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By BILL ATKINSON,
Progress Index
(Metered paywall - 10 articles a month)
With Wednesday’s approval of The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprises as Petersburg’s casino vendor of choice, city officials say the next step in the process is getting the Virginia Lottery Board and a Circuit Court judge on its side in approving the November referendum that ultimately decides the future of legalized gambling here. In an email Thursday afternoon, city spokesperson Joanne Williams said Petersburg and Cordish/BSE will draw up the paperwork to submit to the lottery board, the state agency that governs Virginia’s casino operations.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By LISA ROWAN,
Cardinal News
Six new college partnership lab schools have been approved to launch in Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office announced Thursday, including two in Southwest Virginia.
The six schools, each sponsored by a higher education institution, aim to provide new learning opportunities for students around the commonwealth.
“These schools are establishing innovative pathways for students to explore potential careers and be better prepared for the future, with a specific focus on addressing the needs and demands of their regions,” Youngkin said in a statement Thursday. “These Lab Schools are not just shaping the future of our students, they’re also shaping the future of Virginia.”
VaNews April 26, 2024
By STACY PARKER,
Virginian-Pilot
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Bruce Smith rolled the dice — and won. The pro football Hall of Famer and Virginia Beach developer was selected with partner The Cordish Companies to build a casino in Petersburg. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet,” Smith said by phone Thursday afternoon. “I’m so excited about this opportunity.” Petersburg residents will still have to vote on whether to allow gaming through a referendum on the November ballot. If approved, the casino project will be the largest economic development and tourism project in Petersburg history.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By DEAN MIRSHAHI,
WRIC-TV
The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia sent a letter to the head of the state’s corrections department demanding that the agency apply a recent court decision ordering a man’s release from prison to others with similar cases so they might be let out too.
The Supreme Court of Virginia ordered the release of Jose Garcia Vasquez, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and a count of criminal gang participation, siding with him over the state in finding that the Department of Corrections wrongfully denied him earned sentence credits to be released early.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By NOUR HABIB,
Virginian-Pilot
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Some Hampton Roads school divisions will scale back virtual programs next school year because of declining enrollment, limited funding and options they believe are better for students. When the pandemic hit four years ago, schools across the country were thrown into virtual learning. The concept was not new, though: Several area schools had outside vendors offering courses. But the learning landscape changed in the aftermath. Most students and teachers happily returned to in-person learning, while some preferred online.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By SARAH Y. KIM,
WAMU-FM
Metro’s Board of Directors approved a budget Thursday that will enable the agency to close its deficit for the next fiscal year and avert service cuts that would have been disastrous to the region.
That’s due to a $463 million combined contribution from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Those funds are in addition to annual subsidies the jurisdictions are already legislatively required to contribute.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By SEAN JONES,
Richmond Times-Dispatch
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The Girl Scout who created “book nooks,” little libraries carrying the titles that were removed from Hanover County Public Schools over the past year, spoke to the County Board of Supervisors this week. Kate Lindley said that supervisors had “bestowed” an honor upon her greater than any proclamation when it “censored” a proclamation for her winning a Girl Scout Gold Award. A supervisor during the meeting Wednesday told the crowd supporting Lindley that proclamations are ultimately issued by the board and while requests can be made, board members have the right to vote on the wording for an award.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By RAVEN PAYNE,
WAVY-TV
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, along with state and local officials, broke ground on a major dredging project Thursday morning that is expected to boost the region’s economy while replenishing resort beaches.
They celebrated the start of phase two of the Atlantic Ocean Channel deepening project, a part of the wider, deeper, safer dredging project which will deepen the Norfolk Harbor to an average of 55 feet.
Virginia Beach Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson highlighted the significance, saying the project will bring billions to our economy.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By BEN PETERS,
Inside NOVA
Fundraising numbers are in for the crowded and competitive races to replace outgoing members of Congress in the 7th and 10th districts, signaling which candidates have momentum heading into early voting beginning May 3.
In the 7th District, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, is stepping down to run for Virginia governor in 2025. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, also a Democrat, is stepping down in the 10th District due to health issues. Those are considered the two most competitive congressional races in Virginia in 2024, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By CIANNA MORALES,
Virginian-Pilot
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City Council voted Tuesday to approve enhancements to the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in anticipation of becoming a year-round cruise destination in 2025.
The changes are huge, said Stephen Kirkland, who runs the cruise terminal as the executive director of Nauticus.
“A cruise ship will be here every single week, embarking and debarking passengers, and we need to be prepared for that heightened activity,” Kirkland said.
VaNews April 26, 2024
