vaccine equipment and advertisement. This according to a proposal draft, reportedly submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week.

Nearly $6 million will be spent on equipment: over $111 million on administration and staffing and $3 million in a “public education campaign.”

Newly Proposed Law to Reduce Traffic Stops Relating to Marijuana and Other Traffic Offenses, Law Enforcement in Opposition

October 13, 2020October 12, 2020 Admin

A bill that aims to reduce unnecessary and targeted traffic stops by limiting what police officers are lawfully allowed to pull drivers over for recently passed the General Assembly and is now awaiting a decision from the governor.

Nevertheless, law enforcement opposes the legislation on the grounds that it would hurt public safety and lead to more dangers while driving.

Former State Delegate Tim Hugo Announces Bid for Lieutenant Governor in 2021

October 11, 2020October 10, 2020 Jacob Taylor

Former member of the Virginia House of Delegates Tim Hugo announced Monday that he is officially entering the 2021 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election.

Hugo is the fourth Republican to enter the race and is the ninth person to announce their candidacy overall.

Virginia Wants to Pay Nearly $500,000 or More in Commonwealth Funds to Remove and Replace U.S. Capitol Lee Statue

October 11, 2020October 11, 2020 Corinne Murdock

The Commonwealth will pay nearly $500,000 or more to remove and replace the Robert E. Lee statue in the U.S. Capitol. In charge of the project is the Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol, created for the sole purpose of removing the Lee statue from the National Statuary Hall Collection.
The projected costs total $498,500 – funds the commission says could total more or less in the coming months. Their estimate comes from other states’ costs for similar projects.

President of Club for Growth David McIntosh Weighs in on the Race Between Nick Freitas and the Deceit of His Opponent Abigail Spanberger

October 10, 2020October 9, 2020 Julie Carr

Friday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed President of Club for Growth David McIntosh to the show to discuss the race in Virginia’s Seventh District between Nick Freitas and Abigail Spanberger.

Busted: Judge Rules Virginia House Speaker Filler-Corn Violated the Freedom of Information Act

October 10, 2020October 10, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Richmond General District Court found Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) guilty of violating the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) on Friday. Filler-Corn must pay a civil penalty of $500 and a partial reimbursement of attorney fees.
The filing attorney, Timothy Anderson, told The Virginia Star that this court ruling was a big win for Virginians. Anderson also shared that the judge had expressed doubt during the trial that Filler-Corn didn’t know about the documents.

Political Editor at Breitbart News, Matt Boyle on Debate: A Vote for a Biden-Harris Ticket Would Be a Vote for the Chinese Communist Party

October 9, 2020October 8, 2020 Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed Breitbart News political editor Matt Boyle to the show to weigh in on the Pence-Harris debate and how to read the national polls.

Former Trump Deputy National Security K. T. McFarland Details Her Experience with the Swamp and Trump’s Decision to Deny a Virtual Debate

October 9, 2020October 8, 2020 Julie Carr

Thursday morning on the John Fredericks Radio Show, host Fredericks talked to former Deputy National Security Advisor to the Trump administration K.T. McFarland about the vice presidential debate and the deep state in Washington D.C.

State Inspector General Substantiates Multiple Allegations Against the Virginia Parole Board

October 9, 2020October 8, 2020 Jacob Taylor

The Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) has released reports substantiating multiple allegations that the Virginia Parole Board (VPB) violated state statutes as well as its own policies and procedures after investigating complaints regarding the parole of specific Department of Corrections offenders.

On Tuesday, the OSIG released copies of the reports, originally sent to Governor Ralph Northam’s administration, to media outlets who requested them that were mostly redacted and did not offer the specific findings of the investigation into the VPB.

The Price of Liberty Is Eternal Vigilance: Speech First President Nicole Neily Says Be Aware of the ‘Bias Response Teams’

October 9, 2020 Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed President of Speech First Nicole Neily to discuss bias response teams and the encroaching Chinese credit score concept in America.

Virginia Department of Health Spent Over $56K to Sign Teens up for Sex-Ed Texting

October 9, 2020October 8, 2020 Corinne Murdock

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) appropriated over $56,000 to fund a sex-help texting line for teenagers. The resource, BrdsNBz, doesn’t require parental permission.
VDH sent out postcards across the state inviting anyone ages 13-19 to anonymously text a number for sex education. BrdsNBz says it provides “medically-accurate information about sexual health topics” relayed by a trained “Health Education team.” It also promises “local resources and referrals,” though it does not mention what those entail.

Senate Lawmakers Send Numerous Bills to Joint Conference Committees with House

October 8, 2020October 7, 2020 Jacob Taylor

The Senate sent a number of bills to be considered by joint conference committees, and appointed conferees to join their colleagues in the House of Delegates to consider legislation on Wednesday.

Three or four Senators and Delegates are assigned to different conference committees and must try to agree on compromised language for similar bills from each body or the legislation will die. If compromised versions are agreed upon, those bills will go back to the House and Senate for a final passage vote.

In the Dead of Night, House Speaker Filler-Corn Removed Confederate Statues for $83K – and Lied About the Documents, Lawsuit Claims

October 8, 2020October 8, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) faces a lawsuit for falsely denying the existence of records documenting the $83,000 removal of the Capitol’s Confederate monuments.

The plaintiff in the case, David Webster II, requested documents under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) from Filler-Corn upon learning she’d removed the Confederate statues and busts. In her response, Filler-Corn states repeatedly “The requested records do not exist.” However, Webster II discovered many of the documents in question.

Show Me the Money: Congressman Morgan Griffith Outlines Pelosi Plan to Line the Pockets of Fat Cat Millionaires in Bogus Stimulus Plan

October 8, 2020 Julie Carr

Friday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed Virginia Congressman Morgan Griffith to the show to outline why Trump ceased negotiating a second CARES Act and Nancy Pelosi’s tax cuts for her millionaire donors.

Gov. Northam Criticizes President Trump’s ‘Don’t Live in Fear’ Message, Suggests Exercising to Help Fight COVID

October 7, 2020October 6, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Governor Ralph Northam criticized President Donald Trump’s statement preceding his release from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”

In it to Win it: Candidate for Richmond City Council Mike Dickinson Describes His Campaign and the Determination to Save His City

October 6, 2020October 5, 2020 Julie Carr

Monday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed candidate Mike Dickinson running for Richmond City Council to describe his campaign to push back and his accomplishments along the way.

Enough is Enough: Tim Hugo Announces His Run for Lieutenant Governor and a Campaign of Common Sense Conservative Approaches for Virginia

October 6, 2020October 5, 2020 Julie Carr

Monday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed candidate for Lt. Governor of Virginia Tim Hugo to the program to discuss his run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and instilling common sense values to government.

Stephen K. Bannon: The Recovery of America is Personified in the Recovery of President Donald Trump

October 6, 2020October 5, 2020 Julie Carr

Monday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed political strategist Steve Bannon to the show to weigh in on Trump’s recovery and proceeding with digital rallies supported by excellent surrogates.

More Madness in Virginia’s School Systems: Free Speech… Unless We Disagree

October 6, 2020October 5, 2020 Corinne Murdock

The Loudoun County School Board will vote on a policy silencing employees who disagree with racial equity practices. The proposal would extend the school’s jurisdiction over off-campus speech, including social media, speeches, and any written forms of communication.
The new policy would govern employee speech “during and after school or work hours, whether on or off school board property, including the property of any school, office, or facility.”

Former House Speaker Kirk Cox Is Serious About Bid for Virginia Governor

October 4, 2020October 3, 2020 Jacob Taylor

Longtime state Delegate Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) is very serious about running for Virginia governor in the 2021 gubernatorial elections, but he is steadfast on waiting until the rapidly-approaching general elections have concluded to officially announce his campaign.

Despite recently filing paperwork with the state of Virginia to establish a campaign committee, Cox feels the November election, specifically securing another term for President Trump and congressional seats for Republicans, take priority at the moment.