Virginia’s governor back to normal after blackface scandal

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Two months after a blackface photo in an old yearbook nearly killed the political career of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, his life seems mostly back to normal.

The Democratic governor is cracking jokes at his almost daily public appearances around the state. State lawmakers who called on him to resign are now all smiles as they stand by his side.

Northam said in an Associated Press interview that he still has a lot of listening and learning to do. But he said lawmakers and Virginians are willing to work with him again because of his long track record and his efforts to address racial inequalities.

Republicans have called Democrats hypocrites for showing support for Northam again ahead of this year’s legislative elections.