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Virginia House revives bill to end immunity for police

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A bill to end qualified immunity for police officers in Virginia has been revived a day after the legislation failed to win approval from a key committee.

The bill sponsored by Del. Jeff Bourne, a Democrat from Richmond, would make it easier for people to sue police officers and collect money damages in state court for alleged violations of their civil rights.

The legislation was defeated Monday when two Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee voted with Republicans against it.

But, on Tuesday, the committee reconsidered and approved the legislation, sending it to the full House.

Fairfax County firefighters come home after assisting Colombia earthquake victims

Ten Fairfax County firefighters who are part of Virginia Task Force 1 returned late Thursday from helping coordinate a rescue effort after the devastating earthquake in Colombia. Family members greeted the team as they arrived in Chantilly Thursday night. A young girl held a sign that read "Welcome Home Daddy." For Andy Kassavetis, this was his first mission with Task Force 1, and seeing the devastation in Colombia put some things into perspective for him. He said he saw firsthand "how impactful an event can be on a community. It makes you think about, you know, really when you come home sharing the love with the people around you and letting them know you’re there with them, because things can change really quickly.”
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