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Virginia needs your help to secure its share of federal internet funding

Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Hampton Roads residents can secure a windfall for the region — a substantial sum of federal money to improve broadband internet access — but you have to act quickly. Visit connectingvirginia.com today to perform a home internet speed test; your participation could make the difference in how much the region receives for broadband improvement and expansion. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included funding for a host of needed upgrades nationwide, from water systems to power grids. Improving broadband internet in rural areas was a key provision of the law

VaNews November 28, 2023


Spence denies misleading School Board about student overdoses

By EVAN GOODENOW, Loudoun Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Aaron C. Spence said a two-week delay in notifying School Board members about a series of fentanyl-related overdoses among high school students wasn't an attempt to mislead them. "There was not a decision made to withhold information, but I accept responsibility for your lack of awareness as I did not decide or direct my team to make you aware specifically," Spence said in a Nov. 1 email to board members. "I intend to ensure that the Board is made aware of any overdose as a matter of course."

VaNews November 28, 2023


Cuts in real estate, personal property taxes proposed in Danville

By JOHN R. CRANE, Danville Register & Bee

Danville taxpayers could see some tax relief on their real estate and personal property that includes automobiles. Mayor Alonzo Jones and City Councilman Lee Vogler came up with the idea to reduce those taxes. Another proposal would provide further real-estate tax relief for the elderly. Besides the millions of added dollars in gaming-tax revenues from the Danville Casino, the city has seen yearly higher-than-projected revenues from sales and other local taxes ...

VaNews November 28, 2023


Bedford County board petitions Governor Youngkin for disaster declaration amid drought

By HAYDEN ROBERTSON, WSET-TV

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to have the county draft a petition to Governor Glenn Youngkin to ask him to declare the county as a disaster area. During Monday night's meeting, the board voted 7-0 to send the petition after dealing with the drought and the wildfire.

VaNews November 28, 2023


N.Va. supervisor looks to succeed Spanberger

By CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Margaret Angela Franklin, a member of Prince William County's Board of County Supervisors, has jumped into the growing candidate pool for Virginia's 7th Congressional District. With Rep. Abigail Spanberger seeking to become Virginia's next governor, a growing number of Northern Virginia Democrats have announced campaigns to become her successor.

VaNews November 28, 2023


A need for speed? Behind Virginia’s drive to boost auto racing

By RICH GRISET, Virginia Mercury

In the pit area of Langley Speedway, a racecar comes to a stop. Crystal West pulls herself out of the driver side window, tosses off her jacket and begins changing one of her front tires. . . . West is part of a rich racing tradition in Virginia that dates back to 1904. That year, the state’s first documented automobile race took place on a horse track at Mariner’s Park in Norfolk. Since then, Virginia has spawned its fair share of notable racers, including Denny Hamlin, Curtis Turner, Ricky Rudd, Joe Weatherly, Jeff Burton, Ray Hendrick and Wendell Scott, the first African American driver and team owner to compete and win in all of NASCAR’s highest divisions. But despite nearly 120 years of auto racing in the state, racing advocates say that Virginia’s speedways are still in need of a little help to stay competitive with other entertainment options like concerts, amusement parks and professional sports games.

VaNews November 28, 2023


Va. joins collaborative to launch air taxi industry

By COURTNEY MABEUS-BROWN, Virginia Business

Virginia has joined seven other states in forming a collaborative to support the growth of the advanced air mobility industry. The Advanced Air Mobility Multistate Collaborative represents all aviation modes, including small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) and electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL), which are both often referred to as air taxis, as well as traditional aviation and airports.

VaNews November 28, 2023


Martinsville-area drug court focuses on treatment over punishment for cases that stem from addiction

By DEAN-PAUL STEPHENS, Cardinal News

The Martinsville and Henry County regional drug court has had a busy 2023, graduating its first participant and becoming nationally recognized, among other accomplishments in its efforts to disentangle addiction and criminality via a growing national trend. The Piedmont Adult Drug Court, one of 56 similar courts across Virginia, represents local efforts to recontextualize drug abuse by separating it from standard criminal proceedings. According to local officials, its purpose is to ultimately bring compassion into drug-related cases by emphasizing treatment over punishment for adults and children.

VaNews November 28, 2023


Lynch: Democrats should temper their enthusiasm: In this election, Republicans overperformed

By EDWARD A. LYNCH, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Virginia Democrats won a tremendous victory on Election Day, holding onto their Senate majority and flipping the House of Delegates. Democratic spokesmen around the country are crowing over the victory and writing the political obituary of Gov. Glenn Youngkin. (The Washington Monthly headlined their election coverage: “Glenn Youngkin’s Big Fat 15-Week Abortion Ban Belly Flop“). But the razor-thin majorities the Democrats gained in the General Assembly election obscure some pertinent facts about the 2023 election and what it portends for 2024.

Lynch is a professor of political science at Hollins University in Roanoke.

VaNews November 28, 2023


Community college enrollment rises in Virginia but remains below pre-pandemic levels

By NATHANIEL CLINE, Virginia Mercury

More Virginia students have been taking a full course load at community colleges over the past year, but enrollments are still short of pre-pandemic levels, according to data collected by the Virginia Community College System. Data shows a 3.36% increase in enrollment statewide from fall 2022 to fall 2023, an increase that VCCS officials attribute to FastForward, a short-term career credential training program launched by the state in 2016. That program’s enrollment rose by over 21%.

VaNews November 28, 2023