Search
New Virginia law requires all car passengers to wear seatbelts on highways
It's a major win for a grieving Virginia mother who says her son lost his life because he wasn't wearing a seat belt. After years of advocacy work and asking lawmakers to listen, the "Christopher King Seat Belt Law," also known as HB2475, will go into effect July 1. The law requires every adult riding in a car on a public highway to wear a seat belt, even in the back seat. Current law only requires adults in the front seat to wear a seat belt. . . . The Christopher King Seat Belt Law is still considered a secondary law, meaning police cannot stop a driver for not wearing a seat belt. Police can, however, issue a $25 fine for not wearing a seat belt if a driver is stopped for something else.
Virginia GOP embraced a diverse ticket in this year’s elections. Then things got complicated
Republicans engaged in scrubbing the federal government of diversity, equity and inclusion programs are fielding a historically diverse ticket in Virginia in one of the only states holding elections this year. Those two things aren’t inherently incompatible, and some experts say nominating diverse candidates could reinforce the argument that officeholders should be chosen on merit. But in the shadow of Washington, where President Donald Trump’s push to stamp out DEI programs has caused turmoil at colleges, businesses and throughout the federal government, things have gotten complicated.
Yancey: Is Fairfax County gaining population or losing population? Here’s why two estimates differ.
In the famous quantum mechanics thought experiment known as Schrödinger’s Cat, the question concerns the status of a feline in a box with a flask of poison and something radioactive: Under some quantum theories, the cat is both alive and dead at the same time. Fairfax County is Virginia’s Schrödinger’s Cat. In the annual population estimates from the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, the state’s largest locality is losing population. In the latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, it’s gaining population. So which is it?
Williams: By punishing speech, VCU loses its moral compass
On the one-year anniversary of the storming of the VCU Gaza Solidarity Encampment by police in riot gear, more than a dozen Virginia Commonwealth University police officers converged upon the Cabell Library lawn and students were threatened with arrest for sitting on blankets. This absurd show of force on April 29 escalated what had been a low-key gathering of several dozen students commemorating the encampment — an event where participants were asked to bring blankets, schoolwork, art supplies, music and games.
223 Richmond taxpayers were sent inflated car tax bills
When Bill Gay received the personal property tax bill for his 2004 BMW convertible, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Last year, the 21-year-old car had been assessed at $2,350, Gay told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Monday evening. This year’s assessment? $43,793. . . . Gay is among multiple Richmond residents who own older vehicles and suddenly find themselves facing surging assessments. Some of those residents have contacted the city’s Department of Finance to have their bills adjusted. Others haven’t yet been able to get in touch with anyone who can help. But they all have one thing in common: nobody has explained to them what, exactly, led to the absurd hikes.
Plastic recycling company coming to Pittsylvania County, bringing 28 new jobs
A start-up plastic recycling company is coming to Pittsylvania County and bringing 28 new jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday morning. Green Recycle USA will invest $4.3 million to launch in an existing warehouse in Pittsylvania County, a news release reported. ... The company plans to collect industrial plastic waste and through a recycling process and convert it into raw material. That will be used to make new products to be sold to be used in things packaging materials for automotive parts, construction materials and consumer goods. “We are proud to welcome Green Recycle to the commonwealth,” Youngkin said.
Fall election will help determine the fate of constitutional amendments
Changing the Virginia Constitution is difficult by design. A proposed amendment must twice pass the General Assembly — doing so in consecutive terms — before voters decide if it will be enshrined in the commonwealth’s governing document. Lawmakers began that process in January by advancing three amendments mostly along party lines, with the Democratic majority approving measures that Republicans largely opposed. The fate of those proposals hinge on November’s election, lending greater weight to the decisions voters will make this fall.
Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority has diversified, bolstered Southwest Virginia's economy
Businesses assisted by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority had an $8.4 billion direct impact on Southwest Virginia’s economy in 2024 and were responsible for over 28,000 jobs. Those were among the findings of a new study by Chmura Economics & Analytics, commissioned by VCEDA. The authority, which is based in Lebanon, Virginia, was created in 1988 by the Virginia General Assembly to enhance and diversify the economic base of Southwest Virginia’s coal-producing region as coal’s impact diminished.
Richmond City Council dismisses head of city’s top watchdog office, texts show
Richmond’s top watchdog — Inspector General Jim Osuna — has been relieved of his duties, according to texts exchanged between Osuna and 8th District Councilwoman Reva Trammell. The inspector general's office reports to the Council and conducts internal investigations into allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in city government. For example, Osuna recently spearheaded the probe of the city's Office of Elections, and identified fraudulent use of city funds by former Registrar Keith Balmer, who later resigned. The revelation comes after City Council met at 4 p.m. Monday for a closed session to discuss “consideration of the performance of a Council appointee.” A person familiar with the situation told The Times-Dispatch that the group agreed not to move forward with Osuna.
Bowser cautions as council members look to renegotiate ‘delicate’ RFK Stadium site deal
The $1 billion in public funds attached to a new stadium at the RFK Stadium site worries detractors like D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, as does the $1 per year rent payment that the Washington Commanders would pay. “My initial sense is that the deal is very, very, very favorable to the Commanders,” Mr. Mendelson said last week. “It’s nice to be supportive of the Commanders, but this is a taxpayer expense.” Without lawmakers like Mr. Mendelson on board, the fate of the NFL franchise’s move back to the District remains up in the air.