Morning Notes

GMU Graduates Protest Youngkin Speech — “About a dozen George Mason University students walked out of their graduation ceremony Thursday morning during Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s commencement speech…Of the graduates who did stay, some in the audience held signs reading ‘We will not debate humanity’ and ‘Mason demands action.'” [ABC7]

Democratic Committee Announces Endorsements — In this year’s school board races, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee has endorsed Ilryong Moon, Ryan McElveen, and Kyle McDaniel for the at-large seats, incumbent Melanie Meren for the Hunter Mill District and Mateo Dunne for Mount Vernon. More than 3,300 voters cast ballots in the committee’s first-ever endorsement caucus. [FCDC]

Local School Board Races Are Becoming More Partisan — “In blue Fairfax County, winning a school board seat is difficult without the party’s stamp. So for many school board candidates in the suburbs of Washington, the stakes are not in the days leading up to Nov. 7, they are here, in the private endorsement race to get their name on the party’s slate.” [The Washington Post]

Family Disappointed by Verdict in Hybla Valley Murder Trial — “Terrence Butler was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter for killing 23-year-old Raphael Pierce in the Hybla Valley area in August 2021. County prosecutors asked a jury to find Butler guilty of murder, with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Instead, they convicted him on a lesser charge this week and recommended a sentence of just three years.” [NBC4]

Sen. Warner Stumps for Springfield FBI HQ at Potomac Yards Metro Opening — “Warner repeatedly referenced with hope that the station could be connected to the — still very undetermined — new FBI Headquarters in Springfield that Warner and other Virginia leaders have been advocating for. For Alexandrians, though, the station was in-and-of-itself something to celebrate.” [ALXnow]

Road Closed in Centreville for Pipe Replacement — “Cabells Mill Drive (Route 970) between Walney Road (Route 657) and Northbourne Drive will be closed to through traffic, weather permitting, Monday, May 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, May 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to replace a stormwater pipe…Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]

Traffic Blocked While Ducks Cross I-66 — “EMS Supervisor 404 arrived just in time to help block traffic while @VSPPIO & @FairfaxCountyPD moved a family of ducks from the middle of I-66. When one broke loose from the brood, the officer’s quick thinking helped get the ducks back safely in a row.” [FCFRD, FCPD/Twitter]

Virginia Releases Data on Covid in Wastewater — “At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Virginia Department of Health began pushing to use wastewater to track the spread of coronavirus. Now that data is available to the public. The dashboard, now available…uses wastewater from 36 treatment plants throughout Virginia to track and monitor the virus.” [WTOP]

Enforcement of Scott’s Run Alcohol and Swimming Bans Steps Up — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will be working collaboratively with the Fairfax County Police Department to ensure only permitted activities take place in this natural area, that people can recreate safely, and that the rules as they apply to alcohol and use of the preserve are observed.” [FCPA]

It’s Monday — Sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph. At night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind 7 to 10 mph. [Weather.gov]