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Chesterfield supervisors approve incentive agreements for data center projects
While some mystery remains over who exactly is behind them, two sizable data center developments planned for western Chesterfield are now eligible for an extra financial boost from the county. The Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved tax incentive agreements for the EDA-initiated projects at sites near Moseley and Westchester Commons. The agreements lock in the county’s personal property tax rate for the code-named data center projects at the current 24 cents per $100 of assessed value for a 30-year period.
‘Forever chemicals’ mar pristine reputation of Virginia’s Chickahominy River
The Chickahominy River in Virginia is known for its physical beauty, with bald cypress trees and lily pads decorating the water that meanders through largely undeveloped acres of forests and wetlands. But the river’s appearance tells only part of the story. In May, the Virginia Department of Health issued its first fish consumption advisory for the presence of harmful chemicals in the Chickahominy River, which is a James River tributary, and the White Oak Swamp where its waters originate. The advisory notifies the public of the risk of exposure to PFOS, a so-called “forever chemical,” by eating too many (or, in some cases, any) of some fish species from the waterway.
‘Hallowed ground, desecrated’: ICE sweeps at Chesterfield court draw fierce backlash
Jessica Schneider, a member of Chesterfield County’s Board of Supervisors, was about to address a growing crowd of people protesting area immigration raids outside the Chesterfield County Courthouse Wednesday morning when her phone buzzed with news that visibly shook her. Another immigrant, Salvador Calderon-Cuella — whose immigration status remains unclear at this time — had just been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and quietly whisked away through the courthouse’s back entrance. Calderon-Cuellar had pleaded guilty in April to two misdemeanor traffic offenses — driving without a license and failing to yield when entering a highway. The fines totaled $130, according to Chesterfield General District Court records. On Wednesday, he arrived at the court to make the payment.
DOJ officials call for UVa President Jim Ryan to resign
In an unprecedented move, U.S. Department of Justice officials are calling on University of Virginia President Jim Ryan to resign, saying he has slow-walked the removal of diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the school and misrepresented the steps UVa has taken to end them. DOJ officials have asked Ryan to step down on multiple occasions, as first reported by the New York Times on Thursday. The DOJ did not immediately respond a Daily Progress request for confirmation.
Editor-in-chief position eliminated for The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press
Virginia Media recently changed the leadership of its newsroom operations. Tribune Publishing, owned by Alden Global Capital since 2021, eliminated the editor-in-chief position held by Kris Worrell since August 2019. As executive editor, she oversaw The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, The Virginia Gazette and Tidewater Review and was dedicated to serving readers and the communities with engaging, informative and meaningful stories.
Kroger to close at least two Virginia stores
At least two Virginia Kroger stores will be among the 60 locations the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company plans to shutter over the next 18 months to improve efficiency and profitability. Kroger announced the plan during a corporate earnings call Friday. The company hasn’t said which stores it plans to close ... On June 20, Kroger filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) ... The filing said 81 employees will lose their jobs by Aug. 22 due to the store at 1904 Emmet St. N in Charlottesville ... A news release distributed Friday by United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 ... noted that in addition to the Charlottesville store, another Virginia Kroger, a location at 466 S. Cummings St. in Abingdon, will close Sept. 19.
Rep. Don Beyer buzzes to spelling bee win
“Stygian” means having the characteristics of death, but the word kept a lawmaker alive in a spelling competition Wednesday night. Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., got it correct to move on to the final round of the National Press Club’s Press & Politicians Spelling Bee, where he squared off against Jessica Mendoza, a podcast co-host at The Wall Street Journal. Mendoza spelled “caryatid” right, while Beyer missed “espalier” to start the round. But then Mendoza stumbled on “trichinosis,” knocking her out of the contest altogether and leaving Beyer as the last speller standing.
Kaine: Attacking Iran needs congressional approval
From the start of his time in the U.S. Senate, Tim Kaine has tried to convince presidents that it’s up to Congress to declare war. Now, he’s trying again, hoping to remind President Donald Trump that he needs to go to Congress before attacking Iran. Before last week’s attack, Kaine filed a resolution saying “Congress hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.”
Warner demands cost analysis for HUD move to Alexandria, concerned about displaced National Science Foundation
Senator Mark Warner is demanding a full cost-benefit analysis of the federal government’s decision to relocate the Department of Housing and Urban Development to Alexandria, expressing skepticism about claimed taxpayer savings and concern for displaced National Science Foundation employees. The Virginia Democrat, speaking during a media availability Thursday (June 26), said he has not seen any cost evaluation for the move that will displace approximately 1,800 NSF employees from their headquarters at 2415 Eisenhower Ave.
New regulation requires impact offsets on some Virginia solar projects
Solar developers face new rules to get certain projects approved in Virginia after the enactment of a new regulation earlier this month — part of an ongoing discussion about how to meet Virginia’s growing energy needs. The new regulation, set in motion by a 2022 state law, would require projects under 150 megawatts that impact enough prime farmland or forestland would be required to mitigate those impacts, either through on-site work or off-site conservation easements.