April 28 Newsletter: The latest on John Reid
Weather: Pleasant and sunny. High of 75.
On this date in 1898, two inches of snow fall in the Richmond area. It is the latest recorded snowfall in the city's history.
Join us tonight: The Richmonder presents a screening of "Join or Die," a film about the importance of community and civic involvement. The movie starts at the Byrd Theatre at 6:30 p.m., and will be followed by a live Q&A with Director Rebecca Davis. Tickets are free for donors or at $10 at the door for all others.
Catching up on the John Reid situation
The Richmonder first reported on Friday that Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked Richmond-area radio host John Reid to withdraw from the race for lieutenant governor.
- Youngkin told Reid that GOP researchers found sexually explicit posts online that they believe are connected to Reid.
- The explicit images, which had timestamps indicating they were published between 2018 and 2020, did not show Reid himself.
- The Tumblr page, which matched Reid's other social media handles and has reportedly been in existence since 2014, was taken down shortly after the initial story was published.
Reid published a five-minute video indicating the account wasn't his. He said he won't back down, and is being targeted by his fellow Republicans because he's openly gay.
Sunday afternoon Reid published another video, where he said a member of Youngkin's team told him they would purchase the opposition research if he dropped out of the race.
"This is extortion, and it is illegal in Virginia," Reid added.
What's next: A Wednesday event in Henrico featuring the statewide candidates, plus Youngkin, has been canceled.
Reid is continuing his campaign, and was applauded by a crowd in Abingdon at a weekend appearance.
Ted Koppel returns to open Richmond Forum's 40th season
The journalist was one of the speakers at the program's inaugural event. Also coming to Richmond next year:
- Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin
- Political figures Joe Manchin, Andrew Yang and Justin Amash
- Actress and entrepreneur Tracee Ellis Ross
- Author John Green, who wrote "The Fault in Our Stars" and "Everything is Tuberculosis"
Planning commission recommends denial of proposed North Side rehab facility
Richmond's planning commission recommended that City Council not approve the conversion of an old funeral home in Barton Heights into a locked addiction rehab facility. The neighborhood is already home to several recovery facilities. See a map and read more here.
RPS requests to be removed from state performance agreement
Richmond Public Schools will send a letter to the Virginia Board of Education requesting to be removed from an academic performance agreement both parties entered into back in 2017.
The agreement is scheduled to lift when all RPS schools are accredited. Right now, about half are. The school system is citing recent gains as proof it does not need further supervision. Read more here.
In other news
- How Zoning Reform Can Address Richmond’s Housing Inequality, by Councilmember Ellen Robertson and Thomas Okuda Fitzpatrick (RVA Mag)
- The History of VPM: A Journey Through Its Origins and Legacy (VPM, video)
- Volunteers answer Richmond mayor's call for citywide day of service (CBS 6)
The editor's desk
After asking which animal will get featured in the next issue, Jennifer at the Science Museum reached out with the answer: Helen, the current point leader in the museum's daily Rat Basketball games.
I am a big Science Museum fan. I am a big basketball fan. But I have never quite warmed up to Rat Basketball. Maybe it's time to give them another chance.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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