Search
New initiative hopes to help N. Va. workers ‘pivot’ amid federal government upheaval
Local economic development organizations have joined forces to launch a comprehensive initiative aimed at assisting federal employees, contractors and other professionals facing career disruptions. “The Pivot” is an initiative of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, which includes the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. “Participants will gain insights into career exploration, entrepreneurial ventures, and skill development to successfully transition into new opportunities,” the alliance said in launching the effort last Friday (May 30).
The late Congressman Gerry Connolly gets one more legislative victory
... Congressman Gerry Connolly is having one final victory in the House of Representatives this week with the approval of the Gerry Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act. The bill was renamed for the late congressman the day he died last month, and it has bipartisan support including from Republican Congressman James Comer of Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight Committee.
Recipients describe ‘devastating’ impact of proposed food-benefit cuts
Sen. Tim Kaine wanted to hear the personal stories of those who would be affected by proposed federal cuts to food benefits — and he certainly got his wish during a Monday session at the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. About a dozen people from the Fredericksburg region gathered at a roundtable that included the U.S. senator and Del. Joshua Cole, who represents Fredericksburg and surrounding counties in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Lawmakers criticize cuts to veterans affairs at Norfolk State University hearing
Congressman Bobby Scott and representatives in the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee addressed concerns about the Trump administration’s cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at a hearing at Norfolk State University. The cuts were described by the lawmakers as "devastating" to the quality of life for veterans and their families. “This system is failing us," said Virginia State Delegate Jackie Glass. Lawmakers at this hearing Tuesday argued that existing and proposed cuts to the V.A. limit the federal department's ability to provide military veterans with what they “rightfully deserve” in health care and benefits.
Veterans Affairs workers decry effects of budget cuts
Democratic congressional leaders, including Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Newport News), on Tuesday morning heard accounts from local leaders and experts on the effects to veterans from Trump administration’s policies. The testimony at the event at Norfolk State University centered on the staffing levels at the recently opened North Battlefield VA Outpatient Clinic, cuts to Veterans Affairs, and uncertainty in veterans’ health care and benefits. The VA has plans to lay off as many as 80,000 staff by the end of the year.
Where the hot spots are for immigration enforcement
Efforts to arrest and remove unauthorized immigrants appear most aggressive in five southern states with Democratic-leaning cities, while deeply red, rural states are seeing less activity, according to an Axios analysis. Our review of removal orders, pending deportation cases and agreements between immigration officials and local law enforcement agencies sheds light on where the Trump administration is dispatching resources to support its mass deportation plan. The analysis shows local law enforcement agencies in Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia have been most cooperative with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in rounding up immigrants through deals known as 287 (g) agreements.
Who is running in the District 70 primary in Newport News?
... In Newport News, there are two Republican candidates running in the primaries to get on the November 2025 ballot, hoping to represent District 70 in the House of Delegates. ... Hailey Dollar is one of two candidates running in the Republican primary. Dollar is an army combat veteran who was born and raised in Hampton Roads, between York County and Newport News. ... Dollar's Republican primary opponent is Cynthia Scaturico. Scaturico was born in Illinois, then in 2014 she moved to York County for a few years where she worked at Smithfield Foods. During the pandemic, Scaturico moved to Iowa where she began her political career after being elected to the Board of Supervisors.
Grants funded by your car insurance pay for surveillance tech in Virginia
More than 30 years ago, the General Assembly created a fund to reward tipsters who shared information leading to motor vehicle theft arrests. If there’s leftover money in the Help Eliminate Auto Theft — better known as HEAT — reward fund, the Virginia State Police can allocate it to educational programming to help drivers prevent auto theft or to support local law enforcement or judicial agencies in their efforts to reduce theft. Since 2022, the Virginia State Police has been using an increasing amount of money from the fund to help local law enforcement agencies buy equipment to help them prevent and solve vehicle theft and related crimes.
Va. attorney general says Loudoun County school system misused authority in locker room case
Virginia's attorney general found “disturbing misuse of authority” by a school district that investigated three boys regarding claims of sexual harassment of a transgender student in a boys’ locker room. Jason Miyares referred the Title IX investigation of the incident to the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice for further investigation. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked Miyares to investigate Loudoun County Public Schools over its handling of an alleged incident in which three boys at Stone Bridge High School expressed concern about a transgender boy in the locker room in March. The transgender student allegedly recorded cellphone video of their reactions.
2 newcomers to Newport News compete in House District 70 GOP primary
An Army combat veteran and former Iowa Board of Supervisors representative are on the ballot in the Republican primary for House District 70 as newcomers to Newport News. Republicans Hailey Dollar and Cynthia Scaturico are running in the June 17 primary to see who will face Democrat incumbent Del. Shelly Simonds.