VCU update of Greek life; Controversial campaign flyers; Chance of rain on weekends

RICHMOND, Virginia (WWBT) – Here’s a look at our top headlines this Thursday morning!

☂️ Risk of rain this weekend ☂️

We are closely monitoring the risk of rain this weekend. The latest trends show an increasing likelihood of downpours.

On Wednesday night, the weather will be mostly cloudy. Troughs in the mid-1960s.

VCU Greek Life Update

Virginia Commonwealth University is getting ready welcome back Greek organizations in just a few months. It comes after the university initially put all Greek life on hold following the death of student Adam Oakes.

Some Greek organizations are already considering welcoming new members. That’s because VCU is giving them the green light to come back as early as February. The news comes weeks later 11 people have been charged with hazing.

It comes weeks after the university asked fraternities and sororities to suspend all new membership following the death of student Adam Oakes in February.

He was trying to enter the Delta Chi fraternity when he died of hazing, and 11 people between the ages of 19 and 22 are charged with his death.

Texas abortion ban

A federal judge ordered Wednesday in Texas suspend the most restrictive abortion law in the United States, calling it an “offensive deprivation” of a constitutional right by banning most abortions in the country’s second most populous state since September.

Order by U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman is the first legal blow to Texas law known as Senate Bill 8, which so far has withstood a wave of early challenges. In the weeks after the restrictions went into effect, Texas abortion providers say the impact has been “exactly what we feared.”

In a 113-page opinion, Pitman rebuked Texas over the law, saying Republican lawmakers had “put in place an unprecedented and transparent legislative regime” by leaving enforcement only in the hands of private citizens, who are entitled to $ 10,000 in damages if they successfully sue abortion providers who violate the restrictions.

The law, signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May, bans abortions once heart activity is detected, which is typically around six weeks, before some women even know they are pregnant.

Home COVID test reminder

The Food and Drug Administration is Ellume COVID-19 home test recall on false positive results.

According to the FDA, there are lots of tests that indicate that a person has the virus when they don’t. The negative results do not appear to be affected by a manufacturing problem.

A full list of recalled Ellume COVID-19 home tests is available on the company website.

If you purchased any of the recalled test kits, you can request a replacement by completing a online form.

Campaign flyers

Two black Democratic state lawmakers accuse Republican Party of Virginia of racism for sending leaflets with drawings showing them hoisted in the air by hand-held ropes.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the state’s GOP sent out flyers targeting eight Democrats in competitive state House races, including three who are black.

All are described as puppets of the Liberal Democrats in Washington, but the only ones pictured hanging above the ground are two of the black lawmakers.

The GOP says the leaflets targeted “eight candidates from all walks of life” and are not racist.

Last day for Angel Tree dates

Appointments for the 2021 Angel Tree Christmas Assistance Program are now available for the Richmond area.

From September 27 to October 7, weekdays at 9 a.m., Richmond residents can start booking appointments. Appointments are available exactly two weeks before the in-person registration date.

Once you have requested an appointment online, you will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours with the date and time of your appointment.

To make your appointment, click here.

Final thought

The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing the way we think – Albert Einstein

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