By Karen Kirk: Despite multiple calls for his resignation, Virginia Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam refused to resign on Saturday after he first acknowledged then denied being in a yearbook photo that surfaced Friday showing one person in blackface and another…
Kathy Tran sets the record straight on her misunderstood abortion bill
Updated 4:10 pm to remove reference to town hall, which has been cancelled Virginia Del. Kathy Tran (D-42) has apologized to constituents for misspeaking, while reaffirming her opposition to infanticide and clarifying that a bill she sponsored would not extend…
State legislators welcome 50+ delegation from NoVa
Although the weather was cold, the reception was warm as 10 state lawmakers met with a delegation of 50+ Committee members, part of Fairfax County Democratic Committee, in Richmond on Jan. 17. The 50+ members discussed key issues for seniors…
Dream to ratify ERA is over for 2019
The dream of Virginia becoming the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment this year died Friday, when the Virginia House Privileges and Elections Committee refused to hear the resolution, which states that Americans can’t be denied civil and legal…
Unpacking the sausage of Fairfax County elections
By Brad Swanson: You should not look too closely into the making of laws or sausages, runs the saying attributed (incorrectly) to Germany’s “Iron Chancellor”, Otto von Bismarck. But what would he have thought about the convoluted process of making…
Diverse candidates strengthen Fairfax democracy
By Karen Keys-Gamarra The author is an at-large member of the Fairfax County School Board and is running for re-election in November. Actions speak louder than words. That’s true in Fairfax County, where we boast diversity that is reflected in our…
ERA voted down by VA House subcommittee
The dream of Virginia becoming the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment was put on hold Tuesday by a Republican-controlled House subcommittee. All four Republican members of Subcommittee No. 1 of the House Privileges and Elections Committee voted against…
Photo Essay: A Women’s March with Heart
There were fewer marchers and even fewer pussy hats at the 3rd annual Women’s March in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Jan. 19, than in past years, but the spirit and message of those who showed up was strong. Organizers estimated…
Gov. Northam pledges to continue fight for women’s choice
By Susan Laume: After two bills which would have removed some of the medically unnecessary impediments to women’s abortion care were defeated by the Virginia Senate Health and Education Committee on Thursday, Jan. 17, Virginia’s leaders reaffirmed their support for…
Sheriff arrests crises with “diversion first”
By Susan Laume: Since the Diversion First program began three years ago in Fairfax County offering an alternative to jail for those experiencing a mental health crisis and facing a first arrest, detentions have dropped by nearly 20% in the Adult…
Virginia Senate passes ERA Resolution
By Karen Kirk: By a bipartisan vote, the Virginia Senate voted Tuesday to pass the Equal Rights Amendment Resolution by a 26-14 vote with 7 Republicans joining all 19 Senate Democrats. Now the resolution faces a more difficult road to…
Winter Arrives
Most schools were closed Monday after six to 12 inches of snow fell on Northern Virginia. Children enjoyed the day sledding, making snowmen and having snowball fights while grownups shoveled snow or took a walk in the woods. It was…
Complete results for House D-86 Dem. caucus show Samirah led field of four with 36%
Dr. Ibraheem Samirah, a Herndon-based dentist, won the Democratic Party caucus on Jan 12 for state House District 86 with 36% of the 2,047 votes cast. Coming in second was Kofi Annan, head of the Fairfax County NAACP, with 30%,…
Ibraheem Samirah wins caucus to represent Dems in Va House D-86 special election
Dr. Ibraheem Samirah, a dentist and Herndon resident, has won the Democratic party caucus to represent the party in the special election on Tuesday Feb 19 to fill a seat, state House District 86, left vacant when Jennifer Boysko was…