Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Sep 10

Students at the VCUarts Qatar campus took shelter on Tuesday after Israeli forces struck a building in Doha — the nation’s capital — serving as a headquarters for Hamas political leaders. commonwealthtimes.org/2025/09/10/v...

VCU Qatar students shelter, classes cancelled following Israeli airstrike in Doha

Students at the VCUarts Qatar campus took shelter on Tuesday after Israeli forces struck a building in Doha, the nation’s capitol, serving as Hamas political leaders’ headquarters.

commonwealthtimes.org

Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Aug 28

Senate Democrats vote to block 14 more of Gov. Youngkin’s university board appointments to UVA, GMU and VMI — bringing the total to 22. virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com/p/senate-dem...

Senate Democrats block 14 more university appointments, ask Youngkin to cease making more

Senate Democrats asked Gov. Glenn Youngkin to cease appointing more members to the governing boards of three Virginia universities after blocking 14 more of them in a Senate meeting Thursday.

virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com

Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Aug 28

I was shamed by our entire staff after rejecting the original headline idea for this story, which was “‘meow meow meow;’ Richmond welcomes new cat cafe.” Executive Editor is proving to be a hard job.

t.co/GbAd3gZ7XX

https://commonwealthtimes.org/2025/08/27/richmonds-new-cat-cafe-is-a-purrfect-addition/

t.co

Reposted by Andrew Kerley✍️📸

Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Aug 12

Miyares filed with the Virginia Supreme Court to appeal a July court decision that affirmed Senate Democrats’ rejection of some of Youngkin’s university board appointees. Miyares is citing multiple reasons for filing the appeal.

@andrewkerley.bsky.social

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

AG Miyares appeals court decision over university board rejections

Miyares on Monday formally filed to appeal a July court decision that affirmed Senate Democrats’ rejection of some of Youngkin’s university board appointees.

open.substack.com

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Aug 12

“In Honduras, I am not coming out of the house,” wrote deported asylum seeker Martinez-Cantero in a letter read to the crowd. “I am scared.”
Story by: @hazelissimo.bsky.social
commonwealthtimes.org/2025/08/12/p...

Protesters rally at city hall following ICE arrests in Richmond The Commonwealth Times

Community members and activists rallied at Richmond City Hall on Monday to protest recent deportations in the area, increased activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, and to express so...

commonwealthtimes.org

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jul 29

BREAKING: A Fairfax Judge has sided with Virginia Senate Democrats in a legal battle over their rejection of some of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s university board appointees, reaffirming the GA’s power over the governing bodies.

Background: www.virginiascope.com/senate-democ...

Sen. Rouse’s statement ⬇️

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jul 29

VCU finally gives Sereen Haddad her degree.

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jul 17

The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus released a statement condemning Democrats for calling another Privilages and Elections committee meeting for Monday — where they are likely to vote on more of Gov. Youngkin’s university board appointments.

Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jul 16

Virginia House Democrats are holding their lead in the money race ahead of November elections, though Republicans are catching up compared to the last report.

substack.com/@virginiasco...

Brandon Jarvis (@virginiascopenews)

Democrats continue their fundraising advantage in House races

substack.com

Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jul 14

Thanks Michael Pope for having me on the Virginia Press Room podcast this week! Listen to our discussion on your favorite platform ⬇️

www.vpm.org/vapressroom

The Virginia Press Room

Go behind the headlines with Virginia journalists as they analyze state politics, policy and community issues. Join host Michael Pope for expert insights from the Capitol and beyond.

www.vpm.org

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jul 11

George Mason seems to be the Trump DOJ’s next target in their crusade on DEI.

“They [GMU] have a board appointed by Youngkin, so they’re not going to be resistant in any way," political analyst Bob Holsworth said.

t.co/Nqp3joYWfi

https://www.virginiascope.com/george-masons-president-appears-to-be-the-trump-administrations-next-target/

t.co

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jul 10

My latest for Virginia Scope: Senate Democrats are weighing blocking more of Gov. Youngkin’s appointees to university boards as he gains full control of Virginia’s institutes — fearing he may exert unprecedented influence before his term’s end. ⬇️

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 29

Supervisor James Walkinshaw is the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.

www.virginiascope.com/walkinshaw-w...

Walkinshaw wins Democratic nomination for Virginia's Eleventh Congressional District

Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw beat out nine other candidates in a contentious firehouse primary on Saturday to become the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District in ...

www.virginiascope.com

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 28

Stewart Whitson is the Republican nominee for the Va-11 special congressional election - party chair Katie Gorka tells me. The Democratic nominee is expected to be announced later tonight.

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 20

10 Democrats are in the race to succeed the late Rep. Gerry Connolly — but his chosen successor’s front runner status has brought about concerns by some other candidates over fairness.

www.virginiascope.com/walkinshaws-...

Walkinshaw’s frontrunner status sparks debate over fairness in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District Primary

A crowded field of Democrats is vying for the party’s nomination in the special election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. James Walkinshaw, Connolly’s chosen successor, appears to be the cl...

www.virginiascope.com

Reposted by Andrew Kerley✍️📸

Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jun 19

James Walkinshaw is the favorite in the crowded Democratic primary for VA-11's special election. His opponents are expressing concerns that the nomination process favors establishment candidates and also limits voter access.

By: @andrewkerley.bsky.social

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Walkinshaw’s frontrunner status sparks debate over fairness in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District Primary

A crowded field of Democrats is vying for the party’s nomination in the special election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.

open.substack.com

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 18

Oh yeah so I’m interning with Virginia Scope and the Virginia Political Newsletter this summer to cover state elections and politics! I’m super stoked.

Here’s my first byline: Hashmi wins.
www.virginiascope.com/state-sen-gh...

State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi declares victory in Democratic lieutenant governor primary

State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, declared victory in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor Tuesday night shortly after 10 p.m.

www.virginiascope.com

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 18

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi just declared herself Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Virginia.

“Here in Virginia we’re choosing something different," Hashmi said. "We’re choosing courage, we’re choosing progress and we’re choosing to lead.”

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 15

That’s all for my reporting. Look forward to the full Commonwealth Times story.

Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 15

After doing a lap around the entirety of downtown, the march is wrapping-up with a rally back at Kanawha Plaza.

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 14

State police are driving down side streets as the march continues east down Broad Street.

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 14

“ICE is coming for your neighbor, fight them now there is no later,” the crowd chants while passing the RPD building. “IDF, KKK, RPD, they’re all the same.”

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 14

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 14

While the No Kings protest ended in Kanawha Plaza, a new march without a permit and full of younger people is moving downtown.

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Andrew Kerley✍️📸 @andrewkerley.bsky.social · Jun 14

At Kanawha Plaza — this guy is standing on the fountain and people are taking turns giving him their signs/flags to wave.

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