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In Virginia, a military stronghold becomes a haven for Afghan refugees
Kat Renfroe was at Mass when she saw a volunteer opportunity in the bulletin. Her Catholic parish was looking for tutors for Afghan youth, newly arrived in the United States. There was a personal connection for Renfroe. Her husband, now retired from the Marine Corps, had deployed to Afghanistan four times. “He just never talked about any other region the way he did about the people there,” she said. She signed up to volunteer. “It changed my life,” she said. That was seven years ago. ... She now supervises the Fredericksburg migration and refugee services office, part of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. That faith-based work is now in peril.
Virginia poll shows public against tariffs, DOGE cuts
A business-sponsored poll of likely Virginia voters shows majorities opposed to President Donald Trump‘s tariffs on imports from foreign countries and the Department of Government Efficiency‘s unilateral cuts to federal government jobs and spending. The Virginia FREE poll, surveying 1,000 likely voters between May 9 and May 13, showed 61% opposed to Trump’s tariff policies on imports from China and other U.S. trading partners, with opposition highest among women and Black voters. Smaller majorities of men and white voters said they oppose the president’s tariffs.
Richmond’s interim chief administrative officer initially said erroneous real estate tax bills were sent on purpose
As confused Richmond residents received real estate tax bills last week that the city usually sends to mortgage lenders who handle the payments, Interim Chief Administrative Officer Sabrina Joy-Hogg initially told the City Council it was a deliberate move to promote transparency. “Finance has provided real estate tax bills to all residents, which adds transparency to taxes being paid,” Joy-Hogg told the council in a text message Friday night. “These bills are not wrong.” Joy-Hogg — who served in a top City Hall finance position before becoming interim CAO early this year — then indicated the bills had been sent to both mortgage companies and homeowners.
Virginians Are Restoring a Forest Economy Built on Herbs and Tradition
The forest behind Ryan Huish’s home doesn’t look like a traditional farm, but beneath the bright green canopy in southwest Virginia, he’s nurturing a thriving garden of medicinal herbs. On a warm afternoon in April, Dr. Huish, a biology professor at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, led a troop of students along a footpath that wove through part of his family’s 60-acre property near Duffield. He encouraged students to pick edible plants like ramps (hints of garlic, they reported), pluck the leaves of trout lilies (sort of like kiwi) and dig up roots like Appalachian wasabi (yes, spicy). For centuries, these forest plants have been a part of Appalachian cultural heritage, used by local people for food, traditional medicine and extra income. But the market has long been poorly regulated, which has led to low prices and overharvesting.
Arlington Officials Offer Sobering Economic Outlook Amid Federal Cuts; Del. Says Va. Doesn’t Have Funds to Help
Arlington County officials have asked state legislators for financial assistance in the face of federal workforce reductions and funding cuts, but Virginia leaders say the state doesn’t have the funds to give. During a May 19 briefing with members of the Virginia General Assembly, county leaders reported that Arlington is already feeling the effects of slashed federal funding, rising unemployment and a reduction in tourism dollars. One in five adult Arlington residents is employed by the federal government, Ryan Touhill, director of Arlington Economic Development (AED), noted during the briefing, and the federal government leases 12% of the county’s office space. Officials are now bracing for potential fallout from continued job losses and declining tax revenue.
Yancey: The U.S. loses its last perfect credit rating. Will there be political fallout? Why the answer is probably ‘no.’
Something important happened last week that ought to become an issue in next year’s midterm congressional races, but probably won’t. The financial services company Moody’s downgraded the United States’ bond rating, becoming the last of the three major credit rating services to take away the nation’s once-perfect AAA rating. Instead, it assigned the U.S. a rating of AA1, still good but not the best. The Trump administration responded the same way the Obama administration did when S&P became the first credit rating service to downgrade the United States’ rating back in 2011: It blamed the rating agency. Between those two events, 14 years apart, and the similar reactions from two very different administrations, we get a glimpse of why all three ratings services — Moody’s, S&P and Fitch’s — don’t think much of U.S. finances.
Virginia reports first mammal with bird flu
Virginia has reported its first case of bird flu in a mammal, as the disease continues to ravage the U.S. poultry industry sending the price of eggs skyrocketing. The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Clarke County recently admitted an adult female red fox found in Loudoun County that tested positive for H5N1, highly pathogenic avian influenza. ... Though a first for Virginia, other states have reported many bird flu cases in mammals, especially dairy cows and free-roaming domestic cats
Preservation of clean-energy laws is essential to Hampton Roads’ growth
State and local officials last month joined with economic development personnel and leaders from LS GreenLink USA to break ground on a project that could transform Chesapeake and create new opportunities for Hampton Roads. Construction of a new subsea cable factory, slated to be the tallest building in Virginia, represents a massive investment in the future of the region’s steadily growing clean energy sector. But its success, as well as that of the larger sector, depends on Congress protecting tax credits that enable companies such as GreenLink to invest in these facilities and create the renewable energy needed to power America’s future.
Liberty University pays $15 million to former president Falwell Jr. in settlement
Liberty University has agreed to pay former President Jerry Falwell Jr. $15 million as part of recent settlements tied to lawsuits following his resignation. According to a copy of Liberty University's 2023-2024 tax form, Falwell will receive $5.5 million to settle the lawsuits. This amount is in addition to nearly $10 million he received as part of his retirement package.
Training center property near Lynchburg listed for sale
The Central Virginia Training Center campus of 386 acres in Madison Heights is for sale five years after its last remaining resident was relocated and the state-run facility closed. The site at 521 Colony Road at one time was Amherst County’s largest employer and according to its sale listing offers a prime redevelopment opportunity with extensive frontage on the James River and views of downtown Lynchburg. ... Lucas said the Alliance and stakeholders were waiting on the state’s budget to be finalized to roll out the marketing plan for the sale.