Search
Marquez: Who will pay for Amazon’s data center boom? Taxpayers
Silicon Valley may be America’s tech capital on the West Coast, but Northern Virginia holds that title in the east. As the historical backbone of the internet and just a stone’s throw from Washington, D.C., the region has become a favored destination for major tech companies to set up shop. Thanks in large part to generous tax breaks from state lawmakers, the region has become home to the nation’s largest cluster of data centers — some 275 and counting, with Amazon planning $35 billion in data centers across Loudoun and Prince William counties over the next 15 years.
Stafford wants parents, students dialed in about possible cellphone ban
If members of the Stafford School Board were filming an ad about their plan to ban cellphone usage during the school day, they might say to students and their parents: “Can you hear me now?” Officials want to make sure those enrolled, as well as their families, know about upcoming changes regarding the student code of conduct. On June 11, the School Board will vote on six new policies that affect everything from anti-bullying measures to removing a rowdy student from class. But they’re well aware the plan to not allow cellphone usage from the starting bell to dismissal is going to create the most blowback.
Lawsuit that could derail Diamond District stadium to get a hearing
A lawsuit that could derail the Diamond District baseball stadium project will proceed, a Richmond judge decided Thursday, which could cost the city $25 million even if the suit fails. Lawyer Paul Goldman has filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing that Richmond should conduct a referendum before it floats $170 million in bonds to build the minor league stadium and the infrastructure around it. Judge W. Reilly Marchant said he will schedule a hearing in a few weeks for Goldman to argue his case.
Wilder faults Biden for apparent cancellation of VSU debate
Former Gov. Doug Wilder on Thursday criticized President Joe Biden over his role in the apparent cancellation of the Oct. 1 presidential debate at Virginia State University. On Wednesday, Biden’s campaign notified the Commission on Presidential Debates that he would not participate in its three scheduled fall forums at universities, including the debate at VSU. Instead, Biden and former President Donald Trump quickly agreed to two debates, a June 27 faceoff to be hosted by CNN and a Sept. 10 debate hosted by ABC.
Warner not giving up on VSU debate; says 'incumbent' for Biden to come to campus
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said Thursday he has not given up on the possibility of still having a presidential debate at Virginia State University, but at the very least, he feels it is “incumbent” that President Joe Biden come to the Ettrick campus prior to the election. In a session with Virginia journalists, Warner said he and his Democratic colleagues would push for the second of the projected televised debates between Biden and former president Donald Trump to be held at VSU.
Future Educators Academy will train new teachers while they're still in high school
A new teacher preparation program could soon send Fauquier County students back into the classroom just years after high school graduation, only this time as teachers. The Future Educators Academy is a dual enrollment program that will allow high school juniors and seniors to complete coursework to earn their high school diploma while earning an associate’s degree in education at the same time. If they go straight to a four-year institution and immediately earn a bachelor’s degree, they could be teachers by age 20 or 21.
Chesterfield leads Virginia in population growth
Chesterfield County is extending its lead as the largest locality in Greater Richmond after adding more residents the past four years than the rest of the region combined. Between April 2020 and July 2023, the county increased by 18,565 residents, the highest total not only in the region but also every other city and county in Virginia, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The next-highest total increase belongs to Loudoun County in Northern Virginia, which rose by 13,642 people.
Charges dropped against several arrested at UVa protest
One by one, the charges lodged against those arrested at an encampment of anti-war protesters at the University of Virginia earlier this month are being dropped. Kristen Finn, a local freelance photographer, was among the 27 people arrested on May 4 when UVa administrators called in Virginia State Police to break up the small encampment that had been quietly protesting Israel's ongoing war in Gaza for four days. ... On Wednesday, Albemarle County dropped the charges against Finn — and five others.
70 years after landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the echoes continue in Prince Edward County
In the 70 years since the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case banned racial segregation in U.S. schools, the pursuit of quality and equitable education in Prince Edward County has taken many forms and faced many challenges, and continues strong today in its legacy and impact. As one of the five civil rights cases that were combined in Brown, Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County brought together the lion’s share of individual plaintiffs decrying the “separate but equal” doctrine as a farce — about three-quarters of more than 200 people named in Brown.
Henrico launching $60M housing trust fund with revenue from data centers
Less than a month after receiving a directive from county supervisors for “something transformational” to address housing affordability, Henrico officials have come up with a plan that leans heavily on a growing source of revenue: data center dollars. Henrico is contributing $60 million in cash to establish its first housing trust fund, which will be fueled by economic development revenue generated specifically from data centers.