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Yancey: Wages in Southwest Va. still lag behind but are growing faster than state and national averages
I want you to close your eyes and try to guess the place I’m about to describe. Wait — never mind. That’s probably not a good idea. I always try to envision I’m in a conversation with readers, so I sometimes forget you’re reading this and not looking back at me through the screen. Let’s try this, then. I’m going to describe a place, and you try to guess what part of Virginia it is (unless the headline has already given it away). There’s a part of the state where wage growth has typically lagged behind the state and national averages, but where since the pandemic wages have been growing faster than either of those — and at last report, are growing three times faster than the national rate.
Stafford, Fredericksburg eye solar farms on landfill sites
After touring the R-Board Regional Landfill for the first time two years ago, Monica Gary couldn’t shake the idea that the site held wasted potential. Landfills, Gary explained, aren’t monolithic wastelands; rather, they’re divided into cells that are retired once they reach a certain height or capacity of refuse. Specifically, the land atop these retired cells sparked Gary’s imagination as she sat down for a post-visit coffee with then-Stafford County Administrator Randy Vosburg. In this case, the proverbial light bulb in her head was powered by solar energy. “I said, ‘Hey, I really think that we need to put solar on the expired landfill cells,’” recalled Gary, a member of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors and R-Board chair. … Gary’s vision could soon be realized at two sites as a joint venture between Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.
Federal judge rejects request to halt Dominion’s Virginia Beach offshore wind farm
A federal judge has denied a request from a coalition of conservative interest groups that sought to halt construction of Dominion Energy’s offshore wind farm in Virginia Beach. The groups sued the Biden administration earlier this year, arguing federal agencies ignored threats to endangered whales when approving the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. The suit will still move forward this fall, but the decision issued last week denied plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction to stop construction while the lawsuit is decided. U.S. District Court Judge Loren AliKhan said there wasn’t enough proof that plaintiffs would suffer irreparable harm from construction on the project moving forward.
Virginia Beach task force calls for accountability from event producers
City-sponsored festivals and events should provide an accounting of funds in order to continue to receive support, a festival task force recommended to the City Council Tuesday. It was one of many priorities the group laid out in a report meant to guide policies on city-sponsored events as well as how Oceanfront public parks are used throughout the year. The council-appointed 90-day Festival Task Force reviewed the cost-benefit of city sponsorships as Virginia Beach continues to ramp up its annual event lineup at the Oceanfront.
Richmond residents rally for affordable housing
More than 100 Richmond residents came out Tuesday evening to demand the City Council address affordable housing in the city. The rally, hosted by the New Virginia Majority, a locally based political activism organization, comes following a recent uptick in eviction rates in Richmond. In a plea to Richmond officials, members of the organization called for an immediate stop to evictions and additional funding for affordable housing efforts.
Some legislative aides in Virginia do double duty as campaign staff
In Congress, elected representatives are supposed to keep their taxpayer-funded offices mostly separate from their political campaigns. In the part-time Virginia General Assembly, rules walling off legislative offices from campaign activity are less clear. The congressional rule exists to prevent incumbents from using government resources, including staff time, to help win reelection or move up to a higher office. Congressional staffers can engage in political activity, but only on their own time, without pressure from their boss and without their official duties being altered to free them up for campaign-related work, according to guidance published by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics.
Trump endorses Va. state Sen. McGuire over Bob Good for Congress
Former president Donald Trump has endorsed state Sen. John J. McGuire III (R-Goochland) over incumbent Rep. Bob Good in the GOP primary battle for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District seat, dealing a blow to Good as the House Freedom Caucus chairman seeks a third term. Trump took to his Truth Social platform Tuesday to hail McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, as a “true American Hero” and to blast Good, who initially endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) over Trump for the White House.
Loudoun County considers cost of changing school names linked to slavery, Confederacy
On Tuesday night, the Loudoun County School Board was briefed on the potential cost of renaming nine schools a committee identified as named for people, places or ideas related to slavery or the Confederacy. That cost, according to the district, ranges between $1.1-1.25 million.
After DeSantis endorsement, Trump backs Rep. Bob Good challenger
Former President Donald Trump has delivered a punishing blow to the reelection campaign of Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, by endorsing state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, his opponent in a Republican primary race that has focused from the beginning on loyalty to the former president. A day after endorsing Republican U.S. Senate candidate Hung Cao, Trump didn’t just endorse McGuire. On Truth Social he issued a scathing denunciation of Good, who initially had supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primary and then endorsed the former president after DeSantis ended his candidacy.
PETA files complaint against EVMS, citing abuse in baboon research
Animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has filed a complaint against Eastern Virginia Medical School, alleging abuse against baboons that went through Caesarian sections for pregnancy research. Norfolk-based PETA sent the complaint to the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office last week, and the letter states the school has a “longstanding, willful disregard of the well being of animals within its custody.” The school, however, has maintained that the animals were always cared for, and the research is vital for maternal and baby care.