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Future Educators Academy will train new teachers while they're still in high school
A new teacher preparation program could soon send Fauquier County students back into the classroom just years after high school graduation, only this time as teachers. The Future Educators Academy is a dual enrollment program that will allow high school juniors and seniors to complete coursework to earn their high school diploma while earning an associate’s degree in education at the same time. If they go straight to a four-year institution and immediately earn a bachelor’s degree, they could be teachers by age 20 or 21.
Leesburg eliminates by-right data center zoning
The Leesburg Town Council voted 6-1 on May 14 to require a special exception for all data centers and substations where they were previously allowed without any legislative approvals. The move gives the council more oversight on data centers, ensuring that every project comes before the Planning Commission and Town Council for approval.
Marquez: Who will pay for Amazon’s data center boom? Taxpayers
Silicon Valley may be America’s tech capital on the West Coast, but Northern Virginia holds that title in the east. As the historical backbone of the internet and just a stone’s throw from Washington, D.C., the region has become a favored destination for major tech companies to set up shop. Thanks in large part to generous tax breaks from state lawmakers, the region has become home to the nation’s largest cluster of data centers — some 275 and counting, with Amazon planning $35 billion in data centers across Loudoun and Prince William counties over the next 15 years.
Warner not giving up on VSU debate; says 'incumbent' for Biden to come to campus
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said Thursday he has not given up on the possibility of still having a presidential debate at Virginia State University, but at the very least, he feels it is “incumbent” that President Joe Biden come to the Ettrick campus prior to the election. In a session with Virginia journalists, Warner said he and his Democratic colleagues would push for the second of the projected televised debates between Biden and former president Donald Trump to be held at VSU.
Stafford wants parents, students dialed in about possible cellphone ban
If members of the Stafford School Board were filming an ad about their plan to ban cellphone usage during the school day, they might say to students and their parents: “Can you hear me now?” Officials want to make sure those enrolled, as well as their families, know about upcoming changes regarding the student code of conduct. On June 11, the School Board will vote on six new policies that affect everything from anti-bullying measures to removing a rowdy student from class. But they’re well aware the plan to not allow cellphone usage from the starting bell to dismissal is going to create the most blowback.
Wilder faults Biden for apparent cancellation of VSU debate
Former Gov. Doug Wilder on Thursday criticized President Joe Biden over his role in the apparent cancellation of the Oct. 1 presidential debate at Virginia State University. On Wednesday, Biden’s campaign notified the Commission on Presidential Debates that he would not participate in its three scheduled fall forums at universities, including the debate at VSU. Instead, Biden and former President Donald Trump quickly agreed to two debates, a June 27 faceoff to be hosted by CNN and a Sept. 10 debate hosted by ABC.
February 2025 new target date for Culpeper broadband
Like a bad case of déjà vu, local supervisors at their recent meeting heard another later date for connecting to the county broadband project first launched in 2020 — February 2025. All Points Broadband Vice President of Business Development Tom Innes was back before the Culpeper County elected board for the May 7 morning session. ... It was the same explanation for the delay at the last meeting in November and the time before that, and the local politicians got pretty frustrated, again.
Riders give Metro high marks in poll but still worry about crime
Metro riders have given the system its highest ratings in the past decade, though many remain wary of crime on the rail service amid widely reported shootings in and around stations, a Washington Post-Schar School poll finds. Seventy-seven percent of regular and occasional Metro riders rate the system as “excellent” or “good.” That’s similar to last year’s 75 percent positive rating but represents a steady increase from a nadir of 45 percent in 2017, according to Post-Schar School polling.
Excavation at University of Richmond does not find graves as expected
When workers found discolored soil in neatly arranged blocks at the University of Richmond, they believed they had found graves. And they had good reason — they were just a few feet from a known grave site. Immediately, the university stopped what the workers were doing and applied for a state permit to excavate graves. After it was approved, excavation began last month. Then, archaeologists made a surprising discovery — the ground they were digging did not contain graves, the university announced this week.
Youngkin creates task force to calm furor over veterans benefits
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is trying to quell a furor among Virginia military families by creating a task force to address budget changes that he originally advocated to a state program. The program pays for tuition and fees at public colleges and universities for family of military service members killed or severely disabled while on active duty. Youngkin issued an executive directive on Wednesday night to create the task force, three days after he signed a new two-year budget that would limit eligibility for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program.