Search
Warner speaks out on Trump policies during Shenandoah University visit
Virginia’s general election in November will be watched closely by the entire country because the outcomes will serve as a report card on President Trump’s performance in the White House. That’s according to Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, who held a town hall meeting Friday morning with a crowd of about 150 people in Halpin-Harrison Hall at Shenandoah University (SU).
Pokharel and Tanyu: In race to develop AI, colleges overlook cybersecurity
Tomorrow’s data breaches are being written in today's classrooms. If we continue treating security as an afterthought, we risk graduating students who are ready to build the future — but unprepared to secure it. In an era where cyber threats evolve faster than textbooks, a staggering 43% of cyberattacks now target small- to medium-sized enterprises, many of which employ graduates unequipped with real-world cybersecurity skills. Arguably, our academic approach to cybersecurity is long overdue for a transformation.
States’ $7.4B settlement with Purdue Pharma nears closure
Fifty-five attorneys general have agreed to sign on to a $7.4 billion nationwide settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, the Virginia attorney general’s office announced Monday. If the settlement is approved by the federal bankruptcy court, Virginia would receive up to $103.8 million over the next 15 years. According to state Attorney General Jason Miyares‘ statement, the Sackler family has “indicated its plan to proceed with the settlement,” allowing them to resolve litigation for Purdue’s alleged role in causing widespread opioid abuse.
Portsmouth sheriff declines to expand existing partnership with ICE
As some cities in Hampton Roads, such as Chesapeake, are broadening cooperation with federal immigration authorities, Portsmouth Sheriff Michael Moore said his department won’t be expanding its existing agreements with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But that doesn’t mean the agency isn’t cooperating with ICE, according to Moore, who said it will continue to honor immigration detainers that aid federal authorities’ deportation efforts.
Officials Investigate More Threats of Violence Against U.S. Politicians
Officials in at least three states said on Monday that they were investigating or prosecuting people for making threats against politicians, a day after the police in Minnesota arrested and charged a man over the assassination of a state lawmaker. In Texas, the authorities said that an armed man who threatened to harm lawmakers at the State Capitol had been detained. In Georgia, a man was arraigned after prosecutors said he threatened sexual violence against two United States senators. And in Virginia, a former Coast Guard officer was arrested and accused of making threats against President Trump online.
Sentara, Virginia Wesleyan partner on new college of health sciences
Sentara Health will develop a new College of Health Sciences at Virginia Wesleyan University, the two institutions announced Monday. The details of the partnership haven’t been hammered out yet, but a statement from the health system and university said they’re aiming to minimize disruption and ensure continuity for students, faculty and staff. The move comes two months after Sentara College of Health Sciences, an arm of the state’s largest healthcare system, announced it would stop offering degree programs for nurses and other health professions after 130 years.
Charlottesville City Council primary is city’s first to use ranked choice voting
In Tuesday’s City Council primary, Charlottesville is about to become the second locality in Virginia — after Arlington County — to use ranked choice voting, after a century of using a winner-take-all block system. In block voting, voters choose as many candidates as there are open seats for a certain office. With ranked choice voting, voters don’t just select their favorite candidates; instead, they rank as many of the candidates as they would like, in order of their preference.
‘Option C’ for new Rappahannock River crossing gets regional endorsement
The Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s policy committee voted 9-1 on Monday night in favor of “Option C” for a new road and bridge over the Rappahannock River. The road would run from Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford County, cross the river west of the quarry and connect with Gordon Shelton Boulevard in Fredericksburg from the west. FAMPO, a regional transportation planning body, has been studying the proposed construction of a river crossing west of Interstate 95 for more than a year.
Texts show Richmond officials reversing course on boil water advisory
In the early morning hours of May 27, officials knew they would likely have to issue Richmond’s second boil advisory of the year due to collapsing water pressure, text messages obtained by The Times-Dispatch show. When contacted by The Times-Dispatch that morning, they said that overnight issues at the city’s water treatment plant hadn’t been serious enough to necessitate the notice — despite the internal communications to the contrary. Three hours later, they backtracked and warned Richmond residents in large swaths of the city against consuming the tap water without boiling it.
Federal cuts could raise Va. food stamp costs $540 million
Virginia lawmakers are getting a new lesson in national politics: when President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress talk about cutting federal spending, they also mean shifting the cost of safety net programs to states. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” that the U.S. House of Representatives passed could cost Virginia up to $540 million a year to administer food assistance for low-income residents and pay up to 25% of benefits, the state commissioner of social services told a General Assembly budget committee on Monday.