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Earle-Sears’ record on social issues complicates bid to follow Youngkin’s path in Virginia governor’s race
Winsome Earle-Sears, the all-but-certain Republican nominee in the Virginia governor’s race this fall, has built the early stages of her campaign around being Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s partner. Earle-Sears, the state’s lieutenant governor, has largely attempted to frame her candidacy as an extension of the current administration, an attempt to replicate the term-limited governor’s path to victory in the blue-leaning state four years ago. ... But there has been notable daylight between Earle-Sears and Youngkin on several fronts, particularly on social issues, complicating her strategy to follow in the footsteps of her more popular governing partner.
Henrico educators union frustrated in push for collective bargaining
The Henrico educators union has been pushing for collective bargaining since shortly after the practice was legalized for public employees in 2021. ... The union said in early 2024 that it was confident the school board would vote in favor of collective bargaining by the end of the year. Nearly a year and a half later, no agreement has been signed between the school division and its workers.
How do we live with data centers? Loudoun Chamber forum explores the issue
Despite concerns over the development of data centers in Loudoun County, a panel of experts assured the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce on June 5 that efforts to balance community well-being with data expansion are a priority. The PolicyMaker Series: Data Centers — At the Crossroads event sold out all seats of the Belmont Country Club ballroom, with eager listeners from all over the field of technology careers. ... The constant expansion of data centers has raised concerns for a list of reasons: High natural resource and energy consumption; Carbon emissions and air pollution; Land use ...
Data Center Leaders Tout Industry Benefits at Loudoun Chamber Forum
Data centers have been at the heart of controversy in Loudoun County over the past two years as their booming growth has brought in unprecedented tax revenues for the county and raised concerns over their impacts to surrounding communities. Industry leaders on Thursday continued to highlight their economic benefits during a Loudoun Chamber of Commerce forum where U.S. Chamber Technology Engagement Center Vice President Jordan Crenshaw emphasized the need for the United States to state at the forefront of the global stage.
Elections officials appoint new Richmond registrar to replace Keith Balmer
Richmond’s Board of Elections has appointed a permanent registrar to replace Keith Balmer, who led the city’s elections office until he resigned last year following allegations of nepotism and fraud. Electoral Board Chair Starlet Stevens said David Levine will start in the role on July 1, less than two weeks after Virginia’s June 17 primary elections. Levine formerly worked in Richmond’s elections office as a deputy registrar from 2012 to 2014, Stevens said.
Is DEI done at the University of Virginia?
When she went through orientation at the start of the University of Virginia‘s 2024-25 academic year, first-year student Katherine Rattray felt welcomed. The university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1817 as an “academical village” constructed in part by enslaved people seemed to acknowledge, “Yes, this institution was built on slavery, but at the same time we’re trying to do better,” says Rattray, who is Black. But after U.Va.’s board of visitors voted in March to dissolve the university’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Partnerships in response to an executive order from President Donald Trump, Rattray’s feelings have changed. “It’s already a big deterrent for students to see that there’s not a lot of diversity on campus,” Rattray says of the university’s 55% white student body.
Dominion to Resume Tree Clearing Along W&OD Trail
After pausing work to clear trees along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in March following concern from public officials, Dominion Energy has announced they will begin clearing again. “We have met with arborists and forestry personnel from the impacted jurisdictions, as well as representatives from NOVA Parks, and toured the identified areas. The walkthrough was designed to provide clarity on the safety and reliability concerns driving this effort and outline our long-term vegetation management approach,” according to the announcement.
Old Dominion Job Corps to lay off 130 in Amherst
Amherst County-based Old Dominion Job Corps Center will lay off 130 workers by June 30, due to President Donald Trump‘s administration ordering the closures of contractor-run Job Corps centers across the nation. Old Dominion, in compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, notified the state Tuesday of plans to lay off the employees due to the closure of the Job Corps site.
Va. lawmakers press for details on Fort Eustis layoffs
A bipartisan group of Virginia congressional officials sent a letter to Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George Tuesday seeking more transparency regarding plans to move the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) headquarters from Fort Eustis in Newport News to Austin, Texas. Last month, George told the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee that TRADOC would be merged with the Army Futures Command (AFC) in Austin to form a new command — the Army Transformation and Training Command. However, the announcement raised questions about how many military and civilian staff would be impacted ...
Small child diagnosed with measles confirmed as Virginia’s third case in 2025
A small child who spent several hours in Charlottesville across multiple days has been diagnosed with measles, creating an exposure risk for those in the area. This marks the third confirmed case of measles in Virginia this year. On Thursday, June 4, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that a child 4 years old or younger was diagnosed with measles. This illness came after they were exposed to Virginia’s second measles case of the year, which involved a teenager. Both were in Charlottesville in late May.