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Harned: Embrace transportation energy independence this July 4
It’s an American tradition: hit the highways for the beach or other fun destinations during the July 4 holiday. Recently AAA released its annual July 4 travel projection, and it’s going to be another record year for American travelers — 72.2 million on the highways, which is a 1.7 million increase from last year. AAA also shares great opportunities for information on technology and efficiency that can make for a better traveling holiday for Virginians.
Here’s how Hampton Roads lawmakers voted on Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Republican leaders in the House found enough votes Thursday to pass President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” after several Republicans flipped their votes overnight to support the massive bill. The bill extends Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax breaks to make them permanent and allows workers tax deductions on a portion of tips and overtime pay. Overall, the bill will raise the country’s debt ceiling by $5 trillion.
Despite residents' objections, Four Seasons board backs data center plan
Over the loud objections of several residents, the Four Seasons homeowners’ association board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to endorse a plan to allow up to five data centers on undeveloped land between their over-55 community and Interstate 95. The vote came after a packed town hall meeting in the Four Seasons community room, where several residents pleaded with the board not to endorse a move to open the densely forested area behind their community to data centers. One person spoke in support of the project.
‘Time is running short’: Letters show growing Justice Department ire at U-Va.
Over two months this spring, Justice Department officials sent seven letters to the University of Virginia, alleging possible racial discrimination in admissions and hiring, inaction to address antisemitism on campus, and a failure to remove diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the institution. The letters, obtained by The Washington Post through a records request, revealed the agency’s increasing frustration at U-Va. They warned that a failure by the university to take “immediate corrective action” could lead to punitive steps, including possible termination of federal funding.
Arlington Republicans introduce candidates for statehouse and County Board
Arlington Republicans introduced two candidates for the House of Delegates and one County Board challenger at a Monday meeting. The party acknowledges that, as always, November will be an uphill battle in Arlington. However, the goal is to put forward “candidates who are well-versed in what’s happening locally” as part of a five-year strategy, party chair Matthew Hurtt said.
How do you get 850 students to improve their attendance? In Norton, it’s all about relationships
Improving attendance at Norton public schools sometimes looks like tracking down one chronically absent student at a time. Sometimes, that entails going to find them at their part-time jobs. Sarah Davis, the attendance specialist at the small Southwest Virginia school division, recalled one student who was skipping afternoon classes so she could pick up extra shifts at a local fast-food chain. . . . Davis’s efforts, combined with those of school administrators and a nonprofit partner organization, have made significant progress to improve attendance in Norton. For the 2022-2023 school year, more than one-third of the 325 students at J.I. Burton High School were chronically absent, meaning they missed more than 18 days of school for any reason. For the 2023-2024 school year, chronic absenteeism dropped from 37% to just 2%.
Averett University cuts liberal arts programs amid financial crisis
Averett University is making significant changes to its academic offerings, cutting several liberal arts programs in an effort to stabilize its finances after a former chief financial officer allegedly mismanaged $18 million from the university's endowment. The university is now suing the former CFO and the investment firm involved. Dr. Thomas Powell, Averett University's president, said the decision to eliminate programs such as political science and communications, along with three minors, is part of a strategy to save the school without cutting jobs.
Feds reinstate $33 million for Virginia schools
Virginia and other states will regain the ability to use $33 million in emergency relief funds, after the federal government last week reversed course on a March decision that prohibited them from using the funds. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon abruptly accelerated the deadline for schools to spend all allocated funds on March 28, leaving schools scrambling to make plans for the money. McMahon announced the rescission of that policy in a June 26 letter to chief state school officers, after several states sued the agency in the Southern District of New York, leading to injunctions that prevented the DOE from enforcing its policy. Virginia was not one of those states involved in the litigation, but its state education agency did file appeals with DOE.
Hampton Roads needs clarity on proposed move affecting Fort Eustis
News in May that the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) headquarters will be moving from Fort Eustis in Newport News to Austin, Texas, came as an unwelcome surprise. There are still many unanswered questions about how this change will affect TRADOC operations and its military and civilian staff members, as well as what the implications will be for Fort Eustis and the military presence that is such an important part of Hampton Roads.
New state renters protection law aims to reduce evictions for public housing tenants
Tenants living in public housing across Virginia are now protected by a new law aimed at reducing evictions and eliminating certain fees. As of July 1, public housing authorities issuing notices of nonpayment to renters must now print those notices on pink or orange paper to clearly inform tenants of their rights. This is part of a broader push to strengthen renter protections and help prevent homelessness.