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By BRAD KUTNER,
WVTF-FM
Governor Glenn Youngkin is still looking to spend $100 million on new lab schools across Virginia, and a handful of applications were approved Thursday. But there were concerns about the viability of at least one of the programs.
Lab schools were authorized by the legislature in 2022. They aim to partner with colleges to provide real world experience to students so they can enter the job field more quickly upon graduation. And while the spirit of the program is supported by many, the funding— directly from the state and given to public and private colleges— has been a source of budget fights.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By GRAHAM MOOMAW,
Virginia Mercury
A week before the Petersburg City Council voted unanimously to pick Cordish Companies to potentially build a casino, City Manager John Altman Jr. signed a letter saying the city council intended to pick a competing company, according to a copy of the document obtained by The Virginia Mercury.
The April 17 letter of intent addressed to Bally’s, a national casino company that was one of five finalists for the Petersburg project, said the pending deal would still depend on outside factors. However, the letter clearly indicated Bally’s was the city’s initial choice … The city claims the letter was signed under duress as the General Assembly pressured local officials to pick a certain casino company or risk losing the project entirely.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By STACY PARKER,
Virginian-Pilot
(Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)
Bruce Smith rolled the dice — and won. The pro football Hall of Famer and Virginia Beach developer was selected with partner The Cordish Companies to build a casino in Petersburg. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet,” Smith said by phone Thursday afternoon. “I’m so excited about this opportunity.” Petersburg residents will still have to vote on whether to allow gaming through a referendum on the November ballot. If approved, the casino project will be the largest economic development and tourism project in Petersburg history.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By DEAN MIRSHAHI,
WRIC-TV
The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia sent a letter to the head of the state’s corrections department demanding that the agency apply a recent court decision ordering a man’s release from prison to others with similar cases so they might be let out too.
The Supreme Court of Virginia ordered the release of Jose Garcia Vasquez, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and a count of criminal gang participation, siding with him over the state in finding that the Department of Corrections wrongfully denied him earned sentence credits to be released early.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By NOUR HABIB,
Virginian-Pilot
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Some Hampton Roads school divisions will scale back virtual programs next school year because of declining enrollment, limited funding and options they believe are better for students. When the pandemic hit four years ago, schools across the country were thrown into virtual learning. The concept was not new, though: Several area schools had outside vendors offering courses. But the learning landscape changed in the aftermath. Most students and teachers happily returned to in-person learning, while some preferred online.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By SARAH Y. KIM,
WAMU-FM
Metro’s Board of Directors approved a budget Thursday that will enable the agency to close its deficit for the next fiscal year and avert service cuts that would have been disastrous to the region.
That’s due to a $463 million combined contribution from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Those funds are in addition to annual subsidies the jurisdictions are already legislatively required to contribute.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By SEAN JONES,
Richmond Times-Dispatch
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The Girl Scout who created “book nooks,” little libraries carrying the titles that were removed from Hanover County Public Schools over the past year, spoke to the County Board of Supervisors this week. Kate Lindley said that supervisors had “bestowed” an honor upon her greater than any proclamation when it “censored” a proclamation for her winning a Girl Scout Gold Award. A supervisor during the meeting Wednesday told the crowd supporting Lindley that proclamations are ultimately issued by the board and while requests can be made, board members have the right to vote on the wording for an award.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By RAVEN PAYNE,
WAVY-TV
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, along with state and local officials, broke ground on a major dredging project Thursday morning that is expected to boost the region’s economy while replenishing resort beaches.
They celebrated the start of phase two of the Atlantic Ocean Channel deepening project, a part of the wider, deeper, safer dredging project which will deepen the Norfolk Harbor to an average of 55 feet.
Virginia Beach Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson highlighted the significance, saying the project will bring billions to our economy.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By BEN PETERS,
Inside NOVA
Fundraising numbers are in for the crowded and competitive races to replace outgoing members of Congress in the 7th and 10th districts, signaling which candidates have momentum heading into early voting beginning May 3.
In the 7th District, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, is stepping down to run for Virginia governor in 2025. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, also a Democrat, is stepping down in the 10th District due to health issues. Those are considered the two most competitive congressional races in Virginia in 2024, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
VaNews April 26, 2024
By CIANNA MORALES,
Virginian-Pilot
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City Council voted Tuesday to approve enhancements to the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in anticipation of becoming a year-round cruise destination in 2025.
The changes are huge, said Stephen Kirkland, who runs the cruise terminal as the executive director of Nauticus.
“A cruise ship will be here every single week, embarking and debarking passengers, and we need to be prepared for that heightened activity,” Kirkland said.
VaNews April 26, 2024
