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Friday Read ‘There’s no way this is actually what I think it is’: Marine vet finds WWII-era mortar in Virginia backyard
In central Virginia, it’s not uncommon to unearth relics from Civil War battles. But finding a 50mm French mortar dating to World War II hidden in your backyard is something else entirely. That’s what happened to Hunter Vap, a Marine veteran and resident of Orange, Virginia. After a midnight encounter with an ancient piece of unexploded ordnance, he’d enlist county officials — and ultimately explosives specialists from Marine Corps Base Quantico, about 70 miles away — to safely dispose of it.
Charlottesville teachers demand UVa turn down Federal Executive Institute
It's town versus gown. Things got off to a rocky start when the University of Virginia was founded in 1819. But for the better part of the past century, UVa and the city of Charlottesville have enjoyed a civil relationship in the 10-square-mile patch of land in the shadow of university founder Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate. For decades, city residents have shrugged off grievances over the university's growing appetite for land and development. . . . But some residents have reached a breaking point.
Youngkin signs bills designed to improve foster care in Va.
Chesapeake resident Katie Jones knows all too well that in the past, Virginia’s foster care system hasn’t always worked like it’s supposed to. “I absolutely did not get what I needed as a child. No foster kid does,” Jones told 8News. That’s why Jones, who aged out of the foster care system several years ago, was on hand in Richmond on Thursday to witness Governor Glenn Youngkin sign two bills to improve Virginia’s foster care system.
Reforms to VCU Health must wait following Youngkin veto
The effort to restructure the leadership of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System will have to wait another year, after Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the measure earlier this month. Following the failure of the Clay Street real estate project, in which VCU Health paid $73 million to exit, the governor, legislators and health system leaders all agreed to restructure VCU Health’s board of directors, which requires rewriting state law. . . . But the legislation will not become law, because Youngkin vetoed it, saying it would have unnecessarily shifted power from the governor’s mansion to legislators.
Amazon picks Goochland for next fulfillment hub
Amazon is building a new state-of-the-art robotics fulfillment center in Goochland County, the company’s fourth in Virginia, creating more than 1,000 jobs and further deepening its footprint in the commonwealth. The 3.1 million-square-foot facility, known as RIC6, will occupy a 107-acre parcel in the Rockville Opportunity Corridor. It joins a growing network of Amazon investments in Virginia that include fulfillment and delivery centers, dozens of data centers, Whole Foods Markets, Amazon Fresh stores, and the company’s second headquarters in Arlington.
Youngkin defies House on vetoes, but court fight unlikely
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is defying the House of Delegates over his vetoes of three provisions in the state budget, but a battle is unlikely in state courts over the limits of his constitutional authority. After House Clerk Paul Nardo declined to recognize three of the governor's 37 line-item budget vetoes, Youngkin made clear on Thursday that he will not abide by the clerk's decision. He said his administration will not carry out the General Assembly directives, including proposals to help nursing homes hire more staff and expand access to weight loss drugs under the state's Medicaid program.
Johnson: How Virginia honors its vets should evolve from recognition to reform
May is National Military Appreciation Month, with events held throughout the country honoring American heroes who sacrificed their lives and health in service of their country. Yet this month should also be about advocating for better policies that improve the lives of veterans and active service members. Currently, despite considerable progress in safety measures, working for the military is a hazardous career path. Veterans experience some of the highest rates of cancers and chronic conditions, while many continue to face obstacles in accessing timely health care and benefits tied to their service-related exposures.
D.C. region sees slight decline in homelessness, though Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William numbers continue to rise
While an annual point-in-time count showed the D.C. region has seen a slight decline in homelessness, Arlington’s count increased by 12%. The point-in-time count from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is an annual snapshot tallying people experiencing homelessness around the region. While the region saw an overall decrease in homelessness — from 9,774 last year to 9,659 this year — Arlington was one of four jurisdictions to see an increase in its homelessness count.
Yancey: 5 things the Virginia committee investigating impact of federal cuts didn’t hear (but maybe should have)
When the House of Delegates “emergency committee” on federal government cuts met in Wytheville earlier this week, legislators didn’t hear a lot of specifics. Impacts on international tourism? Too soon to tell, said Virginia tourism chief Rita McClenny. Impacts on agriculture? Too soon to tell, said Jason Grant of the Center for Agricultural Trade at Virginia Tech. Impacts of tariffs on economic development? Too soon to tell, said Virginia economic development chief Jason El-Koubi.
Sparks fly during Hopewell City Council meeting over recent city terminations
Tensions flared at Tuesday evening’s Hopewell City Council meeting, as protesters were escorted out by sheriff’s deputies and one councilman voluntarily left. The contention stems from the terminations of former city clerk Brittani Williams and former city manager Dr. Concetta Manker, from a 4 to 3 council vote on May 1. Two rallies were held ahead of Wednesday night’s meeting featuring local and national activists.