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Virginia aims to boost progress in SOLs by making it part of students’ final grades
Starting in 2026-2027, the results of standardized testing will make up 10% of a student's final grade. The decision came as part of a bipartisan effort to increase test results across the Commonwealth. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Virginia students have barely progressed in test scores since sharply falling after the COVID-19 pandemic. While Democrats and Republicans have traded blame for the outcome, both agreed an overhaul was necessary.
Water regulators say Richmond’s system wasn’t set up to get accurate fluoride data
Virginia water regulators say they’ve found no evidence of public health impacts from a recent fluoride problem at Richmond’s water treatment plant. But the state is encouraging the city to issue a revised press release about the incident to make it clearer to the public that officials can’t say for certain how high the fluoride levels got.
Richmond receives Notice of Alleged Violation from Virginia Department of Health for fluoride spike
The Virginia Department of Health has alleged that Richmond appears to have operated its Waterworks in violation of the Public Water Supplies law when the spike in fluoride levels occurred in April, which was caused by pump issues. According to an announcement by a city spokesperson, the city received a Notice of Alleged Violation from VDH on Monday, May 12, for an incident in April when a pump installation at the city’s water treatment plant caused fluoride levels to increase in city water temporarily.
Sea levels in Hampton Roads continue to rise, but at a steady pace
Hampton Roads continues to see rising tides linked to climate change and sinking land. But the rate of change in recent years has stayed in line with past forecasts, according to the latest “sea level rise report card” from William & Mary’s Batten School and Virginia Institute of Marine Science. “We are accelerating at a high rate compared to a lot of the rest of the country, but that rate hasn't been changing, really,” said Molly Mitchell, an assistant research professor. “It's been a pretty consistent rate.”
GOP candidates for state House seat debate data centers
Data center sprawl — and their massive power demands and big-dollar political contributions — were the hot topic of a recent forum involving Republican candidates vying for their party’s nomination to run for the 21st District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. Gregory Lee Gorham, 65, of Sudley Springs, and Sahar Smith, 57, of Catharpin, took part in the event, which was sponsored by the Bull Run Republican Women’s Club and held at Giuseppe’s Ristorante in Haymarket. The third candidate, Xanthe Larsen, did not attend.
Miyares talks first term and his reelection campaign
Attorney General Jason Miyares argues that Virginia is safer today than it was when he took office, pointing to declines in murder and overdose rates as the centerpiece of his reelection pitch to voters. In an interview with Virginia Scope, Miyares cited what he called a “remarkable turnaround” in public safety, touting the results of his office’s work on violent crime, fentanyl enforcement, and consumer protection. “There are more Virginians alive today than when I took office because of what we’ve done,” he said.
‘I love my job’: Miyares fighting for second term as Virginia attorney general
Now fewer than six months from election day, Attorney General Jason Miyares is fighting to keep the position he has held for the past three and a half years for another four. As the sole Republican vying for the position, Miyares says he wants to keep Virginia on track. That’s why, he told 29News, instead of chasing the Governor’s office, he’s hoping to stay on as the Commonwealth’s top lawyer. “For me, candidly, it was an easy decision, because I love serving in this role,” Miyares said. “I love my job. I love what I do every day.”
Virginia Commonwealth University using Siegel Center rentals to raise funds to pay student athletes
Virginia Commonwealth University will start renting out the Siegel Center for concerts and events in an effort to generate revenue for athletes. VCU has partnered with a California-based event management company, ASM Global to manage the facility. The university expects to spend $5 million compensating its athletes beginning next year. For the first time, colleges will be able to directly and legally pay their players, pending final approval of a lawsuit against the NCAA.
Maryland, Virginia try to boost blue catfish harvest, with mixed success
Maryland recently has taken a few tentative steps aimed at boosting commercial harvest of blue catfish(Ictalurus furcatus), the voracious nonnative predator devouring blue crabs and many native fish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Efforts to do likewise in Virginia, though, have been at least partially thwarted by resistance from recreational anglers and fishing guides who want to maintain them as lucrative trophy fish.
Norfolk to vote on allowing city attorney to prosecute misdemeanor shoplifting
Norfolk City Council members plan to vote on an ordinance Tuesday that will allow the city attorney’s office to prosecute misdemeanor shoplifting charges. ... The code change was first proposed by Mayor Kenny Alexander at his annual State of the City address in April. Alexander said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi and his office were not doing enough to prosecute misdemeanor shoplifting cases. Fatehi has disputed the claims, saying his office prosecutes every felony shoplifting case. He said the issue is his office doesn’t receive enough funding from the city or state to prosecute misdemeanor shoplifting cases.