Editor’s note: This post has been updated.

UPDATE: IT’S REAL:

BREAKING: Gov. Ralph Northam yearbook page shows blackface and Klan photohttps://t.co/6A89ejp5Ho — The Virginian-Pilot (@virginianpilot) February 1, 2019

Original post:

So, it’s about 4:00 on Friday and this story from Big League Politics has been out for a little over an hour now and nobody knows if it is real or if it’s a hoax:

According to Big League Politics, the website “obtained photos from Northam’s time at the Eastern Virginia Medical School, from which he graduated in 1984” and “Northam and a friend were photographed together — one in blackface, one in Klan robes.”

Hey @GovernorVA: Are you the one in blackface or the one in the KKK hood?https://t.co/FRHSTKMky4 pic.twitter.com/KO7SsQLf0T — Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) February 1, 2019

Some of the early reaction to the story we’re seeing from conservatives:

You’ll have to excuse my skepticism on the idea that Northam submitted a photo of himself in Klan getup *for a yearbook photo.* — Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) February 1, 2019

Has @GovernorVA issued a comment/explanation for this? Is it an authentic photo that appeared in his yearbook? Did he submit it for publication? Is he pictured in the photo, and, if so, is he in blackface or the KKK outfit? Or is this all a hoax? He needs to explain. — Sean Davis (@seanmdav) February 1, 2019

It should not be that hard for a credible source to go check if that is actually Ralph Northam's yearbook, before we draw any conclusions about it. I find it hard to believe nobody caught that before now. — Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) February 1, 2019

A yearbook photo is circulating that appears to show Ralph Northam in black face, but could easily be fake. Anyone sharing it is being irresponsible until it is actually confirmed to be fake or real. I don't care how much you disagree with him, it's wrong to spread lies. — Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) February 1, 2019

We’ll keep you posted.

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