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Even members of Congress have no clear idea of unemployment related to Trump cuts
How many Northern Virginia residents have lost their jobs as part of federal cutbacks and their ripple effects on the economy? Nobody seems to know for sure — including members of the U.S. Senate. “We’re still trying to get the right numbers,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) board of directors at a meeting last Wednesday (June 11). Warner said the best figure he could come up with was 168,000 Virginia federal workers and contractors facing unemployment, but he quickly acknowledged that number came from an online source. “Do not take that as gospel,” he said.
Primary election results from Roanoke and New River valleys
Donna Littlepage claimed the Democratic nomination after a primary election in House District 40, according to unofficial results Tuesday night. Littlepage led by more than 1,000 votes over fellow Democrat Kiesha Preston. The district covers Salem, part of Roanoke County and three precincts in Roanoke City. ... To the north, incumbent Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, commanded the vote against his first primary election challenger of his six-term tenure representing House District 37, according to unofficial results. He took 81% of the vote versus political newcomer Austen Schwend in Lexington ...
UVa board elects new — and historic — rector and vice rector
For the first time in history, the University of Virginia's governing Board of Visitors will be headed by a woman rector and vice rector. Rachel Sheridan, a partner at the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of Kirkland & Ellis, has been elected rector, ... Porter Wilkinson, another lawyer and chief of staff to the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents, has been elected vice rector. ... Sheridan and Wilkinson, both UVa alumni, were appointed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Sheridan in 2023 and Wilkinson in 2024. Sheridan donated $25,000 to Youngkin's 2021 campaign for governor, according to the Virginia Public Access Project ... Wilkinson is not recorded to have donated to Youngkin's campaign, according to the same records, but she has strong family connections to the Republican Party.
Virginia Beach approves filling of borrow-pit despite residents’ concerns
In a 9-0 vote Tuesday, the City Council approved a permit modification that will allow the city to fill a human-made lake with dredged material. ... The Department of Public Works plans to dump dredged material from navigation channels and stormwater projects into the lake. The approval came after nearly a dozen people including neighboring residents spoke against the plan citing concerns about water contamination, flooding and impact on wildlife.
Norfolk Mayor Alexander will not seek re-election
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander will not seek re-election as he takes on a leadership role at Virginia Community College System, according to a release. Although the release says Mayor Alexander will not seek re-election, it does not specify whether or not he plans to finish his current term. He just won re-election last November, and his current term runs until December of 2028. He will take on his new job at VCCS on July 10.
House District 97 primary winner: Tim Anderson
A former state delegate has clinched victory in the Republican primary race for Virginia House District 97. Tim Anderson is leading with 93.3% of the vote, and as of 8:15 p.m., was called the winner by the Associated Press. Anderson, 50, an attorney, faced political newcomer Christina Felder, 28, a substitute school teacher. He wants to substantially lower the car tax that residents pay each year, and instead use Virginia’s budget surplus to reimburse localities for the lost revenue.
Healthcare, education and immigration highlighted in Senator Warner's Staunton town hall
U.S. Senator Mark Warner stopped in Staunton on June 13. Warner called a town hall to hear the concerns of Shenandoah Valley business leaders amid the current news cycle. The discussion centered on the budget bill working through Washington D.C. “I have huge concerns on the big bill, I will not call it beautiful,” Warner said, referring to President Donald Trump’s name for the bill ...
Hashmi declares victory in race for lieutenant governor; Stoney has not conceded
State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi declared victory Tuesday night in the six-way Democratic primary race for Virginia's lieutenant governor nomination. Less than an hour later, the Democratic Party of Virginia congratulated Hashmi on her victory. The Associated Press says the race is still too close to call, however, and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who is right behind Hashmi, has not conceded. As of 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Elections results page has Hashmi in the lead by roughly 4,000 votes.
HRBT’s 2nd tunnel nears completion as project remains on schedule, within budget
Since moving its completion date back significantly last spring, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project has remained on schedule and its total budget has not changed. The project’s contractor, Hampton Roads Connector Partners, asked for an 18-month extension in March 2024, citing unforeseen cost and schedule effects. The project is still slated to reach substantial completion — the point when motorists will be able to use the new infrastructure — by February 2027 and final completion by August 2027, according to Ryan Banas, director of the expansion project.
Dougherty wins Democratic nod in House District 75 race
A former Democratic nominee will get another shot at trying to unseat a Republican House of Delegates incumbent, ... In the 75th House District, Lindsey Dougherty won a three-way primary to oppose Republican incumbent Carrie Coyner. The two women faced off in 2019 with Coyner coming out on top with 55% of the vote.