Henrico Nurse Out on Bond; McClellan's 10,000 Person Telephone Town Hall; Abingdon's Barter Theatre
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Chesterfield Nurse Arrested for Injuring Black Babies Out on Bond
Erin Strotman, a 25-year-old nurse accused of abusing several Black infants being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, was granted a $25,000 secured bond yesterday. Strotman’s case and the alleged charges of child abuse and malicious wounding have won national attention.
Below: Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, former nurse Erin Strotman and Judge Richard Wallerstein
Strotman was released on several conditions which include living at her parent’s residence, not working in the health care profession and wearing of a GPS monitor. After a mental health evaluation, Judge Richard Wallerstein gave Strotman an opportunity to be released. There are reports of video evidence in the case.
"I think we share the same feeling of anger. This is something that we were prepared for but obviously we didn't expect. We definitely don't feel like Richmond is safer with her out on the streets... now she's out on the street celebrating with her family when she's she's done something so despicable. I don't understand it. I don't understand it,” said Dominique Hackey, whose child was allegedly injured by Strotman.
"The Commonwealth maintained the position that we were objecting to any conditions of release. We believed that the actions were so egregious and the strength of the Commonwealth's case is so strong, that we did not believe that there are any conditions to ensure safety to herself or safety to others,” said Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor outside of court on Feb. 12.
DEI.WATCH... not to be confused with the other DEI Watch List in the headlines. DeShuna Spencer, the CEO of the Black focused streaming service Kweli.tv, created DEI watch to compile corporate decision making regarding equity and inclusion as the Trump Administration vilifies the programs and fires the employees related to inclusive policies.
In RVA 5X5: Richmond WTF Indeed on the Water Crisis
Henrico’s After Action Report on the Richmond Water Crisis
In RVA 5X5 by Jon Baliles: The second thing clarified by this crisis is that the Stoney administration’s legacy of incompetence is now worthy of a statue, because key people hired by Stoney running the water plant and those in charge of handling a crisis for a new mayor five days into his term seemed to have hoped the disaster would fix itself or could be handled without revealing years of neglect and ineptness. Instead, as the crisis grew worse, they chose to keep key people (like the Mayor) in the dark as to the severity of the problem instead of immediately getting help to fix it. READ ENTIRE
Black Stories Take the Spotlight on Historic Virginia State
News from the Barter Theatre: This Black History Month, Barter Theatre invites audiences to experience SHINE: Illuminating Black Stories, a powerful evening of storytelling that amplifies the voices of Black playwrights in Appalachia.
Now in its fourth year, this free event brings original monologues and scenes by Black theatre makers to life, celebrating the culture, history, and future of Black communities in the region. This year’s theme, Education, explores the impact of learning and knowledge, with stories set in Glade Spring, Virginia, Johnson City, Tennessee, and beyond. As part of Barter's 25th Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights, this event continues the theater’s tradition of developing new works and sharing Appalachian stories.
Barter Theatre, the longest-running professional theatre in the United States, has been a cornerstone of Appalachian arts since its founding in 1933. Initially allowing patrons to pay for admission with food and livestock during the Great Depression, Barter was designated the State Theatre of Virginia in 1946. Today, the theatre bolsters its legacy by amplifying Black artists and their stories through Black Stories Black Voices—an initiative that is cultivating a new generation of emerging Black playwrights.
Since launching Black Stories Black Voices in 2020, the initiative has achieved remarkable milestones, including growing Black audiences, doubling the number of play submissions for development, and providing a regular platform for elevating Black talent in theatre.
“At Barter, we believe that every Appalachian person deserves to be heard and represented on our stages,” says Terrance Jackson, Barter Theatre’s Director of Black Stories Black Voices. “The intention of Black Stories Black Voices is to provide a safe space for Black artists and audiences to share their stories and showcase their work on a professional stage. SHINE is special because it was the first event like this at Barter-- where the entire evening had been created and curated to tell specifically Black Appalachian stories.”
SHINE remains completely free, ensuring accessibility for all. SHINE: Illuminating Black Stories will take place on February 16 at 7 PM at the Gilliam Stage in the Barter Theatre. Tickets are available on Barter’s website.
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McClellan Telephone Town Hall
Congresswoman McClellan held a 90 minute telephone town hall on Feb. 13 with over 10,000 callers participating. Several other members of the Virginia delegation have had calls and they have been well attended as concerns over the actions of the Trump Administration rise.
Questions regarding the impact of the potential closing the Department of Education, whether or not the President can be impeached, continuing resolutions and a potential government shutdown were answered by Rep. McClellan.
There was also a poll conducted during the call asking listeners, “have you or someone you know been impacted by the Trump/Vance Administration.”
“We’ve seen them [the Trump Administration] really try and take away the power of Congress,” Rep. McClellan noted. The Congressional Black Caucus has a record number of members in the 119th Congress — the largest in history at 62 members. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 documents seeks to center executive authority as the level of power of Black lawmakers and other historically marginalized groups increases.
Callers contacted Rep. McClellan from North Chesterfield, Richmond and elsewhere with several callers identifying themselves as federal employees.
“I am in fear of what this administration is going to do. What can I do to thwart his efforts,” one caller asked.
McClellan asked that caller to contact Republicans who might join Democrats against what the Trump Administration is doing. The margin between Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. House is 3 members — the closest since the 1930s — with the GOP in the majority. McClellan also encouraged the caller to connect with advocacy organizations who are challenging the Trump Administration’s controversial and illegal executive actions.
“We are going to fight like hell to make sure we don’t go back to Jim Crow days… we will not go back,” Rep. McClellan answered after a caller asked about many of the potential laws the Trump Administration may try and repeal related to civl rights.
Rep. McClellan is serving on the Energy & Commerce Committee, one of the most exclusive committee’s in Congress. She is also the parliamentarian of the Congressional Black Caucus.
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