Kirby Lewis Farineau Contact Info: (434) 996 1683 (Cell) | kfarineau@gmail.com |

1500 Wallace Street, Richmond, VA. 23220 ______________________________________________________________________________ Education Virginia Commonwealth University Bachelor's Degree Mass Communica� on with a focus in Print/Online Journalism 2015-2018 (Gradua� ng December 2018) ______________________________________________________________________________ Journalism/Publications 1. Capital News Service January-April 2018 Description: During spring of 2018 I wrote for Capital News Service, a capstone course at VCU that wrote and published stories covering the general assembly. These stories went out to dozens of sources, and were picked up by AP. Some of the stories wri� en for CNS were published in the Washington Post, The Sea� le Times, The L.A Times, and US News. 2 .Editorial Intern Richmond Magazine August-December 2017 Description: As an editorial intern, I produced weekly content covering food, weddings, music, film, theater, local news, and art. 3. .Staff writer for Bluegrasstoday.com, cosmicvibeslive.com, thejamwich.com 2014-Present Description: I started my career in journalism as a writer for several music websites. I covered fes� vals, and shows in the Virginia music scene. This included interviewing musicians and fes� val goers, and summing up entertainment events. I maintain ac� ve connec� ons to performers/photographers in the community. ______________________________________________________________________________ Volunteer Mul� ple music & art fes� vals; DelFest, Festy, Look 3 Photo Fes� val, Big Poppa Produc� on Events 2011-2015 Hours varied Du� es included security, sanita� on, and ar� st registra� on, childcare

The Washington Post

Local

House OKs Limiting SchoolSuspensions to 45 Days

By By Kirby Farineau | APKirby Farineau | AP February 8 at 7:41 PMFebruary 8 at 7:41 PM

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia students who break school rules may no longer face the possibility of a yearlong suspension underRICHMOND, Va. — Virginia students who break school rules may no longer face the possibility of a yearlong suspension under

legislation approved by the House of Delegates to address what some lawmakers call the “school-to-prison pipeline.”legislation approved by the House of Delegates to address what some lawmakers call the “school-to-prison pipeline.”

House Bill 1600, which passed 84-15 on Tuesday, would reduce the maximum length of a suspension from 364 days to 45 days.House Bill 1600, which passed 84-15 on Tuesday, would reduce the maximum length of a suspension from 364 days to 45 days.

It is one of several measures lawmakers introduced in response to complaints that Virginia schools overreact to minorIt is one of several measures lawmakers introduced in response to complaints that Virginia schools overreact to minor

infractions - and sometimes charge students as criminals for transgressions that should draw a detention.infractions - and sometimes charge students as criminals for transgressions that should draw a detention.

“At the end of the day, if our students are out of school, they’re not learning,” said the bill’s sponsor, Democratic Del. Jeffrey“At the end of the day, if our students are out of school, they’re not learning,” said the bill’s sponsor, Democratic Del. Jeffrey

Bourne, who previously served on the Richmond School Board. “We should not continue to use access to education as aBourne, who previously served on the Richmond School Board. “We should not continue to use access to education as a

punishment and expect positive results.”punishment and expect positive results.”

On its way toward passage, the bill was amended to allow school officials to impose a suspension of up to 364 days ifOn its way toward passage, the bill was amended to allow school officials to impose a suspension of up to 364 days if

“aggravating circumstances exist” or if the student is a repeat offender.“aggravating circumstances exist” or if the student is a repeat offender.

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Del. R. Lee Ware Jr., R-Powhatan, said he historically had reservations about limiting schools’ options in disciplining students.Del. R. Lee Ware Jr., R-Powhatan, said he historically had reservations about limiting schools’ options in disciplining students.

However, he called HB 1600 “a responsible middle course.”However, he called HB 1600 “a responsible middle course.”

“It allows a considerable amount of latitude to educators with the responsibility of maintaining order in schools,” Ware said.“It allows a considerable amount of latitude to educators with the responsibility of maintaining order in schools,” Ware said.

HB 1600 was among a slew of proposals introduced this legislative session to address how Virginia schools discipline students.HB 1600 was among a slew of proposals introduced this legislative session to address how Virginia schools discipline students.

In 2015, the Center for Public Integrity reported that Virginia has one of the highest rates in the nation for referring students toIn 2015, the Center for Public Integrity reported that Virginia has one of the highest rates in the nation for referring students to

law enforcement. Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, has called the situation “the No. 1 civil rights issue of our modernlaw enforcement. Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, has called the situation “the No. 1 civil rights issue of our modern

time.”time.”

Several of the bills never made it out of committee. They included:Several of the bills never made it out of committee. They included:

.HB 445, which sought to end a requirement that principals report certain misdemeanor crimes to law enforcement. The bill,.HB 445, which sought to end a requirement that principals report certain misdemeanor crimes to law enforcement. The bill,

proposed by Carroll Foy, was rejected in a 5-2 vote by a subcommittee of the House Courts of Justice Committee.proposed by Carroll Foy, was rejected in a 5-2 vote by a subcommittee of the House Courts of Justice Committee.

.HB 296, which would have prohibited suspending or expelling students in preschool through third grade, except for violent.HB 296, which would have prohibited suspending or expelling students in preschool through third grade, except for violent

crimes, drugs or other serious offenses. The House Education Committee voted 12-10 vote to kill the legislation. The bill wascrimes, drugs or other serious offenses. The House Education Committee voted 12-10 vote to kill the legislation. The bill was

sponsored by the panel’s vice chair, Del. Richard Bell, R-Staunton.sponsored by the panel’s vice chair, Del. Richard Bell, R-Staunton.

Del. Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania, opposed Bell’s measure, saying it would “make our classrooms less safe.”Del. Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania, opposed Bell’s measure, saying it would “make our classrooms less safe.”

“I don’t think it’s up to us to try to micromanage discipline issues in the local schools. That’s why we have local elected school“I don’t think it’s up to us to try to micromanage discipline issues in the local schools. That’s why we have local elected school

boards,” Cole said.boards,” Cole said.

While such legislation met opposition in the House, the Senate has been more receptive.While such legislation met opposition in the House, the Senate has been more receptive.

On Thursday, the Senate Education and Health Committee approved SB 170, which, like Bell’s legislation, would barOn Thursday, the Senate Education and Health Committee approved SB 170, which, like Bell’s legislation, would bar

suspensions and expulsions in third grade and below. The committee voted 11-4 in favor of the measure. SB 170, sponsored bysuspensions and expulsions in third grade and below. The committee voted 11-4 in favor of the measure. SB 170, sponsored by

Sen. William Stanley, R-Franklin County, now goes to the full Senate for consideration.Sen. William Stanley, R-Franklin County, now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Last week, the Senate unanimously passed SB 476, sponsored by Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania. Like Carroll Foy’s bill, itLast week, the Senate unanimously passed SB 476, sponsored by Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania. Like Carroll Foy’s bill, it

would give school principals the discretion not to call police on students who commit misdemeanors or other minor crimes.would give school principals the discretion not to call police on students who commit misdemeanors or other minor crimes.

Reeves’ measure has been assigned to the House Courts of Justice Committee - the same panel whose subcommittee killedReeves’ measure has been assigned to the House Courts of Justice Committee - the same panel whose subcommittee killed

Carroll Foy’s proposal.Carroll Foy’s proposal.

This story was produced by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Capital News Service.This story was produced by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Capital News Service.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten orCopyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or

redistributed.redistributed.

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The Washington Post

Local

Virginia may issue ‘AshantiAlerts’ for missing adults

By By Irena Schunn and Kirby Farineau | APIrena Schunn and Kirby Farineau | AP March 2 at 4:37 PMMarch 2 at 4:37 PM

RICHMOND, Va. — The abduction and slaying of a 19-year-old Norfolk woman prompted General Assembly approval ofRICHMOND, Va. — The abduction and slaying of a 19-year-old Norfolk woman prompted General Assembly approval of

legislation to create an Amber Alert-like system for “critically missing” adults.legislation to create an Amber Alert-like system for “critically missing” adults.

The “Ashanti Alert” called for in HB 260, sponsored by Del. Jerrauld Jones, D-Norfolk, was approved by the Senate onThe “Ashanti Alert” called for in HB 260, sponsored by Del. Jerrauld Jones, D-Norfolk, was approved by the Senate on

Thursday and now awaits the signature of Gov. Ralph Northam to become law.Thursday and now awaits the signature of Gov. Ralph Northam to become law.

Ashanti Billie was abducted in 2017 from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, where she worked at a sandwich shop, and laterAshanti Billie was abducted in 2017 from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, where she worked at a sandwich shop, and later

found dead in Charlotte, North Carolina. Because Billie was an adult, she didn’t meet the criteria for an Amber Alert.found dead in Charlotte, North Carolina. Because Billie was an adult, she didn’t meet the criteria for an Amber Alert.

“Once Ashanti went missing, we became more aware of other situations where something like this had happened but there was“Once Ashanti went missing, we became more aware of other situations where something like this had happened but there was

no mechanism in place,” said Jones, who represents the 89th House District, where Billie lived. “This is a public safety issue,no mechanism in place,” said Jones, who represents the 89th House District, where Billie lived. “This is a public safety issue,

not a partisan issue.”not a partisan issue.”

Eric Brian Brown, described by authorities as a retired Navy veteran who worked at the base with Billie, has been charged withEric Brian Brown, described by authorities as a retired Navy veteran who worked at the base with Billie, has been charged with

kidnapping in Virginia and in connection with her death in the Charlotte area.kidnapping in Virginia and in connection with her death in the Charlotte area.

Members of Billie’s family connected with Jones through their friend Kimberly Wimbish, who had worked with the delegate onMembers of Billie’s family connected with Jones through their friend Kimberly Wimbish, who had worked with the delegate on

his election campaign last year. They asked him to draft a bill to help those who currently don’t qualify for missing personshis election campaign last year. They asked him to draft a bill to help those who currently don’t qualify for missing persons

alerts.alerts.

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Wimbish, who initially used Facebook to publicize the young woman’s disappearance, said the case raised awareness aboutWimbish, who initially used Facebook to publicize the young woman’s disappearance, said the case raised awareness about

missing adults, especially in the Norfolk area where people had connections to Billie.missing adults, especially in the Norfolk area where people had connections to Billie.

“Everyone said she would give them her last. That she was always helpful and friendly,” said Wimbish, who serves as the“Everyone said she would give them her last. That she was always helpful and friendly,” said Wimbish, who serves as the

family’s spokeswoman. “We have to know and believe her kindness was taken for granted.”family’s spokeswoman. “We have to know and believe her kindness was taken for granted.”

Jones said the bill gives Virginia State Police the power to set criteria for the “critically missing adult alert.”Jones said the bill gives Virginia State Police the power to set criteria for the “critically missing adult alert.”

Currently, Virginia has three alerts for missing persons:Currently, Virginia has three alerts for missing persons:

.Amber Alerts and Endangered Missing Child Media Alerts, for missing persons under age 18..Amber Alerts and Endangered Missing Child Media Alerts, for missing persons under age 18.

.Senior Alerts, sometimes called Silver Alerts, for persons 60 or older..Senior Alerts, sometimes called Silver Alerts, for persons 60 or older.

That leaves a gap for adults between 18 and 60 years old.That leaves a gap for adults between 18 and 60 years old.

If approved by the governor, the Ashanti Alerts will be modeled on the Amber Alerts. An Amber Alert includes issuingIf approved by the governor, the Ashanti Alerts will be modeled on the Amber Alerts. An Amber Alert includes issuing

emergency messages over public broadcasting networks, displaying electronic messages on highway signs and sending texts toemergency messages over public broadcasting networks, displaying electronic messages on highway signs and sending texts to

all cellphones within range of the cellular carrier towers in the affected area.all cellphones within range of the cellular carrier towers in the affected area.

Amber Alerts are also spread voluntarily by other state agencies, the news media and nonprofit organizations. For example, aAmber Alerts are also spread voluntarily by other state agencies, the news media and nonprofit organizations. For example, a

program called A Child Is Missing can make 1,000 telephone calls with a recorded alert within a minute, according to Virginia’sprogram called A Child Is Missing can make 1,000 telephone calls with a recorded alert within a minute, according to Virginia’s

Amber Alert Plan.Amber Alert Plan.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that Amber Alert systems nationwide have helped in theThe National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that Amber Alert systems nationwide have helped in the

recovery of more than 540 children.recovery of more than 540 children.

Last year, the General Assembly declared April 29 as “Missing Persons Day” to recognize the 600 Virginians missing at thatLast year, the General Assembly declared April 29 as “Missing Persons Day” to recognize the 600 Virginians missing at that

time, and their families. Advocates are getting ready for the second annual Virginia Missing Persons Day.time, and their families. Advocates are getting ready for the second annual Virginia Missing Persons Day.

This story was produced by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Capital News Service.This story was produced by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Capital News Service.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten orCopyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or

redistributed.redistributed.

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