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Virginia county says April ransomware attack exposed employee SSNs

By JONATHAN GREIG, The Record from Recorded Future News

Government employees working for the county of Gloucester in Virginia had Social Security numbers and other sensitive data stolen during a ransomware attack in April. The county sent 3,527 current and former employees notices this week warning that their personal information was accessed by hackers who breached county systems on April 22. In addition to Social Security numbers, names, driver’s license numbers, bank account information, health insurance numbers and medical information was also stolen during the incident.

VaNews July 4, 2025


Despite residents' objections, Four Seasons board backs data center plan

By JILL PALERMO, Prince William Times

Over the loud objections of several residents, the Four Seasons homeowners’ association board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to endorse a plan to allow up to five data centers on undeveloped land between their over-55 community and Interstate 95. The vote came after a packed town hall meeting in the Four Seasons community room, where several residents pleaded with the board not to endorse a move to open the densely forested area behind their community to data centers. One person spoke in support of the project.

VaNews July 4, 2025


Friday Read Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

National Archives

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

VaNews July 4, 2025


Ex-Richneck teacher’s lawsuit against former assistant principal can move forward, judge rules

By PETER DUJARDIN, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The former teacher at Richneck Elementary School who was shot by a 6-year-old student in early 2023 can proceed with her lawsuit against the school’s former assistant principal, a judge ruled Thursday. But Newport News Circuit Court Judge Matthew W. Hoffman tossed the claims that Abby Zwerner filed against two other defendants — Richneck’s former principal and the former Newport News schools superintendent.

VaNews July 4, 2025


VPAP Visual Women on the Rise in House Primaries

The Virginia Public Access Project

The number of women running for, and winning, party nominations for the Virginia House of Delegates has steadily increased since 2009. A record high share of House candidates were women in last month's primary elections, and the share of women who won a nomination was second only to 2017.

VaNews July 3, 2025


Here’s how Hampton Roads lawmakers voted on Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

By DEVLIN EPDING, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Republican leaders in the House found enough votes Thursday to pass President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” after several Republicans flipped their votes overnight to support the massive bill. The bill extends Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax breaks to make them permanent and allows workers tax deductions on a portion of tips and overtime pay. Overall, the bill will raise the country’s debt ceiling by $5 trillion.

VaNews July 4, 2025


ICE increasingly targets undocumented migrants with no criminal record

By EMMANUEL MARTINEZ, MARIANNE LEVINE AND ÁLVARO VALIÑO, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

The Trump administration is increasingly targeting unauthorized immigrants with no criminal record as it ramps up arrests, a Washington Post analysis of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement data shows. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem often touts that ICE officers are arresting the “worst of the worst.” But more than half of those removed from the country since Jan. 20 do not have a criminal conviction. . . . Texas, Florida and California registered the highest number of arrests, but many other states saw substantial increases. In Virginia, ICE officers arrested four times as many people in the first months of the Trump administration as they did over that same period in 2024. That is the biggest percentage increase of any state.

VaNews July 4, 2025


Over 734,000 Hampton Roads residents await impact of Medicaid funding changes

By JANET ROACH, WVEC-TV

Over 734,000 Virginians in the Hampton Roads area currently rely on Medicaid and FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security) for their healthcare needs. It's a number that could see significant shifts with federal funding cuts following the passage of President Trump's spending bill on Thursday.

VaNews July 4, 2025


Elimination of DEI played out differently at VCU and UVa

By ERIC KOLENICH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Subscription Required)

When state and federal officials told Virginia Commonwealth University to scrub DEI from every corner of campus, the university's administrators went straight to work. They dissolved the university's central office for diversity, equity and inclusion and started reviewing the work of DEI employees. They even hired a consultant to check their work. At the University of Virginia, however, things played out much differently. Its board voted to eliminate the university's office for DEI, but what the school's administration did next is unclear. Weeks later, federal officials and conservative alumni accused UVa making change too slowly.

VaNews July 4, 2025


‘This is not the Virginia way’: U.Va. alumni respond to President Ryan’s resignation

By BRANDON KILE, Cavalier Daily

After seven years serving in the position, University President Jim Ryan publicly announced his resignation Friday following demands from the Department of Justice for him to step down from the role. The Cavalier Daily invited University alumni to share their thoughts on the situation via email, and many who responded expressed negative feelings about the news. In their responses, many alums criticized the Trump administration for overstepping its boundaries and abusing its power for political gains. Many also criticized the Board of Visitors for accepting Ryan’s resignation and for failing to uphold the values of the University.

VaNews July 4, 2025