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Clark: Lawmakers missed chance to help ELL students
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many, if not all education systems worldwide. In Virginia, recent data indicates that the Standards of Learning (SOL) test scores have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. For example, in the 2023-24 academic year, Virginia’s statewide pass rates were 76% in reading/writing and 71% in math compared to that of the 2018-19 academic year when pass rates were close to 80% for all subjects. What’s especially worrying is that there were groups of students who were already facing difficulties with the SOL’s before COVID-19, primarily English Language Learners (ELLs).
GOP candidate for lieutenant governor ups the ante in spar with governor
The Republican candidate for Virginia’s lieutenant governor – already embroiled in heat with Gov. Glenn Youngkin over the latter’s reported efforts to push him off the ticket – turned up the temperature in that battle over the weekend by saying “I’m not going anywhere” ... Meanwhile, one of the Virginia Senate’s more traditional conservative voices said Monday that he will support John Reid because “I support all of our nominees.” Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Colonial Heights, also said the issue of whether Reid should come off the ticket should be between Reid and the governor, and no one else.
Commanders and Washington agree to a deal to build at RFK Stadium site, a nearly $4 billion project
Growing up in the Washington area, Josh Harris cherished his chances once or twice a year to watch his favorite football team play at RFK Stadium, the home during the glory days when the likes of Joe Theismann and John Riggins made the stands shake on the way to three Super Bowl championships. Now the controlling owner and with fellow locals and longtime fans Mitch Rales and Mark Ein also involved, Harris and his group are a giant leap closer to bringing the team back where they think it belongs. Washington’s NFL franchise is set to return to the nation’s capital as part of an agreement between the organization and the District of Columbia government to build a new stadium as part of a project totaling nearly $4 billion.
D.C., Commanders announce $3.7B deal to move team to RFK Stadium site
D.C. and the Washington Commanders have reached a $3.7 billion deal to transform the dilapidated RFK Stadium site on the banks of the Anacostia River into a new home for the NFL team surrounded by retail, housing and park space — a generational development project likely to shape the legacies of Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and Commanders owner Josh Harris. Sprawling across 177 waterfront acres, the massive development anchored by a covered 65,000-seat stadium would be funded primarily by the Commanders, who would put up $2.7 billion, according to the terms released Monday. The total cost to D.C. taxpayers is expected to top $1 billion, including stadium infrastructure, parking facilities, recreation improvements and other water and electric infrastructure — a price tag likely to spur heated debate on the D.C. Council and among residents about how public money is used.
Federal cuts to NOAA could be an ‘incredible blow’ for Chesapeake Bay, storm reporting
As summer and hurricane season nears, weather and environmental officials say federal cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will negatively impact climate research, education and storm reporting. The Trump administration reportedly plans to cut NOAA’s roughly $6.1 billion budget by 27% to $4.5 billion in fiscal year 2026. According to an internal administration document obtained by ProPublica, the proposed cuts would close the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, which could end support for NOAA’s hurricane hunter missions, and cut funding to the office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research by nearly 75%.
Stephens and McKenna: Group offers a new vision for economic growth in Hampton Roads
In the face of the rapidly changing economic landscape, collaboration is more important than ever. That’s why the creation of the Regional Organizations Presidents’ Council (ROPC) is a pivotal step for the Hampton Roads region. The ROPC, a coalition of regional organizations and their CEOs, is committed to driving economic growth in the region by focusing on collaboration, advocacy and strategic initiatives that move our region forward. The ROPC is committed to creating a stronger, more competitive regional economy for all. The ROPC is not “yet another organization.” Instead, it was formed in 2024 to formally bring together our regional organizations.
VPAP Visual Gubernatorial Fundraising by Precinct
Where in Virginia does each candidate for governor have the most financial support? See the amount raised and number of donors to gubernatorial candidates from each of Virginia's voting precincts.
Turbyne-Pollard and Thornhill: RVA’s rising senior population exposes a gap in adult day care
RVA faces a quiet yet profound crisis — and within this challenge lies an extraordinary opportunity. Our population is growing older at an unprecedented rate, forever changing the ratio of young-to-old and transforming the very fabric of our community. Did you know that in 2010, for every child under the age of 5 in Virginia, there were two adults over 65? By 2030, that ratio will shift dramatically: Four older adults for every young child. We must confront this demographic reality proactively, and our houses of worship have a unique role to play.
Price of a home in Richmond region to likely keep climbing
Perhaps the greatest change to life in the Richmond region since the pandemic is the increased cost of buying a home. The median price of a single-family home has shot up 89% from about $220,000 in 2015 to almost $415,000 in the first quarter of this year. Now, experts have bad news for prospective home buyers: Prices are not likely to decline this year. Laura Lafayette, CEO of the Richmond Association of Realtors, said she can envision the median price rising an additional 5% to 7% this year.