Search
Chesterfield leads Virginia in population growth
Chesterfield County is extending its lead as the largest locality in Greater Richmond after adding more residents the past four years than the rest of the region combined. Between April 2020 and July 2023, the county increased by 18,565 residents, the highest total not only in the region but also every other city and county in Virginia, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The next-highest total increase belongs to Loudoun County in Northern Virginia, which rose by 13,642 people.
Henrico taking $60M earned from data centers to create housing trust fund
As home prices rise across Virginia and the nation, Henrico County has announced a plan to strategically invest $60 million to address housing affordability. The county’s new Housing Affordability Trust fund is designed to impact home prices for first-time homebuyers, seniors and the working class. County leaders said they are hoping to make homes affordable for people like child care workers, first responders, teachers, restaurant staff, office administrators and industrial park workers.
Stafford wants parents, students dialed in about possible cellphone ban
If members of the Stafford School Board were filming an ad about their plan to ban cellphone usage during the school day, they might say to students and their parents: “Can you hear me now?” Officials want to make sure those enrolled, as well as their families, know about upcoming changes regarding the student code of conduct. On June 11, the School Board will vote on six new policies that affect everything from anti-bullying measures to removing a rowdy student from class. But they’re well aware the plan to not allow cellphone usage from the starting bell to dismissal is going to create the most blowback.
Excavation at University of Richmond does not find graves as expected
When workers found discolored soil in neatly arranged blocks at the University of Richmond, they believed they had found graves. And they had good reason — they were just a few feet from a known grave site. Immediately, the university stopped what the workers were doing and applied for a state permit to excavate graves. After it was approved, excavation began last month. Then, archaeologists made a surprising discovery — the ground they were digging did not contain graves, the university announced this week.
Henrico launching $60M housing trust fund with revenue from data centers
Less than a month after receiving a directive from county supervisors for “something transformational” to address housing affordability, Henrico officials have come up with a plan that leans heavily on a growing source of revenue: data center dollars. Henrico is contributing $60 million in cash to establish its first housing trust fund, which will be fueled by economic development revenue generated specifically from data centers.
Lawsuit that could derail Diamond District stadium to get a hearing
A lawsuit that could derail the Diamond District baseball stadium project will proceed, a Richmond judge decided Thursday, which could cost the city $25 million even if the suit fails. Lawyer Paul Goldman has filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing that Richmond should conduct a referendum before it floats $170 million in bonds to build the minor league stadium and the infrastructure around it. Judge W. Reilly Marchant said he will schedule a hearing in a few weeks for Goldman to argue his case.
Good says GOP rival McGuire will 'lie, cheat and steal' to beat him
With a handgun holstered in his belt and a competitive primary race on his hands, Bob Good did not shy away from taking shots at his Republican challenger at a campaign stop last week. “I’ll tell you, I have never run against someone with less integrity than the man I’m running against now. Never,” the congressman told a crowd of more than 100 people at First Free Coffee Bar in Albemarle County just north of Charlottesville on May 9.
Youngkin creates task force to calm furor over veterans benefits
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is trying to quell a furor among Virginia military families by creating a task force to address budget changes that he originally advocated to a state program. The program pays for tuition and fees at public colleges and universities for family of military service members killed or severely disabled while on active duty. Youngkin issued an executive directive on Wednesday night to create the task force, three days after he signed a new two-year budget that would limit eligibility for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program.
Whitewater channel project in Danville receives $3 million in state budget
The recently approved state budget includes $3 million for a whitewater channel along the Dan River in Danville, which is expected to be both a source of recreation and a first-responder training facility. . . . Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, who sponsored the budget amendment, said that the unique kind of rescue training that this project will provide will be a draw for visitors. “You can go to a river now and do whitewater rescue training, but the problem is, if there’s an accident or something like that, you can’t turn the river off,” Marshall said.
Leesburg eliminates by-right data center zoning
The Leesburg Town Council voted 6-1 on May 14 to require a special exception for all data centers and substations where they were previously allowed without any legislative approvals. The move gives the council more oversight on data centers, ensuring that every project comes before the Planning Commission and Town Council for approval.