In Other News

Local

Riverfront Park in Lynchburg is about to undergo an $8 million makeover.

Breaking ground on Thursday, April 18, the revamp of Riverfront Park is to build a new amphitheater, playground and public restrooms.

According to WSLS, city leaders and stakeholders came together to break ground on the project after the long process of approvals and planning.

“These amenities will provide a place where children can laugh and play,” Mayor Stephanie Reed said. “Where families can come together for picnics and celebrations, where everyone can enjoy performances and events.”

With sections of the project to be opened to the public by spring 2025 and finished by spring 2026, they will open sections one by one, with the amphitheater coming last. According to WSET, the amphitheater will begin performances soon after its opening for Lynchburg residents to come and enjoy.

State

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed into Virginia law Thursday that state colleges and universities are allowed to directly pay their athletes through name, image and likeness compensation deals.

With controversy surrounding NIL and college athletes in recent years, this law is the first of its kind to be put into effect.

According to AP News, several states have shown interest in following Virginia’s lead. With Oklahoma, Nebraska and Louisiana already having legislation pending, many states will be close behind in Virginia’s decision.

According to ESPN, this law is scheduled to take effect July 1 and makes it illegal for the NCAA to punish schools for compensating athletes for their NIL rights.

It is still uncertain how Title IX laws will factor into this. As of this point, it has not been discussed for NIL.

International

The United States vetoed a request from Palestine for full United Nations membership April 18, blocking the recognition of the Palestinian state.

With 12 of the 15-member council voting in favor, the U.S. was the only one to oppose, and U.K. and Switzerland abstained from the vote.

Attempting to convince other members to abstain, U.S. diplomats were hard at work, because they knew that the recognition would be blocked due to their support of Israel.

The goal of the U.S. is that the emergence of a Palestinian state will come from negotiations for Middle East peace.

According to The Washington Post, most other members expressed disagreement with the  belief of the U.S. that Palestinian statehood will undermine Middle East peace, believing that it will promote it. With the U.S. being the only factor seemingly between its current status and statehood, pressure continues to build on the world stage.

Currently, with non-member observer access, Palestinians will have to be approved by the security council as well as a two-thirds vote of the general assembly.

Bessire is the special assignments reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on X.