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Against backdrop of car dealership, Youngkin announces reversal of California-driven electric-car sale rules
Saying he was “unleashing the power” of Virginia consumers, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he planned to do away with a California-driven initiative requiring that a percentage of vehicle purchases in the state be electrically-powered cars by the end of the year. “We are ending once and for all the California Electric Vehicle Mandate in Virginia,” Youngkin said to thunderous applause Wednesday afternoon in an appearance at Loyalty Toyota.
Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office turns off all comments on social media channels
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has turned off comments on its social media posts. “Our goal is to ensure that the LCSO social media platforms are informative and welcoming and that all members of our community feel respected and safe when they visit,” said a May 31 LCSO post explaining the change. “We will continue to provide information that is relevant, accurate, and timely related to law enforcement matters, public safety, community outreach, and agency news.” ... The agency’s Facebook posts regularly received dozens — and sometimes hundreds — of comments, and Julia said some were “inflammatory.”
Hard Rock Bristol casino pushes back opening timeline
The partners behind Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol on Wednesday announced an extension of the grand opening timeline for the permanent casino resort to “late fall” of this year. The casino was originally expected to open in July with the luxury hotel and other components later in the year. Instead of opening the permanent casino in stages beginning in July, the partnership team now plans to have a grand opening later this year with a fully operational casino and amenities for an overall better guest experience, according to a written statement.
Protesters clash with Marjorie Taylor Greene, McGuire at campaign rally in Albemarle
Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland County, Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and their supporters faced an unruly crowd of protesters at a campaign event in deep-blue Albemarle County on Wednesday that left the congresswoman saying she feared for her life. “The crowd was … I’d call them insane. They were just out of control, screaming, shouting, coming extremely close to me,” Greene said in a phone interview after the event’s conclusion. “One woman actually came around back and grabbed me, I had to push her off. These people were very aggressive.”
Roanoke Council Candidate Drops Out Before Primary Amid Review of ‘Questionable’ Voter Signatures
Roanoke City Council candidate Jamaal Jackson said Monday he is dropping out of the race — effectively making obsolete the outcome of a Democratic primary in which voters have already cast ballots. Jackson made the announcement about a week after city officials received an email alleging that Jackson’s campaign improperly copied voter signatures obtained during his unsuccessful 2022 bid for Council onto 2024 paperwork for the June 18 Democratic primary, according to a copy of the email obtained by The Rambler.
Youngkin says Virginia won’t follow California’s clean car standards anymore
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Wednesday that the state will no longer follow car emissions standards set by California, despite his party’s failure to repeal or roll back a 2021 Democratic law that tied Virginia to those regulations. The move tees up what could be another legal fight over Republican leaders’ efforts to undo climate change-related measures Democrats passed when they had full control of state government a few years ago. The governor has already drawn a lawsuit over his decision to end Virginia’s participation in a regional program meant to curb carbon emissions from power plants, arguing the initiative was too burdensome for regular Virginians who had to absorb the cost through higher electricity bills.
Monumental data center project revealed for Pittsylvania County
A mammoth data center proposed in the Ringgold area — representing up to $5 billion in investment and at least $120 million in tax revenue over a 10 to 15 year period — cleared its first hurdle Tuesday night with a unanimous recommendation by the Pittsylvania County Planning Commission. The details of the project were aired by Tom Gallagher, representing Anchorstone Advisors SOVA, seeking to rezone about 946 acres located off U.S. 58 and Cedar Road to an Industrial District. ... Speaking in favor of the project — and shedding light on the extreme scope — was Joey Faucette, chair of the Pittsylvania County Industrial Development Authority.
Proposed data center project could bring billions in investment to Pittsylvania County
Billions of investment dollars could be coming to Pittsylvania County with the development of a data center that was unanimously recommended by the planning commission at its Tuesday meeting. The project could represent up to $5 billion in investment, according to the Pittsylvania County Industrial Development Authority. It could also contribute up to $120 million in tax revenue over a 10- to 15-year period, though it’s too early to say for sure, said Matt Rowe, the economic development director for the county. The data center, which would be the first of its kind in Pittsylvania, could also create up to 500 jobs.
Police called on McGuire supporter at candidate forum
Even before police were called, the organizers of a candidate forum for 5th District Republicans and Democrats in Louisa County were expecting a contentious evening. And contentious it was, with multiple disruptions from the crowd as attendees reacted to praise and criticism of Donald Trump just two hours after he became the first U.S. president to become a convicted felon. That news supercharged what was already bound to be a tense gathering. Although the candidate forum at Spring Creek Golf Course has been running for years, May 30 was the first time organizers requested security guards in advance, a response to a supporter of Republican state Sen. John McGuire threatening to disrupt the event, they said.
80 years after D-Day, a national memorial in Bedford keeps memories alive
It’s commonly called one of the major turning points of World War II. On June 6, 1944 — D-Day — more than 150,000 Allied troops crossed the English Channel to storm the beaches of Nazi-occupied Normandy, France, supported by paratroopers and aerial and naval bombardment. Thousands of Allied soldiers died after meeting fierce resistance from German forces, but the operation kicked off the eventual liberation of Western Europe. The National D-Day Memorial that honors the “valor, fidelity and sacrifice” of D-Day veterans is in Bedford, a site chosen in large part because it’s thought to have suffered the greatest per-capita losses of any American community on that historic day.