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SC GOP taps Virginia governor to headline Silver Elephant Gala fundraiser
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will keynote the South Carolina GOP’s annual fundraising gala, the state Republican Party announced Tuesday. Youngkin’s election in November 2021 gave Republicans nationwide a morale boost after Democrats won the presidency while gaining control of the U.S. Senate a year earlier.
New Cardinal Care Managed Care program to serve Virginians with Medicaid
The new Cardinal Care Managed Care program, intended to assist 1.4 million Virginians, was announced by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services Tuesday. The program will serve those in the Commonwealth for Medicaid starting July 1 by prioritizing member-centered care that meets the diverse needs of Medicaid members while enhancing care and support.
Energy demands, regulations and federal funding challenge Virginia Clean Economy Act
In July 2020, the Virginia Clean Economy Act went into effect, setting the commonwealth on a path towards zero-emissions in its energy production by 2050. The lofty goals were designed to combat climate change and prepare Virginia to fulfill future electricity demands. Now as the state grapples with energy needs that have expanded since the passage of the bill — and with looming changes to federal energy policy — there are questions about if, and how, the law should be changed.
After UVA president’s exit, Dems say they want to prevent further politicization of higher education
University of Virginia president Jim Ryan’s abrupt resignation in the midst of federal pressure on the school to end its DEI initiatives set off a firestorm of controversy, with Virginia Democratic lawmakers now pledging that they will find ways to prevent further politicization of higher education. The lawmakers said they’re reconsidering legislation to support governing boards and reevaluating the gubernatorial appointments process.
Cousins and Oliver: Congress seems content to let Virginians go hungry
Food insecurity remains a harsh reality for too many Virginians. Now, we are facing federal funding cuts that threaten the progress we have made to ensure that no Virginian goes hungry. In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unceremoniously canceled a $21 million grant that makes it possible for Virginia farmers to supply schools and food banks with fresh produce. No reason for the cut was given, little time was provided to prepare, and Virginians who counted on this program were not offered any alternatives.
Gas station's opening in Rockingham County draws a crowd
Before the sun came up on Monday morning, Cristi Trego left her home in Houston, Delaware, to make the four-and-a-half-hour drive to Mount Crawford in Virginia’s Rockingham County to stop at one particular gas station. “We love Buc-ee’s,” Trego said about herself and her 3-year-old grandson, Mason, as they were waiting in line to meet Buc-ee the Beaver. . . . The nation’s northernmost Buc-ee’s travel center, and the first in Virginia, opened Monday morning amid huge crowds, sweltering weather, and a parking lot that was full-to-bursting with cars. County sheriffs and Buc-ee’s employees eventually had to begin directing the traffic that came from as far away as Georgia.
Judge voids Virginia Beach district-based election system, but not results
A Circuit Court judge ruled Monday that the district-based election system Virginia Beach imposed to comply with federal voting rights law is void. According to the ruling, that’s because the General Assembly did not vote to pass corresponding legislation that would have officially changed the city’s charter. Attorneys said Monday’s summary judgement, means that the “10-1” system used in the past two local election cycles is not permitted unless and until the state legislature passes legislation that amends the city charter to that effect. However, the ruling applies only to future elections ...
James City, York counties latest localities to mull data centers
As more and more data centers continue to pop up across Virginia, localities such as James City and York counties are looking to implement policies amid concerns over size, utility usage and noise. Lessons are being learned from jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, where data centers have been built without regulations in place, giving them free rein over how they operate. ... In Hampton Roads, municipalities are starting to incorporate policies about data centers with regards to where they can be located, as well as how much power and water they can use.
Ranked-choice voting in Charlottesville 'didn't make a powerful difference'
After months of buildup, Charlottesville’s first experiment with ranked-choice voting was anticlimatic. Proponents of the voting model — which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference instead of simply voting for one candidate for one open seat — say ranked-choice voting diversifies the candidate pool, reduces the effects of spoilers on the race, produces more focused campaigning and increases turnout at the polls.
Rotherham and Forte: Virginia students deserve better. Close the 'honesty gap'
Alarming data from multiple sources, most notably the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), underscores just how deeply every state was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic — the only difference is by how much. In Virginia, failure to adequately serve students resulted in the largest drops in learning on national assessments of any state, with average achievement in some cases reverting to 1990s levels. Students who were already struggling were impacted the most. This was, and remains, a genuine crisis for students, families and the commonwealth.