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Lee Enterprises says cybersecurity incident cost millions

By MATT BUSSE, Cardinal News

Newspaper publisher Lee Enterprises has recovered from a cybersecurity incident that began in February and cost the company millions of dollars, the company’s chief executive said Thursday. Kevin Mowbray, Lee’s president and CEO, said in a news release that the company incurred $2 million in “restoration costs” related to the incident during the second quarter, which for Lee runs from Jan. 1 through the end of March. It also suffered lower advertising and subscription revenue because products were limited or unavailable.

VaNews May 9, 2025


Youngkin Vetoes Clean Energy Bills That Garnered Support From Dominion, Environmental Groups

By CHARLES PAULLIN, Inside Climate News

Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed two bills for the development of small solar projects and energy storage that had won bipartisan votes and support from Dominion Energy, environmental groups and farm and forestry representatives. The bills would have encouraged private homes and companies to initiate solar projects and bolstered the existing utility’s efforts to capture electricity from renewable sources for later use. Dominion said in April, in an application to purchase electricity from third-party suppliers, that enhanced solar production and its own plans to store electricity would result in billions of dollars of fuel savings through 2035.

VaNews May 12, 2025


Vick: To protect workers, protect freedom of choice

By CATHIE J. VICK, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Subscription Required)

One of the most cherished rights of all Americans is the freedom of association — the freedom to participate in those activities which align with our personal goals and values, and the freedom to not be forced into groups which oppose them. That concept originated with our founding fathers who saw coercion — whether in religion, party or any other affiliation — as an anathema to the natural rights of a free people in a free society. . . . Considerable attention has been paid to Virginia’s right-to-work law in recent weeks. Virginians deserve a clear understanding of what right-to-work is, and what it is not.

Vick is the president and chief executive officer of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

VaNews May 9, 2025


Warner calls for Hegseth to resign following loss of F/A-18s

By COLTER ANSTAETT, WTKR-TV

Virginia U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are expressing concern and frustration over the loss of well over $100 million in taxpayer money and military equipment in three recent F/A-18 fighter jets on the Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. ... As News 3 has reported, according to the Navy the first of the three fighter jets was accidentally shot down by one of the Truman Carrier Strike Group’s own destroyers. The second jet slid out of the carrier’s hangar bay as it was being towed and the third jet slid off after the system set up to stop jets after they land failed when the jet landed. Warner said the U.S. needs a new secretary of defense.

VaNews May 9, 2025


Youngkin’s signature sets stage for Virginia health insurance to cover IVF treatment in the future

By CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS, Virginia Mercury

A bill that can help people start and grow their families through fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization will become law, after Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed it along with several other measures he initially tried to amend. House Bill 1609 by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, will require the Health Insurance Reform Commission (HIRC) to consider coverage for diagnosis and treatment of infertility and procedures like IVF in its 2025 review of essential health benefits covered by health insurance.

VaNews May 9, 2025


Spanberger says she would not sign a full repeal of right-to-work law

By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Subscription Required)

Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, says she would not sign a full repeal of Virginia's right-to-work law, under which union membership may not be a condition of employment. In a television interview with WRIC Channel 8 on Thursday, Spanberger noted that no member of the General Assembly "even submitted a bill to repeal the right to work," this year, but then said, "I support labor, I support our strong Virginia economy, but no — I don't support a full repeal of our current right-to-work statute."

VaNews May 9, 2025


Allen: I was a GOP governor. I’m supporting a lawsuit against Trump’s tariffs.

By GEORGE ALLEN, published in Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Some might be surprised that I, a Republican, am challenging President Donald Trump’s tariffs plan. But my opposition to tax increases is not new. In fact, that conviction is why I strongly disagree, as a matter of constitutional principle, with the president’s “emergency” declaration to impose near universal import taxes on products from allies and adversaries alike. The Constitution is clear that taxes are the purview of Congress, not a tool to be implemented by presidential proclamation.

Allen, a Republican, served as governor of Virginia and represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

VaNews May 9, 2025


From ‘tariffs’ to hiring freeze, GOP-led Lynchburg council discusses ways to reduce taxes

By MARK HAND, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Lynchburg Republicans on city council are flexing their political muscle as they move toward adopting a budget for fiscal year 2026, with many of their proposals mirroring what President Donald Trump introduced in his first 100 days in office. From local forms of so-called tariffs to attacking the city bureaucracy to taking steps similar to Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, Republicans, who have a 6-1 majority on council, are identifying ways to scale back government in the Hill City and creatively fund the remaining operations.

VaNews May 9, 2025


Spotsylvania school board chair issues ‘first warning’ about decorum during public comment

By TAFT COGHILL JR., Fredericksburg Free Press

Spotsylvania County School Board Chair Megan Jackson issued a warning to public speakers via email earlier this week, stating that the board will strictly adhere to a recently-revised policy regarding decorum at meetings. “Due to increasing disruptive behaviors, we are reminding the community of our school board policy BDDH,” Jackson wrote in an email to parents. “This notice shall serve as an official first warning. If a second warning is warranted at a school board meeting, [the] violator will be told to leave immediately.”

VaNews May 9, 2025


Williamsburg-area school board halts middle school renaming

By JAMES W. ROBINSON, Virginia Gazette (Metered Paywall - 4 Articles per Month)

The Williamsburg-James City County School Board has tabled talks on renaming James Blair Middle School, but some board members say they hoped the issue would continue to encourage conversation. Tuesday’s decision to table came several months after a grassroots group called the school’s name into question, pointing out that Blair, a Scottish minister who founded William & Mary, was an enslaver who also advocated for slavery.

VaNews May 9, 2025