Search
Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population falls to ‘distressing low’
Blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay have dropped to a “distressing low” number, experts say, marking several years of repeated declines and raising concern about their long-term health. The estimated number of crabs was 238 million, the second-lowest point since an annual blue crab dredge survey to measure their population started in the 1990s and coming shortly after 2022’s record low of 226 million crabs, according to experts. The survey found that the decline hit all of the crustaceans, regardless of maturity or gender.
Ex-Richmond worker spent over $2M at businesses registered to his and friend's homes
A former city employee spent more than $2 million of city funds at three businesses — one registered to his own home and two others registered to the Prince William County home of a woman he met while serving in the U.S. Navy. Officials are investigating all three businesses, which are associated with Reginald Thomas, a former management analyst with the city’s fire department.
New dashboard brings near real-time info about crime around the region
Police departments around the region are increasingly offering updates on crime data, but depending on how big the department is, the speed of those updates might vary. . . . But to track it all, you usually have to go to each individual department’s webpage and search around for the information you want, if you’re trying to compare one area to another. That will no longer be the case. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has unveiled a new dashboard that lets you track crime around the region, from the District to the biggest suburban counties in Maryland to the smaller municipalities that also work with COG. You can break it down by jurisdiction or group the D.C. area together.
Martinsville City Council members remain mostly mum on lawsuit controversy
Members of the Martinsville City Council are remaining largely quiet about the federal lawsuit filed by council member Aaron Rawls against the city manager and city sheriff’s deputy. Council members each cited the pending litigation as their reason for not commenting on the suit that Rawls filed against City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides and Deputy Reva Keen. . . . Rawls filed the case June 2 in U.S. District Court in Danville. The suit alleges that the pair acted in violation of Rawls’ First, Fourth and 14th amendment rights. The alleged violations are concerned with Rawls’ right to speech, freedom from unlawful seizure and deprivation of liberty.
Former Chesterfield and state superintendent Billy Cannaday dies
Billy Cannaday, who served as superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools from 2000 to 2006, died Sunday at age 75. A Roanoke native, Cannaday became CCPS superintendent after holding the same role at Hampton Public Schools from 1994 to 2000. ... In 2006, Gov. Tim Kaine appointed Cannaday as state superintendent of public instruction. Two years later, Cannaday was named dean at the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies ...
D.C. region launches dashboard to deliver more detailed, timely crime data
A new initiative reporting crime data from across the D.C. region in “near-real time” has won praise from local leaders and will provide new tools for policymakers, public safety agencies and the public. “It’s the only one we’re aware of in the nation,” said Eli Russ, a senior public safety planner for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), who serves as project manager for the effort. Officially launched before the group’s monthly meeting Wednesday, the new COG Regional Crime Dashboard will draw from daily reports issued by public safety agencies in 24 jurisdictions spread across D.C., Virginia and Maryland.
Killing a Biden-era submarine deal would be a 'lost opportunity' for Hampton Roads, local leader says
When Australia and the United Kingdom signed a deal to buy nuclear submarines from the United States and have U.S. experts teach them to build their own, Hampton Roads officials saw doors opening. The deal, which would see Australia buy as many as five Virginia-class subs from the U.S. to help curb China’s expanding influence in the Pacific, could ultimately be worth more than $200 billion over the next couple of decades. But President Donald Trump announced Wednesday his administration will review the Biden-era deal to ensure it aligns with Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Tribal leaders discuss land loss, environmental challenges in coastal Virginia
Indigenous communities have navigated Virginia’s land and waters for thousands of years, weathering countless wars, storms and growing development. Local tribal leaders say they’re now facing several environmental challenges, such as flooding and shoreline erosion, that threaten some of the land and resources they’ve worked hard to protect.
Youngkin says gubernatorial appointments rejected by the General Assembly can still serve
A fight is now brewing between Governor Glenn Youngkin and the Democratic-controlled Virginia General Assembly. That’s because Youngkin is arguing that eight of his picks to serve on the board of visitors at various universities can continue to serve, despite their nominations being rejected by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on June 9. In a statement, Youngkin’s offices said, “Make no mistake, these highly qualified appointees will continue to serve in their posts as the Constitution of Virginia affords.”
Winsome Earle-Sears, John Reid face GOP identity test in historic Virginia election
Virginia Republicans have made history with a groundbreaking statewide ticket, but now they face the challenge of selling it to their own base. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, a Marine Corps veteran and the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia, is the Republican nominee for governor. Running alongside her for lieutenant governor is John Reid, a conservative radio host and the first openly gay man nominated for statewide office by the GOP. Together, they represent one of the most diverse Republican tickets the Commonwealth has ever seen.