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Richmond revenue director resigns after more problems with tax rebate checks
Richmond's director of revenue resigned last week after city officials learned of more errors that have hampered the city's efforts to give Richmond property owners back some tax money they've already paid. A month ago, the city announced a mailing error had resulted in thousands of erroneous checks to be sent out payable to an entity called "Hartshorn Community Council." On Monday — as questions swirled about the status of checks residents still weren't seeing in their mailboxes — the city announced it had found several more problems that were delaying the process.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Kaine expects more hearings after latest Hegseth Signal scandal
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine remains firmly opposed to Pete Hegseth’s leadership and expects additional hearings on the defense secretary’s latest Signal scandal. Kaine and fellow Virginia Democrat U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, have both called for Hegseth’s resignation after the defense secretary revealed sensitive military information with unvetted civilians via private group chat not once but twice since his appointment. “I see one gaffe after the next,” Kaine told The News Virginian Friday after a tour of the Daikin Applied HVAC plant in Verona.
Purcellville Residents Submit Recall Petitions for Mayor, Councilmembers
Purcellville residents on Monday submitted recall petitions for the town’s mayor, vice mayor and two councilmembers just five weeks after starting the grassroots effort. The move to unseat Mayor Christopher Bertaut, Vice Mayor Ben Nett and councilmembers Susan Khalil and Carol Luke came after residents repeatedly expressed concerns during council meetings that the council majority was having discussions between the four of them without informing the public or the remaining three members of council.
Tensions rise as Reid demands Youngkin’s PAC retract ‘defamatory’ statements
A lawyer representing Republican lieutenant governor nominee John Reid sent a cease-and-desist letter Monday to Spirit of Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s political action committee. The letter directed the PAC’s executive director, Matt Moran, to “retract all defamatory statements made to the press and that you, Spirit of Virginia, its agents, and its affiliates cease and desist from making, releasing, or otherwise disseminating false and defamatory statements regarding Mr. Reid to any person, organization, or platform in the future.” The letter also instructed Moran and all associated entities to preserve all communications with Graham Moomaw, who first reported Youngkin’s call to Reid in The Richmonder, as well as communications with Virginia Scope.
Trump names Youngkin, 12 others to FEMA review council
President Donald Trump on Monday appointed 13 people to review the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including several highly regarded emergency managers and five Republicans and two Democrats. Trump created the council days after taking office as he suggested abolishing the nation’s disaster agency. The council was supposed to have held its first meeting on April 24, as outlined in Trump’s executive order. Members include Republican Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia ...
Connolly won’t seek reelection due to health
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-11th, announced Monday that he will not run for reelection to Congress or remain as ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Reform Committee because of his intensifying battle with cancer. Connolly, a powerhouse in Northern Virginia politics for three decades, has been battling esophageal cancer for six months. He said in a statement to constituents that the cancer has returned.