Virginia Lt. Governor Accuser Releases Statement
The woman whose sexual assault allegations against Virginia’s lieutenant governor surfaced this week is speaking publicly about the encounter. Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax has repeatedly denied her allegations, saying the encounter was consensual. Vanessa Tyson issued a statement Wednesday saying Fairfax forced her to perform oral sex in 2004 during the Democratic National Convention in Boston. The Associated Press typically does not identify those who say they were sexually assaulted, but Tyson issued the statement in her name. Earlier Wednesday, Fairfax issued a statement saying the woman expressed no discomfort at the time, or during the years afterward. He said he first heard about her accusation from a reporter in 2018. Tyson said she went to Fairfax’s hotel room so he could get documents. She said they began consensually kissing but he then forced her to perform a sex act. She said she couldn’t move her head because he was holding down her neck. Tyson has not responded to messages from The AP seeking comment.
VA AG Admits To Wearing Blackface
(Richmond, VA) — Virginia Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring is admitting he wore blackface at a college party in 1980. Herring apologized and said in a statement today that he wore brown makeup and a wig to look like a black rapper during a party as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia. Herring said “we all have done things at one time or another in our lives that show poor judgment, and worse yet, have caused some level of pain to others.” Herring’s acknowledgement comes as Virginia Democratic Governor Ralph Northam faces calls to resign after a photo emerged from his 1984 medical school yearbook featuring someone in blackface standing next to someone in a KKK robe. Meanwhile, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax is facing a decade-old sexual assault allegation.
Philadelphia Hospital Patient May Have Ebola
(Philadelphia, PA) — A possible case of Ebola is being monitored at a hospital in Philadelphia. The University of Pennsylvania hospital said the patient “met screening criteria for Ebola testing and is currently being evaluated out of precaution.” Doctors don’t believe the patient has Ebola as preliminary testing indicates the patient has another condition. Protocols and precautions are set to remain in place to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
Police Report: Attackers Apparently Knew Smollett
(Chicago, IL) — The two men who attacked “Empire” star Jussie Smollett seemed to know who he was, according to the actor’s police statement. Smollet was attacked near downtown Chicago in the early morning of January 29th. The 36-year-old actor told police the two suspects got his attention by mentioning the name of his TV show, which is filmed in Chicago, and that they shouted racist and homophobic slurs. Smollett, who is black and openly gay, said the attackers beat him, poured a chemical on him and wrapped a rope around his neck. No arrests have been made, but a Chicago police spokesman said they are looking for possible witnesses.
