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Georgia Pacific to close plywood mill in Emporia, costing 550 jobs
A hard-hit part of Southside Virginia got another blow as forest products giant Georgia-Pacific said Friday that it is closing its plywood mill in Emporia, laying off about 550 people. It’s the second major plant closing in less than a year in that part of the state, an hour south of Richmond near the North Carolina state line.
Sports wagering rises more than 20% in March
Sports wagering in Virginia rebounded during March, rising 23.9% compared to the prior month, according to a new report from the Virginia Lottery. Total wagers reached nearly $690 million statewide during the 31 days of March, hitting $689.66 million. That is up noticeably compared to the $556.83 million wagered during February, lottery figures show.
Analysts: Youngkin’s record vetoes are a new approach to executive power
In Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s view, vetoing bills—nearly four times as many as any other governor — and making case-by-case decisions on restoring voting rights is what governors are supposed to do. But some political scientists and at least one former governor aren’t so sure. Just as with the flood of directives from President Donald Trump, flexing of executive muscle on such a scale is something new in politics, they say. And they say it might have less to do with getting things done in Virginia than with creating a brand.
Deeds: Washington jeopardizes Virginia’s bipartisan work on health care
Virginia is enjoying bipartisan support for improving young people’s access to mental health services. The governor and the General Assembly have worked together over the past 3 1/2 years to support efforts to expand access to behavioral health care in our schools and in our communities and invest in the behavioral health workforce. We have significant needs in this area, and we are working jointly to meet those needs. But budget cuts in Washington threaten to thwart our progress and starve our initiatives of the money they need to succeed.
As early voting begins, a committed few turn out in Hampton Roads
Early voting began Friday for primary elections in Virginia, and a few Hampton Roads residents decided to show up as soon as possible. Noel Craig was among the first 30 people to vote early in Norfolk. A retired social worker, Craig said his biggest concerns were the threats to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and the threats to voting rights. He said the governor’s race was the most important to him because it has the most direct effect on taxes and quality of life. Specifically, he wants the governor to address the high tolls in Hampton Roads and lower auto insurance rates.
From VPAP New Episode: The Virginia Press Room Podcast
In the latest episode of the podcast from VaNews and VPM, Michael Pope is joined by Dwayne Yancey of Cardinal News, Laura Vozzella of the Washington Post, and Jeff Schapiro of Radio IQ. They discuss the week's top headlines from news and commentary: low early voting in rural communities, sparring between GOP lieutenant governor nominee John Reid and Youngkin aide Matthew Moran over an extortion claim, and Youngkin's Republican Party schism. Tune in for insights and analysis on Virginia politics. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Trump’s tariffs added $4M to this Virginia wind project in just a few weeks
Off the coast of Virginia, Dominion Energy is building what will be the largest offshore wind facility in the U.S., a 2.6-gigawatt project that will provide energy to as many as 660,000 homes. It has been under construction since 2023 and is expected to be completed by 2026—but President Donald Trump’s tariffs are adding to the project’s costs. Already, through the first quarter of 2025, Dominion’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project has incurred tariff costs of $4 million, CEO Bob Blue said on a recent earnings call. That increase came from Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel, which the president announced in early February and which went into effect March 12.
Aborted landings due to Army helicopter near Reagan airport ‘unacceptable,’ top official says
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday that it is “unacceptable” that two commercial aircraft had to abort landings at a Washington airport this week because of an Army Black Hawk helicopter that was flying to the Pentagon. In addition to the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration investigating what happened Thursday afternoon at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Duffy said he plans to talk to the Department of Defense to determine why rules were “disregarded.”
Youngkin says he will support entire Virginia GOP ticket
Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday that he will support the entire GOP ticket, a week after he asked John Reid to withdraw as the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor. Youngkin spoke with reporters at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond after discussing his final actions on the state’s amended two-year budget. After he initially did not answer a question directly, Youngkin was asked a second time whether he would campaign with Reid. “Yeah, we’re gonna ... I have said that I will support the nominees and their ticket,” Youngkin said. “And at the end of the day, Republicans need to win.”
Youngkin carves out $900 million from budget as Virginia prepares for Trump-era uncertainty
What began as a session focused on how to spend Virginia’s projected multi-billion surplus has ended with Gov. Glenn Youngkin yanking nearly $900 million out of the state budget — bracing for the economic aftershocks of President Donald Trump’s new administration. At the start of the 2025 legislative session both Youngkin and members of Virginia’s General Assembly had their eyes on how best to use the windfall. But after Trump took office in late January, Youngkin announced Friday that he was setting aside a $900 million cushion to prepare for potential federal impacts.