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Can AI identify safety threats in schools? Loudoun County wants to try.
Loudoun County schools will use an artificial intelligence system to help identity fights, bullying or other potential safety threats on campuses. The system, from local tech company VOLT AI, will use AI to monitor video footage from the school district’s existing security cameras to spot incidents that might require staff intervention, such as the presence of weapons or other safety threats or medical emergencies. The cameras are used only in common areas, not bathrooms or locker rooms.
Child care costs squeeze Virginia families
The cost of child care in Virginia and around the nation is skyrocketing, with a new report finding that it's outpacing overall inflation. Rising child care costs put a huge financial strain on families, Axios' Emily Peck reports. They can force some parents — typically women — to either ratchet back their working hours or leave the labor force entirely. For single parents, the calculus can be even more painful. The average annual cost of daycare tuition in Virginia for two children — one toddler and one infant — rose to $30,680 last year, according to data from Child Care Aware, an advocacy group.
Warner: Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ could make it more expensive to fly in and out of DC area
The Senate continues to work on what’s been dubbed the president’s “big, beautiful bill” this week. It’s a massive tax and spending plan hitting several parts of the federal government. And in recent weeks, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has landed on the GOP’s radar. It’s all of 17 lines out of 33 pages from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, but it orders the federal government to renegotiate the lease it has with MWAA — leases that were just signed last year and run through the year 2100.
Southern Poverty Law Center report: Militia movement is ‘reformatting’
The Southern Poverty Law Center issues an annual report tracking far-right movements across the country. Its most recent findings, which were released at the end of May, include information on the militia movement and its connections to the Commonwealth. Since 2020, at least 20 localities in Virginia have had active militia groups, according to media reports, though SPLC researcher Rachel Goldwasser says that number’s a bit higher.
Pokharel and Tanyu: In race to develop AI, colleges overlook cybersecurity
Tomorrow’s data breaches are being written in today's classrooms. If we continue treating security as an afterthought, we risk graduating students who are ready to build the future — but unprepared to secure it. In an era where cyber threats evolve faster than textbooks, a staggering 43% of cyberattacks now target small- to medium-sized enterprises, many of which employ graduates unequipped with real-world cybersecurity skills. Arguably, our academic approach to cybersecurity is long overdue for a transformation.
In Virginia’s primary election, voters to decide statewide Democratic nominees
Polling places opened at 6 a.m. across Virginia on Tuesday for this year’s primary races to pick Democratic nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general, with a handful of localities also selecting a House of Delegates nominee from one or both major parties and some choosing candidates for local offices. Democrats have a nominee for governor — former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger — and Republicans are set with their full ticket: Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for governor, talk-radio host John Reid for lieutenant governor and Attorney General Jason S. Miyares seeking reelection.
The curious campaign of Levar Stoney
There are many ways for a political candidate to garner the glowing press he desires while on the campaign trail. He can host rallies and town halls, attend forums and speaking engagements, visit community colleges and housing developments. This is what industry insiders call “earned media,” that is publicity that a candidate neither owns (like a website) nor pays for (like an advertisement). Earned, owned and paid media are considered the three pillars of publicity. But there is a fourth, and uncelebrated, pillar: simply cold calling a newspaper. Which is what Levar Stoney’s campaign did.
Southside House of Delegates race draws interest from both Democrats, Republicans
House District 49 is one of only two delegate races in the state that feature primaries among both Democrats and Republicans. The Danville-centered district includes portions of Pittsylvania and Halifax counties. Republican Del. Danny Marshall is retiring after representing the area in Richmond for more than two decades and the GOP is seeking to hold onto the seat.
Officials Investigate More Threats of Violence Against U.S. Politicians
Officials in at least three states said on Monday that they were investigating or prosecuting people for making threats against politicians, a day after the police in Minnesota arrested and charged a man over the assassination of a state lawmaker. In Texas, the authorities said that an armed man who threatened to harm lawmakers at the State Capitol had been detained. In Georgia, a man was arraigned after prosecutors said he threatened sexual violence against two United States senators. And in Virginia, a former Coast Guard officer was arrested and accused of making threats against President Trump online.
Virginia Democrats set to pick nominees in closely watched 2025 primaries
Virginia Democrats are set on Tuesday to pick their nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general, rounding out the statewide ticket and setting the stage for a bellwether election later this year. Most of the nominees slated to be at the top of the November ticket have already been picked, and Republicans aren’t even having a statewide primary. In the race for governor, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, whose candidacy thwarted prospective primary challengers, will go up against Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears — the only Republican who qualified for the ballot. Republicans have also solidified nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general.