Latest news with #NorfolkStateUniversity
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
At Norfolk State University, Veterans Affairs workers decry effects of budget cuts
Democratic congressional leaders, including Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Newport News), on Tuesday morning heard accounts from local leaders and experts on the effects to veterans from Trump administration's policies. The testimony at the event at Norfolk State University centered on the staffing levels at the recently opened North Battlefield VA Outpatient Clinic, cuts to Veterans Affairs, and uncertainty in veterans' health care and benefits. The VA has plans to lay off as many as 80,000 staff by the end of the year. The federal government instituted a hiring freeze earlier this year and has also laid off thousands of probationary employees. Dr. Sheila Elliott, a pharmacist who has worked at the Hampton VA Medical Center for 35 years and serves as the president of Local 2328 AFGE union that represents direct patient care staff, told the group that workers who are essential to veterans' health care have lived in fear for their jobs since the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began making cuts to the federal government. She said the list of VA employees that are exempt from layoffs, such as recreation therapists shows the 'unnuanced approach' to how the VA functions. 'Recreational therapists work with veterans to improve physical fitness, reduce stress, anxiety, ultimately leading to a higher quality of life,' Elliott said. 'I have seen first hand the impact of indiscriminate cuts on veterans access to services.' Susan Hippen, a retired Navy Master Chief who represents the Veterans of Military Families Caucus, said in her recent visit to the North Battlefield Clinic, which opened in April at less than 30% of its full staffing level, that it is a 'ghost town' and is failing to meet the needs of veterans on the Southside. Among the services not being provided at the new clinic are dentistry and radiology, on top of mental health appointments already taking months to schedule, according to Hippen. 'Expressing my concern about the careless dismissal of the people who provide our care, process our claims, or assist with benefits should not be referred to as political fearmongering — it is a fact,' she said. Scott closed the event by quoting President George Washington who reportedly said, 'The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive our veterans in early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.' 'We owe it to our veterans to provide the health care they need,' Scott said. 'Not only is it the right thing to do, it's a national imperative.' VA Secretary Doug Collins has insisted that the job cuts will not be a detriment. 'The department's history shows that adding more employees to the system doesn't automatically equal better results,' Collins told Congress last month. Collins has said that the personnel changes would not hurt VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries, and that 'mission-critical' positions were exempt from the reductions. The cuts, he said, would increase productivity and eliminate waste. Gavin Stone, 757-412-4806,
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former NM Veteran's Department cabinet secretary seeks Secretary of State seat
Courtesy of Sonya Smith Sonya Smith, a veteran and former New Mexico cabinet member, will officially announce her 2026 run for New Mexico Secretary of State later this week. The secretary of state operates the state's elections, keeps official records for the state government and is third in succession behind the governor and lieutenant governor. Term limits bar current Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, finishing her second consecutive term, from running again. Smith will be the third candidate seeking the Democratic nomination in the June 2, 2026 primary election, alongside Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda Lopez Askin and Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark. As yet, no Republican candidates have announced runs for the office. Trump administration efforts to change election rules, such as requiring proof of citizenship and changes to mail-in ballots, motivated Smith's campaign, she told Source NM. 'The biggest threat to elections is people feeling safe and secure and that their right to vote is protected,' Smith said. 'Our vote is our voice, and what we're facing right now is the elimination of that.' Smith received a bachelor's in health services management from Norfolk State University and a master's degree in health care compliance from Argosy University. She served as a combat medic with the United States Air Force Reserve in the first Gulf War, and worked in state health care before joining the New Mexico Department of Health, guiding the agency's COVID-19 testing team. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Smith to lead the New Mexico Veteran's Department as its cabinet secretary in October 2020. She stepped down in November 2022, citing the need to care for her mother in her home state of Virginia. Smith returned to New Mexico after her mother's death a few months ago. Smith said her experience in election administrations is limited to 'just being a voter,' but said her work in the Lujan Grisham administration gave her the necessary leadership skills required, including relationships to pass stronger legislation. 'I believe that my experience as a former cabinet secretary with statewide experience is just as valuable as having clerking experience,' Smith said. According to the latest campaign finance records, Smith reported no donations or campaign expenses. She'll formally announce her candidacy at an event Thursday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Norfolk casino operator pledges $1 million to Norfolk State University
NORFOLK — Casino operator Boyd Gaming has pledged $1 million in support of Norfolk State University's Tourism & Hospitality Management program. Boyd Gaming is at helm of the Norfolk casino project planned by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. Construction of the casino next to Harbor Park is underway and is expected to be completed in late 2027. A transitional gaming facility is scheduled to open at the end of this year. The Nevada-based company will become the title sponsor of the hospitality program in the Norfolk State University's School of Business. It will be called the Boyd Gaming Department of Tourism & Hospitality Management. 'Since we broke ground on our Norfolk casino resort project last year, Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe have been committed to building a mutually beneficial partnership with our neighbors at Norfolk State University,' said Ron Bailey, Vice President and General Manager of the Norfolk casino, in a news release on Friday. 'We look forward to working closely with our friends and partners at NSU in the years ahead as we build a best-in-class team, and create exciting career opportunities for Norfolk State graduates at our resort.' The department will prepare the next generation of gaming professionals, said Javaune Adams-Gaston, President of Norfolk State University, in the release. The $750 million casino will employ approximately 850 people in a variety of roles, including information technology, accounting, hospitality, security and gaming. It will feature 1,500 slot machines and 50 table games, a 200-room hotel, eight food and beverage outlets, live entertainment and a 45,000-square-foot outdoor amenity deck. Boyd and the Pamunkey Tribe have also pledged grants to Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College to support educational and training opportunities in support of the Norfolk casino's needs, according to Boyd. Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Shelter-in-place lifted at NSU after initial reports of shots fired near residential hall
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Norfolk State University was temporarily put under a shelter-in-place order on Wednesday after reports of shots fired near a residential hall. NSU students received the alert just before 12:30 a.m., stating that shots were fired in the parking lot of the Spartan Suites Residential Hall. This comes nearly a week after NSU added more safety protocols and foot patrols on campus following a weekend on-campus shooting. NSU puts safety protocols in place in wake of recent on-campus shooting Around an hour after the initial alert, the shelter-in-place was lifted. An investigation revealed there was no shots fired and that there is no immediate danger to students. 10 On Your Side's Deja Parker spoke with a student who claimed to have heard what sounded like gunshots in the area. He said he is glad the campus ramped up security and that no one was injured. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
20-year-old man arrested following investigation of Norfolk State on-campus shooting
NORFOLK — A 20-year-old man has been arrested for his believed involvement in a Saturday night shooting on Norfolk State University's campus. Zakeyis A. Womack of Ringgold, Virginia, was taken into custody by authorities in Reidsville, North Carolina. He was been charged with multiple felony counts and is being held without bond. Ringgold is a small community outside of Danville. The on-campus shooting, which happened near the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center at around 11:30 p.m., sent two 22-year-old men to the hospital, police said. At the time, one had life-threatening injuries. Both are now expected to make recoveries. 'I sincerely hope the announcement of this arrest reassures the Norfolk State University community that the threat has ended and they may move away from this academic disruption and complete the semester knowing they are safe,' Norfolk Police Department Chief Mark Talbot said in a statement. Following detectives' investigation, Norfolk police said Womack was taken into custody with the assistance of the U.S. Marshall Service and the Norfolk State University Police Department. Detectives have not released any further details about the shooting, police said. The investigation remains active. Those with information are encouraged to contact the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or submit a tip through the P3Tips mobile app.
