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General Assembly passes bill giving schools more say on classroom phone rules

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virginiamercury.com – Nathaniel Cline – 2025-02-24 04:30:00

General Assembly passes bill giving schools more say on classroom phone rules

by Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury
February 24, 2025

Virginia school boards may soon have more control over how cell phones and smart devices are governed in classrooms. Legislation granting local districts the authority to craft their own policies cleared the General Assembly on Friday and now heads to Gov. Glenn Youngkin for consideration.

House Bill 1961, introduced by Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, and it’s companion measure, Senate Bill 738 by Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax, comes amid growing concerns over the impact of smartphones on children’s health. While research has linked excessive phone use to adverse effects on students’ well-being, advocates also recognize the role devices play in providing educational resources and communication tools.

Last year, a similar measure aimed at allowing school boards to ban phones and other “handheld communication devices” during school hours failed to pass. However, many schools had already implemented their own restrictions.

Unlike Yougkin’s existing guidelines, Rasoul emphasized that his proposal provides more local flexibility and ensures age-appropriate policies across different schools. It also includes critical exceptions for students with disabilities who rely on electronic devices for communication.

Importantly, Rasoul said the legislation prevents harsh disciplinary measures, ensuring that violating a school’s phone policy alone wouldn’t lead to suspension or expulsion.

“We just wanted to ensure that this new cell phone policy wasn’t weaponized against the students and that would lead to suspension and expulsion,” Rasoul said. “While the student can be pulled from the classroom, of course, if they’re acting up, we want to ensure that we are not utilizing this new policy in a way that, in and of itself, just by violating the policy would lead to expelling a student.”

Last summer, Youngkin signed Executive Order 33, directing his administration to implement cell phone-free policies amid rising concerns over children’s mental health and declining academic performance.

Citing research by the American Psychological Association, the order highlights that adolescents who spend more than three hours daily on social media daily are twice as likely to experience poor mental health. It also references studies showing that children spend an average of 4.8 hours a day on social media and that students who use their phones during class learn less and earn lower grades. 

Under the guidelines, which took effect on Jan. 1, elementary, middle, and high school students are required to be phone-free during the entire school day, with middle and high schoolers permitted to use their phones only before or after school. 

Local school divisions have the flexibility to tailor specific rules to their district’s needs. The policy also includes exemptions for students with disabilities and English Learner students with documented language barriers.

During a Senate Education and Health subcommittee hearing last month, Pekarsky said that the response to Youngkin’s order was “successful” and “positive.” However, she stressed the need to formally establish these policies in state law to ensure consistency and local control.

“We just need to codify this to make sure that everyone knows that you have to have a policy, you have to talk with your community [and] discuss what policy works for you,” Pekarsky said.

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Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.

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What ‘El Boogie' FBI agent accused of Maryland rapes said in his defense | NBC4 Washington

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www.youtube.com – NBC4 Washington – 2025-07-17 15:48:33

SUMMARY: A Maryland FBI agent, Eduardo Valdivia, accused of sexually assaulting three women, testified in his defense, admitting to hiding evidence like condoms and wiping devices but insisting all encounters were consensual. Prosecutors allege he used the alias “El Boogie” and ran tattoo studios to lure women, promising modeling contracts before assaulting and filming them, then using the footage as blackmail. Valdivia described adult-themed photoshoots and claimed women were not forced, but victims said they felt trapped and scared. Previously acquitted of attempted murder, Valdivia now faces 18 charges, including felony rape, risking decades in prison. He is suspended without pay by the FBI.

Accused of rape, an FBI agent who went by El Boogie and Lalo Brown online testified in his defense. He called the encounters consensual but admitted to deleting photos and videos. News4’s Aimee Cho shares details from the courtroom.
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Staying muggy with storm chances increasing the rest of the week

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www.youtube.com – WTVR CBS 6 – 2025-07-17 06:03:52

SUMMARY: Staying muggy with storm chances increasing throughout the week. Expect hot, humid conditions with dew points in the mid-70s lasting through the weekend. Today will reach 94°F, with a heat advisory in effect around Richmond and eastward. Scattered thunderstorms are likely this afternoon into evening, producing downpours and some gusty winds, though storms will move rather than stall. Storm chances increase Friday and Saturday, with Saturday potentially having widespread storms. Overnight lows remain warm and muggy, around 77°F. A Gulf Coast system brings heavy rain to Louisiana but has only a 30-40% chance of becoming a named storm. Stay prepared for frequent afternoon storms.

Staying muggy with storm chances increasing the rest of the week

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Prosecutors seek first-degree murder charge for Camari Warren

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www.youtube.com – 13News Now – 2025-07-16 16:52:09

SUMMARY: Prosecutors have upgraded charges against Kamari Warren to first-degree murder for the 2023 death of Norfolk State University student Jahari George. Warren is accused of orchestrating a drive-by shooting that killed the 20-year-old. Prosecutors claim phone records and video show Warren coordinating the attack and signaling George’s car. Cameron Brown, charged with second-degree murder, allegedly pulled the trigger. Warren’s defense argues that another uncharged witness, cooperating for leniency, is the true mastermind. That witness is expected to testify soon. Warren’s trial is ongoing and set to continue through Friday.

Prosecutors claim Camari Warren orchestrated the murder of Jahari George while Warren’s attorney argues another witness masterminded the attack.

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