Morning Notes

Virginia Releases New Policies on Transgender Students — “The final model policies…include many of the same guidelines with an emphasis on parents’ rights ‘to make decisions with respect to their children.’ The policies, a version of which each of Virginia’s schools systems would be required to adopt, outline that teachers and other school personnel may not refer to a student by a different name or pronoun unless parents request the switch in writing.” [The Washington Post]

Northern Virginia Center Expansion Gets Support — The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval last week of Virginia Tech’s proposed campus redevelopment near the West Falls Church Metro station. Proponents said the promised affordable housing and more transit-oriented focus are necessary, while some critics feared the new buildings will overshadow existing condominiums. [Gazette Leader]

Republican Challenges Tim Kaine for Senate Seat — “Hung Cao, a retired U.S. Navy captain who entered the political spotlight last year with an unsuccessful bid to unseat Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.), announced Tuesday that he will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Sen. Tim Kaine (D) in Virginia’s 2024 elections.” [The Washington Post]

Vienna Police Issue Hundreds of Traffic Citations — The Vienna Police Department’s stop sign enforcement campaign in June yielded “220 stop sign citations and a total of 108 citations issued for other various traffic violations.” Vienna Police Chief Jim Morris says traffic safety is one of the department’s “biggest priorities” throughout the year. [Vienna Police press release, Facebook]

Container Store Lands Space at Springfield Plaza — “The Container Store has inked a deal for a new big box location at Springfield Plaza, where it will join a Whole Foods Market scheduled to open this fall at the retail center at 7206 Old Keene Mill Road.” The new store, which will occupy about 15,282 square feet of previously subdivided space, is expected to open in summer 2024. [Washington Business Journal]

Lorton Residents Get Glimpse of Vision for Future — “Lorton’s community center and library were filled with charts and maps Saturday, July 15, which showed the possible evolution over the next several decades of the Lorton area…[A consultant] said most people gave positive feedback on the plan and said they hoped for a Lorton with ‘more there, there.'” [On the MoVe]

Compromise Proposed on National Airport Flights Increase — “The compromise amendment from Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, calls for adding seven round-trip flights at the airport, instead of the 28 that some lawmakers had previously proposed…Virginia and Maryland lawmakers have argued against expanding the number of flights at the airport, saying they would add to delays and frustrations for fliers.” [WTOP]

Virginia NAACP Questions Voting Rights Restoration Process — “Saying Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s new policy echoes Virginia’s racist past, the state conference of the NAACP on Tuesday released a platform of proposed changes to the way the commonwealth restores voting rights to ex-felons.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Wednesday — Expect isolated showers followed by possible thunderstorms after 11am, partly sunny weather with a high near 88 and a low around 71. The chance of rain is 40%. [Weather.gov]

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