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Data center developers pitch seven 80-foot buildings for Fauquier campus
The Fauquier Planning Commission has received its first formal presentation of the proposed Gigaland data center campus project on 200 acres south of Lucky Hill Road, just outside the Remington town limits. Adam Shellenberger, Fauquier County’s chief of planning, led the May 15 briefing, intended as a preview ahead of a public hearing expected in June. Commissioners used the session to ask questions and direct concerns about the proposal to the applicant.
Arlington Co. lawmakers to assess damage, develop plan to deal with federal workforce cuts
One in five residents in Arlington County is directly employed by the federal government. County board members and the local delegation in the Virginia General Assembly are working together to assess the damage of recent federal cuts and develop strategies to weather the storm. “This is going to be a long-haul commitment for all of us,” said Arlington County Board member Maureen Coffey during a Monday work session with several local state senators and delegates.
Virginia reports first mammal with bird flu
Virginia has reported its first case of bird flu in a mammal, as the disease continues to ravage the U.S. poultry industry sending the price of eggs skyrocketing. The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Clarke County recently admitted an adult female red fox found in Loudoun County that tested positive for H5N1, highly pathogenic avian influenza. ... Though a first for Virginia, other states have reported many bird flu cases in mammals, especially dairy cows and free-roaming domestic cats
Liberty University pays $15 million to former president Falwell Jr. in settlement
Liberty University has agreed to pay former President Jerry Falwell Jr. $15 million as part of recent settlements tied to lawsuits following his resignation. According to a copy of Liberty University's 2023-2024 tax form, Falwell will receive $5.5 million to settle the lawsuits. This amount is in addition to nearly $10 million he received as part of his retirement package.
Accused of making Metro less safe, watchdog relents on self-driving trains
After a two-month standoff with its safety watchdog, Metro received approval Tuesday to use self-driving trains on three of its six subway lines. Automation will expand beyond the Red Line to the Green and Yellow lines Friday. But a broader conflict between the two agencies continues, and multiple elected leaders say the commission created in 2018 to address Metro’s dysfunctional safety culture is now creating problems that add risk instead of reducing it. They are pushing back on a commission plan to start fining Metro for failing to follow orders — and backing Metro’s calls for an outsider to resolve future conflicts instead.
Lucas endorses Spanberger after initial skepticism
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, one of Virginia’s most powerful Democratic lawmakers, has endorsed Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s campaign for governor, signaling peace in the valley for Democrats moving forward. Lucas had previously expressed skepticism about Spanberger’s candidacy. She was among those encouraging Rep. Bobby Scott (D-3rd) to launch a campaign for governor, arguing that Spanberger had not done enough to connect with Black communities across the state. Scott ultimately decided against entering the race, and Spanberger became the Democratic nominee.
Earle-Sears declines to say if she’ll sign a bill limiting abortion access if elected governor
The Republican nominee for governor, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, is declining to say if she’ll sign a bill limiting a woman’s access to abortion, if she’s elected governor. The question was hypothetical, as no bills were introduced in this year’s General Assembly session to limit a woman’s access to abortion at 15 weeks or less.
After Black lawmaker is targeted by racial slur, Democratic leaders want more than condemnation
Del. Candi Mundon King, D-Prince William, was recently targeted with a racial slur by an anonymous social media account. Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears publicly condemned the post, but House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, and Mundon King are calling for more than statements. They say Republican leaders must follow their words with action. “So original!” Mundon King said in response to the slur directed at her. “This is what Black elected officials have to face for simply doing our jobs. I will wait for Gov. Glenn Youngkin to condemn this…” Youngkin posted later in the day, condemning the attack.
No personnel relocation decisions yet for Fort Eustis’ Army training headquarters move
The Army’s chief of staff testified to a House subcommittee earlier this month that the Army Training and Doctrine Command headquarters at Fort Eustis is set to relocate to Austin, Texas. What that means for the thousands of men and women stationed at Fort Eustis has yet to be determined, Army officials said this week. But it’s raised questions for congressional leaders representing Hampton Roads, who say they will be closely scrutinizing the plans.
In Virginia, a military stronghold becomes a haven for Afghan refugees
Kat Renfroe was at Mass when she saw a volunteer opportunity in the bulletin. Her Catholic parish was looking for tutors for Afghan youth, newly arrived in the United States. There was a personal connection for Renfroe. Her husband, now retired from the Marine Corps, had deployed to Afghanistan four times. “He just never talked about any other region the way he did about the people there,” she said. She signed up to volunteer. “It changed my life,” she said. That was seven years ago. ... She now supervises the Fredericksburg migration and refugee services office, part of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. That faith-based work is now in peril.