By Sarah Roderick-Fitch

(The Center Square) – Virginia is the second state in as many days to ban the artificial intelligence app DeepSeek on state devices and state-run networks.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 46, citing security threats against Virginians.

“China’s DeepSeek AI poses a threat to the security and safety of the citizens of the commonwealth of Virginia,” said Youngkin. “We must continue to take steps to safeguard our operations and information from the Chinese Communist Party. This executive order is an important part of that undertaking.”

The order directs that no commonwealth employees shall download or use the DeepSeek app on any government-issued devices, which includes cellphones and laptops. In addition, it prohibits downloading or accessing the app on commonwealth networks.

Youngkin’s order states that the order is integral to safeguarding information technology that may contain vital data, including personally identifiable information, tax data, health records and intellectual property.

The governor’s latest action follows a December 2022 executive order that banned any applications developed by ByteDance Limited or Tencent Holdings Limited or any visit to the TikTok or the WeChat website on any government-issued devices.

DeepSeek, created by a research lab owned by a Chinese hedge fund, has raised concerns about ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

Youngkin cited an analysis from security experts that say DeepSeek “lacks robust security measures making it susceptible to ‘jailbreaking’ attacks,’” which means users “can get around” security measures and “ethical guardrails in place on the chatbot.”

In tests, Cisco Systems said the model failed to block harmful prompts, which resulted in a 100% attack rate, making it vulnerable to exploitation, which can “generate malicious content.”

Youngkin’s executive action follows an order by Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul banning the app Monday, citing connections to the Chinese government’s surveillance and censorship programs that could be used to harvest sensitive data.

Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman At-Large of the Prince William County School Board, has entered the race for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, positioning himself as an education-focused candidate in a crowded Democratic primary. With years of experience overseeing Virginia’s second-largest school division, Lateef brings a track record of pushing for increased teacher pay, improved graduation rates, and infrastructure investments—all issues he hopes to prioritize at the state level.

An Education-First Platform

Lateef, an ophthalmologist and longtime public servant, has served on the Prince William County School Board since 2018. Under his leadership, teacher salaries have increased by 61%, making the county more competitive with neighboring school divisions. Additionally, the county’s graduation rate has risen to 95%, the highest in its history.

“We know the biggest impact on student performance is the quality of the teacher in the room,” Lateef said during a recent appearance on the Potomac Local News Podcast. “Our commitment to teacher pay has helped us retain top educators and improve student outcomes.”

If elected Lieutenant Governor, Lateef says he will advocate for increased state funding for public schools, citing Virginia’s historically low contribution to education compared to other states. He believes more money should be returned from Richmond to local districts to help fund essential programs, maintain school facilities, and reduce the financial burden on county governments.

“Virginia ranks 42nd and 43rd in the nation in state funding for public education,” he noted. “That means less affluent school districts are paying more for education than their counterparts in other states. We need to change that.”

A Record of Advocacy and Leadership

Lateef has championed several education reforms in Prince William County, including a cell phone ban in classrooms, expanded specialty programs, and increased career and technical education investments. He has also emphasized the importance of extracurricular activities such as robotics, debate, and academic competitions to prepare students for high-paying jobs in the future.

“We’re seeing record amounts of scholarship money awarded to our students,” he said. “That’s real money in the pockets of real families, helping kids access higher education and better opportunities.”

His leadership in one of Virginia’s most diverse counties—where the student population reflects a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds—has shaped his perspective on equity in education. He has called for the state to lift support caps on key school positions, including counselors and instructional coaches, to provide students with more resources.

Lateef Opposes Expansion of Gambling in Virginia

Babur Lateef voiced strong opposition to the expansion of gambling in Virginia, particularly the push to install skill-based gaming machines in convenience stores and grocery outlets.

Lateef criticized efforts to increase gambling accessibility, arguing that such measures do not align with the real concerns of Virginia families.

While acknowledging that casino projects, such as The Rose in Dumfries, have been approved through local referendums, Lateef drew a sharp distinction between those developments and placing gambling machines in everyday retail spaces. He called the latter “predatory gambling” and warned of the risks associated with exposing children to flashy, attention-grabbing slot machines in highly trafficked areas.

He also questioned the necessity of gambling revenue as a funding source for the state. “If your best idea for raising money is putting slot machines in convenience stores, that’s just an awful idea,” Lateef said. “We’re running surpluses in the state—our lawmakers should be working harder to come up with better solutions.”

Instead of expanding gambling, Lateef advocated for diversifying economic development strategies, pointing to the success of data centers in Prince William County as a potential model for other areas. He suggested that distributing data center projects across the state could generate significant local revenue without the social costs associated with gambling.

Statewide Impact and the Race Ahead

Lateef’s bid for Lieutenant Governor comes when education remains a hot-button issue in Virginia politics. He has argued that strengthening public schools should be a bipartisan priority and has pledged to work across party lines to secure more student funding and resources.

His campaign is also expected to focus on other economic issues, including workforce development and infrastructure improvements. Lateef has expressed support for expanding data centers across Virginia to boost local economies rather than concentrating them in just a few areas.

As he competes in a crowded field of Democratic candidates, Lateef hopes that his record in Prince William County will set him apart. With primary elections approaching, his ability to mobilize educators, parents, and voters who prioritize school funding could be a deciding factor in his campaign.

“We have a responsibility to invest in our kids,” he said. “If we do that right, we’re investing in Virginia’s future.”

As of February 3, 2025, the Democratic primary for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor race features a competitive field of candidates, including Alex Bastani, Carl Eggleston, Ghazala Hashmi, Aaron Rouse, Victor Salgado, and Levar Stoney. Each candidate brings a unique background and policy focus, setting the stage for a dynamic contest as they vie for the party’s nomination. With education, economic growth, and healthcare emerging as key issues in the race, voters will have a range of choices in shaping Virginia’s leadership for the coming years.

Alex Bastani is an attorney and labor rights advocate known for his progressive stance on workers’ rights and economic justice. With experience in public service and community organizing, Bastani has positioned himself as a candidate focused on fighting income inequality and strengthening labor protections in Virginia.

Carl Eggleston is a longtime community leader and former Farmville town councilor with a history of public service and civic engagement. A small business owner, Eggleston has been an advocate for economic development in rural communities, emphasizing the need for investment in small businesses and infrastructure in underserved areas.

Ghazala Hashmi has served as a state senator representing Chesterfield County since 2020. She made history as Virginia’s first Muslim state senator and has been a vocal advocate for education reform, healthcare access, and reproductive rights. As chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, she has sponsored legislation focused on expanding early childhood education and increasing funding for public schools.

Aaron Rouse is a former NFL player turned Virginia Beach city councilor and state senator. Since his election to the Senate in 2023, he has focused on social justice, criminal justice reform, and economic opportunities for underprivileged communities. Rouse, who also runs a nonprofit supporting underserved youth, has been a strong advocate for expanding access to affordable housing and creating pathways for workforce development.

Victor Salgado is a federal prosecutor and law professor who entered the race as an outsider with a focus on ethics reform and government accountability. With experience in prosecuting corruption cases, Salgado has positioned himself as a candidate dedicated to increasing transparency in state government and ensuring fair access to legal resources for all Virginians.

Levar Stoney is the former mayor of Richmond and a seasoned political leader who has championed racial equity, economic development, and education reform. Stoney, who previously served as Virginia’s Secretary of the Commonwealth, is best known for leading efforts to remove Confederate monuments and invest in Richmond’s public schools. His campaign emphasizes reducing poverty, expanding healthcare access, and ensuring economic opportunities for all Virginians.

With such diverse candidates, the Democratic primary is expected to be a highly contested race, with each hopeful offering distinct visions for Virginia’s future.

By Sarah Roderick Fitch

(The Center Square) – Three amendments are one step closer to being enshrined in the Virginia Constitution after passing the Senate on Tuesday. These amendments address abortion rights, marriage equality, and the restoration of voting rights for formerly incarcerated felons.

The resolutions on abortion and voting rights passed along party lines, while the marriage equality resolution received bipartisan support with a 24-15 vote. Democrats currently hold a 21-19 majority in the Senate for the four-year terms through December 2027.

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin cannot veto constitutional amendments. The process requires these amendments to be approved twice over two years, with a legislative election in between. If approved again, the proposed amendments will appear on the 2026 ballot for voters’ consideration.

The abortion amendment aims to protect reproductive freedom in Virginia. It ensures individuals have the right to make decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care. Republicans proposed amendments to the resolution, including parental consent for minors and a clause guaranteeing a baby’s rights if born alive. These proposals failed.

The second amendment pertains to restoring voting rights for individuals convicted of felonies. According to the amendment, “A person who has been convicted of a felony shall not be entitled to vote during any period of incarceration for such felony conviction, but upon release from incarceration for that felony conviction and without further action required of him, such person shall be invested with all political rights, including the right to vote.” This represents a shift from the current system, which requires the governor or another authority to restore voting rights.

The third amendment would define marriage as a union between “two adult persons” and repeal the prohibition on same-sex marriage. The amendment further states, “The amendment prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from denying the issuance of a marriage license to two adult persons seeking a lawful marriage on the basis of the sex, gender, or race of such persons.” The resolution repeals outdated constitutional provisions invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision.

Senate Republicans criticized the votes and referenced comments made by former Gov. Ralph Northam in 2019 regarding infanticide. The Virginia Senate GOP stated in a post on X, “Today, EVERY SINGLE Democrat in the Virginia Senate voted to reject an amendment that would guarantee a baby’s rights to life if born ALIVE…It wasn’t a gaffe, it was the groundwork to where we are today.”

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Mount Vernon, celebrated the passage of the resolutions, saying, “Senate Democrats ran on codifying Roe v. Wade, affirming marriage equality, and excising Jim Crow from the Constitution of Virginia, and today we delivered. This starts the process of giving Virginia voters a chance to affirm cherished rights.”

Local families may have noticed an increase in children being diagnosed with pneumonia this fall. Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed the increase in November with a statement noting Emergency Room visits with a pneumonia diagnosis tripled the week of November 10-17 compared to the prior two years.

Additionally, a number of public schools have reported clusters of students with pneumonia and unspecified respiratory illnesses to VDH. 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued several statements this fall regarding the increase in Mycoplasma pneumonia (M. Pneumoniae), a common cause of mild respiratory illness that has seen a significant resurgence in 2024. In the United States, cases have increased across all age groups since late spring, peaking in August and remaining high through the fall.

Notably, young children aged 2–4 years have seen a substantial increase in infections, reversing previous trends where older children and adolescents were most affected.

The CDC reported that cases are increasing most among children, with infections in those aged 2–4 years rising from 1% to 7%, and in children aged 5–17 rising from 3.6% to 7.4%. This rise in infections among 2–4-year-olds is significant, as M. pneumoniae historically hasn’t been recognized as a leading cause of pneumonia in this age group.

Dr. Lana Ismail, a Pediatric Hospitalist and Medical Director of the Children’s National Pediatric Hospital Medicine Program at Mary Washington Healthcare, confirmed that both Fredericksburg and Stafford hospitals are seeing a sharp increase in pneumonia cases, including both community-acquired and M. pneumoniae-related pneumonia. She noted that the 2–4-year-old age group has experienced a marked rise, although cases are up across all age groups.

Ismail said local pediatricians are likely handling the majority of milder cases, while more severe cases may visit the Emergency Room. Some pediatric patients required hospitalization, or needed to be transferred to Children’s National Hospital or VCU Children’s Hospital in Richmond. In some severe cases, patients can develop other issues not related to the lungs, like inflammation around the brain,  and reactions in mucosal membranes that require more intensive treatment.

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat pneumonia. Dr. Ismail advised that the period of contagion is generally tied to the onset of symptoms. If a patient has been on antibiotics for 24 hours and shows signs of improvement, they may be able to return to school. However, anyone exhibiting symptoms should avoid contact with vulnerable or immunocompromised individuals, as well as babies. Wearing a mask and practicing good hand hygiene can also help reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

The CDC noted that cyclical increases in M. pneumoniae infections are common every 3 to 5 years. Cases sharply declined during the COVID-19 pandemic but began rising again in 2023. By February 2024, cases remained below pre-pandemic levels, but the frequency of positive test results for M. pneumoniae increased from 0.7% in late spring to 3.3%.

Common symptoms of M. pneumoniae include fatigue, fever, headache, sore throat, and worsening cough. Children younger than 5 may also experience diarrhea, a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, vomiting, and watery eyes.

M. pneumoniae infections are typically mild and often present as “walking pneumonia,” a form of bacterial pneumonia where individuals may not feel sick enough to stay in bed. Outbreaks tend to occur in crowded environments, such as schools, college dormitories, and nursing homes, where the bacteria spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. Preventive measures such as good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes can help limit transmission.

Although M. pneumoniae infections can occur year-round, they are most common in summer and early fall. The long incubation period—ranging from one to four weeks—and the bacteria’s ability to persist in the respiratory tract for months can lead to prolonged outbreaks.

Dr. Ismail emphasized, “Mycoplasma is one of the few prominent respiratory infections for which we don’t have a vaccine. We have vaccines for many other contagious illnesses, like the flu, RSV, pertussis, and COVID.” She added that vaccines and good hygiene are the best measures to prevent the spread of highly contagious illnesses.

Healthcare providers diagnose M. pneumoniae infections through physical exams, respiratory swab tests, or chest X-rays if pneumonia is suspected. Treatment with macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin, is typically effective, while over-the-counter medications can help manage symptoms for mild cases.

Virginia State Parks offer a variety of holiday events, including light displays, educational programs, crafts, and guided hikes, at locations across the state. Many activities are free or included with park admission, with details and reservations available online.

Press release:

Virginia State Parks invites visitors of all ages to experience the magic of the holidays with various festive events across the state. From historic educational programs to enchanting light displays, many parks offer unique ways to create memories and celebrate the holidays amidst Virginia’s breathtaking natural landscapes.

Here’s a glimpse of what guests can look forward to this holiday season:

Holiday lights

• Southwest Virginia Museum: Festival of Trees, Nov. 10-Dec. 31
• Natural Bridge: Festival of Trees, Nov. 22-Dec. 31, and Luminary Nights, Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22
• Wilderness Road: Karlan Christmas: Parade of Trees, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22
• Bear Creek: Lights at the Lake, Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-14
• Staunton River Battlefield: Lighting of the Bridge, Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15
• Natural Tunnel: Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel, Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21
• Caledon: Night Before Christmas Wagon Ride: Dec. 6, Dec. 8, Dec. 13-15, Dec. 20-22

Educational programs

• Mason Neck: Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans, Dec. 7, Dec. 8, Dec. 21 and Dec. 22
• Machicomoco: Christmas at Timberneck, Dec. 14
• Powhatan: Winter Birding, Dec. 14
• Southwest Virginia Museum: Birding in the Gap, Dec. 14
• Wilderness Road: A Frontier Christmas, Dec. 14
• Sweet Run: Christmas Bird Count, Dec. 15
• High Bridge: Christmas in the Camps, Dec. 21
• Sailor’s Creek Battlefield: The Science Behind the Star of Bethlehem, Nov. 30 and Dec. 21

Crafts

• Pocahontas: Winter Wreath Workshop, Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 7, and Handmade Holidays, Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22 and Dec. 29
• Widewater: Deck the Halls, Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22 and Dec. 29
  Claytor Lake: Holiday Cheer Celebration, Dec. 7
• False Cape: Tree Cookies and Cocoa Ornament Workshop, Dec. 7

Guided walks/hikes

• First Landing: Season’s Greetings Nature Walk, Nov. 23
• Sky Meadows: A Winter Tree-mendous Hike, Dec. 7
• Belle Isle: A Walk on the Wild Side: Nature in Winter, Dec. 12
• Pocahontas: Winter Solstice Rambles, Dec. 21

Some events are free with standard park admission, while others may require pre-registration or additional fees. Learn more and find other upcoming events at virginiastateparks.gov/events.

Depending on the park, overnight accommodations, including cabins, family lodges or campsites may still be available. Go to reservevaparks.com for more information.

On December 1st, Stafford deputies pursued and apprehended two suspects connected to an armed robbery in Fredericksburg. A red pickup truck, identified in a BOLO alert, was spotted by Deputy D.S. Jett. The driver refused to stop, leading to a chase through multiple roads until the truck was cornered in a residential area. The driver, Jermaine Koonce, 32, was detained after deputies deployed pepper balls. He admitted to driving under the influence and resisting arrest to smoke a cigarette.

The passenger, Dion Parker, 24, fled on foot but was tracked by K-9 Titan and located using a drone. He was apprehended in nearby woods. Both suspects were confirmed as those suspected to be involved in the robbery. Koonce faces multiple charges, including felony eluding and DUI, while Parker is charged with eluding, property destruction, and public intoxication. Additional robbery charges will be filed in Fredericksburg. Both are held without bond.

Stafford County Sheriff: 

On December 1st, at approximately 8:08 p.m., Stafford deputies received a be on the lookout report. It was advised an armed robbery just occurred in the City of Fredericksburg and the suspects fled in a red pickup truck. Less than a minute after the BOLO, Deputy D.S. Jett, who was traveling on Morton Road in the area of Forbes Street, observed a red pickup truck coming towards him as it was failing to maintain the lane of travel. Due to the traffic lane violation and potentially being connected to an armed robbery, Deputy Jett turned around and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. When the truck did not stop, a pursuit was initiated.

The truck would accelerate as it fled on Primmer House Road, Riggs Road, and eventually Birney Court with Deputy Jett closely behind. As the truck entered onto Birney Court it slowed to a stop. Deputy Jett gave commands to both the driver and the passenger. Instead of complying, the passenger fled on foot as the driver threw his vehicle into reverse and accelerated away. Deputy Jett pursued the truck as it fled again with the help of Deputy I.E. Baldi. Nearby units were informed of the passenger fleeing on foot.

Deputy Jett and Deputy Baldi followed the fleeing vehicle as it entered the cul-de-sac of Orange Blossom Court. The fleeing vehicle would jump the curb and drove in-between two residences where its journey ended. Deputies blocked any further fleeing attempts and gave the driver commands to exit the vehicle. When he refused, Sergeant J.T. Forman deployed pepper balls into the vehicle, which had the intended effect. The driver exited the vehicle and was detained. The driver spontaneously admitted to driving under the influence and advised he didn’t want to stop because he “wanted to smoke my cigarette before I went to jail.”

As the driver was detained, additional deputies established a perimeter around the area the passenger fled from. Sergeant B.U. Demirci deployed his K-9 partner, Titan, where the passenger was last seen. Titan displayed strong tracking behaviors all the way to nearby railroad tracks. Throughout the track, deputies located items belonging to the passenger and damages to residential fences during the passengers fleeing attempt.

As Sergeant Demirci conducted his ground search, Detective W.J. McWaters conducted his aerial search using the drone. With it, he was able to locate the suspect hiding in the woods behind the 200 block of Anderson Drive. With Detective McWaters guiding them from the sky, Sergeant Demirci was able to deploy K-9 Titan, where he completed an apprehension. The passenger was detained shortly after the K-9 apprehension.

The Fredericksburg Police Department was able to confirm both detained suspects were the suspects in the armed robbery in their jurisdiction. The driver, Jermaine Koonce, 32, of Callao, was charged with felony eluding, third offense driving under the influence within ten years, revocation of his license after multiple DUI convictions, two counts of reckless driving, driving while revoked, two counts of refusal, and failure to maintain the lane of travel. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. Additional charges related to the robbery will be handled by the City of Fredericksburg. The passenger, Dion Parker, 24, of Burgess, was treated for his K-9 bite and charged with eluding, destruction of property, and public intoxication. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. Additional charges related to the robbery will be handled by the City of Fredericksburg.

 

Press release:

 The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) and Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) invite community members aged 15 and older to take a quick, anonymous survey about important health issues. The survey is open to those who live in the City of Fredericksburg and Caroline, King George, Orange, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Westmoreland counties.

“This is a great opportunity for community members to make their voices heard about the biggest health issues facing our area,” said RAHD Director Olugbenga Obasanjo, M.D. “We use this feedback to guide decisions about programs and services that are prioritized in our area. The results are taken very seriously by the health department, the healthcare system, and many other community-based organizations.”

The survey can be completed in English at https://redcap.link/CHAsurvey_PD16, or in Spanish at https://redcap.link/CHAencuesta_PD16 . Questions ask respondents to share their thoughts on the biggest health concerns facing the community as well as the greatest opportunities for health improvements. Demographic information is requested to ensure responses from different groups and geographic areas, but no identifiable information is requested. Upon completion of the survey, respondents will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for one of 20 $25 gift cards.

“We want to hear from as many community members as possible through this process,” said Xavier Richardson, senior vice president for MWHC. “Our residents see things impacting the health of our community that we may not see, and this is a great chance to help bring to light things not shown in other data sources.”

This survey is part of the broader Community Health Assessment (CHA) effort, which examines health issues including rates of disease, access to care, patterns of behavior, and social factors that contribute to health. Assessment results will inform the development of a five-year Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) based on community priorities.

Additional opportunities for feedback are also available through a series of focus groups taking place through mid-December. To learn more about focus group opportunities, please contact 540-899-4797 or rahd_ca…@vdh.virginia.gov.

For more information on the previous CHA and CHIP, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/fy23-fy25_cha-chip or www.marywashingtonhealthcare.com/foundations/community-benefit-fund.

Press release:

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