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Supervisors Defer Vote on Leesburg Area Data Center
A rezoning application by JK Land Holdings to permit up to 742,000 square feet of data center use on a tract south of Leesburg was deferred Tuesday night after a motion to approve the plan failed to garner majority support from the Board of Supervisors. The application would also alternatively permit up to 416,000 square feet of warehouse or distribution uses, or up to 218,000 square feet of industrial uses. . . . The project was supported by members of the public who said data centers would be a better fit than homes, which would be negatively impacted by airplane noise, and provide more benefits to the community.
Billboards popping up across Richmond slam national park cuts
A pro-labor news outlet is putting up seven billboards across Richmond this week to protest the Trump administration's cuts to national parks. More Perfect Union launched a multimillion-dollar national ad blitz in more than 40 cities decrying the gutting of "one of our nation's most treasured assets." The billboards warn of the potential consequences of National Park Service layoffs, like longer waits, more trash and dirty bathrooms. Shenandoah National Park was among the hardest-hit in the nation by the Trump administration's purge of federal employees at national parks.
DOJ grants University of Va. extension on DEI response
The University of Virginia has until May 30 to respond to an April 28 letter from the U.S. Department of Justice demanding proof — including video and audio from the U.Va. Board of Visitors’ closed sessions — that the university is dismantling and dissolving its diversity, equity and inclusion apparatuses. According to U.Va. spokesperson Brian Coy, the university requested an extension of the previous May 2 deadline cited in the letter, which was sent to U.Va. President Jim Ryan, Rector Robert Hardie and university legal counsel Clifton M. Iler. The DOJ moved the deadline to May 30, Coy said Tuesday.
Delegate candidates speak on crime, guns, solar panels
The Three Rivers Republican Women’s Club held its third annual candidate forum on April 30. Candidates running for the House of Delegates in the 84th and 89th districts answered questions posed by the audience about local issues. Felisha Storm (R) is running for Delegate in the 84th district. Mike Lamonea (R) and Kristen Shannon (R) are running for Delegate in the 89th district. The forum was moderated by Kerry Dougherty from WTAR.
5 former Richmond Public Schools bus drivers say they were fired for advocating for overtime pay
Sonny Randolph said parents are still calling him to tell him their kids won’t get on the bus. Randolph began driving buses for Richmond Public Schools in 2014. Until recently, he was responsible for picking up children with intellectual disabilities and making sure they made it safely to their schools. . . . Randolph is among five former RPS bus drivers — alongside Cynthia Cole, Katina Hickman, Darryl Brinson-Williams and Kimya Williams — who allege they were fired last month in retaliation for attending a Richmond School Board meeting on April 8, where Williams, Brinson-Williams and some of their colleagues spoke in defense of their overtime pay.
King George Firefighters Defend their Right to Speak
Members of the King George chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF Local 4438)—supported by members of Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Orange, and Winchester chapters—spoke in defense of their First Amendment rights at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. The membership turned out in response to comments made by some of the supervisors at the April 11 budget work session. The comments hinted at retaliation against the Local 4438 president, Triston Beverly, for writing a letter expressing concern about the proposed budget for the fire, rescue, and emergency services department.
Youngkin: Virginia experiencing ‘exciting moment’ for investment
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said Tuesday that the state is experiencing an “exciting moment” for investment as businesses continue to put money into it. “Companies are expanding in America, and Virginia has been rated one of the top states, if not the top state, for business in America, and a lot of them are investing in Virginia,” Youngkin said during an appearance on Fox Business’s Mornings With Maria. “So, it’s an exciting moment for us.”
Fauquier County dump expansion could threaten historic Schoolhouse 18
A planned expansion to a Fauquier County trash collection site in Marshall could threaten the historic schoolhouse next door, advocates are warning. Built in 1887, the one-room school now surrounded by well-tended gardens closed in 1964 and was the last of 31 Fauquier County elementary schools serving African American students. . . . Some advocates say the changes will make the site safer and reduce traffic, but opponents worry the plan will roll back progress that has improved the historic property next door.
Youngkin and Miyares announce new investigation into Loudoun County Public Schools
On Tuesday, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares said they were outraged over 7News' exclusive report about Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) investigating three male students who complained about the presence of a biological female in the boys' locker room at Stone Bridge High School. “It’s deeply concerning to read reports of yet another incident in Loudoun County schools where members of the opposite sex are violating the privacy of students in locker rooms. Even more alarming, the victims of this violation are the ones being investigated—this is beyond belief ..." said Governor Glenn Youngkin in a statement.
Virginia tribe and state officials accuse each other of Medicaid fraud
The administration of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and the Nansemond Indian Nation have traded allegations of deception over a tribal health-care service and its Medicaid expenses, with the state claiming in court filings last week that the Nansemonds “may be engaging in fraudulent billing practices.” On Wednesday, lawyers for the tribe responded in documents: “The only fraud before this Court is the one orchestrated by [the commonwealth].” The escalating legal conflict involves millions of dollars in health-care reimbursements and marks the first instance of Virginia facing a government-to-government clash with one of its newly recognized Native tribes.