One and Done: Spanberger-Earle-Sears Debate Gets Personal in Virginia Governor’s Race

It's Friday, October 10th. I'm Ian Price. Here's our top local story. With just weeks left before Virginians elected their next governor, Democrat, Abigail Spanberger, and Republican, wins some Winsome Earle-Sears, faced off in their scheduled debate last night, and they wasted no time clashing over the recent controversies surrounding Democratic Attorney General nominee Jay Jones. Abigail Spanberger condemned the text in which Jay Jones joked about political violence. The comments that Jay Jones made are absolutely abhorrent. I denounce them when I learned of them, and I will denounce them every opportunity I get. As a mother, as a public servant, as a candidate for governor, I denounce them. But Winsem Winsome Earle-Sears said Abigail Spanberger's refusal to call for Jay Jones to drop out is unacceptable, especially as a mother. Would it take him pulling the trigger? Is that what would do it? And then you would say he needs to get out of the race, Abigail? You have nothing to say? Abigail. What if he said it about your two children, your three children? Is that when you would say he should get out of the race, Abigail Spanberger responded by shifting attention to what she sees as a double standard. accusing her opponent of ignoring similar rhetoric on her side of the aisle. I think in her response to the question that you asked, my opponent proved my point, which is when violent rhetoric comes from her side of the aisle, she refuses to denounce it. The statement that you read from President Donald Trump was violent rhetoric that she refuses to denounce. And this is why I say, you are not my enemy. She has her 30 seconds. And I wish you would stop using language like that. Beyond the scandal, Windsor Merle Sears focused on cultural issues, including her opposition to gender-inclusive school policies. I'm going to answer the question. My opponent refused to answer, which is simply this. I will not rescind the governor's executive order. We know that girls want to have privacy. It's really that simple. And my opponent will not answer the question because she voted for, she voted for men nude in girls locker rooms, in bathrooms, and in girls' sports. Speaking of education policy, Abigail Spanberger referenced her own involvement in schools with her three daughters to push back against the criticism. Just this week, I have spent time at my daughter's school for a school event, and I have emailed with another one of my daughter's teachers about her ongoing work. So she should be advised that I've had some of that communication. But it is important that parents are involved every...

step of the way as I have been. In fact, with Winsome Earle-Sears went after Abigail Spanberger's clean energy plans, warning they could backfire when Virginians need power most. She's going to raise energy rates. Well, she's already voted that way because, well, that's all she wants is solar and wind. Well, if you look outside, the sun isn't shining and the breeze isn't blowing. And then what, Abigail, what will you do? What will you do? This is the first time two women are competing to be Virginia's next governor, and the only time voters will see them share a stage before Election Day. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and Senate colleagues introduced bipartisan legislation to repeal President Donald Trump's global tariffs and terminate the national emergency, Trump declared, in order to slap tariffs of up to 40 percent on products Americans buy from other countries. The legislation is privileged, meaning the Senate will be forced to vote on the bill. A military wife from Virginia called into House Speaker Mike Johnson's segment on C-SPAN yesterday and asked Johnson to bring the House back in a session to approve legislation that would provide military troops paid during the government shutdown. The woman said if there is a lapse in pay for military service members on October 15th, her children will be unable to get their life-saving medications. We live paycheck to paycheck. I heard you earlier say that you side with President Trump on anything that he says, well, I just read an article this morning that said he absolutely wholeheartedly believes that there needs to be legislation put in so that we do not miss a paycheck. You have the power to do that. And as a Republican, I'm very disappointed in my party. And I'm very disappointed in you because you do have the power to call the House back. You did that or you refused to do that just for a show. I am begging you to pass this legislation. My kids could die. If the government shutdown continues into next week and Congress does not pass a measure to pay the troops or reopen the government, that date will mark the first time in recent history when service members missed a paycheck amid a government shutdown. The Commonwealth's current Attorney General is being asked to stand up to President Donald Trump and support immigration rights. That story from WFIRS Clark Palmer. Members of the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights hosted a press conference this week to call on the Commonwealth's current Attorney General, Jason Mierrez, to oppose an executive order. President Trump signed back in January that ends automatic citizenship for the children of people in the country illegally or temporarily. Immigrant rights advocate, Monica Sarmiento says she and other members of the coalition have tried to meet with Mias about him opposing the executive order, but they never got a response from his office. He is abandoned our community, abandoned us in our most vulnerable time of need when children are being attacked over and over again by the Trump administration. They are the most vulnerable part of our community. They are the most precious part of Virginia.

which is why we're here. urging the attorney general to take action another immigrant rights advocate says me are as not supporting birthright citizenship is hypocritical at a public event miyars responded to cut questions about his own family's immigration story asserting that his mother was absolutely legally allowed to be in the u.s as she fled cuba went to keep spain obtained a green card and eventually married his father i know this because i found this story to be uh something that i connect with very deeply as an immigrant as an asylum seeker um he was born in greensboro north carolina earnings birthright citizenship. Members of the coalition say the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is clear that if you are born here, you are a citizen of the United States. Clark Palmer, WFIR News. Arono County Grand Jury recently indicted two men on charges following the January murder of Michael Hinrits in the Bonsack area that was in the 4,800 block of sidetrack road. 19-year-old Damon King and 37-year-old James King, who are nephew and uncle. Each face several charges, including second-degree murder. Franklin County Sheriff's Office says a 17-year-old has been sentenced in connection with an incident at Franklin County High School in April of this year when he was found in possession of a loaded firearm on school grounds. Anthony Dalton was sentenced to nine years of incarceration, with five years suspended, leaving five years to serve. Dalton will remain housed at the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center until he reaches the age of 18. at which time he will be transferred to an adult detention facility to serve the remainder of his sentence. Liberty University played host to a mass casualty event yesterday to test how quickly and effectively first responders can triage, treat, and transport victims to Lynchburg General Hospital. About 50 volunteers played the role of victims as EMS and law enforcement worked side by side to move them to safety. Marcus Tensley, Vice President of Security and Public Safety, tells WDBJ7, the academic lawn was the best site for this type of training. This is the logical place for something like this to happen. Every day, all of our campus traverses this lawn. Tensley says this is the first time Liberty has hosted this specific drill. A new spot on Grandin Road is brewing up creativity, along with coffee. Canvas and Coffee has opened its doors, blending a cafe with an art studio, where guests can sip lattes while painting their own canvases. Owner Sarah Duren Ballin says the goal is to create a welcoming, multi-generational space for the community. On the art end, customers pay only for the canvas with paint, brushes, and aprons provided. The cafe also hosts weekly workshops and will launch Art After Dark events later this fall. Canvas and Coffee is open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Before rescued, Eastern Screech Al is released tonight, it had to prove it can survive on its own. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center says the owl rescued May 20th in Reno County and treated for a leg injury caused by getting tangled in patio furniture will be released tonight at 6.30 p.m. at Starkey Park South. Executive director Chester Leonard says once the wound heals. They rebuild flight muscles and test hunting skills. We've got to fly them back and forth, one of our flight enclosures, and we do about 25 passes a day to the point that they're actually kind of huff and puff and they get really exhausted. And then once they have strengthened those muscles up again, and of course the wound is healed. We then put them through what's called mouse school, which we have to ensure that they can actually hunt. After passing those checks and a final vet exam, the owl is cleared for release. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has approved several new state highway markers for southwest and south side Virginia. They'll honor sites like the Transamerica Bicycle Trail in Botatoc County, Gilbert's restaurant in Pennsylvania County, Patrick's Central School, and a marker recognizing Dr. Elburn Grady Gill in Roanoke. Virginia's marker program began in 1927, the oldest of its kind in the nation. A new three-mile stretch of the Coalfields Expressway is now open in Buchanan County, extending the Southwest Virginia Highway to 12 completed miles, about a quarter of the planned route. The expressway first envisioned more than 30 years ago is meant to connect Wise, Buchanan, and Dickinson counties to larger highway systems and boost economic development in the region. When finished, the Coalfield's expressway would run about 50 miles through Virginia at an estimated cost of $4 billion. But most sections still lack funding. Work continues on the next phase toward Grundy with completion expected in 2027. That's the latest. Check back on Monday for our next update. Ian Price, WFIR News.