Javascript is required to run this page
VaNews

Search


Manouchehri: A smarter, more efficient defense budget starts in Virginia

By ALI REZA MANOUCHEHRI, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Subscription Required)

Growing up in an Iranian-immigrant household shaped by service and sacrifice, we never took our opportunities for granted. My parents believed in hard work, giving back, and reminded me often: public service requires commitment and sacrifice. Today, I have the privilege of leading MetroStar, a Reston-based, venture-backed AI-enabled services company focused on digital modernization for the federal government — including the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Our work sits at the intersection of national security and innovation. It’s here, in Virginia, where we believe the future of cost-effective, software-defined defense begins.

Manouchehri is the CEO and co-founder of MetroStar, an AI-enabled services company headquartered in Reston, Virginia.

VaNews June 10, 2025


Ejecting international students will diminish Va. schools

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

In its haste to drive out international students it deems hostile to the United States, the Trump administration is needlessly disrupting the lives of more than 21,000 students enrolled at Virginia colleges and universities and undermining academic freedom in a way that could do lasting damage to medical research, technology development, job growth, tuition costs and more.

VaNews June 10, 2025


Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Aaron Rouse campaigns in Richmond

By TYLER ENGLANDER, WRIC-TV

Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Aaron Rouse made a campaign stop in Richmond on Monday. Rouse spoke alongside a group of black leaders to make his pitch to voters ahead of the June 17 primary. “I stand before you today to say, while I may not know everything, I know that if we do this together, we can get the changes that we seek,” Rouse said.

VaNews June 10, 2025


GOP Group to Spend $2 Million in Virginia, New Jersey Elections

By AUDREY FAHLBERG, National Review

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) and its affiliated political action committees will commit $2 million in canvassing and paid advertising efforts to help Republicans win off-cycle elections in New Jersey and Virginia this cycle, National Review has learned. The early get-out-the-vote spending commitment — which will include direct mail, digital ads, and texting — is part of an initiative by the GOP spending group to help Republicans win governorships and other down-ballot races in each blue-leaning state this fall.

VaNews June 10, 2025


Virginia AG discusses law enforcement partnerships and initiatives at Bristol visit

By ANSLEE DANIEL, WJHL-TV

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares made a stop at the Bristol, Virginia, Police Department on Monday to talk about the law enforcement partnerships on combating crime against the most vulnerable populations. Miyares was joined by Bristol, Virginia, Police Chief Byron Ashbrook, Sheriff Tyrone Foster and Del. Israel O’Quinn. There was a heavy focus on the TRIAD program, a partnership between law enforcement, seniors, and senior organizations aimed at combating crime specifically targeting that group.

VaNews June 10, 2025


Republicans will decide 11th Congressional District nominee at lone canvass event

By JARED SERRE, FFXnow

Local Republicans will determine their nominee for the 11th Congressional District special election on the same day as their Democratic counterparts. A singular canvass event will be held on June 28 at Fairfax High School, gathering all voters in one location to select a nominee, Virginia’s 11th Congressional District Republican Committee announced last week. Planned directly by the party, the canvass precedes the Sept. 9 special election set by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin earlier this month. The winner of that election will serve the remaining time in the two-year term of Rep. Gerry Connolly, who died last month.

VaNews June 10, 2025


Fauquier supervisor defends decision to sell family farm for data centers

By TATE HEWITT, Fauquier Times

Daron Culbertson, a Fauquier County supervisor, says economics prompted his decision to sell his family farm on Remington Road to developers of a data center campus. He plans to recuse himself from discussions and decisions on the data center development, according to a statement issued on Monday. Culbertson’s statement comes amid criticism and backlash following news of the impending sale and proposed data center development last week.

VaNews June 10, 2025


VPAP Visual House of Delegates Fundraising: June 2025

The Virginia Public Access Project

See how much candidates for the House of Delegates have raised so far this election cycle, from Jan. 1, 2024, through June 5, 2025, and how much money they still have in their campaigns. Filter the list to see information on challengers, incumbents, and candidates running for open seats, or click through for more information.

VaNews June 10, 2025


Architectural board OKs new state courthouse building planned in downtown Richmond

By JACK JACOBS, Richmond BizSense

A project to build a new state courthouse building in downtown Richmond has taken a step forward. Virginia’s Art and Architectural Review Board last week endorsed the final design plans for a 309,000-square-foot building planned for 900 E. Main St., which would house the Virginia Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals of Virginia. ... The proposed new state courthouse facility, called the Commonwealth Courts Building, would be built on the site currently occupied by the Pocahontas Building, which is slated for demolition. The project site is on the southwest corner of Capital Square. The Commonwealth Hotel on the same block as the project site would stay in place.

VaNews June 9, 2025


Israel, Palestinian Tensions Overflow in Loudoun Board Room, Prompting Warning from Chairwoman

By HANNA PAMPALONI, Loudoun Now

Tensions between Loudoun community members supporting Israel and those supporting Palestine have been increasing since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by the terrorist group, Hamas. [Last] week, those tensions boiled over during a Board of Supervisors’ meeting, drawing a warning from County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). Since the attack and in response to the war in Gaza that has displaced millions of residents, some community members have called on supervisors to divest any business interests in companies that support Israel and called for them to condemn the continuing attacks by Israel in Gaza.

VaNews June 9, 2025