Trump White House Drives Confusion After Funding Freeze Decision; Something in the Water Cancelled; Newport News Black History Month Events
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Trump White House Drives Confusion After Jan. 27 Announcement of a Federal Funding Freeze
TRUMP DAY 9. After a late evening announcement that there would be a freeze of federal funding for certain federal programs, chaos followed. A federal Judge stopped the music on the freeze before a 5p.m. (Jan. 28) implementation time.
The clumsy moves from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are reminiscent of Elon Musk’s haphazard takeover of twitter which was equally dismissive and antagonistic towards employees. No one is surprise to learn he’s involved in the confusion seen over the last 48 hours.
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By the end of the day, Trump’s OMB sent a message to federal employees offering a buyout but with several stipulations. The offer has a Feb. 6 deadline. The buyout mirrors the plan to downsize the civil service as seen in Project 2025. The impact on Northern Virginia would be considerable. Whether Trump has the power to fire, downsize or relocate federal employees is likely to be the decided in federal court.
A group of Attorney Generals announced legal action against the federal government regarding the spending freeze announced on Jan. 27.
Senator Mark Warner issues several messages during the day.
“This is just gonna cause chaos and it has nothing to do with the price of groceries,” he said speaking on Trump’s funding freeze on a video posted on social media.
“President Trump’s funding freeze is illegal, has caused chaos and confusion, and will make it more difficult for people to access essential services they rely on. It puts programs that support healthcare, education, infrastructure, and public safety at risk,” wrote Rep. Bobby Scott on social media.
“Trump’s efforts to freeze federal spending authorized by Congress will not only wreak havoc on federal agencies, state and local governments and communities, but is patently illegal,” Rep. Jennifer McClellan said in a statement.
“While other Attorneys General are stepping up to defend their states, Miyares is doing nothing. Virginians deserve better. As Attorney General, I’ll fight for you—not for Donald Trump,” said Jay Jones, a candidate for Attorney General this year, said in a statement.
“Protecting families is the job—not protecting Donald Trump’s agenda. This reckless freeze on loan and grant funding puts the livelihoods of countless Virginia families at risk. Programs that support small businesses, veterans, law enforcement, and healthcare providers are on the line,” Jones added.
Though it was the White House that set off the confusion with a late evening announcement on January 27, they then blamed everyone else for the confusion that occurred in the aftermath.
“President Donald J. Trump has been subjected to more manufactured Fake News hoaxes than any president in history, and it hasn’t gotten any better in his second term,” a statement tonight from the White House exclaimed.
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott viewed the fiasco differently.
“These cuts and political games hurt real people—their livelihoods, their health, and their futures,” he said in a statement.
“This disastrous decision delays aid needed to Southwest Virginia after it was ravaged by Hurricane Helene, halts access to Medicaid and life-saving care, stalls transportation projects like much needed roads and bridges improvements, and undermines efforts to deliver affordable housing, put food on the table, and lower costs for hardworking Virginians,” the Speaker added.
Virginia House Democrats will have a presser on Trump’s decisions on Wednesday morning at 8:45 a.m.
Senate Panel Kills Campus Bill Amid Free Speech Issues
By Nathaniel Cline for the Virginia Mercury - Legislation aimed at barring Virginia colleges and universities from engaging with terrorist groups or affiliates was struck down Monday by a Senate Education subcommittee, following heated debate over its potential impact on free speech and student activism.
Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, introduced the bill in response to growing concern over terrorism cases nationwide. “I think what we’re trying to do is make sure that our learning environments are places to learn and not to have fear be a part of that,” Stanley said of his Senate Bill 1284.
The proposal sought to prohibit terrorist organizations, countries or groups supporting terrorism, representatives of such groups, and individuals attempting to recruit for terrorist activities from operating on Virginia college campuses.
However, the bill faced strong opposition from speakers who argued that its broad language could stifle free speech and unfairly target student groups, particularly those advocating for Palestinian rights. READ ENTIRE
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Virginia Beach Cancels Something in the Water
After Something in the Water organizers missed deadlines to announce performers and ticket sales for what was supposed to be an April festival, the city of Virginia Beach has canceled it and will try to find another event to take its place. READ ENTIRE
Feb. 8: Pre-Super Bowl Party
Newport News: Black History Month Celebrations
Newport News Public Library’s (NNPL) hosts the annual We Stand for Justice event scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, Main Street Library, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The library is located at 110 Main St. The program honors African Americans whose activism inspired an enduring historical legacy, and who have contributed to the cause of social justice in the City of Newport News.
The new honorees’ posters will be on display at the Main Street Library throughout the month of February. Refreshments will follow the ceremony. The event is free and open to the public, no registration required.
Black History programs will be offered all month, at all NNPL branches. All of the programs are free, and registration is required for some. To learn more, visit the NNPL website.
Feb. 3, 5 p.m. - Family Movie Night - Pearl Bailey Library - The Color of Friendship. Enjoy a movie and light refreshments. Children of all ages. No registration.
Feb. 5, 12, 19 & 26, 11 a.m. - Falling for Fine Arts- Grissom Library - Children ages 3-7 will create art inspired by the works of Clementine Hunter, Alma Thomas, Romare Bearden, and Jean-Michael Basquiat. No registration.
Feb. 8, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - We Stand for Justice - Main Street Library - We will honor local African Americans whose activism has produced an enduring historical legacy, and who have contributed to the cause of social justice in the City of Newport News. A reception will follow the ceremony. No registration.
Feb. 8, 2 p.m. - Mudcloths with Camille- Pearl Bailey Library - Make mudcloths with artist Camille. For all ages. Registration is now open.
Feb. 9, 1–3:30 p.m. - Head Wrap Workshop - Grissom Library - Learn how to fold and tie fabrics for incredibly beautiful head wraps. For adults. Registration is now open.
Feb. 11, 6–7:30 p.m. - Celebrate Black History Month - Pearl Bailey Library - Sheila Arnold will perform stories and songs. African cross stitch materials will also be on display. For all ages. No registration.
Feb. 12, 5 p.m. - Art Club with Miss Camille - Main Street Library - Ages 9–17 will celebrate African American artist, Tyree Guyton, a Detroit-based American Neo-Expressionist artist, by making their own pieces of art with pieces of recycled items and other odds and ends. No registration.
Feb. 13, 11 a.m. - Creative Aging: Black History Month - Pearl Bailey Library - Celebrate Love Day and Black History month with make and take crafts and light refreshments. For ages 55 and better. No registration.
Feb. 13, 4:30 p.m. - Bet You Can’t Eat Just One - Grissom Library - Children in grades 6-12 will celebrate George Crum, inventor of the potato chip, with a taste test challenge. Registration opens Thursday, Jan. 30.
Feb. 19, 5 p.m. - Celebrate Art - Pearl Bailey Library - Children ages 6–11 will learn about the renowned artist Reggie Laurent and his vibrant abstract art, then create a collage painting inspired by this amazing artist. No registration.
Feb. 23, 1–3:30 p.m. - Mermaids of Africa and the Caribbean Fabric Collage Workshop - Grissom Library - Hear the myths and legends of mermaids and water spirits from the Caribbean and African cultures. Then be inspired to create a one-of-a-kind fabric art collage. For adults. Registration opens Sunday, Feb. 9.
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