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Norfolk attorneys in turf war over authority to prosecute shoplifting cases
A feud between Norfolk’s city attorney and the city’s top prosecutor over whose office should handle misdemeanor shoplifting cases quickly escalated into a political turf war with both sides claiming chief authority. The Norfolk City Council unanimously approved a code change Tuesday that will let the City Attorney’s Office prosecute misdemeanor shoplifting cases after Mayor Kenny Alexander complained Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi wasn’t bringing charges.
Renovation and expansion projects at 10 Virginia colleges and universities put on pause
Gov. Glenn Youngkin paused over $600 million in funding requests for 10 renovation and expansion projects at Virginia’s higher education institutions to prepare for possible statewide repercussions stemming from uncertainty about the country’s economic future. As President Donald Trump’s administration continues slashing federal spending and programs and overhauling global trade policies, Youngkin and lawmakers are keeping a keen eye on the state’s purse strings.
Amazon breaks ground on 3 million-square-foot Goochland fulfillment center
Construction of a massive new Amazon facility in Goochland got off to a ceremonial start this week. Officials from the e-commerce giant crowded into the county’s agricultural center Wednesday morning to officially announce plans for (and ceremonially break ground on) the previously reported 3.1 million-square-foot robotics fulfillment center on a 105-acre site at 2022 Ashland Road in the Rockville area.
Richmond’s inspector general staff threaten resignations over personnel changes
Multiple investigators in Richmond’s Office of the Inspector General have threatened to resign over recent personnel changes in the department, 8th District Councilwoman Reva Trammell told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Wednesday evening. The inspector general is tasked with investigating allegations of fraud, waste and abuse within city government. The office reports to City Council.
Purcellville recall petitions certified; next steps begin
Petitions to recall Purcellville Mayor Chris Bertaut, Vice Mayor Carl "Ben" Nett and Council members Carol Luke and Susan Khalil have been certified, according to Loudoun County General Registrar Judy Brown. The four petitions, one each for the mayor and three council members, have been sent to Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary Clemens' office for the next steps in the process, she said. Clemens confirmed that he has the petitions, and he was reviewing them on Thursday morning.
Elections Office Certifies Purcellville Recall Petition Signatures
The Office of Elections has certified signatures in a recall petition submitted last month seeking to remove Purcellville’s mayor, vice mayor and two council members from office. According to court documents, 1,211 signatures were included in the petition to remove Mayor Christopher Bertaut. Of those, 25 were deemed invalid and 1,186 were verified. The number of signatures required for a petition to be certified was 494.
Arlington County leaders express regret for treatment of displaced Queen City residents
Arlington leaders on Tuesday (May 13) honored the legacy of a once-vibrant community wiped off the map to make way for construction around the Pentagon. Board members also expressed regret at how those residents were treated by county leaders eight decades ago. County Board members used the meeting to celebrate Queen City, which had been established in the early 1890s but in 1942 was acquired through eminent domain by the federal government. The 900-plus residents of the community were displaced, many of them moving to other historically African-American communities in Arlington and across the region.
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.
Advocates say cuts to SNAP would have significant impacts for Virginia families
Families that are in poverty and struggling to make ends meet might be cut off from social welfare benefits if Congress moves forward with a funding proposal now under consideration. Virginia could be facing a shortfall of more than $350 million – that’s if Congress moves forward with a budget proposal to change the funding formula for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. One of the new features is a work requirement that Lily Roberts at the Center for American Progress says is a misnomer.
State Secretary of Transportation: Amtrak service to Bristol a ‘heavy lift’
Attracting Amtrak passenger rail service to the Twin City is an expensive, long-term proposition that still remains possible, state transportation leaders said Tuesday. Speaking during a public session about the state’s six-year transportation plan at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Secretary of Transportation B. Sheppard Miller III urged proponents to keep working.