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Haines: Youngkin fights bias in the opioid crisis. Why not maternal health care?
Last May, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order to expand Naloxone access and combat opioid overdoses. As vice chair of the Chesterfield County School Board last year, I was grateful for the governor’s efforts to combat well-documented bias toward those who struggle with substance-use disorder. Bias has prevented school boards from stocking life-saving naloxone. The governor’s strategic decision to attend a Revive! Training at Stafford High School with the first lady gave political cover to Virginia school boards considering policies to stock naloxone in their schools.
Data center boom takes central Virginia by storm with recent large-scale project approvals
Virginia is talking world domination — at least, when it comes to data centers. According to the Virginia Economic Development Project, the state hosts about 35% of the world’s hyperscale data center market, with the majority of those sites located in Northern Virginia. Now, all eyes on Central Virginia as it follows suit. If it feels like you’re hearing about new plans or proposals for data centers in the region almost every couple of weeks, that’s probably because you are.
Student’s future in jeopardy after UVa denies access to Grounds citing protest
A nursing student arrested during a May 4 anti-war protest at the University of Virginia is still being denied access to Grounds, a prohibition that has already cost him a job and could result in him failing his academic program. A total of 27 people were arrested when Virginia State Police broke up an encampment of protesters opposed to Israel's monthslong war with Palestinian terror group Hamas, ... That total arrest number includes some who say they were never part of the protest but were in the area of the encampment when state police arrived. UVa issued all 27 who were arrested "no trespass" orders, or NTOs, preventing them from legally returning to Grounds. Most of those orders have since been lifted or modified. Mustafa Abdelhamid’s has not.
Virginia Explained: Data center expansion, with all its challenges and benefits
Humanity is almost a quarter of the way through the 21st century and Virginia — home to 70% of the world’s data centers — is on the frontlines of the latest emerging technology: artificial intelligence, or AI. The prevalence of data centers and the rising role of AI don’t equate to a dystopian battle between humans and machine control, though (at least at the moment). Rather, these issues are at the center of a debate over localities’ authority and revenue benefits, historic preservation, environmental considerations, and electricity demand and utility rate projections, all shaped by ever-increasing internet use.
Yancey: Senate candidate thinks driving to Abingdon is time wasted. Here’s why it’s not.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin last week got to experience some of the things that make the western part of Virginia unique. First he couldn’t fly into Wise County for a speaking engagement because a cloud was sitting on top of the mountaintop airport. Instead, his state plane diverted to Abingdon and the governor took a 49-mile ride to the town of Wise. His police escort couldn’t clear away one obstacle, though: a 100-ton boulder that, loosened by overnight rains, had fallen onto the road. The governor persevered, though. Even though he was running late due to the elements, he made all of his scheduled events last Thursday in Southwest Virginia ...
Loudoun Supervisors Advance Work-Group Approach to Dulles Airport Noise
Residents near Dulles Airport raising concerns about noise from aircraft overflights might have a chance at some relief after the Board of Supervisors on Thursday voted to move forward with a process to propose mitigation options to the Federal Aviation Administration. The action is the latest in a series of efforts by county leaders to address the concerns of community members. In January 2023, the board directed the staff to open a dialogue with the FAA and in February sent a letter to the FAA seeking assistance in mitigating the noise. After being unable to open regular correspondence with the FAA, the board hired Vianair Consulting in June last year to help with that process.
Tobacco Commission approves $500,000 for Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill
The Virginia Tobacco Commission voted to approve a $500,000 grant toward engineering and design of an improved natural gas gate at the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill in Pittsylvania County. The commission approved the grant during its meeting Wednesday in Ewing in southwest Virginia. "Prospect interest in the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill makes it imperative that engineering design for the natural gas gate to proceed so that the required gas gate infrastructure can be constructed to provide natural gas service to the property," according to staff comments on the commission agenda.
Stoney talks economy, education during visit to Bristol
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said residents of Southwest Virginia have more in common with residents of the capital city than one might think. Stoney, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in the 2025 general election, visited Bristol and Abingdon last Friday. A former Secretary of the Commonwealth under Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Stoney also served as head of the state Democratic party.
End to no-strings-attached free checking raises concerns among some advocates for low-income residents
The Roanoke-based credit union Freedom First has become the latest financial institution to stop offering no-strings-attached free checking accounts. The credit union switched about 20,000 of its more than 60,000 members from its basic “Freedom Checking” accounts to its new “Freedom Perks” accounts on May 1. The new accounts carry benefits such as credit monitoring and roadside assistance but, starting June 1, will charge a $7 monthly fee unless a customer maintains a $2,500 average daily account balance or is under age 21. As Freedom First and other financial institutions have enacted such requirements, they have raised concern among some who argue that people with low incomes struggle to meet the requirements or pay the fees.
As primary election looms, make a plan to participate at the polls
Coming only days after most public school districts complete their academic year, Virginia’s June 18 primary election will almost certainly struggle to draw crowds at the polls this year. That’s unfortunate given the importance of several races on the ballot this summer. Nomination races for U.S. Senate and House will shape November matchups that will help determine the majorities of the Congress, which convenes in January. Voters shouldn’t overlook this opportunity to participate and should make a plan now to have their say. Tuesday is the registration deadline for those who intend to vote in the June primary, a date made less important thanks to measures that allow eligible Virginians to cast a ballot through same-day registration.