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Drug overdoses continue to show marked decline
The latest numbers compiled by the Virginia Department of Health show fatal drug overdoses are down over 34% for 2024, compared to 2023. The main takeaways in the quarterly report for the fourth quarter of 2024 from the Virginia Department of Health show fatal drug overdoses have been the leading method of unnatural death in Virginia since 2013, the number of illicit opioid deaths surpassed prescription opioid deaths in 2015 and the trend is continuing, and although fatal drug overdoses peaked in 2021, they began to decline slightly in 2022 and 2023 with a substantial decrease last year.
Why is teacher pay at one Richmond-area school $17,100 higher than another?
Good teachers are critical to student success. Meanwhile, schools say strong salaries attract and retain strong educators. Yet teacher salaries can vary considerably across the Richmond area. For example, the average salary at Richmond’s Fairfield Court Elementary is $17,100 higher than the average teacher salary at Falling Creek Elementary in Chesterfield County. Why? A Virginia Department of Education salary survey published in March compiled average pay at schools across the state in 2024.
Bonds and Newby: Data centers, nondisclosure agreements and democracy
Data centers evoke strong and conflicting opinions. Advocates point to the truly significant revenue they can generate for local governments. Opponents point to data centers’ enormous energy needs, climate impacts, water use and their capacity to diminish the quality of life for residents living nearby. To weigh the costs and benefits of data centers and to set the ground rules for any potential data-center development, local governments should empower members of the public with all relevant information to foster a meaningful debate. We fear, however, that the widespread use of nondisclosure agreements and a larger ethic of secrecy regarding data center development curtails this discussion and, in so doing, impairs local democracy.
From VPAP New Episode: The Virginia Press Room Podcast
In the latest episode of the podcast from VaNews and VPM, Michael Pope is joined by Kate Seltzer of The Virginian-Pilot, Greg Schneider of The Washington Post, and Dean Mirshahi of VPM News. They discuss the week's top headlines: Virginia Beach Republican Party Chair ousted amidst turmoil, state officials and the Nansemond Indian Nation trade accusations of Medicaid fraud, and cuts to AmeriCorps end community service grants. Tune in for insights and analysis on Virginia politics. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Wittman: Time for a more thoughtful approach to cost-cutting
As the representative for Virginia’s 1st District in Congress, I take seriously the legislative branch’s responsibility to ensure the federal government operates efficiently, effectively and in the best interests of the American people. Across party lines, there’s growing agreement: Washington must get its fiscal house in order by spending taxpayer dollars wisely while focusing on results that matter to everyday Americans. . . . To address this, we need to pursue targeted savings — not reckless cuts. That means using a scalpel, not a sledgehammer, when it comes to rightsizing the federal workforce or realigning federal spending. We must always remember the real people behind the numbers — families depending on paychecks, seniors relying on benefits, and communities counting on services.
Storm preparations are key as weather forecasting succumbs to Trump cuts
Hampton Roads residents hear every year about the importance of preparedness in advance of the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1. The region hasn’t suffered a direct hit in decades, however, so many people likely shrug off those warnings, figuring they’ll be ready when it matters. This year, with meteorologists predicting a busier-than-average season, it’s more important than ever to be storm-ready. Cuts to the National Weather Service and climate research could compromise the quality and accuracy of forecasting, putting more Americans at risk during extreme weather events. That’s a worrisome proposition as our region turns toward the tropics and awaits what may come.
Jones: As gaming options grow, Virginia supports responsibility
Casinos, online sports betting, the Virginia Lottery, charitable gaming, live horse racing and historical horse racing (HHR) … all these forms of gaming are thriving. Gaming-related revenues have set record highs in the commonwealth each year for the past five years. All that has translated into increased revenues for the commonwealth, individual localities and K-12 public education. With this increase in activity, we are seeing a corresponding rise in the number of people seeking help for problem gambling and gambling addiction.
VPM school initiative ’on pause’ as Trump targets public media
A hands-on initiative for Richmond and Petersburg public preschool students is on the local front line of President Donald Trump's multiple-front national assault on public broadcasting. VPM Media Corp., a Richmond-based nonprofit that provides public television and radio for two million people in a wide swath of Virginia, recently learned that the U.S. Department of Education had terminated a $23 million national grant to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for "Ready to Learn," a 30-year-old initiative that produces a variety of educational programming for PBS Kids.
Third prison employee sentenced for FCI Petersburg death in custody
A third employee with the Bureau of Prisons was sentenced Thursday for making false statements to federal investigators who were reviewing the death in custody of Wade Walters. Walters was a federal prisoner at FCI Petersburg who died in a suicide watch cell in 2021. He was serving a 25-year sentence stemming from a child porn and sexual exploitation case. Tonya Farley was a nurse at the prison. She was on duty the day before Walters died.
Feds renege on deal to give Federal Executive Institute to Charlottesville Schools
Less than two weeks after the deal was struck, the U.S. Department of Education has reneged on its promise to bequeath the Trump-shuttered Federal Executive Institute to the Charlottesville school division. Instead, the agency has recommended the property be given to the University of Virginia. Both Charlottesville City Schools and UVa expressed shock Friday over the “completely unexpected” development. “The rescinding of this opportunity is an enormous setback to our City and to our students,” Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders and Schools Superintendent Royal Gurley said in a statement announcing the news of the reversal at 4:30 p.m. Friday.